The Million Dollar Race is an exciting leaderboard promotion where 3000 players will share over $1,000,000! Depending on rank, players will receive a cash amount AND a WSOP® prize (package or freeroll entry into an online qualifier). The leaderboard winner will receive $20,000 and an elite WSOP® package worth $20,000! All you have to do to get involved is play real money cash games at PartyPoker.com – if you are in the top 5000 it will be noted in your Party Account and it will be updated at least once an hour. If you finish in the top ten you are guaranteed cash and a trip to Vegas!

A PartyPoker.com spokesman said: “This promotion is simple – the more Race Points you earn the higher up in the leaderboard you climb and the more cash and prizes you can win. We are under starters’ orders and off for our biggest ever rake race this Friday. The race has great prizes from 1st through to 3000th!”

Please note that throughout the duration of the promotion players earn Race Points as well as PartyPoints – only Race Points count for this promotion. The full mechanics of the promotion can be found at PartyPoker’s website.

The fourth running of the PartyPoker.com Monthly Million takes place on Sunday 3 May at 12.45 EST (17.45 BST, 18.45 CEST). The buy-in to the $1,000,000 guaranteed championship blind structure event is $600+$40 but the diverse qualifying paths mean players can join the qualifiers from as little as $1. The wide range of qualifiers for the Main Event include $64+$4 daily satellites with 19 seats guaranteed – a Mega Friday $50+$5 satellite that guarantees 20 seats and Super Satellite Saturday qualifiers with a $32+$3 buy-in and 15 seats guaranteed. For more information see Party Poker’s website by clicking on any links in this post.

1567 players took their seats for the third running of the PartyPoker.com Monthly Million on Sunday 5 April and it was Holland and Denmark that shared the spoils. AceBarbara and IIIPLAYMEIII both walked away with $155,000. Representatives from Canada, Australia, France and the United Kingdom also cashed at the final table.

PartyPoker.com Monthly Million – Sunday 5 April 2009 – 1567 runners, 200 places paid – total prize pool $1,000,000

1st           AceBarbara (HOL) $155,000
2nd          IIIPLAYMEIII (DEN) $155,000
3rd           TechnikAA (HOL) $69,000
4th           ganjasx (DEN) $54,500
5th           FU2PAL (UK) $46,000
6th           PLZBEREAVEME (AUST) $34,500
7th           ericdumont (CAN) $26,500
8th           ImSeriously (CAN) $17,500
9th           TherookieQQ9 (CAN) $13,500
10th         jeanjean5555 (FRA) $9,500

* World Series of Poker”®, “WSOP®” and “WSOPE”® are registered trade marks of Harrah’s License Company LLC. No license, affiliation, sponsorship, or endorsement is claimed, or should be inferred from the use of these trademarks here. PartyGaming is not licensed by or otherwise affiliated with Harrah’s License Company LLC or the World Series of Poker®, in any way.

The results from the first ever epidemiological analysis of the actual gaming behavior evidenced by a large sample of 3,445 online poker players over the span of 2 years are about to be published. The study was conducted by the Division on Addictions, Cambridge Health Alliance, a Harvard Medical School teaching affiliate. This collaboration reflects the longstanding partnership with bwin, the world’s leading online gaming provider.

The partnership between bwin and the Division on Addictions was established in 2005 to provide a scientific basis for the assessment of conspicuous gaming behavior and its consequences for responsible gaming. Two key findings beginning to emerge from the research initiative are:

1) The myth of online gaming as a powerful seductive force has been empirically refuted. Online gaming has no greater problem potential than offline gaming.
2) Responsible gaming measures show effect.

The current research, which analyzes the behavior of Internet poker players over the course of two years, is the world’s largest longitudinal and the first ever epidemiological study of its kind.

Individuals exhibit rational behavior

“In this research we provide additional evidence in support of our previous research showing that most subscribers who gamble on the Internet do so moderately. In fact, correlation analyses indicated that as Percent Lost increased, Duration, Total Gambling Sessions, and Total Amount Wagered all decreased, suggesting that individuals moderated their behavior based on their wins and their losses – exhibiting “rational” betting behavior.” says Howard Shaffer, PH.D., Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School, Director, Division on Addictions, The Cambridge Health Alliance, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School.

• The average age of the cohort (sample) was 27.9 years and almost 95% were male. The typical poker player was an active poker player for a median duration of six and a half months and participated in a median of one poker session every three days. The median Euros per session gambled was €13 and the median cost of playing poker was €1.80 per session.
• The gaming behaviors of the most involved poker players show that this group, representing 5% of all players, was active for a duration of 18.5 months and participated in ten sessions per week.
• This 5% subgroup had a smaller percentage lost than the sample majority, suggesting that skill is a factor in poker play and that players are able to improve their performance compared with chance.
• When examining the most involved poker players who devoted more time and money to this activity, the study found that like the rest of the sample, they reduced Euros per session and reduced Total Wagered as Percent Loss increased.

“In our intention to replace speculation with scientific evidence, this study takes us a big step closer towards understanding the behavior of online poker players. Ultimately we are interested in developing algorithms capable of identifying behavioral patterns or identifying risk patterns associated with disordered gaming.” says Manfred Bodner, Co-CEO of bwin.

For further information about the study please visit www.divisionaddictions.org

saw flop | saw showdown

MP2 ($102.90)
MP3 ($31.45)
CO ($55)
Button ($226.85)
SB ($613)
Hero (BB) ($200)
UTG ($116.10)
UTG+1 ($259.10)
MP1 ($43.10)

Preflop: Hero is BB with , 
UTG bets $4, 7 folds, Hero calls $2

Flop: ($9) , ,  (2 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $6, Hero calls $6

Turn: ($21)  (2 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $18, Hero raises to $66, UTG raises to $106.10 (All-In), Hero calls $40.10

River: ($233.20)  (2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: $233.20 | Rake: $3

Results:
Hero had K, A (two pair, Kings and twos).
UTG mucked K, J (two pair, Kings and twos).
Outcome: Hero won $230.20

MP2 ($102.90)
MP3 ($31.45)
CO ($55)
Button ($226.85)
SB ($613)
Hero (BB) ($200)
UTG ($116.10)
UTG+1 ($259.10)
MP1 ($43.10)

Preflop: Hero is BB with K, A
UTG bets $4, 7 folds, Hero calls $2

Flop: ($9) Q, 8, 2 (2 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $6, Hero calls $6

Turn: ($21) K (2 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $18, Hero raises to $66, UTG raises to $106.10 (All-In), Hero calls $40.10

River: ($233.20) 2 (2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: $233.20 | Rake: $3

Results:
Hero had K, A (two pair, Kings and twos).
UTG mucked K, J (two pair, Kings and twos).
Outcome: Hero won $230.20

Starting around midnight the tables started to pack.   There were a constant number of around 20,000 tables open after 12:00 am.  Around 3:50 am, the drop was down to 1.1 million hands away.  Tables starting filing up.  PokerStars even sent a message across the server to all tables stating, “We are creating new micro-limit tables, no need to join waiting lists!”  just begging people to 55 table 1 cent 2 cent.  Just 5 minutes later, it was down to 900,000 hands remaining.

This kept dropping.  Just 10 minutes later it was down to 750,000.  8 minutes later 500,000.  Tables kept piling up and new ones were being opened, the server almost started to slow down.  18 minutes later 100,000.  2 minutes later 45,000.  30 seconds later 30,000.  20 seconds later 10,000.

Then, at  4:35:36 am ET, then 25 billionth hand was dealt on table Susliva fast, Limit Omaha Hi/Lo.  The players present were in complete shock:

Seat 1: NeonFrost ($7 in chips)
Seat 2: tupapi777 ($112.25 in chips)
Seat 3: FrtSpkndMn ($22.25 in chips)
Seat 4: n47j25s ($43.25 in chips)
Seat 5: chris12080 ($43 in chips)

n47j25s: posts small blind $0.50
chris12080: posts big blind $1
Confedrate: sits out

Unfortunately for Confedrate he was just seconds late and wasn’t dealt in the hand.  He would win nothing.  The remaining 5 players were now going to go all-in for $100,000.

The wait was long and tedious.  It showed everyone with their cards dealt, but nothing was happening.  Again and again HostJeff kept telling everyone to be patient.  During this time, the waiting list had grown to over 1,000 players and thousands of more observing.  With all that railing something was bound to happen.

The hand was finally dealt and, NeonFrost timed out and folded. Curses, talk about a bad day.  There was much commotion and chatter as to what was going on, and meanwhile the players were still playing the hand.

To make maters worse, the entire Stars client freezes and everyone starts getting random disconnects.

Finally players came back and continued betting.  When it was all said and done, player tupapi777 scooped everything with HI: a flush, Ace high and LO: 7,5,3,2,A.  HostJeff came to the rescue saying they would review NeonFrost’s case.  Apparently, NeonFrost would have had a queen high flush for half of the $100,000.  After some deliberation, HostJeff returns declaring that all playes dealt would be treated as all-in, so therefore:

Players NeonFrost and tupapi777 would win $50,000 each, and tournament packages consisting of the 2009 WSOP, EPT Monte Carlo Final, PCA 2010, and a WCOOP 200.  All together these packages were worth $50,000.  The remaining players, n47j25s, chris12080, and FrtSpkndMn each won $33,333.33.

Congratulations to NeonFrost and tupapi777 and all other milestone winners!  Sign up at PokerStars today and start taking part in these amazing promos!

Here is the official 25,000,000,000 hand:

PokerStars Game #25000000000:  Omaha Hi/Lo Limit ($1/$2) – 2009/02/16 4:35:36 ET
Table ‘Susilva’ 6-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: NeonFrost ($7 in chips)
Seat 2: tupapi777 ($112.25 in chips)
Seat 3: FrtSpkndMn ($22.25 in chips)
Seat 4: n47j25s ($43.25 in chips)
Seat 5: chris12080 ($43 in chips)
n47j25s: posts small blind $0.50
chris12080: posts big blind $1
Confedrate: sits out
*** HOLE CARDS ***
HostJeff [observer] said, “Not long now”
HostJeff [observer] said, “Good luck, players!”
NeonFrost has timed out while being disconnected
NeonFrost: folds
NeonFrost is sitting out
tupapi777: raises $1 to $2
FrtSpkndMn: raises $1 to $3
n47j25s: raises $1 to $4
Betting is capped
NeonFrost has returned
chris12080: calls $3
tupapi777: calls $2
FrtSpkndMn: calls $1
*** FLOP *** [2s 7s Kh]
tupapi777: bets $1
FrtSpkndMn: raises $1 to $2
n47j25s: calls $2
chris12080: calls $2
tupapi777: raises $1 to $3
FrtSpkndMn: raises $1 to $4
Betting is capped
n47j25s: calls $2
chris12080: calls $2
tupapi777: calls $1
*** TURN *** [2s 7s Kh] [As]
n47j25s: checks
chris12080: checks
tupapi777 is disconnected
tupapi777 is connected
tupapi777: bets $2
FrtSpkndMn: raises $2 to $4
n47j25s: calls $4
chris12080: calls $4
tupapi777: calls $2
*** RIVER *** [2s 7s Kh As] [7c]
n47j25s: checks
chris12080: checks
tupapi777: bets $2
n47j25s is disconnected
FrtSpkndMn: raises $2 to $4
n47j25s is connected
tupapi777 is disconnected
chris12080 is disconnected
Confedrate is disconnected
n47j25s: calls $4
Confedrate is connected
tupapi777 is connected
hris12080 is connected
chris12080: calls $4
tupapi777: calls $2
*** SHOW DOWN ***
FrtSpkndMn: shows [Ts 5c 4c Ah] (HI: two pair, Aces and Sevens; LO: 7,5,4,2,A)
n47j25s: mucks hand
chris12080: shows [4d Qd Ad Tc] (HI: two pair, Aces and Sevens – Queen kicker)
tupapi777: shows [Js 6d 5s 3s] (HI: a flush, Ace high; LO: 7,5,3,2,A)
tupapi777 collected $31.50 from pot
tupapi777 collected $31.50 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $64 | Rake $1
Board [2s 7s Kh As 7c]
Seat 1: NeonFrost folded before Flop (didn’t bet)
Seat 2: tupapi777 showed [Js 6d 5s 3s] and won ($63) with HI: a flush, Ace high; LO: 7,5,3,2,A
Seat 3: FrtSpkndMn (button) showed [Ts 5c 4c Ah] and lost with HI: two pair, Aces and Sevens; LO: 7,5,4,2,A
Seat 4: n47j25s (small blind) mucked
Seat 5: chris12080 (big blind) showed [4d Qd Ad Tc] and lost with HI: two pair, Aces and Sevens

Speaking of $1 million, that was the guarantee for event 1 of FTOPS X.  Just this one event out of the 25 was worth more than the entire FTOPS I!  The kickoff was hosted by the colorful Mike Matusow.  If you know poker, Matusow needs no introduction.  He is a member of Team Full Tilt and has over $6.5 million in career tournament earnings, including 3 WSOP bracelets, one of which won in the 2008 WSOP.

As expected, the guarantee was broken when 5,124 hopefuls either satellited or bought in, increasing the prize pool to $1,024,800, awarding 1st place a cool $195k!  492 people would make money in this tournament, which was worth at least $358.68.  Of these 5k+, 39 red pros came to prove their worth.  However, many were struck down early by the massive field, including host Mike Matusow who finished 4,548. Only 4 pros finished in the money, with Aaron Bartley doing the best at 225th for $563.64.

But it wasn’t just finishing in the money most players had in mind, it was a seat at the final table.  Just making it to the promised land, you would be walking away with at least $30k with the shot at nearly $200k.  After hours and hours of play, there were 9 left battling it out for a seat at the shorthanded final table.

All eyes had to have been on the player Halfrek.  If you recall from series 8, he had what you could call a decent run.  He won 2 events, and netted over $800k.  The other 8 players did not fear him.  They all had their mind on the jersey.  The other 8 that made up the final 9 were WhiteBoi05, FaGi, davin77, Bog25, Always TrustMe, imabigkidnow, SisterSue056, and smoothustler.

As play continued, Halfrek could not become the first to win 3 FTOPS titles, as he was the first to go for just over $13k.   The next 2 to drop were WhiteBoi05 in 8th and imabigkidnow in 7th, leaving the final 6 to go at it.  The shorthanded format had people playing like crazy, and the final table was no different.  Although people commented how the structure seemed better for this event compared to previous series, there wasn’t much room to pick your spots.

After a total of nearly 10 hours of play, a champion was crowned.  The player davin77 overcame 5,123 other players and was the first to snag a yellow jersey and nearly $200k to show for it.  Congratulations to davin77 and everyone else won finish in the money in event 1 of FTOPS X, nlhe 6-max.

Place      Player ID      $ Won
1     davin77     $195,757.30
2     Bog25     $119,901.60
3     smoothustler     $83,213.76
4     SisterSue056     $61,488.00
5     AlwaysTrustMe     $45,091.20
6     FaGi     $30,744.00
7     imabigkidnow     $19,778.64
8     WhiteBoi05     $19,778.64
9     Halfrek     $13,014.96
10     willcutyou     $13,014.96
11     ginter     $9,428.16
12     Sleepy_Hippo     $9,428.16
13     skaterboy1986     $7,224.84
14     Raskolnikov65     $7,224.84
15     Yogurt Time     $7,224.84
16     ChickaDee45     $5,892.60
17     Sassi     $5,892.60
18     Stutts     $5,892.60
19     buddhagroove     $4,816.56
20     SliPmaGic     $4,816.56
21     21boo21     $4,816.56
22     Jaypahhee     $4,816.56
23     scorpion1807     $4,816.56
24     elric1000     $4,816.56
25     Iwillwin4sure     $3,843.00
26     sleeveowizard     $3,843.00
27     chipgoon     $3,843.00
28     MJCACE     $3,843.00
29     spades42011     $3,843.00
30     daddyfatsac     $3,843.00
31     Shafty55     $3,023.16
32     i8aNET15     $3,023.16
33     Danuglyman     $3,023.16
34     NeverScaredB     $3,023.16
35     frankiemozz     $3,023.16
36     Kmacc17     $3,023.16
37     flopmein     $2,346.79
38     Luj0_1989     $2,346.79
39     golong46     $2,346.79
40     rossii-1     $2,346.79
41     mnl_21     $2,346.79
42     snx NEVER     $2,346.79
43     iM8kUrSeatEmpty     $1,885.63
44     SN8WMAN     $1,885.63
45     the chicken     $1,885.63
46     Eatthewerewolf     $1,885.63
47     bernietoth     $1,885.63
48     jnoco     $1,885.63
49     bestlayever     $1,885.63
50     Instigator84     $1,885.63
51     pretty work 007     $1,885.63
52     bla2mb     $1,885.63
53     sadlickiusmc     $1,885.63
54     fitterman     $1,885.63
55     JBlaze20     $1,526.95
56     THE LONG 1     $1,526.95
57     scoopydoo     $1,526.95
58     WHY_1     $1,526.95
59     1 Last Stand     $1,526.95
60     HattoriHanzo74     $1,526.95
61     robins     $1,526.95
62     v47     $1,526.95
63     Bonzi84     $1,526.95
64     Pimpnuho     $1,526.95
65     1hungrydog     $1,526.95
66     roundhouse22     $1,526.95
67     MrsESPN     $1,270.75
68     Drateks     $1,270.75
69     GIVE_IT2     $1,270.75
70     OneTime_10     $1,270.75
71     cheesemonster     $1,270.75
72     shad0wsurpr1se     $1,270.75
73     ucantcall17     $1,270.75
74     augie00     $1,270.75
75     The Toiler     $1,270.75
76     vegan213     $1,270.75
77     rharrington     $1,270.75
78     teufel689     $1,270.75
79     yahoo33     $1,270.75
80     tommyhawkers     $1,270.75
81     HRderbyCHAMP     $1,270.75
82     acstudmasta     $1,270.75
83     STELLA05     $1,270.75
84     princetendee     $1,270.75
85     ranji     $1,045.30
86     JohnnyBax     $1,045.30
87     OldPillow     $1,045.30
88     kvnok88     $1,045.30
89     TheLegendaryOne     $1,045.30
90     gromniuk     $1,045.30
91     Jagz7     $1,045.30
92     gandrews     $1,045.30
93     IGetMugger     $1,045.30
94     nick698     $1,045.30
95     Shahrazada     $1,045.30
96     BlackJackLeak     $1,045.30
97     boreing     $1,045.30
98     mich_alumni     $1,045.30
99     ssnyder28     $1,045.30
100     korsar62     $1,045.30
101     RolandThetrault     $1,045.30
102     PokerReese     $1,045.30
103     pleatski     $912.07
104     cerilloin     $912.07
105     gopheresque     $912.07
106     cartoon329     $912.07
107     TheHebrewHammer     $912.07
108     Godfatti     $912.07
109     goatmeal1     $912.07
110     TheTaker     $912.07
111     spybot26     $912.07
112     vision2     $912.07
113     taranuandrei     $912.07
114     molgul     $912.07
115     bgfrolistic     $912.07
116     THE GR8T     $912.07
117     xMONSTERxDONGx     $912.07
118     Ralph Wiggam     $912.07
119     biquetski     $912.07
120     SpunkyBo     $912.07
121     pergrine2003     $789.10
122     BACEK7     $789.10
123     krbwhitetiger     $789.10
124     tiltnu     $789.10
125     SillyGambling     $789.10
126     dirtyrat177     $789.10
127     bluffedcomau     $789.10
128     Altazarh     $789.10
129     SHEKE     $789.10
130     usourek     $789.10
131     LotusDeLex     $789.10
132     Cayavajor     $789.10
133     NeuroLinguistic     $789.10
134     TomFitz27     $789.10
135     P_DUR     $789.10
136     HaKOJIEHu     $789.10
137     CrazyZachary     $789.10
138     ericg0920     $789.10
139     GMoneyDC     $789.10
140     SCNoodle     $789.10
141     RichieRich2203     $789.10
142     UMcane     $789.10
143     darrenelias     $789.10
144     K-Rock2525     $789.10
145     beeestuuu     $696.87
146     dud711     $696.87
147     E Dawg73     $696.86
148     forcemajuere     $696.86
149     21Acon     $696.86
150     rugonz     $696.86
151     Indyman05     $696.86
152     imgrinding     $696.86
153     mskder6     $696.86
154     kudos1017     $696.86
155     indluk     $696.86
156     bustadonk     $696.86
157     PXFACTOR     $696.86
158     Jimbostar     $696.86
159     Garry Rautio     $696.86
160     swun     $696.86
161     Ivell Bustew     $696.86
162     tjeutje     $696.86
163     mrideout288     $696.86
164     shAAAArk     $696.86
165     m_hawk_1     $696.86
166     THE ESCAPER     $696.86
167     Jazzinitup     $696.86
168     luckydraw007     $696.86
169     ggh62     $696.86
170     hardknocks23     $696.86
171     The Omaholic     $696.86
172     2OldHorse     $696.86
173     Celemi     $696.86
174     AllergictoBS     $696.86
175     wvschup     $625.13
176     looseallin     $625.13
177     Laurrra     $625.13
178     E4SY     $625.13
179     Everglide     $625.13
180     OnlyPlayRagz     $625.13
181     mv052     $625.13
182     allout200     $625.13
183     joelose2000     $625.13
184     burton1080     $625.13
185     gthumb     $625.13
186     xxxCelticFCxxx     $625.13
187     truesyalose     $625.13
188     USCswimmer     $625.13
189     JSUCHtheShark     $625.13
190     Barcelona14     $625.13
191     dopeishope     $625.13
192     CAPSLOCO     $625.13
193     peytoned     $625.13
194     krc282002     $625.13
195     marcusr82     $625.13
196     Jtrout021     $625.13
197     CHUECO-CHUECO     $625.13
198     NewSkiN203     $625.13
199     eb226     $625.13
200     ThePh0neBo0tH     $625.13
201     FloppedTheNuts     $625.13
202     ze santos     $625.13
203     maxdaddy22     $625.13
204     Rabbit_hunterSA     $625.13
205     j9suited954     $563.64
206     Vortex2099     $563.64
207     NeverGoinBroke     $563.64
208     Body Man D     $563.64
209     3_9_offsuit     $563.64
210     nasty101nate     $563.64
211     olapetter     $563.64
212     TwinKLeToEz718     $563.64
213     Stacy99     $563.64
214     SABAKABARABAKA     $563.64
215     bobcards2     $563.64
216     Getmoney726     $563.64
217     nduck0146     $563.64
218     JUICE681     $563.64
219     bb77     $563.64
220     300RNS300     $563.64
221     Cincinnati 7     $563.64
222     germ_abortion     $563.64
223     Gr8_decay     $563.64
224     Macaburna     $563.64
225     Aaron Bartley     $563.64
226     jlib     $563.64
227     Datboi504     $563.64
228     KaKeTKa     $563.64
229     tenthakasic     $563.64
230     russbuster     $563.64
231     Big Tuna JKo     $563.64
232     just2easy     $563.64
233     RAH087     $563.64
234     nutnuthin     $563.64
235     UWOkid87     $512.40
236     jamnuts16     $512.40
237     NutsErryTime     $512.40
238     moneybags9015     $512.40
239     ChuckBassX     $512.40
240     cswidler     $512.40
241     train226     $512.40
242     FELIPE_MOJAVE     $512.40
243     theuglypig     $512.40
244     Avril Sharapova     $512.40
245     phleb41     $512.40
246     brianyut     $512.40
247     MuckItOrSuckIt     $512.40
248     Aimhigh252     $512.40
249     cmglive     $512.40
250     Anabooola     $512.40
251     pokerskibum     $512.40
252     doctapoker     $512.40
253     hmm ill call     $512.40
254     StevoL_7     $512.40
255     bollocks11     $512.40
256     HighSocietyStak     $512.40
257     ooshumboy     $512.40
258     JosephShawn     $512.40
259     SPASE RACE     $512.40
260     MarvinGarden     $512.40
261     carpman42     $512.40
262     kevinaitch     $512.40
263     Boshenyatov     $512.40
264     joezoso     $512.40
265     Eppy1     $512.40
266     thaaj2004     $512.40
267     pat170     $512.40
268     root85     $512.40
269     telfast180     $512.40
270     pha7Ngoo     $512.40
271     poguk19841     $461.16
272     ibleedbenjamins     $461.16
273     WhySoCereus     $461.16
274     Tweedie69     $461.16
275     Bttech86     $461.16
276     OCONN55     $461.16
277     marginreturns     $461.16
278     haterprooff     $461.16
279     3STEAL1KING3     $461.16
280     XnotthatoneX     $461.16
281     JGLaZe080     $461.16
282     Gudaehan     $461.16
283     Zuludogg     $461.16
284     ScFranco     $461.16
285     Boris2510     $461.16
286     brew714     $461.16
287     GambooolGood     $461.16
288     calvin178222     $461.16
289     DevilsBankroll     $461.16
290     BaaaaBaaaaaam     $461.16
291     salo777     $461.16
292     Brohambaby     $461.16
293     YrrsiNN     $461.16
294     barbed wire     $461.16
295     BDholla89     $461.16
296     Gd3yuk     $461.16
297     Regent Rocket     $461.16
298     Slutaments     $461.16
299     pepitopea     $461.16
300     RealFaithTV     $461.16
301     sinisaj13     $461.16
302     Kapitan Bomba     $461.16
303     J4d3dr4g0n     $461.16
304     not_hans_brix     $461.16
305     Adam Schoenfeld     $461.16
306     darrenpb     $461.16
307     beland66     $420.17
308     allinnoouts     $420.17
309     kane303     $420.17
310     Tyler Don     $420.17
311     Trixiepig     $420.17
312     verdiblapblap     $420.17
313     plzlemmewin     $420.17
314     TeePee01     $420.17
315     augusto987     $420.17
316     BillFristLOL     $420.17
317     stevetAA     $420.17
318     Card_Game     $420.17
319     Grottpojken     $420.17
320     Sasha71     $420.17
321     blanks plz     $420.17
322     heat715     $420.17
323     yeradovan     $420.17
324     Dakon     $420.17
325     Beth Shak     $420.17
326     Derekscott     $420.17
327     aucubbie     $420.17
328     AceFiveKid     $420.17
329     hipairs     $420.17
330     19blue91vette     $420.17
331     76Bubba     $420.17
332     olipnc6     $420.17
333     DanSalvatore     $420.17
334     kruniks2001     $420.17
335     NoShootSid     $420.17
336     Khaki Pants     $420.17
337     LilFang07     $420.17
338     TrueGrinder247     $420.17
339     Shadoes Run     $420.17
340     ImTheFranchise     $420.17
341     mjlil81     $420.17
342     BLUFFforRENT     $420.17
343     GrimofGotham     $420.17
344     dbest9411     $420.17
345     BearCreek     $420.17
346     crown player     $420.17
347     WE 4 THE COONTS     $420.17
348     reuter798     $420.17
349     R_Webb18     $389.42
350     e2202     $389.42
351     SmashingPumpkin     $389.42
352     swool     $389.42
353     RobG326     $389.42
354     losebigpots     $389.42
355     sebbau     $389.42
356     martintee     $389.42
357     nobodyluckier     $389.42
358     StevenRobert-ET     $389.42
359     deeup9     $389.42
360     spamalotbm     $389.42
361     TeXaN StaR     $389.42
362     weeminer     $389.42
363     bubbledav     $389.42
364     debeuker     $389.42
365     jonzert     $389.42
366     jrss1322psu     $389.42
367     moneyman1984     $389.42
368     boss37     $389.42
369     Loungecat11     $389.42
370     Alfa Alex     $389.42
371     JBauer24     $389.42
372     Linvoy     $389.42
373     mgerman23     $389.42
374     knight14009     $389.42
375     FromAbove     $389.42
376     coolbear     $389.42
377     DKLA     $389.42
378     MrShimSham     $389.42
379     WTF_ever_nh     $389.42
380     cftbl     $389.42
381     akdoW     $389.42
382     sowhatifIcall     $389.42
383     backmeBRO     $389.42
384     2olives     $389.42
385     abrizzle     $389.42
386     gallory8     $389.42
387     Allinnet     $389.42
388     raduderotter     $389.42
389     Pudel793     $389.42
390     chadio88     $389.42
391     mmarko21     $368.93
392     nappynate     $368.93
393     Problem xX     $368.93
394     tennis_full_t     $368.93
395     ferdilicious     $368.93
396     GheToCoWboy     $368.93
397     Mrsfields99     $368.93
398     serb96     $368.93
399     Money4Food     $368.93
400     hawkjb1     $368.93
401     topgun0675     $368.93
402     8–AKW–8     $368.93
403     audioghandi     $368.93
404     rogabee     $368.93
405     Italia Tony     $368.93
406     bigmac112     $368.93
407     serefecheers     $368.93
408     YaHasPerdido     $368.93
409     bad-dane     $368.93
410     Mattutaylor     $368.93
411     Jymaster11     $368.93
412     blackjustin77     $368.93
413     mick the hoon     $368.93
414     karam00     $368.93
415     ESM531     $368.93
416     hardcore1976     $368.93
417     peterocks16     $368.93
418     lovethesox45     $368.93
419     sheiks protege     $368.93
420     So Solid Play     $368.93
421     PiquetteAces     $368.93
422     PixFred     $368.93
423     going south-AA     $368.93
424     casemoney     $368.93
425     EP Snake Pilot     $368.93
426     dmuett     $368.93
427     Jack4339     $368.93
428     kidzero     $368.93
429     TheOracleAA     $368.93
430     isuckatcards11     $368.93
431     Burito     $368.93
432     Guti11     $368.93
433     tpooch     $358.68
434     river_rat25     $358.68
435     MJG10     $358.68
436     vegie_1999     $358.68
437     jbear85     $358.68
438     golferfl4     $358.68
439     KaiaffA     $358.68
440     Black_Knight     $358.68
441     Chip Jett     $358.68
442     Bonditto     $358.68
443     Rock_Solid     $358.68
444     cwsb     $358.68
445     MobyVick     $358.68
446     kotamoa     $358.68
447     ChodeZilla836     $358.68
448     The Quietwinner     $358.68
449     krugnut     $358.68
450     Bretsky00     $358.68
451     cptnmorgan77     $358.68
452     k2bd     $358.68
453     fabfive1     $358.68
454     LetsRock1818     $358.68
455     CoinFlip     $358.68
456     Devildonk     $358.68
457     RaginCajun20     $358.68
458     TMcStacks     $358.68
459     larylar23     $358.68
460     bastral     $358.68
461     Tsu_NilPferD     $358.68
462     Atlantic4     $358.68
463     moustique1977     $358.68
464     kidpokerkenneth     $358.68
465     c2morin     $358.68
466     TheHustler0518     $358.68
467     schaffem     $358.68
468     NiceCatchFool     $358.68
469     Liontime     $358.68
470     profitsforlife     $358.68
471     sandler1860     $358.68
472     OJ Limpsin     $358.68
473     Kappoka     $358.68
474     DHM0219     $358.68
475     cosjoel     $358.68
476     PrincePullen     $358.68
477     LuckBalls     $358.68
478     Rocky2810     $358.68
479     Manning17     $358.68
480     Firstemann     $358.68
481     NemoInDeniaL     $358.68
482     GolloSGB     $358.68
483     QQbazTT     $358.68
484     twist o cane     $358.68
485     pirate17     $358.68
486     pimos     $358.68
487     blegend     $358.68
488     ConchieJoe     $358.68
489     Diego Milek     $358.68
490     1Logic     $358.68
491     daisy-may wins     $358.68
492     IwiDerGoldfisch     $358.68

This series had a different format than past seasons, with 32 total games and a max of 16 that could be played per person.  This allowed for even more games that each member can participate in.  Also, we saw the introduction of heads-up matches, shorthanded games, and Pot-Limit Omaha/8.  Definitely the most popular addition was the 6-max tournaments, which will return next season.

The end of Gauntlet VII was one for the books as it came down to the very last game.  There were three hopefuls who could still claim the title; GatorJH, spin_md, and givememyleg.  The obvious favorite was Gator, as he went into the final game with a 67 point lead on givememyleg, and 50 point lead on spin_md.  It seemed that it would be more of a battle for second place, but either of them could snatch the title with a high finish and early Gator exit.  However, it would not be givememyleg’s night as he finished in 10th place with both Gator and spin still alive.

Down to the final table, all Gator had to do was finish 5th place or better and he was guaranteed the trophy.  But there was light at the end of the tunnel for spin_md, because Gator busted in 8th place when his QQ was taken down by TT.  Now, spin_md would have to take first place and the trophy would be his — talk about pressure!

Spin_md had more to play for than just the special FTR Gauntlet VII forum avatar.  Each season, FTR throws in a lot of extra prizes, and cold hard cash, to the top places:

1st Place: FTR gear, the Trophy and $300
2nd Place: FTR gear and $150
3rd Place: FTR gear and $75

If you haven’t seen the custom-designed crystal Gauntlet trophy you won’t be able to understand its beauty — this thing is amazing!  That alone would be enough to play for, but there was a lot of cash on the line. On top of the prizes, Gator and spin_md were also involved in a side bet which awarded $350 to first place. That is $650 worth of pressure!

Spin did not go down easy and kept battling his way until they were down to 3 players.  He found himself on the short stack so he needed to do something to have a chance at the win.  Eventually, his luck would run out and he finished in 3rd place, which meant GatorJH was the Gauntlet VII Champion!

GatorJH had a very impressive run this year, eventually winning the title by just 22 points.  Out of the 16 games he played, he made the final table 13 times with 2 wins, 1 runner up finish, 1 third place and 2 fourth place finishes.  His tournament winnings ended up being $384.50, with an additional $300 for winning the season, and $350 for winning the side bet, for a total of $1,034.50!  Congratulations to GatorJH, spin_md and givememyleg for their top 3 finishes!

Let’s have a look at the final leaderboard standings for the season:

FTR Name – GP – Points
GatorJH – 16 – 1179.49
spin_md – 16 – 1156.11
givememyleg – 16 – 1107.46
Outlaw – 16 – 1024.58
bigspenda73 – 16 – 882.59
drmcboy – 14 – 871.67
feltonthetable – 15 – 846.10
Triptanes – 15 – 820.38
nutsinho – 10 – 808.26
Deanglow – 16 – 805.19

All of these players, and every player who has finished in the top 10 of the past seasons, qualify for the FyrFytr Tournament Of Champions.  The TOC is a special invitational tournament that takes place at PokerStars after each season for these elite players. This season’s TOC VII will be held this Sunday, 21 September 2008, at 3:00pm ET. All qualifying players will receive an email with the password for the TOC, so if you’ve ever finished in the top 10 of any season of the Gauntlet, be sure to update your forum Profile with your current email address!

We at FTR thank all of the players for participating in FTR Gauntlet VII!  We hope everyone had a great time and enjoyed the series as much as we enjoyed hosting it.  Remember to join us for the next season, Gauntlet VIII, which will be coming around before you know it.  Watch our newsletter and the FTR Gauntlet forum for updates. Every FTR member is welcome to play!