WSOP Event #42

World Series of Poker Event #42, Seniors World Championship No-Limit Hold’em, 23-25 June 2008

Entrants: 2,218
Buy in: $1,000
Prize pool: $2,018,380

Final results:

1. Dan LaCourse, $368,832

2. Dale Eberle, $235,141

3. Marc Fluss, $156,424

4. Jerry Yamachika, $131,194

5. Fred Berger, $106,974

6. Charles Wood, $84,771

7. Peter Silverstein, $64,588

8. Ed Clark, $49,450

The $1,000 buy-in Seniors World Championship (Event #42) attracted 2,218 entries, creating a prize pool totaling $2,018,380. The top 198 finishers collected prize money.

This was the largest seniors’ event in poker history. The turnout shattered last year’s record of 1,882. The 2008 figure represents an 18 percent increase over 2007.

To be eligible for entry into the Seniors championship, the entrant must be age 50 or older – which means the player had to have been born prior to June 23, 1958.

The 2008 Seniors World Champion is Dan LaCourse, from Toledo, Ohio. He is a 56-year-old retired police detective.

LaCourse also administered polygraphs as an examiner during his work as a detective. In a post-tournament interview, he stated that his training as a detective and examiner helped him at the poker table. LaCourse stated that most people reveal themselves (through subtle gestures and mannerisms) within three seconds of being of being confronted with a question or decision.

When it appeared that LaCourse would end up at the final table, he called his wife late at the end of Day Two, which was early morning back home in Ohio. His wife packed quickly, drove to the airport, and arrived at the Rio just as players were taking their seats at the final table. In fact, she pulled a suitcase through the crowd and took her seat. The long trip turned out to be worth the effort.

LaCourse stated that senior players are not as aggressive as younger players, in general. But he observed that seniors tend to be more patient at the poker table.

LaCourse was thrilled to win his first WSOP gold bracelet. “It’s an honor I wanted my entire life,” he said. “I have always wanted this and to be standing here with a gold bracelet and this moment is very special to me.”

LaCourse won $368,832 for first place. This was the highest poker prize ever paid out to any winner of a senior event.

“Mad Marty” Wilson took ninth place in what was his first-ever WSOP final table appearance. Wilson is a master of trivia and has won many contests in England.

For the second consecutive year, poker legend and 1972 world champion “Amarillo Slim” Preston cashed in this event. He finished 91st. When Preston busted out late on Day Two, the entire room stopped play, and burst into a spontaneous ovation which collectively paid tribute to the master showman and poker promoter.

Other former WSOP gold bracelet winners who cashed in this event included Tom McEvoy (28th), Men “the Master” Nguyen (45th), “Captain” Tom Franklin (64th), John Esposito (107th), and Tony Ma (186th).

With his cash in this event, Tom McEvoy has now finished in-the-money 39 times in his WSOP career. He is currently tied for 17th place on the all-time list.

With his cash in this event, Men “the Master” Nguyen has now finished in-the-money 58 times in his WSOP career. He ranks second on the all-time list, behind only Phil Hellmuth.

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