Day 4 Recap: Diverse Field

The World Series of Poker is a truly diverse event. Day 4 started with 337 players remaining. Almost a quarter of those still in the tournament came from outside the borders of the United States, with 27 different nations represented. Italy, Vietnam, Russia, and Denmark were just some of the many nations represented by this international field. Nor was the diversity of this $10,000 world championship event limited to nationality.

At one time people thought that poker was a game for men. Throughout the history of the World Series of Poker, women have stepped up to prove that notion false. Katja Thater won the razz event this year. Annie Duke and Jennifer Harman both won bracelets in open events. Kelly Jo McGlothin, with $850,000, and Maria Ho with $990,000, survived day 4 and are out to follow in their forerunners' footsteps. Earlier in the night, Ho was all in with A J against PokerStars qualifier Jason Welch's 10 10 on a flop of A 8 5. The turn and river were the K and the 6, and Ho doubled up to stay alive. Both McGlothin and Ho are out there going for the win, and in doing so, proving that poker isn't just for the guys.

Reading opponents' body language and physical appearance has long been an asset to professional poker players. Others rely more on the range of their opponents' hands and betting patterns. Hal Lubarsky is a player who relies more on the latter kind of read, but unlike most, he must keep track of all of his opponents' tendencies without ever being able to see them. Lubarksy, who is legally blind, outlasted more than 6,000 people to finish 193rd. Lubarsky's determination to overcome a challenging obstacle to his game was an inspirational example of another form of diversity at this year's WSOP.

The field also represented a diversity of experience. From seasoned WSOP veterans to rising online stars, from Gus Hansen to Thor Hansen, this field proved that in poker there is room for both old school and new school. Both generations had some success stories and some casualties. Only a few hours into the day, Internet and live tournament phenom Sorel Mizzi made a surprisingly early exit from the tournament. With a flop of J 7 3, Mizzi bet $93,000 and Ted Betlow raised to $200,000. Mizzi took a few moments to think before pushing all in for $419,000 more. Betlow asked Mizzi if he would show him his cards if he folded, but Mizzi remained silent.

"Ok then. It's a sick call but here we go," said Betlow, and called. Mizzi turned over K J for top pair and Betlow showed A 7 for middle pair with top kicker. Mizzi was in a dominant position until the turn brought the A, giving Betlow two pair. The river improved neither player and Mizzi was eliminated. Betlow put the final needle in Mizzi as he left the table. "If you said you'd show, I would have folded."

Former main event champion Berry Johnston was also eliminated when he got his short stack in with 6 5 against an opponent's A J on a board of J 7 5 and failed to improve. While some faltered, others of course prospered. John Spadavecchia, a poker circuit staple since the 1980s, ended the night with $1.5 million. Haved "RainKahn" Kahn, Cory "UGOTPZD" Carroll, and Dario Minieri are just a few of the young online stars who held big chip stacks as day 4 came to an end.

At the end of the night, only 112 players remained. Dag Martin "dmmikkel" Mikkelsen is the chip leader with more than $3.7 million. The next closest competitor is more than a million chips behind, but with the average stack at $1.1 million and blinds of $10,000-$20,000, this is still anybody's tournament. A gold bracelet, $8.25 million, and the ultimate bragging rights are on the line. The allure of these prizes crosses all barriers and makes this tournament the worldwide event that it is. Check in on all the action at Cardplayer.com as play resumes for day 5 at noon on Saturday, July 14.