Battle of the Champions is this Wednesday

Hey there everyone, it's Natalie again. Don't forget to watch us Wednesday night on the Travel Channel for the World Poker Tour's Battle of the Champions: Season II.

Happy Thanksgiving

I just wanted to take a moment to wish everyone Happy Thanksgiving and also give thanks for my blessings. There are so many people out there who are less fortunate than you or me. We are truly blessed by having a computer and internet access, allowing us to read this blog. Many others are struggling for survival in third-world conditions. Natalie cooked a wonderful turkey with all the trimmings. My new WPT espisode is coming on the Travel Channel next Wednesday. My new WSOP TOC episode is coming on ESPN Christmas Eve. There are so many other things to be thankful for. I hope that everyone reading this has a great holiday and takes a moment to be thankful for their blessings too.

WSOP Circuit at Paris/Bally's

Hey everyone! Natalie here again. Hoyt has made it to day three of the WSOP Circuit in Las Vegas. They are to continue play at 2pm in the Pacific Ballroom in the Baly's portion of the casino. If you are able, feel free to drop on by. If you aren't able to come watch, you can keep up with the action at Cardplayer, PokerWire, or PokerPages. May the flop be with you (and us too.)

Readers' Poll

Ok. Everyone keeps calling this TOC the best final three ever. Specifically, the are talking about: Me, Phil Hellmuth and Mike Matusow. Now, Daniel Negreanu said that the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure final three was the best ever. That was: Me, Daniel Negreanu and Gus Hansen.

I decided to get you guys' opinion. Post your vote below by clicking the comment button bellow.

-Hoyt

I got 2nd Place

It is being called the greatest TV tournament of all time. I do not know if that is a correct statement, but I have heard it from several people. Nolan Dalla, whose opinion I respect, said that it will become a legendary tournament. All I know is that it was exhausting. It was extremely tiring to play 30 hours of intense poker in a 3 day time frame. The final table alone went on for over 11 hours.

I was very tickled by the things that Phil Hellmuth said about me to ESPN in his exit interview. Although I didn't hear it at the time, I read about it in the articles published about the event. I am looking forward to seeing it on Christmas Eve. I was laughing like crazy reading about it, and am sure to get a huge chuckle when the show airs. I had fun knocking him out of another tournament.

Thank you to all of the people who called and e-mailed wishing me well going in to the final table. I was overwelmed with the number of wellwishers and have to appologize for not being able to take the calls or respond to the e-mails. Those ESPN people work you quite a bit on the interviews and specialty shots and such, and I was taking every free moment that I had to go over my strategies. Also, thank you to everyone who came to the taping and rooted me on. I really appreciate your support.

Final Table Taping

It's Natalie again. Hoyt managed to make the final table at the WSOP TOC. Play begins at 2pm in the Augustus Ballroom at Caesar's Palace. Hoyt is 7th in chips going in to the final day and the payout is as follows:

1st place - $1 million
2nd place - $325,000
3rd place - $250,000
4th place - $150,00
5th place - $100,000
6th place - $75,000
7th place - $50,000
8th place - $25,000
9th place - $25,000

The show will be broadcast on ESPN December 24th from 1p to 4p eastern.

Tournament of Champions

Hey guys, it's Natalie here. Just wanted to let you know that Hoyt is 3rd in chips going into day 2 of the WSOP TOC. Play resumes today (Nov. 7) at noon. If you are in Vegas, viewing seats are available in the Augustus Ballroom of Caesar's Palace. When I get a chance, I will post photos in the photo album section of the site.

Check out Cardplayer.com, PokerWire.com, or PokerPages.com for live updates, other photos, and updated chip counts.

Natalie