Good To Be in the Main Room - Q&A with Phil Gordon

Phil Gordon has many accomplishments on his impressive poker resume including a World Poker Tour title and many other final table finishes. Nevertheless, the elusive World Series of Poker gold bracelet has managed to slip through his grasp despite a fourth place finish in the 2001 main event and two third place finishes in preliminary events during different years.



Card Player caught up with Gordon during the first break of day 2B at the 2008 World Series of Poker main event to discuss the day's experiences and his thoughts on the future of the WSOP.



Alex Porter: How has the 2008 World Series of Poker main event been treating you so far on day two?



Phil Gordon: Well, it was good up until the last hand before the break. I had built up my stack to about 72,000 pretty much with no showdowns. I got involved in the last hand before the break and it didn't work out so well. I lost about 15,000 of my chips, so I'm pretty much back to where I started from at the beginning of the day. But I've got more than an average stack and a good table, so we'll see what happens.



AP: You just moved into the Amazon Room during the last level from one of several overflow rooms to accommodate today's large field. Where did you start the day?



PG: We were actually in the poker room upstairs to start the day. After some tables opened up in here, they moved my whole table. It's good to be in the main room!



AP: You're currently sitting with John D'Agostino. Did he start the day at your table?



PG: No. He just came to our table after we busted a couple of guys.



AP: Have you two been mixing it up together at all since he joined your table?



PG: No, not at all. I'm not going to stay out of his way, but I'm not going to go out of my way to get involved with him either.



AP: There were 8,773 players in the 2006 main event and 6,358 last year. With 6,844 entrants, this year's main event surpasses last year's numbers but is still about 2,000 shy of beating the record. Where do you personally see this tournament going in ten years?



PG: Wow, that's a really good question. I think a lot of it depends on what happens with the legislation. I think that if online poker is taxed and regulated in the United States like it should be, the tournament could be twice as big as it is. If the current laws continue then we'll probably see it plateau somewhere around 7,000. I don't think it's ever going to get back to the 8,700 mark until the laws change.



AP: The hot topic this year has been the decision to postpone the final table until November. What's your take?



PG: I think it's a great change. I think it really only affects nine people, and it gives the World Series of Poker a chance to promote that final table and get better ratings on ESPN. Whoever they are, the final nine are going to have tremendous opportunities to help the sport grow.



AP: There's been talk of the final nine players seeking advice from experienced pros during the months until the final table date. If for some reason you're not up there with them, would you consider being a coach?



PG: I think coaching is going to be a really big issue, and it's going to be really interesting to see how it all plays out. I think from a coaching standpoint I've got some stuff to offer to one of the final nine if I'm not there with them, but I'm not anticipating anyone knocking down my door.



To see John D'Agostino's thoughts on playing with Phil Gordon, check out his Pro Analysis blog.

Card Player's Live Player Database – Phil Gordon

Phil Gordon is a member of Team Full Tilt