The $2,000,000 Club
 

Kind of a pointless post, but with the first prize at the Five Diamond Classic today set at $2,078,185, somebody will become the 14th player in poker history to go "double platinum" in a single tournament:

Joe Hachem - $7,500,000 – 2005 WSOP, 1st Place
Greg Raymer - $5,000,000 – 2004 WSOP, 1st Place
Steve Dannenmann - $4,250,000 – 2005 WSOP, 2nd Place
David Williams - $3,500,000 – 2004 WSOP, 2nd Place
Tuan Le - $2,856,150 – 2005 WPT Championship, 1st Place
Martin De Knijff - $2,728,356 – 2004 WPT Championship, 1st Place
Chris Moneymaker - $2,500,000 – 2003 WSOP, 1st Place
Josh Arieh - $2,500,000 – 2004 WSOP, 3rd Place
John “Tex” Barch - $2,500,000 – 2005 WSOP, 3rd Place
Nick Schulman - $2,167,500 – 2005 World Poker Finals, 1st Place
Robert Varkonyi - $2,000,000 – 2002 WSOP, 1st Place
Annie Duke - $2,000,000 – 2004 WSOP TOC, 1st Place *
Aaron Kanter - $2,000,000 – 2005 WSOP, 4th Place

* Invitational Tournament

I think a $2M first prize is the new measure of a truly "huge" tournament, since it seems that there are 20 tourneys a year now with a seven figure first prize.

Some great players on there, and some that were likely one-hit-wonders. I don't think I've left anyone off, but it's possible. Only one (Duke) was the least bit famous in the public's eyes before their big tournament score, and a few (De Knijff, Le, Kanter?) still aren't. It's also amazing to think that with all Doyle Brunson has done and seen over his career, that today could be his biggest tournament payday by almost a million dollars.

I guess it's likely that this list will grow exponentially over the next five years as well. Good luck, Gigabet!!

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

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Only one (Duke) was the least bit famous in the public's eyes before their big tournament score, and a few (De Knijff, Le, Kanter?) still aren't.

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I'd like to hear your definition of "famous in the public's eyes"

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

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I'd like to hear your definition of "famous in the public's eyes"

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My "aren't" list wasn't complete there.

And I guess "famous in the public's eyes" was a bad choice of words. I meant "known by the average TV poker viewer". By that criteria, I'd say that from the original list, Hachem, Raymer, Dannenman, Williams, Moneymaker, Arieh, and Duke would fit. Barch and Varkonyi are probably borderline.

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

I think Varkoyi is known well-enough. DeKniff is remarkably under-exopsed. Give it two months and you can count the entire '05 top table as famous.

G

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

Wasn't the 2004 TOC a single table?

Way to win a SNG Annie.

*this is partially jealousy that she has a bunch of money and I don't, and also based on the fact she's a generally nasty and overrated player.

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

She had to beat Chan, Hellmuth, Lederer, Negreanu, Brunson, Raymer, Ivey, Reese and Cloutier. That's a damn good day, no matter how famous your name is.

G

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

It's silly to use "SNG" as a derogatory term. A one-table tournament is a tournament, no matter how you slice it. People keep deriding STT tournaments as "nothing more than sit n' go's," but all of the principles of tournament poker apply.

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

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[ QUOTE ]
Only one (Duke) was the least bit famous in the public's eyes before their big tournament score, and a few (De Knijff, Le, Kanter?) still aren't.

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I'd like to hear your definition of "famous in the public's eyes"

[/ QUOTE ]

probably, "barely anybody had ever heard of them before they did well in the specific poker tourament listed"

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

[ QUOTE ]
Kind of a pointless post, but with the first prize at the Five Diamond Classic today set at $2,078,185, somebody will become the 14th player in poker history to go "double platinum" in a single tournament:

Joe Hachem - $7,500,000 – 2005 WSOP, 1st Place
Greg Raymer - $5,000,000 – 2004 WSOP, 1st Place
Steve Dannenmann - $4,250,000 – 2005 WSOP, 2nd Place
David Williams - $3,500,000 – 2004 WSOP, 2nd Place
Tuan Le - $2,856,150 – 2005 WPT Championship, 1st Place
Martin De Knijff - $2,728,356 – 2004 WPT Championship, 1st Place
Chris Moneymaker - $2,500,000 – 2003 WSOP, 1st Place
Josh Arieh - $2,500,000 – 2004 WSOP, 3rd Place
John “Tex” Barch - $2,500,000 – 2005 WSOP, 3rd Place
Nick Schulman - $2,167,500 – 2005 World Poker Finals, 1st Place
Robert Varkonyi - $2,000,000 – 2002 WSOP, 1st Place
Annie Duke - $2,000,000 – 2004 WSOP TOC, 1st Place *
Aaron Kanter - $2,000,000 – 2005 WSOP, 4th Place

* Invitational Tournament

I think a $2M first prize is the new measure of a truly "huge" tournament, since it seems that there are 20 tourneys a year now with a seven figure first prize.

Some great players on there, and some that were likely one-hit-wonders. I don't think I've left anyone off, but it's possible. Only one (Duke) was the least bit famous in the public's eyes before their big tournament score, and a few (De Knijff, Le, Kanter?) still aren't. It's also amazing to think that with all Doyle Brunson has done and seen over his career, that today could be his biggest tournament payday by almost a million dollars.

I guess it's likely that this list will grow exponentially over the next five years as well. Good luck, Gigabet!!

[/ QUOTE ]

I think that John “Tex” Barch got screwed this year. 1st place was worth $2.5M more than last year, 2nd was worth $750K more, 4th in 2005 must have been worth more than in 2004 since the 3rd place finisher in '04 isn't listed and must have made less than $2M.

So only poor old 'Tex', taking 3rd, got the same amount as 3rd last year and everybody else got more than the same place the previous year.

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

I have absolutely no information to back this up but I think that Annie Duke chopped up most of that 2 million with Phil befere they started heads up play. They might have even cut a deal at 3 players left I dont really know.

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

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I have absolutely no information to back this up but I think that Annie Duke chopped up most of that 2 million with Phil befere they started heads up play. They might have even cut a deal at 3 players left I dont really know.

[/ QUOTE ]

In other news, I heard Annie Duke was actually a man. Phil Ivey is broke. The sun rotates around the earth. Gus Hansen is a cyborg. Doyle Brunson died 6 years ago and was brought back to life by the magic of Antonio Estifandiari. Online poker is rigged. Phil Hellmuth can see your soul. Daniel Negranu is gay. Darrel Dicken is dating one of his farm animals. The colonel puts an addictive chemical in his chicken that makes ya crave it fortnightly. Sklansky has 7 mistresses that live in a suite at the Bellagio, among other things that I will release to the general public in due time.

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I have absolutely no information to back this up but I think that Annie Duke chopped up most of that 2 million with Phil befere they started heads up play. They might have even cut a deal at 3 players left I dont really know.

[/ QUOTE ]

In other news, I heard Annie Duke was actually a man. Phil Ivey is broke. The sun rotates around the earth. Gus Hansen is a cyborg. Doyle Brunson died 6 years ago and was brought back to life by the magic of Antonio Estifandiari. Online poker is rigged. Phil Hellmuth can see your soul. Daniel Negranu is gay. Darrel Dicken is dating one of his farm animals. The colonel puts an addictive chemical in his chicken that makes ya crave it fortnightly. Sklansky has 7 mistresses that live in a suite at the Bellagio, among other things that I will release to the general public in due time.

[/ QUOTE ]

Come back when you have some surprising revelations.

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

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*this is partially jealousy that she has a bunch of money and I don't, and also based on the fact she's a generally nasty and overrated player.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd say she's an underrated Omaha player (I know, slightly off topic) and well, Hellmuth and Chan aren't exactly nice guys either. I'd rather knock her for the invitational part.

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

[ QUOTE ]
I have absolutely no information to back this up but I think that Annie Duke chopped up most of that 2 million with Phil befere they started heads up play. They might have even cut a deal at 3 players left I dont really know.

[/ QUOTE ]

LMFAO

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

They all could've taken $200,000 for all we know, and that's the point--we don't.

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

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I have absolutely no information to back this up but I think that Annie Duke chopped up most of that 2 million with Phil befere they started heads up play. They might have even cut a deal at 3 players left I dont really know.

[/ QUOTE ]

WTF? Really, WTF? I mean, if you're going to make up stupid sh*t and post it here, you could at least lie. Next time, try something like, "I was banging Annie Duke and after I rolled off her she told me she chopped that payday with Phil and they played a few hands just for t.v." or "this chick I'm balling who cuts hair with a cousin of a guy that served time in prison with a guy that is the brother of a guy that used to mow Annie Dukes lawn and help her wax her back told me..." Anything, really, is better than saying, "I'm talking out of my ASS here, but I believe that, without a doubt, XXX took place."

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

I don't get why everyone is giving this guy a bad time about that post, it's common knowledge there was a chop in that tournament.

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

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I don't get why everyone is giving this guy a bad time about that post, it's common knowledge there was a chop in that tournament.

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if this is the case, link me to an article or something with some credibility that talks about the subject. call me crazy, but some dude on the internet saying that its "common knowledge" really doesnt hold a lot of water.

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

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call me crazy, but some dude on the internet saying that its "common knowledge" really doesnt hold a lot of water.

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You are correct sir, it is as credible as someone beginning a post with "I have no knowledge to back this up..."

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

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call me crazy, but some dude on the internet saying that its "common knowledge" really doesnt hold a lot of water.

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You are correct sir, it is as credible as someone beginning a post with "I have no knowledge to back this up..."

[/ QUOTE ]

its not like i was defending the first guy

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

I was told by a participant in the invitational that chops were not allowed as a condition of playing. It would kind of defeat the TV value of a winner take all one table tournament thats actually chopped in advance.

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

I saw Hellmuth playing online and he said "I'm not allowed to say anything, but do really think I got nothing that day?"

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I don't get why everyone is giving this guy a bad time about that post, it's common knowledge there was a chop in that tournament.

[/ QUOTE ]

if this is the case, link me to an article or something with some credibility that talks about the subject. call me crazy, but some dude on the internet saying that its "common knowledge" really doesnt hold a lot of water.

[/ QUOTE ]

check Daniel Negreanu's blog around that time. I think Paul Phillips talked about it in his blog too

PS: and using your common sense might go a long way too

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

just link something or shut the [censored] up

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

The Wrong Way to Make Stuff Up on the Internet:
"I have absolutely no information to back this up but I think that Annie Duke chopped up most of that 2 million with Phil befere they started heads up play. They might have even cut a deal at 3 players left I dont really know."

The Right Way to Make Stuff Up on the Internet:
"I don't get why everyone is giving this guy a bad time about that post, it's common knowledge there was a chop in that tournament."

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

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The Wrong Way to Make Stuff Up on the Internet:
"I have absolutely no information to back this up but I think that Annie Duke chopped up most of that 2 million with Phil befere they started heads up play. They might have even cut a deal at 3 players left I dont really know."

The Right Way to Make Stuff Up on the Internet:
"I don't get why everyone is giving this guy a bad time about that post, it's common knowledge there was a chop in that tournament."

[/ QUOTE ]

Phil Hellmuth has been quoted in this thread saying he didn't come out of it empty handed, Daniel Negreanu said Phil Hellmuth told him he was expecting him to be knocked out fast so that a chop could be arranged. And I may be wrong but I think Paul Phillips talked about it in his blog.

I'm not going through the trouble of looking up links to inform other posters (specially not after being insulted by them), you want to confirm it, look it up.

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

I could care less if there was a chop. My issue was someone creating a thread based on something they think, yet having no reason to think it.

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

We are off topic people....

Raymer chopped his win
Moneymaker chopped his win.

Who knows who else chopped theres... who cares? The point of this thread was who got credited with $2M+ wins, and that $2M+ is the new standard for big wins in a tourney.

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

[ QUOTE ]
We are off topic people....

Raymer chopped his win
Moneymaker chopped his win.

Who knows who else chopped theres... who cares? The point of this thread was who got credited with $2M+ wins, and that $2M+ is the new standard for big wins in a tourney.

[/ QUOTE ]

No.

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

Raymer and Moneymaker chopped. That's the first time I've heard of that. In fact, I've heard that Moneymaker offered Farha to chop and he said, "no" as he felt he could outplay Chris.
I believe you're not being truthful.
From the FAQ section on Raymer's website: asking how much he and his backers netted following his big win:
"As is well known, I won $5M. I had a backing deal (see below), and my backers got about $2.1M, leaving me with $2.9M. After paying state and federal taxes, I will end up with about $1.7M. A far cry from $5M, but still a very happy number. ;-)"
I'm surprised his backers got $2.1M and he got $1.7M. That adds up, if my math is correct, to $3.9. And, why doesn't he mention the chop in his answer? Who's lying? His response mentions earning a $5M prize.
Here are some stories about the Moneymaker-Farha deal you're talking about:
LINK
LINK LINK
They all say that Farha turned down a deal. Interesting. Care to rescind your statement, sir?

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

[ QUOTE ]
Raymer and Moneymaker chopped. That's the first time I've heard of that. In fact, I've heard that Moneymaker offered Farha to chop and he said, "no" as he felt he could outplay Chris.
I believe you're not being truthful.
From the FAQ section on Raymer's website: asking how much he and his backers netted following his big win:
"As is well known, I won $5M. I had a backing deal (see below), and my backers got about $2.1M, leaving me with $2.9M. After paying state and federal taxes, I will end up with about $1.7M. A far cry from $5M, but still a very happy number. ;-)"
I'm surprised his backers got $2.1M and he got $1.7M. That adds up, if my math is correct, to $3.9.

read your own quotes man.

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

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WTF? Really, WTF? I mean, if you're going to make up stupid sh*t and post it here, you could at least lie.

[/ QUOTE ]

A quote for the ages

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

I didn't mean to say that Moneymaker and Raymer chopped with others at the table... just that they split their winnings. Yes Raymer still netted more than $2million after paying his backers...but the point is, who knows how many people had backers so they didn't actually win the 2million. I thought the question was who "Won" 2 million PLUS which is who is listed as taking home the prize.

I could have also included Dannerman on that list as paying a backer...(and yes he still netted 2 million though)

and I suppose everybody has to chop with Uncle Sam.

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

I am on record as saying I suck at math. I see you're point. The point I was trying to make was that he did not chop the money in the 2004 ME. Thanks for pointing out my mistake, however, I'll be more careful in the future.

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

Chopping the prize with other players and having backers are two completely different things. You're feable attempt to correct yourself is not good enough. You owe Mr. Raymer and probably Chris too, a big apology.

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

I am better than everyone on that list except Greggy, and Annie.

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

from your 59 posts, all of which have been in the WPT forum (long regarded as the pinnacle of 2+2 poker knowledge), i have no doubt that you've far surpassed the expertise of all of these players. they were just lucky, right?

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

Not all of them. Just everyone except Greg and Annie.

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

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Only one (Duke) was the least bit famous in the public's eyes before their big tournament score

[/ QUOTE ] .

Didn't Tuan Le already win a WPT event before this one?

Re: The $2,000,000 Club
 

Yep.