Tonight I did the unthinkable. I qualified for a seat at the World Series of Poker, via a freeroll tournament at Poker Stars. Two hundred and eight-eight players started, buying in for 1000 frequent player points. First place prize was the $10,000 entry to the WSOP, plus hotel accommodations and $1,000 in spending money. After five and half hours of play, I was the last one standing.
This little Doper’s going to Vegas!!!
Anybody else?
Congratulations!
We will be expecting continual updates posted from the scene. And if you make a TV table, we will expect a Straight Dope shout-out. Maybe the Reader can donate a shirt? Come on* Reader*!
Is this an entry to the main event, or would they perhaps let you break it up to play a number of smaller events?
I’m trying to qualify through another site, but so far I’ve been getting whomped in the qualifying tournaments. I’m trying the player points freeroll route but if that doesn’t work out for me I may invest in a couple of cash satellites.
Thanks, Otto! It’s an entry to the main event. I’m pretty sure they won’t break it up. The SDMB and all its wonderful poker players will totally get a mention if I get the opportunity, but apparently if I want my hotel room paid for I have to wear PokerStars gear throughout. Perhaps a strategically placed SDMB coffee mug?
Good luck in your efforts, Otto – I hope I won’t be the only Doper representing.
Awesome!
You know the Thursday Night Crew’s got your back. (we’ll you know we’ll take any part we can get!)
Congrats, Aholi! If I could make the trip to be in the cheering section, I would.
How bout a shot glass?
I’m damn proud of Aholibah. She’s a player. We know it, now we cheer for her in the WSOP. She can represent!
Plus she’s like, all hot and stuff…
Aholibah is a she? That’s awesome. The number of women in poker is so low in compartison to the men that I’m especially jazzed to hear that a woman took down the tourney and will be representing in the WSOP.
But just so you know, if I make it through the qualifiers and end up at the main event, I WLL DESTORY YOU!
Don’t do that.
We want to hear her STORY.
Speaking of stories, Aholibah was telling how she won the qualifying tourney last night in AIM. Maybe she’ll re-post it for all to read, we all like hearing the tales!
Wow, Aholibah, colour me envious.
Can you post a photo of you so we can see who to look for on TV?
I hope you get assigned to a table with someone famous.
Hey, congratulations!
I’m working on qualifying myself, but the way I’ve been playing will probably preclude a win this year.
[Charlie Brown] Just wait till next year![/Charlie Brown]
Congrats!
Congrats my fellow SDWPT Playa!!! I’m certainly proud of you!!! I would like to think our Thrusday night antics will help you in you quest for the WSOP bracelet and make sure you give us Dopers a shout out. Like I said last night… I may drive out to Vegas to cheer you on if the schedules work out right. I’m only 190 miles away and it seems like fun, and maybe I’ll do some playing myself. I see that the event goes from 7/28 to 8/10. My birthday is 7/31 so maybe I’ll be there that first weekend. Regardless if I’m there or not, you are my new favorite WSOP player, and I’ll be routing for you!
And don’t forget…
Be Rude.
Be Grim.
This might be a time for a Vegas Dopefest. I could probably get there to be part of a cheering section if it all works out. Congrats on the win!
Sounds like a great idea, LT…that first weekend (7/28-7/30) would probably be the best time to see Aholi in action although she has a 25% of starting on…Monday the 31st.
Aholi, do you already know which pool (A,B,C, or D) you’re in?
I would also love to be there, but I am taking a trip to England earlier that month, so it is highly unlikely I can make it to Vegas.
Congrats, Aholi!
Not bad for someone who finished second to last this quarter.
d&r
That is so awesome, if you meet Jean Robert Bellande, kick his ass and then make out with him. 
GOOD LUCK!!!
Congratulations!
OK, we have months to do this right. We need a crew on site to cheer and post info. For that, we need what? AIM? Nah, too impermanent. Some kind of blog thing? Maybe. I’m not familiar with them.
Last year I read about a PokerStars guy at the WSOP. (The article may still be available - I’ll check.) His crew would research his table opponents and prepare a briefing book for him to study before each session. That’s the kind of effort we need.
This is the article. It is a good read, and a **must-read ** for you, Aholibah. He descibes the experience in depth.
Congratulations! I’m definately watching this year now that I have someone to cheer for.
Go Otto 