I hate to say it but East Coast 2 + 2ers > West Coast 2 + 2ers IMO as far as asking for Info, following friends in tournaments, and constructive input?

They had an off day today; they could have played today after the final table of the plo played out.

They played till 6am because they wanted to film the PLO FT today. I personally think the turnout took the Taj by surprise. Here is a suggestion for next year:

Start the tournament at a normal time (3:15pm on friday) was a terrible idea...we played 3 levels...had a 90 minute dinner break, then played another 3 levels...then we came back at 1:15 the next day and played 8 levels with a dinner break...just start the tourney at noon every day and lets play 6-8 levels with a dinner break at a reasonable hour...this would prevent any of the days ending at 6am

I also think 234 is pretty ambitious for the Harrahs 5k in Dec...but this Taj turnout was very impressive to say the least so who knows? Harrahs is running two sattys daily for their 5k so hopefully that bodes well for the turnout...

i think it has to do with the fact that east cost players don't have as many options as west cost players, we wanna make sure the few we play are run well

agreed

BTW, nice turnout for your ME Matt...Venetian got 269 for their 2500 ME today apparently...I guess live poker aint dead yet!!

+1 This was a good turnout for the Taj, and you know I love playing at the Taj, mostly because of the 10-20 stud games, the Taj could become relevant again if they were able to get some better floor personnel

Friend of mine talked to one of the floor personel and he said USPC '10 will be in their event center. I think it was mentioned before but this could really give the field size a boost next year and increase comfort. Hope it happens.

Does anyone have the info on those left and chip counts for the final table?

Tournament's over, 1st Bill Brindise, 2nd Men "The Master", 3rd Eric Ladny, 4th Gordon Eng, 5th Brian Lemke, 6th was one of the Binger brothers.

I just wanted to say kudos to the taj mahal on a great turnout for their main event. It was just unfortunate how long the money bubble took and they didnt want to add on time on the clock for the fnl table. There wasn't much play at the fnl table which is bad for TV because the blinds eventually caught up with some of the stacks due to the long money bubble (3 hours). Men the master kept stalling during the bubble.

All in all their main event structure is amazing...even better than borgatas.

once this airs on SPIKE TV (late January) it should get more interest for 2010.

Men the master got hit with the deck on the fnl table.....

He probably just brought his own kings with him...

Congrats again Gordon. You, Pete, Ian and Ted all killin it in the same week makes me think maybe poker is fair? lol

Good one on Men. Although I had the opposite opinion on those guys doing so well - I figured it was further proof of how much luck there is in poker.

How can men get absolutely ****faced hammered all week and still get 2nd in a tourney like this? Very impressive.

He got aces twice during tv table bubble, queens twice and kings once at tv table.

When I'm drunk, I still generally call arr eens with these hands...

I like people who can drink and play. Just not him. He shows no respect for anyone and the alcohol just fuels his nonstop incoherent mumbling.

I was clearly being sarcastic. You must be a luckbox if you can miss tells that obvious and still win tourneys.

Jamie thanks for railing me on sunday night when i was fighting for a spot at the fnl 7....i was quite surprised you stayed there till 6am...i appreciate the support...

what was the payouts for the final table?

thx

1 William Brindise Rumson, NJ $261,800
2 Men Van Nguyen Bell Gardens, CA $138,600
3 Eric Ladny Mercerville, NJ $77,000
4 Gordon Eng Cliffside, NJ $53,900
5 Brian Lemke Norristown, PA $46,200
6 Nicholas Binger Las Vegas, NV $30,800
7 Anton Smolyanskiy New York, NY $23,100

no problem, it was nice to take a break from bubbling tourneys to drink and rail.

gg Gordon, nice dude having a pretty good year