I was honored to be named the Grand Marshall of The Seniors World Championship of Poker and to host 1,882 senior players from all over the world at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas on June 25, 26, and 27. It was the largest senior event in history. The inaugural event of The Seniors World Championship of Poker was held down at Len Miller's Oceanside Card Casino in Oceanside, California about 15 years ago, and the Seniors Hall of Fame was created. The Grand Old Man of Poker, Johnny Moss, was the first member inducted. There were some 42 members at the inaugural event and believe it or not, several seniors from that original group played in this year's event at the WSOP.
Here are a few of the loyal senior poker players who played in the inaugural event and returned this year to play in the largest seniors event in history: Len Miller, Carol Hale, Tom McEvoy, Chuck Thompson, Vince Burgio, Howard "Tahoe" Andrews, Amarillo Slim Preston, Barbara Enright, Ron McMillian, Spike Gallas, Miami John Cernuto, Dr Jerry Buss, Marsha Waggoner, Berry Johnston, and me.
I sure hope I did not miss one of my senior friends.
Amarillo Slim, Howard "Tahoe" Andrews, Vince Burgio, and Tom McEvoy all made it to the money. Then there were the senior players who were inducted into The Seniors' Hall of Fame who have gone on to play in the big game in the sky.
ROLL OF HONOR
Benny Binion, Johnny Moss, Bill Boyd, Puggy Pearson, Jack Keller, Cowboy Wolford, Hugo Meith, Billie Duarte, Jesse Alto, Ron Weaver, "Oklahoma Bob" Ensley, Johnny Wheeler, and Kenny Flaton. James Garner, of Maverick fame, a TV, movie, and real poker player, was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
You are invited to my web site, www.ok-j.com, for a list of all the winners. There were 1,882 players and 153 winners were paid. Here's the order of this year's finish:
1. Ernest Bennett. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $348,423
2. Tony Korfman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $217,503
3. Rod Clarida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$142,147
4. Ed Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$95,907
5. Thomas Catanzaro. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $65,080
6. Leon Lewis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $47,953
7. Jack Deutsch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$35,965
8. Ray Abels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$26,546
9. Chuck Anderson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$20,209
There have been two new members inducted of into The Seniors' Hall of Fame: Dr. Jerry Buss, owner and president of the L.A. Lakers and Frank Mariani, vice-president and chief executive officer of the Lakers. And remember, you are all invited to my birthday poker party, September 28-30 at the Venetian poker room in Las Vegas. Until Next Time, Remember to STAY LUCKY!
