WSOP Event #26

World Series of Poker Event #26, Razz, 13-15 June 2008

Entrants: 453
Buy in: $1,500
Prize pool: $618,345

Final results:

1. Barry Greenstein, $157,643

2. Chris Klodnicki, $97,389

3. Chris Viox, $58,742

4. Mark Tenner, $43,284

5. Brandon Leeds, $33,081

6. Joseph Michael, $25,661

7. Archie Karas, $19,477

8. Mike Wattel, $16,386

9. Frank Kassela, $13,294

The 2008 Razz champion is Barry Greenstein, a 53-year-old professional poker player from Ranchos Palos Verdes, CA. He was born in Chicago, IL.

Greenstein collected $158,659 for first place. He also earned his third WSOP gold bracelet. This was his 34th WSOP career cash. His previous victories came in 2004 for No-Limit Deuce-to-Seven Draw Lowball, and 2005 for Pot-Limit Omaha.

The $1,500 buy-in Razz championship attracted 453 entries. The total prize pool amounted to $618,345. The top 48 finishers collected prize money.

Razz was first introduced onto the WSOP schedule in 1973. It has been included on the tournament schedule every year since, except 1976.

The illustrious list of former winners in this event reads like a “Who’s Who” of poker. Former Razz champions include — Billy Baxter, Doyle Brunson, Eskimo Clark, T.J. Cloutier, Ted Forrest, Linda Johnson, Berry Johnston, O’Neil Longson, Lakewood Louie, Tom McEvoy, and Huck Seed.

Four players in history have won this event two times. This exclusive club of repeat winners includes — Sam Angel, Bones Berland, Mike Hart, and Huck Seed. Angel, the 1973 and 1975 champion, was one the most colorful characters ever to grace the Las Vegas Strip. He passed away last year.

Last year’s champion, Katja Thater played in this event. But she did not cash. This brings the current streak to 26 straight non-cashes for defending champions in their respective events.

Former WSOP gold bracelet winners that did cash in this event included Tom Schneider (12th), Andrew Brown (19th), Jeffrey Lisandro (20th), and Ted Lawson (38th).

All WSOP images are supplied by “IMPDI for the 2008 WSOP”