Curse of the Final Table - or, how doing really well is sometimes all you ever wanted

Since we're on the topic of the WSOP Main Event, we thought we'd talk a little about an oddity we recently encountered. In looking to set up various interviews for the podcast (the player is to the left btw and we'll have Phil Mackey from the Minnesota Poker Tour on the next show) we came across what we are tentatively calling the "Curse of the Final Table". The curse has it that final tabling in the WSOP Main Event but not finishing in the top three may end your poker career.

We heard back from two "almost was's" in the form of Daniel Bergsdorf and Dan Nassif.

Bergsdorf finished 7th in 2005 (Joe Hachem's year) winning $1.3 million dollars in the process. We caught up with Daniel in his native country of Sweden to ask if he'd be interested in being on the podcast. Following his deep run in '05 we found out he had a few more small cashes over the next couple of years, but nothing big. In declining to be interviewed, he let us know that he speaks "terrible English". But the real reason is that he plays "almost no live poker nowadays". Huh?

In many ways, Dan Nassif was the first Dennis Phillips - A regular guy (in this case an advertising sales exec) from St. Louis, MO who had a great run. Dan busted out in 9th in 2006 (Jamie Gold's big run) to earn $1.5 million. How has Dan done since in live tournament play and the WSOP? About nothing. We caught up with Mr. Nassif who last played live poker at the 2007 WSOP (no cashes). Apparently he's "just been playing online and haven't done that very much either. I have been busy with other things." Other things??

What?? What is going on here? These guys are in their prime (Bergsdorf is now in his early 30s and Nassif his late 30s). They both clearly have talent and gotten so close to the golden fruit. And, they both garnered life changing winnings (and experience) that gave them ample bankrolls to play and prosper.

Yet, they both have quit - at least quit any semblance of "serious" play. Is it a fluke? A pattern? We're calling it a curse for now, but we'll provide an update one way or the other if we learn more about it. One thing is for sure - the CPL Directors are committed to turning "pro" should they ever score a $1+ million pay-day.