2009 World Series of Poker results

The 2009 World Series of Poker was the 40th annual World Series of Poker (WSOP). Held in Las Vegas at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino, the 2009 series began on May 27 and featured 57 poker championships in several variants. All events but the $10,000 World Championship No Limit Texas hold 'em Main Event, the most prestigious of the WSOP events, ended by July 15. The final table of the Main Event, known as the November Nine, was suspended until November, to allow for better television coverage. Following the WSOP custom since 1976, each of the event winners received a championship bracelet in addition to that event's prize money, which this year ranged from US$87,778 for the $500 Casino Employees No-Limit Hold'em to US$8,546,435 for the Main Event.

WSOP game variants
Most of the tournaments played at the WSOP are variants of Texas Hold 'em. Hold 'em is a community card game where each player may use any combination of the five community cards and the player's own two hole cards to make a poker hand, in contrast to poker variants such as stud or draw in which each player holds a separate individual hand. Between 2000 and 2009, hold'em surpassed seven-card stud as the most common game in U.S. casinos. Seven-card stud is a poker variant wherein each player is dealt two hole cards and one face-up to start the hand, followed by three more face-up cards one at a time, and then another hidden card, with betting after each round. Another poker variant played is Omaha, a game in which each player is dealt four hole cards and must use exactly two of them in conjunction with three community cards to make the best possible five-card hand. Other games played at the 2008 tournament included Razz, HORSE, and Deuce-to-Seven.

Within each of these poker variants a myriad of options exist. For example, depending on the betting structure, a tournament might be described as no limit, limit or pot-limit. Games may also include other variations on the rules governing the execution of the specific game such as shootout, eight or better, or heads up.

2009 highlights
There were 57 events, two more than in 2008. The main event had 6,494 buy-ins, 350 fewer than the previous year. Other changes for 2009 include the elimination of rebuy events and the introduction of triple starting chips.

In recognition that 2009 was the 40th WSOP, the tournament started with a special $40,000 No-Limit event. As one of the most expensive poker tournaments ever, the event attracted what considered to be one of the toughest poker fields ever assembled. Poker pro, Vitaly Lunkin, won his second bracelet in this event. Lunkin then finished in second place at the $10,000 pot-limit Omaha event and the $50,000 HORSE Championship, finishing the summer with over $2.7 million. David Bach, a player with several final table appearances, won his first bracelet in the $50,000 HORSE Championship. At 18 hours and 44 minutes the final table of the $50K HORSE event was the second longest final table in WSOP history.

Jeff Lisandro became the fifth player to ever win three bracelets in the same year, and the first ever to win bracelets in all three stud variants offered at the WSOP (stud high-only, stud high-low, and Razz) in the same year. Poker superstar Barry Greenstein, said that "A lot of people might have said before this year, we may not ever see another guy win three bracelets because the fields are so big... Lisandro proved them wrong." He was the first player to do so since Phil Ivey did it in 2002. By winning two bracelets, Ivey, considered by many to be the best overall poker player in the world, became the youngest player to ever amass seven WSOP bracelets. The milestone means he is tied with Poker Hall of Famer Billy Baxter at sixth place on the most bracelets list.

Due to capacity limitations, the 2009 WSOP turned away over 500 players from the Main Event. Patrik Antonius, T. J. Cloutier, Layne Flack, Ted Forrest, Brandon Adams, Richard Ashby, and Mickey Appleman were among the notable players turned away from the Main Event. 1996 WSOP champion Huck Seed would have been included in that list, if he had not won the National Heads-Up Poker Championship which meant he was guaranteed entry into the 2009 WSOP Main Event.

Another tournament which met its capacity limits was the "$1,000 buy-in Stimulus Special." This event set a new record for a non-main event tournament with 6,012 participants.

Results

 * Key

Event 1: $500 Casino Employees No Limit Hold'em

 * 2-Day Event: Wednesday, May 27 to Thursday, May 28
 * Number of buy-ins: 866
 * Total prize pool: $389,700
 * Number of payouts: 81
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 2: $40,000 No Limit Hold'em

 * 4-Day Event: Thursday, May 28 to Sunday, May 31
 * Number of buy-ins: 201
 * Total prize pool: $7,718,400
 * Number of payouts: 27
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 3: $1,500 Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better

 * 3-Day Event: Friday, May 29 to Sunday, May 31
 * Number of buy-ins: 918
 * Total prize pool: $1,253,070
 * Number of payouts: 90
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 4: $1,000 No Limit Hold'em

 * 5-Day Event: Saturday, May 30 to Wednesday, June 3
 * Number of buy-ins: 6,012
 * Total prize pool: $
 * Number of payouts: 621
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 5: $1,500 Pot Limit Omaha

 * 3-Day Event: Monday, June 1 to Wednesday, June 3
 * Number of buy-ins: 809
 * Total prize pool: $1,042,085
 * Number of payouts: 81
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 6: $10,000 World Championship Seven Card Stud

 * 3-Day Event: Monday, June 1 to Wednesday, June 3
 * Number of buy-ins: 142
 * Total prize pool: $1,134,800
 * Number of payouts: 16
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 7: $1,500 No Limit Hold'em

 * 3-Day Event: Tuesday, June 2 to Thursday, June 4
 * Number of buy-ins: 2,791
 * Total prize pool: $3,809,715
 * Number of payouts: 297
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 8: $2,500 No Limit 2-7 Draw Lowball

 * 3-Day Event: Tuesday, June 2 to Thursday, June 4
 * Number of buy-ins: 147
 * Total prize pool: $
 * Number of payouts: 21
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 9: $1,500 No Limit Hold'em Short Handed

 * 3-Day Event: Wednesday, June 3 to Friday, June 5
 * Number of buy-ins: 1,459
 * Total prize pool: $
 * Number of payouts: 144
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 10: $2,500 Pot Limit Hold'em/Omaha

 * 3-Day Event: Wednesday, June 3 to Friday, June 5
 * Number of buy-ins: 453
 * Total prize pool: $1,041,900
 * Number of payouts: 45
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 11: $2,000 No Limit Hold'em

 * 3-Day Event: Thursday, June 4 to Saturday, June 6
 * Number of buy-ins: 1,646
 * Total prize pool: $2,995,720
 * Number of payouts: 171
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 12: $10,000 World Championship Mixed Event

 * 3-Day Event: Thursday, June 4 to Saturday, June 6
 * Number of buy-ins: 194
 * Total prize pool: $1,823,600
 * Number of payouts: 24
 * Winning hand: (Omaha-8)
 * Reference:

Event 13: $2,500 No Limit Hold'em

 * 3-Day Event: Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 7
 * Number of buy-ins: 1,088
 * Total prize pool: $2,502,400
 * Number of payouts: 117
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 14: $2,500 Limit Hold'em Short Handed

 * 3-Day Event: Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 7
 * Number of buy-ins: 367
 * Total prize pool: $
 * Number of payouts: 36
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 15: $5,000 No Limit Hold'em

 * 3-Day Event: Saturday, June 6 to Monday, June 8
 * Number of buy-ins: 655
 * Total prize pool: $3,078,500
 * Number of payouts: 63
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 16: $1,500 Seven Card Stud

 * 3-Day Event: Saturday, June 6 to Monday, June 8
 * Number of buy-ins: 359
 * Total prize pool: $
 * Number of payouts: 40
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 17: $1,000 Ladies No Limit Hold'em World Championship

 * 3-Day Event: Sunday, June 7 to Tuesday, June 9
 * Number of buy-ins: 1,060
 * Total prize pool: $964,600
 * Number of payouts: 117
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 18: $10,000 World Championship Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better

 * 3-Day Event: Sunday, June 7 to Tuesday, June 9
 * Number of buy-ins: 179
 * Total prize pool: $1,682,600
 * Number of payouts: 18
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 19: $2,500 No Limit Hold'em Short Handed

 * 3-Day Event: Monday, June 8 to Wednesday, June 10
 * Number of buy-ins: 1,068
 * Total prize pool: $
 * Number of payouts: 108
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 20: $1,500 Pot Limit Hold'em

 * 3-Day Event: Tuesday, June 9 to Thursday, June 11
 * Number of buy-ins: 633
 * Total prize pool: $864,045
 * Number of payouts: 63
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 21: $3,000 H.O.R.S.E.

 * 3-Day Event: Tuesday, June 9 to Thursday, June 11
 * Number of buy-ins: 452
 * Total prize pool: $1,247,520
 * Number of payouts: 48
 * Winning hand: (Hold'em)
 * Reference:

Event 22: $1,500 No Limit Hold'em Shootout

 * 3-Day Event: Wednesday, June 10 to Friday, June 12
 * Number of buy-ins: 1,000
 * Total prize pool: $1,363,635
 * Number of payouts: 100
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 23: $10,000 World Championship No Limit 2-7 Draw Lowball

 * 3-Day Event: Wednesday, June 10 to Friday, June 12
 * Number of buy-ins: 96
 * Total prize pool: $902,400
 * Number of payouts: 14
 * Winning hand: 7-5-4-3-2
 * Reference:

Event 24: $1,500 No Limit Hold'em

 * 3-Day Event: Thursday, June 11 to Saturday, June 13
 * Number of buy-ins: 2,506
 * Total prize pool: $3,420,690
 * Number of payouts: 270
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 25: $2,500 Omaha/Seven Card Stud Hi-Low-8 or Better

 * 3-Day Event: Thursday, June 11 to Saturday, June 13
 * Number of buy-ins: 376
 * Total prize pool: $864,800
 * Number of payouts: 40
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 26: $1,500 Limit Hold'em

 * 3-Day Event: Friday, June 12 to Sunday, June 14
 * Number of buy-ins: 643
 * Total prize pool: $877,695
 * Number of payouts: 63
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 27: $5,000 Pot Limit Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better

 * 3-Day Event: Friday, June 12 to Sunday, June 14
 * Number of buy-ins: 198
 * Total prize pool: $930,600
 * Number of payouts: 18
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 28: $1,500 No Limit Hold'em

 * 3-Day Event: Saturday, June 13 to Monday, June 15
 * Number of buy-ins: 2,638
 * Total prize pool: $3,600,870
 * Number of payouts: 270
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 29: $10,000 World Championship Heads Up No Limit Hold'em

 * 4-Day Event: Saturday, June 13 to Tuesday, June 16
 * Number of buy-ins: 256
 * Total prize pool: $2,406,400
 * Number of payouts: 32
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 30: $2,500 Pot Limit Omaha

 * 3-Day Event: Sunday, June 14 to Tuesday, June 16
 * Number of buy-ins: 436
 * Total prize pool: $1,002,800
 * Number of payouts: 45
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 31: $1,500 H.O.R.S.E.

 * 3-Day Event: Sunday, June 14 to Tuesday, June 16
 * Number of buy-ins: 770
 * Total prize pool: $1,051,050
 * Number of payouts: 72
 * Winning hand: (Stud)
 * Reference:

Event 32: $2,000 No Limit Hold'em

 * 3-Day Event: Monday, June 15 to Wednesday, June 17
 * Number of buy-ins: 1,534
 * Total prize pool: $2,791,880
 * Number of payouts: 171
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 33: $10,000 World Championship Limit Hold'em

 * 3-Day Event: Monday, June 15 to Wednesday, June 17
 * Number of buy-ins: 185
 * Total prize pool: $1,739,000
 * Number of payouts: 18
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 34: $1,500 No Limit Hold'em

 * 3-Day Event: Tuesday, June 16 to Thursday, June 18
 * Number of buy-ins: 2,095
 * Total prize pool: $2,859,675
 * Number of payouts: 216
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 35: $5,000 Pot Limit Omaha

 * 3-Day Event: Wednesday, June 17 to Friday, June 19
 * Number of buy-ins: 363
 * Total prize pool: $1,706,100
 * Number of payouts: 36
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 36: $2,000 No Limit Hold'em

 * 3-Day Event: Thursday, June 18 to Saturday, June 20
 * Number of buy-ins: 1,695
 * Total prize pool: $3,084,900
 * Number of payouts: 171
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 37: $10,000 World Championship Seven Card Stud Hi-Low Split-8 or Better

 * 3-Day Event: Thursday, June 18 to Saturday, June 20
 * Number of buy-ins: 164
 * Total prize pool: $1,541,600
 * Number of payouts: 16
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 38: $2,000 Limit Hold'em

 * 3-Day Event: Friday, June 19 to Sunday, June 21
 * Number of buy-ins: 446
 * Total prize pool: $811,720
 * Number of payouts: 45
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 39: $1,500 No Limit Hold'em

 * 3-Day Event: Saturday, June 20 to Monday, June 22
 * Number of buy-ins: 2,715
 * Total prize pool: $3,705,975
 * Number of payouts: 280
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 40: $10,000 World Championship Pot Limit Omaha

 * 3-Day Event: Saturday, June 20 to Monday, June 22
 * Number of buy-ins: 295
 * Total prize pool: $2,773,000
 * Number of payouts: 27
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 41: $5,000 No Limit Hold'em Shootout

 * 3-Day Event: Sunday, June 21 to Tuesday, June 23
 * Number of buy-ins: 280
 * Total prize pool: $1,316,000
 * Number of payouts: 30
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 42: $2,500 Mixed Event

 * 3-Day Event: Sunday, June 21 to Tuesday, June 23
 * Number of buy-ins: 412
 * Total prize pool: $947,600
 * Number of payouts: 40
 * Winning hand: (Hold'em)
 * Reference:

Event 43: $1,000 Seniors No Limit Hold'em World Championship

 * 3-Day Event: Monday, June 22 to Wednesday, June 24
 * Number of buy-ins: 2,707
 * Total prize pool: $2,463,370
 * Number of payouts: 270
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 44: $2,500 Razz

 * 3-Day Event: Monday, June 22 to Wednesday, June 24
 * Number of buy-ins: 315
 * Total prize pool: $724,500
 * Number of payouts: 32
 * Winning hand: 10-8-4-4-9-7-J
 * Reference:

Event 45: $10,000 World Championship Pot Limit Hold'em

 * 3-Day Event: Tuesday, June 23 to Thursday, June 25
 * Number of buy-ins: 275
 * Total prize pool: $2,585,000
 * Number of payouts: 27
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 46: $2,500 Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better

 * 3-Day Event: Tuesday, June 23 to Thursday, June 25
 * Number of buy-ins: 424
 * Total prize pool: $975,200
 * Number of payouts: 45
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 47: $2,500 Mixed Hold'em

 * 3-Day Event: Wednesday, June 24 to Friday, June 26
 * Number of buy-ins: 527
 * Total prize pool: $1,212,100
 * Number of payouts: 54
 * Winning hand: No-Limit Hold'em
 * Reference:

Event 48: $1,500 Pot Limit Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better

 * 3-Day Event: Thursday, June 25 to Saturday, June 27
 * Number of buy-ins: 762
 * Total prize pool: $1,040,130
 * Number of payouts: 72
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 49: $50,000 World Championship H.O.R.S.E.

 * 5-Day Event: Friday, June 26 to Tuesday, June 30
 * Number of buy-ins: 95
 * Total prize pool: $4,560,000
 * Number of payouts: 16
 * Winning hand: (Razz)
 * Reference:

Event 50: $1,500 Limit Hold'em Shootout

 * 3-Day Event: Friday, June 26 to Sunday, June 28
 * Number of buy-ins: 572
 * Total prize pool: $779,024
 * Number of payouts: 64
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 51: $1,500 No Limit Hold'em

 * 3-Day Event: Saturday, June 27 to Monday, June 29
 * Number of buy-ins: 2,781
 * Total prize pool: $3,796,065
 * Number of payouts: 297
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 52: $3,000 Triple Chance No Limit Hold'em

 * 3-Day Event: Sunday, June 28 to Tuesday, June 30
 * Number of buy-ins: 854
 * Total prize pool: $2,357,040
 * Number of payouts: 81
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 53: $1,500 Seven Card Stud Hi-Low-8 or Better

 * 3-Day Event: Sunday, June 28 to Tuesday, June 30
 * Number of buy-ins: 467
 * Total prize pool: $637,455
 * Number of payouts: 48
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 54: $1,500 No Limit Hold'em

 * 3-Day Event: Monday, June 29 to Wednesday, July 1
 * Number of buy-ins: 2,818
 * Total prize pool: $3,846,570
 * Number of payouts: 297
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 55: $2,500 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball

 * 3-Day Event: Monday, June 29 to Wednesday, July 1
 * Number of buy-ins: 257
 * Total prize pool: $593,400
 * Number of payouts: 24
 * Winning hand: 7-6-5-3-2
 * Reference:

Event 56: $5,000 No Limit Hold'em Short Handed

 * 3-Day Event: Tuesday, June 30 to Thursday, July 2
 * Number of buy-ins: 928
 * Total prize pool: $4,361,600
 * Number of payouts: 90
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference:

Event 57: $10,000 World Championship No Limit Hold'em

 * 13-Day Event: Friday, July 3 to Wednesday, July 15
 * Final Table: Saturday, November 7 to Tuesday, November 10
 * Number of buy-ins: 6,494
 * Total prize pool: $60,043,650
 * Number of payouts: 648
 * Winning hand:
 * Reference: