As many of you know, both the World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour have both signed exclusive deals with competing magazines for media coverage.  With these new deals in place, media outlets like PokerWire.com are no longer allowed to post live updates or chip counts.  The WPT exclusive took us by surprise; over the last six months we had put together a team of reporters that was second to none in the industry.  

There were many complaints by the media about limited access during the WSOP—but the WSOP restrictions seem almost lax compared to the press release about the WPT’s new arrangement.   The wording in the press release stated "Floor Access via escorted PR escort ONLY" in fifteen-minute increments and that "there will no longer be designated areas for media with tables, chairs, internet access and power."

We were pleased to see that the spirit behind the restrictions was much more gracious than the rules themselves.  The WPT PR representatvies have been as accomodating as possible since our arrival.  However, business decisions had to be made, and the loss of live updates and chip counts means that PokerWire can no longer continue to support a full staff and radio show.

The PokerWire you know and love will cease to exist.  We will include a few hands and the top 10 chip counts each level, but there will no longer be live updates and chip counts as these are made available by the WPT.

The entire staff will be moving on to new endeavors.  Some of them will be remaining in the poker community (we’ll update you on where everybody ends up) while others will be seeking careers in a different field.  

This also means that PokerWire Radio will be broadcasting its final show from The Legends of Poker Tournament at The Bicycle Casino in L.A.  The show (shows?) will be recorded and posted this week.

It’s been an incredible ride for the company that brought you poker’s first real-time reporting.  With that in mind, special thanks are in order for the queen of the chip counts, Jen Creason.   Jen’s professionalism as a tournament reporter and chip counter opened the door for this industry.  Andy Bloch also made innumerable behind-the-scenes contributions during PokerWire’s formative year.

Finally, Heather Borowinski, Amanda Leatherman, Jeremiah Smith, Jeremy Firth, Joe Stapleton, Alex Henriquez, Gavin Smith, Joe Sebok, and LA Mike would all like to say “Thank you!” to the thousands of readers who have been relying on PokerWire for the last three and a half years…

I have so very little to bring back for you guys about today.  I got off to a roaring start, up to about 30k from our starting stack of 20k, but then things got very rocky...

I should have had my customary (haha) 80k by the third break, but instead I was left with a walk through Central London back to my hotel...

Man, what a depressing ending.  I ended up busting 7th in another WPT event, this time at the Legends event here in LA, and it really just sucks the ass of a goat.  There just isn't any other way to say it.

I really fought my ass off all tournament, and was really actually proud of how I played all week...

Joe Sebok has ended Day 3 as the chip leader with 1,057,000.  Close behind him is David Pham with just over 1m.  Three top-flight pros round out the top 5: Lee Markholt 873k, Peter Feldman, 853k, Tom Schneider 803k.

Joe Sebok - Pro Blog
We came in today and I was pretty short, but not really in desperation mode.  I just kind of hung out for awhile and unfortunately I couldn't do my typical Joe Sebok thing of just hammering the shit out of everybody. 

But I was lucky enough to pick up two Aces on the bubble.  The small blind moved in on me and I called, obviously, but I did have to sweat the flop a bit.  He had Q10 and the flop came QJ9 with one diamond.  So he had every out imaginable but luckily the turn and river were two baby hearts and I doubled up. 

Barry and I are at the same table and that's always a bitch.  But I have about 200,000 now so I can't really complain. 
- Joe

Blinds Increase
The small denomination chips have been raced off the tables, and play resumes with increased blinds of 4,000-8,000, with a 1,000 ante.

Schneider Doubles Up
On a flop of A107 Mike Jung bets 20,000 from the small blind and Tom Schneider calls under the gun. The 2 falls on the turn and Jung fires out 30,000. Schneider then moves all in for 74,500 and Jung makes the call. Jung turns over A9 and Schneider shows pocket tens. The river brings the K and Schneider doubles up.

Top 10 Chip Counts
Gavin Griffin - 667,000
Lee Markholt Jr. - 599,000
Adam Geyer - 585,000
Arthur Peacock - 452,000
Peter Feldman - 446,000
Dutch Boyd - 364,000
Daniel Montagnolli - 364,000
Wayne  Chang - 312,000
Barry Greenstein - 307,000
Tom Schneider - 299,000

Hey guys!  I know you guys are anxiously awaiting another radio show, and we are really trying to pull a few together for you from the Bike...but it is proving difficult...

Top 10 Chip Counts, beginning of Day 3:
Adam Geyer - 505,000
Barry Greenstein - 383,500
Art Peacock - 382,500
Daniel Montagnolli - 365,000
Lee Markholt - 361,000
Gavin Griffin - 360,500
Thu Nguyen - 328,500
Mike McClain - 293,500
Billy Pilossoph - 293,000
Miami John Cernuto - 290,000

Don't have time to drop too much knowledge on you tonight, my little poker monkeys, but just wanted to say a few things really quickly...

Alright, well, it looks like someone was able to break the news to y'all before any of us on the radio show could.  I must say, it was pretty well written, and I wasn't too emotional about the end of the show until reading it (and your comments).  Considering the Internet is full of nothing but geeks and haters, I've received nothing but love and support from you all - which I consider to be quite a feat.

Don't go anywhere just yet though, because the shows aren't totally done.  We're recording this week from the Bike, and as soon as Sebok's back from his wedding tomorrow, we're going to have the following silliness coming at you:

--  Sebok found someone willing to wager $5,000 against him in the Krispy Kreme donut bet (Sunday's show)

--  Race Situations

--  Sandy the Degenerate (hold on to your lunch for this one)

--  Full Tilt fantasy free roll update

--  WSOP Main Event Final Table Recap

--  Plans for the Future

--  So Long, Farewell, Al-Henriquez-der-zane

What's the haps, my friends?  There has been tons and tons going on with me, so I'm going to go ahead and fill you guys in on some of it quickly...

Just an FYI, the next few months could get really exciting...