WSOP - Event #12 Official Report

[Talking Poker]

2005 World Series of Poker
Rio All-Suites Casino-Resort
Official Report

Event #12
Pot-Limit Omaha (with re-buys)
Buy-in: $2,000
Number of Entries: 212
Re-buys/Add-ons: 395
Total Prize Money: $1,180,080

Official Results:

1. Josh Arieh Atlanta, GA $381,600
2. Chris ‘Jesus’ Ferguson Pac. Palisades, CA $210,460
3. Ron Graham Takoma, WA $115,640
4. Tony Sevnsom Houston, TX $92,510
5. Max Pescatori Milan, Italy $69,385
6. Arturo Diaz San Diego, CA $57,820
7. David Colclough Birmingham, England $46,225
8. Doug Lee Calgary, AB (Canada) $34,690
9. Erik Seidel Las Vegas, NV $23,130

10. Jim Bechtel Gilbert, AZ $16,190
11. Ari Abramowitz NA $16,190
12. Tony Cousineau Daytona Beach, FL $16,190
13. Daniel Alaei Santa Fe Springs, CA $13,875
14. Lukasz Bumanski Toronto, Canada $13,875
15. Michael Mizrachi Hollywood, FL $13,875
16. Joe Beevers Hendon, UK $11,565
17. John Juanda Marina Del Rey, CA $11,565
18. Casey Kastle Las Vegas, NV $11,565

The Return of Josh Arieh
Animated poker pro dominates Pot-Limit Omaha final table and wins second gold bracelet

All of us have embarrassing moments. The problem is, what do you do when your most embarrassing moment takes place in front of a room full of television cameras and a viewing audience of millions? At last year’s World Series of Poker, Josh Arieh committed an unsportsmanlike act just as he busted out of the championship event. In the heat of the moment, Arieh meant to encourage his friend David Williams (who finished as the runner up) with a pep talk, but used language which made it appear that he bore resentment towards the eventual world poker champion, Greg ‘Fossilman’ Raymer.

Unfortunately, viewers who later saw broadcast of the exchange were (and largely remain) unaware that Arieh approached Raymer afterward, congratulated him for his victory, and apologized for the incident. Arieh admits to have a combustible temper, and said that the crushing blow of getting knocked out caused the initial outburst. Those who know Arieh best, and know him both as a friend and an adversary at the poker table, generally believe he got tarred and feathered by an ill-timed episode which is neither reflective of his true attitudes nor ordinary conduct at the poker table.

The luckiest of men have the chance to redeem themselves. Redemption is all the more fulfilling when it comes, yet again, in front of television cameras. With ESPN shooting all the action, Josh Arieh sat down to what was arguably the toughest final table lineup thus far at this year’s World Series. His mission was as straightforward as it was challenging – to win his second gold bracelet. He also hoped that during the course of playing in front of ESPN cameras for the first time since May 2004, he might emancipate himself from the unflattering portrait seen during a few seconds of television. He did both.

In 1999, Arieh – then a 23-year-old newly-crowned WSOP winner -- burst upon the poker scene with all the subtlety of a John Belushi at a keg party. He was as flamboyant as he was talented, as combative as he was single-minded. Arieh won the $3,000 buy-in Limit Hold’em championship that year, which paid $202,080. The sky seemed to be the limit. Little did he know at the time, six long years would pass before Arieh would get so close to winning another gold bracelet.

The Pot-Limit Omaha championship (Event #12) attracted 212 entries. The total prize pool amounted to $1,180,080. The final table included four former gold bracelet winners – Erik Seidel (with 7 wins); Chris ‘Jesus’ Ferguson (with 5 wins); and Josh Arieh and Ron Graham (with one win each). In addition, WSOP Circuit winner Doug Lee made it to the final table. But it was Arturo Diaz who enjoyed the chip lead when play began:

THE FINAL TABLE:

SEAT 1: Erik Seidel Las Vegas, NV $67,000
SEAT 2: Josh Arieh Atlanta, GA $229,000
SEAT 3: Max Pescatori Milan, Italy $62,000
SEAT 4: Tony Sevnsom Houston, TX $171,000
SEAT 5: Ron Graham Tacoma, WA $90,000
SEAT 6: Chris Ferguson Pacific Palisades, CA $109,000
SEAT 7: Doug Lee Calgary, AB (Canada) $160,000
SEAT 8: Arturo Diz San Diego, CA $279,000
SEAT 9: Dave Colclough Birmingham, England $50,000

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