Henny Hughes, ridden by Gary Stevens - The Saratoga Special at Saratoga Race Course

In this photo release by the New York Racing Association, Henny Hughes, ridden by Gary Stevens, captures The Saratoga Special at Saratoga Race Course, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Thursday, July 28, 2005. (AP Photo/New York Racing Association, Adam Coglianese)

Cougar Mtn Lodge, ridden by Alex Solis - $125,000 Graduation Stakes

In this photo provided by Benoit Photo, Cougar Mtn Lodge, ridden by Alex Solis, center, wins the restricted $125,000 Graduation Stakes on Wednesday, July 27, 2005, at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif. (AP Photo/Benoit Photo)

Choctaw Nation and Victor Espinoza

In this photo provided by Benoit Photo, Choctaw Nation and Victor Espinoza head for the winner's circle after victory in the Grade II $250,000 San Diego Handicap Sunday, July 24, 2005, at Del Mar in Del Mar, Calif. (AP Photo/Benoit Photo)

Folklore, ridden by Cornelio Velasquez. - Saratoga Race

Folklore, ridden by Cornelio Velasquez, captures the Adirondack Stakes on opening day of the season at Saratoga Race Course on Wednesday, July 27, 2005, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (AP Photo/New York Racing Association, Adam Coglianese)

Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs

Folklore (2) with jockey Cornelio Velasquez, second from left, wins the 89th running of The Adirondack ahead of Fifth Avenue (6) ridden by Pablo Fragoso, left, on Wednesday, July 27, 2005, at the Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. , on the 137th open day of the track. (AP Photo/Reid Burchell)

Folklore with jockey Cornelio Velasquez

Folklore (2) with jockey Cornelio Velasquez wins the 89th running of The Adirondack ahead of Fifth Avenue (6) ridden by Pablo Fragoso on Wednesday, July 27, 2005, at the Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. , on the 137th open day of the track. (AP Photo/Jim McKnight)

Saratoga Race Course as the track starts its 137th season

Donna McDonald, left, and Carole Morse, both from Troy, N.Y., watch Salcombe being led to the seventh race on opening day at the Saratoga Race Course as the track starts its 137th season on Wednesday, July 27, 2005, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jim McKnight)

Poker Players: Duane "Dog" Chapman, Beth, Estella Warren, Wanda Sykes and Carson Daly

(L to R) Duane "Dog" Chapman and his wife Beth, Estella Warren, Wanda Sykes and Carson Daly pose with the the Hawaiian hand sign for "hang loose" or the shaka backstage at a comedy show and concert as part of the "Bodog Salutes our Troops: A Tribute to American Heros" event at the Waikiki Shell on Waikiki Beach in Honolulu July 23, 2005. The concert and prior poker match raised over $50,000 for the Fisher House Foundation which establishes temporary homes for military families during emergencies. Over a dozen television, film and poker stars attended the benefit concert starring Snoop Dogg, Bif Naked, Wanda Sykes, Colin Quinn and Paul Rodriques that ends the two-day event. REUTERS/Lucy Pemoni

Poker Babe: Actress Shannon Elizabeth

Actress Shannon Elizabeth flashes the Hawaiian hand signal for "hang loose" or the shaka before attending a comedy show and concert as part of the 'Bodog Salutes our Troops: A Tribute to American Heros" event at the Waikiki Shell on Waikiki Beach in Honolulu July 23, 2005. Elizabeth presented a check from the sponsors of the concert and prior poker match for $50,000 to the Fisher House Foundation which establishes temporary homes for military families during emergencies. About over a dozen television, film and poker stars attended the benefit concert starring Snoop Dogg, Bif Naked, Wanda Sykes, Colin Quinn and Paul Rodriques that closes the two-day event. REUTERS/Lucy Pemoni

Poker Babe: -Planet of the Apes- star Estella Warren

"Planet of the Apes" star Estella Warren poses after taking the overall winnings during a celebrity poker tournament, part of the "Bodog Salutes our Troops: A Tribute to American Heroes" fund-raisers in Honolulu, Hawaii, July 22, 2005. Warren beat Bodog poker professionals as well as some of Hawaii's best military players. Warren played for the Army and her winnings will go to the Army MWR fund. The charity event was held for members of the U.S. military stationed in Hawaii, and celebrities are playing for the Fisher House Foundation which establishes temporary homes for military families during emergencies. REUTERS/Lucy Pemoni

Poker Babe: Estella Warren

"Planet of the Apes" star Estella Warren in her winning form before taking the overall winnings during a celebrity poker tournament, part of the "Bodog Salutes our Troops: A Tribute to American Heroes" fund-raisers in Honolulu, Hawaii, July 22, 2005. Warren beat Bodog poker professionals as well as some of Hawaii's best military players. Warren played for the Army and her winnings will go to the Army MWR fund. The charity event was held for members of the U.S. military stationed in Hawaii, and celebrities are playing for the Fisher House Foundation which establishes temporary homes for military families during emergencies. REUTERS/Lucy Pemoni

Jorge Garcia whispers to Petty Officer - Celebrity Poker Tournament

Jorge Garcia (L), actor in ABC's hit TV series "Lost" whispers to Petty Officer Ty Canady of the Navy based at Pearl Harbor, during the celebrity poker tournament, part of the "Bodog Salutes our Troops: A Tribute to American Heroes" event in Honolulu, Hawaii, July 22, 2005. The charity event is held for members of the U.S. military stationed in Hawaii, and celebrities are playing for the Fisher House Foundation which establishes temporary homes for military families during emergencies. REUTERS/Lucy Pemoni

Carson Daly - Celebrity Poker Tournament

Carson Daly, host of NBC's late night entertainment talk show "Last Call with Carson Daly", waves after his elimination from the celebrity poker tournament during "Bodog Salutes our Troops: A Tribute to American Heroes" in Honolulu, Hawaii, July 22, 2005. The charity event is held for members of the U.S. military stationed in Hawaii, and celebrities are playing for the Fisher House Foundation which establishes temporary homes for military families during emergencies. REUTERS/Lucy Pemoni

Paul Rodriguez Play Poker

Comedian and actor Paul Rodriguez reacts to being eliminated in the celebrity poker tournament during the "Bodog Salutes our Troops: A tribute to American Heroes" fund-raisers in Honolulu, Hawaii, July 22, 2005. The charity event is held for members of the U.S. military stationed in Hawaii, and celebrities are playing for the Fisher House Foundation which establishes temporary homes for military families during emergencies. REUTERS/Lucy Pemoni

Colin Quinn Playing Poker

Colin Quinn, stand-up comedian and executive producer of Comedy Central's "Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn" and "The Colin Quinn Show", prior to being eliminated in the celebrity poker tournament during the "Bodog Salutes our Troops: A tribute to American Heroes" fund-raisers in Honolulu, Hawaii, July 22, 2005. The charity event is held for members of the U.S. military stationed in Hawaii, and celebrities are playing for the Fisher House Foundation which establishes temporary homes for military families during emergencies. REUTERS/Lucy Pemoni

Poker Babe: Katherine Heigl

Katherine Heigl of ABC's "Gray's Anatomy" smiles as she is eliminated in the celebrity poker tournament during the "Bodog Salutes our Troops: A tribute to American Heroes" fund-raisers, in Honolulu, Hawaii, July 22, 2005. The charity event is held for members of the U.S. military stationed in Hawaii, and celebrities are playing for the Fisher House Foundation which establishes temporary homes for military families during emergencies. REUTERS/Lucy Pemoni

Poker Babe: Katherine Heigl of ABC's -Gray's Anatomy-

Katherine Heigl of ABC's "Gray's Anatomy" is down to her last chip before being eliminated in the celebrity poker tournament during the "Bodog Salutes our Troops: A tribute to American Heroes" fund-raisers in Honolulu, Hawaii, July 22, 2005. The charity event is held for members of the U.S. military stationed in Hawaii, and celebrities are playing for the Fisher House Foundation which establishes temporary homes for military families during emergencies. REUTERS/Lucy Pemoni

Yes, Poker is a SPORT

by Mike Mansfield,

The Poker Web

In my daily search for poker information, I ran across this very offensive and completely idiotic article of JUNK. The article starts as follows:

Guest View: Poker goes from painted dogs to TV dorks

By Marcos Breton, The Sacramento Bee


Somebody should say this, so it might as well be said here: Televised poker is a plague on our society. It is a canker sore on the lips of our culture. It is akin to smoking unfiltered cigarettes, in that it's bad for the body and mind, an insidious habit gone epidemic. Poker is not a sport, but it's all over the sports pages. It's all over ESPN. It's all over Bravo and Fox - and even the pages of my own paper.

The rest of this RIDICULOUS and INCORRECT article is found here...

First let's take a look at the DEFINITION of the word SPORT...

Wikipedia's definition is as follows: A sport consists of a physical activity or skill carried out with a recreational purpose: for competition, for self-enjoyment, to attain excellence, for the development of a skill, or some combination of these. A sport has physical activity, side by side competition, and a scoring system. The difference of purpose is what characterises sport, combined with the notion of individual (or team) skill or prowess. This definition can be found here...

Also from Wikipedia:

Mind sports A.K.A. Mental-Skill Game

Sports that require little or no physical abilities (see also board games).

• Bridge
• Chess
• Checkers (draughts)
• Poker
• Go
• Scrabble
• Shogi
• heksup
• Dominoes

Let's look at an INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION - International Mind Sport Association (IMSA).

On the occasion of Sportaccord held in April in Berlin, Germany,

- The World Bridge Federation (WBF), represented by Mr. J. Damiani, President
- The International Chess Federation (FIDE), represented by Mr. G. Makropoulos, Deputy President and Mr. D. Jarrett, Treasurer
- The World Federation of the Draughts Games (FMJD), represented by Mr. W.van Beek, Vice-President
- The International Go Federation (IGF), represented by Mt. E. Puyt, Vice-President and Mr. R. Yamamoto, General Manager

met together under the aegis of the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF).

Mr. Marcos Breton of The Sacramento Bee claims that POKER is not a SPORT, but he didn't even bother to look up the definition of the word SPORT. Just a little homework would have saved this writer wannabe a whole lot of embarrassment. He certainly loves to use colorfully offensive words to attack Poker and it's followers, obviously he has either no luck, skill or both, and probably lost his ass in a poker game, once.

The fact that a player liked to sip a little beer in a tournament, he twists into a phrase of attack "booze-swilling louts"

Another fine depiction of his is to classify poker programs shown on ESPN, FOX, and BRAVO as "All of a sudden, at all hours of the day and night, we're seeing corpulent, pasty guys with bad skin and bad attitudes hunched around sleazy tables like derby-wearing mutts in a dime- store painting." Personally, I think the man needs some prescription glasses.

More asininity... In one statement he says "Who are these people? Better yet, who cares? Why are they on my TV screen? Why are they in my paper? What does it say when poker ratings on ESPN are almost as high at 3 a.m. as they are during waking hours? That's right, poker is watched by the thousands across America in the dead of night." and in the next statement he says "Poker now draws more than 1 million households per viewing, a staggering achievement of programming muscle, considering it is a sedentary game played at a table - like Parcheesi." Uh...Parcheesi...another MIND SPORT!, probably his mind couldn't handle that game either. And 1 million households per viewing, that's who cares!

If he doesn't want to see poker on HIS TV, the he should change the channel and if it's truly HIS newspaper, the he should have HIS editor(s) not print the poker news, else he should shut the hell up and find another section to read!

And guess what buddy, those "TV dorks" make a hell of a lot more moeny than you. By the way, Marcos, do you think that unfilteres cigarettes are any worse than the filtered ones or even the lights? Get a grip on reality!

Joseph Hachem - Binion's Horseshoe Gambling Hall and Hotel in Las Vegas

Australian Joseph Hachem poses with some of the 7.5 million dollars he won on the final day of competition at the World Series of Poker no-limit Texas Hold 'em main event at Binion's Horseshoe Gambling Hall and Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.(AFP/Getty Images/Ethan Miller)

Joseph Hachem holds the championship bracelet as he celebrates winning the World Series of Poker

Australia's Joseph Hachem holds the championship bracelet as he celebrates winning the World Series of Poker Saturday July, 16, 2005 at Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel in Las Vegas after a final that lasted almost 14 hours. Hachem takes home $7.5 million. (AP Photos/Joe Cavaretta)

Joseph Hachem kisses a stack of $100 bills after winning the World Series of Poker at Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel in Las Vegas

Joseph Hachem of Melbourne, Australia kisses a stack of $100 bills after winning the World Series of Poker at Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel in Las Vegas July 16, 2005. Hachem takes home $7.5 million for winning the tournament. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/R. Marsh Starks/Handout

Steve Dannenmann and Joseph Hachem in final hand of the World Series of Poker at Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel in Las Vegas

Steve Dannenmann of Severn, Maryland (L), and Joseph Hachem of Melbourne, Australia (R), watch the dealer turn a card during the final hand of the World Series of Poker at Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel in Las Vegas July 16, 2005. Hachem won the tournament taking home $7.5 million and Dannenmann took second place with $4.25 million. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/R. Marsh Starks

Tiffany Williamson in semi-final round of the World Series of Poker at Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel

Tiffany Williamson of London decides how to play her cards during the semi-final round of the World Series of Poker at Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel, Thursday, July 14, 2005 in Las Vegas. The top prize for the winner of Friday's final table will be $7.5 million. Every one of the nine players at the last table will walk away a millionaire. Williamson, the only woman left in the tournament, made the final two tables.(AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta)

Aaron Kanter in semi-final round of the World Series of Poker at Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel

Aaron Kanter of Lodi, Calif., watches the flop during the semi-final round of the World Series of Poker at Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel, Thursday, July 14, 2005 in Las Vegas. The top prize for the winner of Friday's final table will be $7.5 million. Every one of the nine players at the last table will walk away a millionaire. Kanter knocked out one of the tournament favorites, Phil Ivey, with the hand.(AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta)

Andrew Black in semi-final round of the World Series of Poker at Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel

Andrew Black of Dublin, Ireland can't bear to watch as the flop reveals cards that caused Black to win a hand during the semi-final round of the World Series of Poker at Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel, Thursday, July 14, 2005 in Las Vegas. The top prize for the winner of Friday's final table will be $7.5 million. Every one of the nine players at the last table will walk away a millionaire. (AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta)

Phil Ivey knocked out in WSOP

Phil Ivey waits to be interviewed after having been knocked out of the semi-final round of the World Series of Poker at Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel, Thursday, July 14, 2005 in Las Vegas. The top prize for the winner of Friday's final table will be $7.5 million. Every one of the nine players at the last table will walk away a millionaire. Ivey finished in 19th place. (AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta)

Andrew Black WSOP

Andrew Black of Dublin, Ireland and his fans watch as the flop reveals cards that caused Black to lose a $5.5 million hand during the semi-final round of the World Series of Poker at Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel, Thursday, July 14, 2005 in Las Vegas. The top prize for the winner of Friday's final table will be $7.5 million. Every one of the nine players at the last table will walk away a millionaire. (AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta)

Joseph Hachem and Johnny Groom in Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel

Joseph Hachem, right, of Melbourne, Australia gets help from host Johnny Groom counting a $5.5 million pot he won from Ireland's Andrew Black, not shown, during the semi-final round of the World Series of Poker at Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel Thursday, July 14, 2005 in Las Vegas. The top prize for the winner of Friday's final table will be $7.5 million. Every one of the nine players at the last table will walk away a millionaire. (AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta)

Steven Dannenmann of Severn in World Series of Poker at Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel

Steven Dannenmann of Severn, Md., stares down an opponent during the semi-final round of the World Series of Poker at Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel Thursday, July, 14, 2005 in Las Vegas. The top prize for the winner of Friday's final table will be $7.5 million. Every one of the nine players at the last table will walk away a millionaire. Dannenmann started the day in third place with $4,300,000 in chips. (AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta)

Andrew Black of Dublin in World Series of Poker at Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel

Andrew Black of Dublin, Ireland counts his chips between hands in the semi-final round of the World Series of Poker at Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel Thursday, July 14, 2005 in Las Vegas. The top prize for the winner of Friday's final table will be $7.5 million. Every one of the nine players at the last table will walk away a millionaire. (AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta)

Phil Ivey looks over at an opponent during the semi-final round of the WSOP

Phil Ivey looks over at an opponent during the semi-final round of the World Series of Poker at Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel Thursday, July 14, 2005 in Las Vegas. The top prize for the winner of Friday's final table will be $7.5 million. Every one of the nine players at the last table will walk away a millionaire. Ivey started the day in second place with 4,635,000 in chips. (AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta)

Defending champion Fossilman - WSOP

Defending champion Greg "Fossilman" Raymer stares down an opponent during the semi-final round of the World Series of Poker at Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel Thursday, July, 14, 2005 in Las Vegas. The top prize for the winner of Friday's final table will be $7.5 million. Every one of the nine players at the last table will walk away a millionaire. Raymer was eliminated early Thursday and finished in 25th place. (AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta)

Oskar Silow in World Series of Poker at Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel

Oskar Silow of Goteborg, Sweden, watches play during the semi-final round of the World Series of Poker at Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel Thursday, July, 14, 2005 in Las Vegas. The top prize for the winner of the final table will be $7.5 million. Every one of the nine players at the last table will walk away a millionaire. (AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta)

The Mouth in World Series of Poker at Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel

Mike "The Mouth" Matusow jokes with other players at his table during the semi-final round of the World Series of Poker at Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel Thursday, July, 14, 2005 in Las Vegas. The top prize for the winner of Friday's final table will be $7.5 million. Every one of the nine players at the last table will walk away a millionaire. Matusow started the evening session in the lead with $5,140,000 in chips.(AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta)

Tim Phan Poker Player

Tim Phan of Westminster, Calif., reacts after winning an "all-in" pot in the semi-final round of the World Series of Poker at Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel in Las Vegas, Thursday, July, 14, 2005. The top prize for the winner of Friday's final table will be $7.5 million. Every one of the nine players at the last table will walk away a millionaire. (AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta)

Tiffany Williamson, left, of London, and Brad Koudrachi of Kingston - WSOP

Tiffany Williamson, left, of London, and Brad Koudrachi of Kingston, Penn., count thier chips before play starts in the semi-final round Thursday, July, 14, 2005 in the World Series of Poker at Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel in Las Vegas. The top prize for the winner of Friday's final table will be $7.5 million. Every one of the nine players at the last table will walk away a millionaire. Williamson is the only woman left among the remaining 27 players.(AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta)

Mike Matusow of Las Vegas competes in the $10,000 buy-in, no limit Texas Hold 'Em

Mike Matusow of Las Vegas competes in the $10,000 buy-in, no limit Texas Hold 'Em main event during the 36th annual World Series of Poker at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada July 13, 2005. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus

Phil Ivey of Atlantic City - WSOP

Phil Ivey of Atlantic City, New Jersey competes in the $10,000 buy-in, no limit Texas Hold 'Em main event during the 36th annual World Series of Poker at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada July 13, 2005. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus

WSOP Tim Phan

Tim Phan of Westminster, California competes in the $10,000 buy-in, no limit Texas Hold 'Em main event during the 36th annual World Series of Poker at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada July 13, 2005. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus

Poker Babe: Tiffany Williamson ompetes in the $10,000 buy-in, no limit Texas Hold 'Em

Tiffany Williamson of London, England competes in the $10,000 buy-in, no limit Texas Hold 'Em main event during the 36th annual World Series of Poker at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada July 13, 2005. Williamson timed out on the hand leading to an automatic fold. Williamson is the only woman left in the tournament after the fourth round. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus

Tiffany Williamson and Fossilman in 36th annual World Series of Poker at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas

Tiffany Williamson (L) of London, England considers her next move in the $10,000 buy-in, no limit Texas Hold 'Em main event during the 36th annual World Series of Poker at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada July 13, 2005. Williamson timed out on the hand leading to an automatic fold. Williamson is the only woman left in the tournament after the fourth round. At right is defending champion Greg Raymer, who is not involved in the hand. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus

Radu Butan 36th annual World Series of Poker at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas

Radu Butan of London, Ontario watches play in the $10,000 buy-in, no limit Texas Hold 'Em main event during the 36th annual World Series of Poker at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada July 13, 2005. Butan is the only Canadian left in the tournament after the fourth round. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus

Poker Babe: Tiffany Williamson of London stands up from her chair during a hand in the $10,000 buy-in

Tiffany Williamson of London stands up from her chair during a hand in the $10,000 buy-in, no limit Texas Hold 'Em main event during the 36th annual World Series of Poker at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada July 12, 2005. Williamson won the hand. REUTERS/Steve Marcus

Russ Hamilton of Las Vegas receives a massage from therapist Linsi Manning

Russ Hamilton of Las Vegas receives a massage from therapist Linsi Manning as he competes in the $10,000 buy-in, no limit Texas Hold 'Em main event during the 36th annual World Series of Poker at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada July 12, 2005. Hamilton won the event in 1994. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus

Fossilman in WSOP

Greg "Fossilman" Raymer of Stonington, Connecticut, checks his hole cards in the $10,000 buy-in, no limit Texas Hold 'Em main event during the 36th annual World Series of Poker at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada July 12, 2005. Raymer, who won last year's event, started play Tuesday as the overall chip count leader. The top prize for the event is $7.5 million. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus

36th annual World Series of Poker at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas - Fossilman

Greg "Fossilman" Raymer of Stonington, Connecticut, competes in the $10,000 buy-in, no limit Texas Hold 'Em main event during the 36th annual World Series of Poker at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada July 12, 2005. Raymer, who won last year's event, started play Tuesday as the overall chip count leader. The top prize for the event is $7.5 million. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus

Poker Babe: Tiffany Williamson of London

Tiffany Williamson of London competes in the $10,000 buy-in, no limit Texas Hold 'Em main event during the 36th annual World Series of Poker at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada July 12, 2005. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus

John D. -Tex- Barch in the World Series of Poker at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

John D. "Tex," Barch of McKinney, Texas raises Tuesday, July, 12, 2005 in the World Series of Poker at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The top prize will be $7.5 million. The final table begins Friday, July 15, 2005. Barch made a strong run to open the fourth day of the tournament.(AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta)

Poker Babe: Tiffany Williamson in the World Series of Poker at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas

Tiffany Williamson of London checks her hole cards Tuesday, July, 12, 2005 in the World Series of Poker at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The top prize will be $7.5 million. The final table begins Friday, July 15, 2005. Williamson is one of only a handful of women left in the tournament. (AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta)

Fossilman in Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas

Greg "Fossilman" Raymer wears his trademark holographic glasses Tuesday, July, 12, 2005 during the World Series of Poker at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The top prize will be $7.5 million. The final table begins Friday. Raymer started play Tuesday as the overall chip count leader with $1,064,000.(AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta)