Andrew Feldman

  (4:07 PM)

Hey everyone! Sorry for the delayed start and actually need just a few more minutes! Be back at 4:15! Sorry!

Andrew Feldman

  (4:14 PM)

Sorry about that everyone! Cards in the air and Day 7 is underway!

Gene Volpe (Philly)

Great following you during this exciting time for my brother (@paulgees81)! You do great work. Show him some love today!

Andrew Feldman

  (4:14 PM)

Thanks, Gene. Your brother has put on a show thus far, but he'll need to be the short stack ninja today to get in contention...

Dave (Philly)

Hi & thanks for your reporting. Who stands out to you among the final 27? And, Koroknoi has missed the action and acted improperly in twice in two days. Is there a language barrier, or is there something else you can suggest?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:18 PM)

I have no idea why he's acted/played like this considering he does have good tournament experience, but it's crazy that he's been involved in two critical situations...

Josh (Philly)

Which of the two women do you think has a better chance at this point of making the final table, and how strong of a possibility do you think there is of her making it?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:20 PM)

I think both are extremely capable of making the final table, but I'm leaning towards Elisabeth at having the edge. That said, she's also the one more likely to go broke as she's more aggressive than Gaelle.

Mike (Queens)

Do you think the fact that there is really no notable player left in the ME field will hurt poker even if just a little bit? I know for me and my friends in our weekend game, it really hurts.

Andrew Feldman

  (4:22 PM)

It might hurt that there aren't any true stars of the game remaining, but trust me, the remaining 27 has some great characters and players that as you watch every Tuesday night at 8 p.m. on ESPN, you'll get to know any respect.

Andrew Feldman

  (4:23 PM)

I think we just lost a player...

Chuck (Dallas)

How in the world do these guys stay sharp after multiple 12 hour days? I know the end goal is all worth it but by this time some folks have to be making minor mistakes due to mental fatigue...seriously!!! Impressive, very impressive.

Andrew Feldman

  (4:24 PM)

Most of them are exhausted. After talking to them last night, all they wanted to do was go to sleep. Lots of energy drinks towards the end of the night.

Andrew Feldman

  (4:25 PM)

Denmark's Nicco Maag is out in 27th.

Robert (Seattle, WA)

What happened to day 5 chipleader Kyle Keranen? Are we going to see a big blow up by him on ESPN?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:25 PM)

I unfortunately had a feeling we would see one. He got his chips in a super-aggressive fashion and he tried to bully in spots where it just wasn't possible. He also ran into some big hands, but his relentless aggression was more the reason for his elimination.

Brent (Calgary)

Will the final 9 players be receiving 9th place payout ($754,798) today?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:26 PM)

Yes. They take home the ninth-place money, then collect whatever extra they earn (if they earn it) during the final table weekend.

Mike (Queens)

How cool is it that Michael Phelps tweeted you?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:26 PM)

Pretty incredible. He's a huge poker fan, wish we could deliver on the live front today...

Eric (Linkoping)

Are you close enough to see double ups etc? I know people would love to hear those too! ty for the updates.

Andrew Feldman

  (4:28 PM)

I'm sitting at feature with an easy view of secondary. I can't see the third table at all.

Lou (Towson)

Better Odds, Both women making the final table or Phelps taking home 7 golds in the Olympics?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:29 PM)

Phelps.

Scott (Dallas)

Outside of the women, who would be the best stories for the Final Table over the next 3 months? Doesn't sound like there are any Dennis Phillips or Davin Moons out there.

Andrew Feldman

  (4:31 PM)

Greg Merson/Steven Gee going for their 2nd bracelet, Merson could win PoY with a deep run, Yuval Bronshtein turning his online legacy into something bigger, Strelitz/Heinz history, Ladoucer's life as an accountant, Israelashvili's experience...there are plenty.

Fiona (Hudson, OH)

Does Scotty still not know?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:31 PM)

Don't tell Scotty.

Lou (Towson)

Are all hands being played hand for hand right now? At what point will they start if not?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:32 PM)

Nope. No hand for hand today.

Bryan (Texas)

What do you think the likelihood of The Big One returning next year? On another note, I was hoping the main would have been bigger this year. I want more televised coverage!

Andrew Feldman

  (4:33 PM)

I don't think it'll be back next year, but I bet we'll see it again in the future. I would assume the WSOP would offer a bigger buy-in event for 2013, but no idea of the price range.

Chris (Salem, Va)

With the popularity of Professional Poker pretty high, do you envision a time when the more popular players ever get big time endorsement deals outside of the game? Such as a big drink or food company.

Andrew Feldman

  (4:34 PM)

I don't see it happening until the online game is legalized and regulated. There's still a negative poker stigma among the widespread major companies, but hopefully that will change in the future.

Jack (Nashville)

If one of the women wins the Main Event, what do you think the affect will be on poker in terms of TV exposure, online legalization, etc.?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:35 PM)

Both are great in front of the cameras and would be the biggest story in the industry for the next few months. I think it brings awareness to the game and that can only help the legalization efforts.

Justin (Fort Myers)

If you had to guess do you think we have another Duhamel or another Jamie Gold to come out winner of this main event? Duhamel has continued to be a great ambassador while Gold has dissapeared. Seems like it could be the weakest final table ever with another Jamie Gold or Eastgate. Your thoughts?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:35 PM)

I think with 26 left, more than half of them are #goodforthegame. We'll know more tonight after the final table interviews

Jason Vredeveld (Maryland)

I looked through the remaining players and really dont recognize very many names, whos the favorite to take it down?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:38 PM)

Hard not to say the chip leader - Marc-Andre Ladouceur at this point. He's been deep in the main event before, has a strong poker background and isn't going to blow up. Lots of poker to go today, I'll make a better and more descriptive prediction after we have our nine.

Jobin (Quincy)

Sorry Feldman, I know you're the eternal optimist, but with no true star to catch the average viewer's eye, the 2012 final table is turning into the 2011 final table, a.k.a. the "hey who even won last year? Was it on TV?"

Andrew Feldman

  (4:38 PM)

If a woman makes it, still feel the same way?

NEPT (poker)

NEPTpoker A lot of People wondering why no mentions of frequent Foxwoods Player Robert Corcione, from Bellingham, Mass. Was recently 2nd in chips, and still in the top ten. Have not seen a single mention from any major Poker Media. Any reason why ?2 Minutes Ago · Like · Reply · Quote · Flag

Andrew Feldman

  (4:40 PM)

It's funny that Corcione and Salaburu have been among he leaders, but you're right, very little mentions. These guys aren't doing anything but chipping up without confrontation. There haven't been extensive big hands or major moves, just consitent chip chip chip....They'll get love today.

Andrew Feldman

  (4:40 PM)

@Jobin - isn't that the job?

Andrew (WI)

I think a lot of people wouldn't be as worried about no big names being left if we had live coverage. Last year it was a good way to get an initial impression on everyone. ESPN needs to reconsider for next year

Andrew Feldman

  (4:40 PM)

We appreciate the feedback and it'll be discussed again after this year....

Chad L (Chicago)

What's a bigger surprise to you: two women left in the final 27, or three of the final 27 have no(!) recorded cashes according to Hendon Mob database?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:42 PM)

3 of the final 27... Despite the lack of stars, there really is a lot of experience in the field remaining. That said, there are some who haven't really had a lot of live tournament success and well, here they are...

Harrison (New York)

More Impressive Pair of Runs- Dan Harrington (03,04), Dennis Phillips/Peter Eastgate (08,09) Sam Holden (2011,2012)?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:43 PM)

So hard to compare them and not include Cheong's three-year run. Holden should be here today. That bad beat was tough to watch. He didn't deserve it after this incredible run.

Rhodes (Lexington)

Don't want this to sound bad but how are the two remaining ladies playing? Has it just been a good week as far as cards for them or are they playing some really good poker? I think it would be great if one made the final table.

Andrew Feldman

  (4:45 PM)

Doesn't sound bad at all. They are playing incredible, fearless poker. Vanessa Selbst may be the most well-known woman in the game, but these two will join her very quickly based on what I've seen here in Vegas.

james M (UK, newcastle)

andrew now you are a pro poker player and made lots off cash have you ever thought off quiting and just living with the profit? and also i seen the secret millionaire you done nice one! :)

Andrew Feldman

  (4:45 PM)

Still not me.

Lou (Towson)

What were the top 2 or 3 things you've learned by observing this whole WSOP, both in the Main Event and all the ones leading up? Both as a player, and as part of the media?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:50 PM)

1) Early play changed dramatically this year. There were more min-raises during the first few days than I've seen in a very long time. 2) The amount of swaps that goes on late in an event is pretty surprising.

Andrew Feldman

  (4:50 PM)

As part of the media, I think some players are just starting to "get it". They realize this run is a big opportunity for them and are doing their best to brand themselves in a week.

Andrew Feldman

  (4:51 PM)

All-in at the feature table...waiting on a call...

Andrew Feldman

  (4:52 PM)

No call. Wilford wins the pot.

Word (Up)

Andrew,Will you be chatting again before the WSOP final table?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:52 PM)

Absolutely. I'll do a few over the summer, plus something fun during the broadcasts...

Mike (Queens)

Do the big name poker pros dislike what the ME has become now with all these amateurs and lesser name players diluting the field?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:53 PM)

Not at all. More dead money for them and a better chance to win more cash.

Josh (Philly)

Have you ever had the opportunity to play in any of the WSOP events, or circuit events?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:53 PM)

Played in the event that Hellmuth won his 11th bracelet. Not eligible to play these days.

Mike (Boston)

Any info on the actuary, Russ Thomas? I mean, the guy's an actuary, his expected value is WINNING!

Andrew Feldman

  (4:55 PM)

Excellent patience. Impressed with what I've seen so far and he was the one who knocked out Maag.

Peter (California)

Before the poker boom, when there were far fewer players at the WSOP, was the Main Event conducted at a more leisurely pace or were players still putting in grueling 12 hour days? And if you were made tournament director, would you maintain the current schedule or go a little easier on the players?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:58 PM)

Before the boom it was a three-day event because it was easy from an organizational standpoint. now, there's so much more to the event with TV, reporting, etc. It costs a lot to run this event and while that's a primary factor, the WSOP also considers that they don't want to run these guys to the bone. I think that they've done a great job in making sure its player friendly. Even when I started coming to the WSOP in 05, they were playing extremely long days, longer than they are now at points. Things continue to head in the right direction.

Adam (Staten Island)

I know that you can't answer this objectively because of your employment, but honestly, isn't this about as awful a final 27 as ESPN could have ever dreamed of? I'm sure that there will be storylines twisted until they break in order to make the finalists sound interesting, but seriously, your average casual viewer likely hasn't heard of even 3 of these players.

Andrew Feldman

  (5:00 PM)

Look, there's no Negreanu. There's no Ivey, Hellmuth, Mercier, Raymer, Duhamel, Cada, etc. There's no Sam Holden. There's not even an Amnon Filippi, but what we do have is a strong field of unique players that we'll spend the next few months learning about. Did anyone know anything about the final table in 2008 and 2009 (besides Ivey, who did nothing to promote it?). No. It's up to us as the media for the next few months to make these final nine come to life and give the fans a reason for you to cheer for/against them come October.

harrison (New York)

More total money awarded this coming season WPT or EPT?

Andrew Feldman

  (5:00 PM)

EPT

Scott (Dallas)

What is the buzz in the room like? Gotta be strange considering there were 1400 people in the same room a few days ago.

Andrew Feldman

  (5:01 PM)

It's empty here. In front of me is the feature table. To my right is secondary and beyond that, emptiness. There are no tables, no ropes, nothing. Just a massive room that once held the WSOP.

Justin (Fort Myers)

Another Ivey question. Has he locked up P.O.Y? Is there some kind of ceremony for the P.O.Y? Feel he deserves some kind of official recognition for his incredible 2 weeks.

Andrew Feldman

  (5:02 PM)

He hasn't locked up POY at all. Greg Merson, still in, can overtake him, plus, there's WSOP Europe.

Andrew Feldman

  (5:04 PM)

Thanks for all the questions everyone. I'd strongly recommend you follow on Twitter the rest of the day, and I might kick off a cover it live tonight when the action gets a little crazier... Thanks again!