2010 WSOP Tournament of Champions Sudden Deat

Every sport has a sudden death playoff.  Major League Baseball has the 7th game of the World Series.

Football has the playoffs and Super Bowl.  The NBA has a game seven of their NBA Playoffs.  Now, the World Series of Poker has their own "sudden death playoff."

Goalie refusing to give up

In a press release earlier today, it was announced that the WSOP Academy was awarded the final seat in the TOC and will hold a "sudden death playoff" for the last spot in the 2010 WSOP Tournament of Champions.

Nine Players - One Spot

On June 12th at Noon, nine players will come together to battle for the final spot at the 2010 TOC.  Those players include Tom "durrrr" Dwan, Andy Bloch, Bertrand "ElKy" Grospellier, Gus Hanson, actor Don Cheadle, Sorel Mizzi, Michael Mizrachi, Liv Boeree and Paul Wasicka.  The winner of the sit-n-go will join world series of poker bracelet winners Annie Duke, Mike Sexton, Mike Matusow, WSOP Main Event Champion Joe Cada, WSOP Europe Main Event Champions Barry Shulman, and 20 vote getters from WSOP.com.  In addition, an online qualifier will fill the other sponsors exemption for the table.

What is the WSOP Academy?

The WSOP Academy is a training ground for poker players.  Their goal is to bring educational, engaging, and entertaining experience to their attendants.  The Academy uses guest instructors to cover topics ranging from putting players on starting hands to spotting behavior tells.  In addition mindset coaching has been added to the academy with the addition of Mindset Guru Sam Chauhan.  Other coaches include Annie Duke, Phil Hellmuth, Greg Raymer, Mark Seif, and former FBI Agent Joe Navarro.

Reaction to the Announcement

Reactions to the sit-n-go announcement have been generally positive.  Annie Duke brought up a great point on twitter.  She stated, "Obviously, I love Don Cheadle but I think it is ridiculous he is playing in the 9 handed tourney for a spot in the TOC. Should all be champs."  She also stated, "There would be an argument that spots should be for bracelet winners who don't get voted in only. But certainly must have a major title."

Michael Mizrachi would easily fit her definition, having just won the $50,000 Poker Player's Championship.  Andy Bloch, while not having a major title does have multiple 2nd place finishes at the WSOP, including finishing runner-up to Chip Reese at the 2006 $50,000 HORSE Event.  Wasicka finished runner up to Jamie Gold in 2006 at the WSOP Main Event.

Melissa Castello commented that she thought that "it's stupid to have a Tournament of Champions and put someone like Don Cheadle in it.  They should all be champions."  Compncards agrees with her sentiments.  He stated "Don Cheadle?  What the hell?  Mizrachi I can understand since he just won the bracelet.  I can also understand Dwan due to his recent runner-up finish.  Wasicka isn't a horrible choice, but otherwise I think the list of players is ridiculous."

The 2010 WSOP Tournament of Champions kicks off on June 27th at Noon and will play until the final table is reached.  The final nine will return on July 4th and play until a winner is determined.