Archive for June 2005
Savage Tournaments Upcoming Events
June 23, 2005
Savage Tournaments Upcoming Events
June 23-July 13 Table outside WSOP Tournament Area
Come and meet some of the World's Greatest Players
8 x 10 Player photos available for $10 Image Masters
June 25th UB Fox Sports Net Live Event at Hollywood Park
July 2nd UB Fox Sports Net Live Event at Hollywood Park
July 2-4th 10th Annual Savage Invitational Golf Tournament
Poppy Hills- Spyglass Hill- Pebble Beach (Sold Out)
July 5th Full Tilt Charity Auction- Matt will be Auctioneer
July 6-7th Bodog Poker Conference- Matt is featured Speaker
July 7-11th WSOP Lifestyle Show at the RIO
July 9th UB Fox Sports Net Live Event at Hollywood Park
July 13th Full Tilt Poker Live Event at Wynn Hotel and Casino
July 14-15th Final two days of the Main Event at Binion's
July 16th UB Fox Sports Net Live Event at Hollywood Park
July 23rd UB Fox Sports Net Live Event at Hollywood Park (Finals)
July 20-24th Bodog's Poker in Paradise (Hawaii)
July 25-29th GSN's Poker Royale # 5 Pro's vs. Celebrities
August 3-6th London Open- $2,000,000 Guaranteed Prize Pool
See Matt and receive a $10,000 buy-in for $9,000
(Limited time only)
October 20-23rd Bay 101 Open- San Jose, CA
November Monte Carlo Millions II - $25,000 Buy-in (limited to 120)
Estimated $3,000,000 Prize Pool with $1,000,000 to 1st
More information to follow
WSOP $2,500 Omaha/8
June 21, 2005
I arrived at the WSOP with high hopes for a long day and night at the table....... WRONG! One hour into the tournament I was short stacked after taking hands like A-A-2-K, A-A-3-10, A-A-3-4, A-A-K-Q, and A-A-4-5 for no part of any pot. It was pretty sick and I had Todd Brunson and David Levy laughing at me. I only won one pot and doubled my stack in that one from $500 to $1,000. In the middle of my experience I had to take a break for a conference call with the London Open people for 25 minutes and a short rule disscusion with tournament director Jack Effel. I celebrated my early departure by firing off $425 in a Super that took me about 45 minutes and then I was left to a short social period with some poker fans and old friends. While I was speaking to a former colleague I was tapped on the shoulder by 2005 WSOP TD Johnny Grooms who I had never met before. Johnny seems like a good guy and I congratulated him on the success of the WSOP. He was genuine when he asked the question "how did you handle this tournament". I explained that the WSOP is the best tournament in the world and that I was happy to see it so huge. We will talk again I am sure about the TDA and other poker issues.
I was picked up by wife and celebrated my $2,925 loss by blowing another $1,200 on a new set of irons and golf lessons in preparation for my 10th annual golf tournament. At least with golf I know that I am terrible so I go in with no expectations except to have a great time.
Fox Sports Net UB Event
June 18, 2005
I arrived at Hollywood Park Casino at 7:30am to meet and greet the players and I was surprised that even though none of them had ever been on TV before they all had a better than basic understanding of the game. I took some pictures with them and signed a couple of autographs (Ha!) and got down to the business of training them how poker on TV works. I needed to teach them how to show their hole cards to the camera and more importantly be relaxed and just have fun. I was impressed with the production and the results. I look forward to meeting more hungry poker players in the coming weeks.
Back on the road again!
June 17, 2005
Was at the Rio this morning for a meeting and then off to LA for the UltimateBet.net World Poker Challenge at Hollywood Park. I arrived an hour late and headed straight to the casino for a production meeting. We are filming live to tape event over the next six weeks that will be aired the same day on Saturdays. These shows will feature mostly internet players and should be a refreshing look at poker. If you are looking for a cheap way to make a TV show, check it out.
Poker Lizard Article
June 16, 2005
A new Poker Lizard Article was posted today. Please check out all of their articles as they are very well done. Poker Lizard has written articles on Jennifer Harman, Daniel Negreanu, Annie Duke, and many others.
Back at the WSOP
June 15, 2005
I flew back from Hollywood this morning in time to play the $1,000 Stud Hi-lo event at the WSOP and I wish I could say I had a better time. I lasted deep into the fifth round when I received a 9 to go with my K-K-A-2-4-5. Again I have to say how much I admire some of these guys that do this day in and day out. It was nice to see a lot of friends for the first time in a while and they all made me feel good by telling me how much I was missed. I will have my second crack at the 2005 WSOP on the 21st in the $2,500 Omaha 8/ or better. Congratulations to Josh Arieh for winning his second bracelet and more importantly silencing his many critics.
Lucky You report
June 14, 2005
Today is scheduled to be my last day on the set and I will return to Las Vegas tomorrow. I have met plenty of great people during my stay here and look forward to the movie's release. It turned out that I have a much bigger part in the movie than I expected and was suprised at how much detail goes into a Curtis Hanson production. All of the days we spent on the movie were at least 13 hour days and much of the time I was used to cue the actors and background. I have come out of this experience with great appreciation for what the people in the movie industry do for a living. I am looking forward to getting back to Las Vegas and to the WSOP for my table which will be located outside the tournament area.
10th Annual Savage Invitational Benefit Tournament
June 12, 2005
In 1996 I gathered a bunch of my buddies together for a golf tournament. We played Spyglass Hill, one of Nothern California's most beautiful courses. We decided to make it a yearly benefit tournament, and donate to Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
Since that first year we have played in some fantastic places - San Juan Oaks, Poppy Ridge, and Windsor.
This year, on July 2, 3 and 4, I will host the 10th Annual Savage Invitational which will be played at Poppy Hills, Spyglass Hill and Pebble Beach.
I am very much looking forward to being with my old friends and walking these beautiful courses.
Bay 101 Final Table
June 08, 2005
After watching the show tonight it reminded me of how amazing that tournament was. Some things they did not show
We played 6 six handed tables on day 4
It was the first major tournament in history to use shuffle machines which improved the structure tremendously
Men the Master was cut off at the time of his ouster and very PO'ed
The WPT wanted me to start the structure at 8-16K giving the players no play at the final table. We were two hours in when they realized I started them at 3-6K
It was a great final table to announce and I wish they were all that exciting!
Bay 101 on the World Poker Tour
June 07, 2005
Today, June 8, the Travel Channel will air the 2005 Bay 101 Shooting Star World Poker Tour event that was held last March in San Jose.
The World Poker Tour selects only 16 venues for this prestigious event and this year's Shooting Star Tournament was one of the most exciting tournaments I have ever seen.
Check you local listings for broadcast times. The show will repeat on Saturday.
Question as to why I am not TD of WSOP
June 02, 2005
This post is in response to the many phone calls and emails as to why I am not the Tournament Director of the 2005 World Series of Poker.
I do have to say that I really wish I was at the WSOP, I have met a lot of great people over the past 3 years and have a great many experiences during the Series. As I have stated before I was informed by Harrah's WSOP representative Howard Greenbaum that they had decided to hire within the company which led to the hiring of Ken Lambert who is a great host for the event. Many players and friends have come to my support in trying to change Harrah's minds but to no avail. There have been some pretty ridiculous rumors about why I am not there and I just want to set the record straight that if offered the job would have been in Las Vegas now and not working on a movie in Hollywood. I also am of the opinion that there is a underlying reason as to my not being invited back and I have yet to find it neccesary to reveal.
I consider myself very fortunate to have had my time at the WSOP and regret that things did not work out for this year. I hope that the current team has great success and continues the momentum that the WSOP has helped create for poker.
I will have a booth at both the WSOP Lifestyle Show and a table outside the tournament area so please stop by and say hello.