Party Poker’s Big Game IV Could be the Most Anticipated Poker Show of All-Time

What began as yet another televised poker event -taking the high-stakes cash-game route-has suddenly turned into perhaps the most anticipated event in poker history. Party Poker’s Big Game IV will be starting soon, and the 48 hour cash-game will feature some of poker’s biggest names: Tony G, Phil Laak, Jennifer Tilly, and Luke “Full_Flush” Schawartz to name a few. But the late addition of two more players is what has the poker world buzzing.

The first player is the unknown online poker sensation known only by his screen-name, Isildur1 on Full Tilt Poker. Isildur1 has accepted Tony G’s offer to attend the event -with Tony G backing him-but word hasn’t trickled down yet on whether or not Isildur1 will go incognito -which Party Poker has offered-or finally out himself to the world. The smart money is on the first scenario, since Sweden has some strict tax laws on gambling innings, and its likely his anonymity is due to this than any “edge” he might gain from remaining anonymous.

The second addition is Dusty “Leatherass” Schmidt. The former StoxPoker instructor, and Internet poker icon, will be making his first appearance on a major poker telecast. Schmidt who now works for the online poker training site Drag the Bar is known as a “Nit” in the online poker world, because of his super-tight play. Although, upon announcing his appearance in the Big Game IV he quipped that that comes from playing 15 tables at a time, and his style will likely be more adaptive at a single table where he has better reads and can focus on his opponents.

The reason Schmidt’s addition is causing waves in the poker world is because of the recent scandal involving his old boss Nick “StoxTrader” Grudzien. Grudzien has admitted to multi-accounting, and has been accused of outright collusion, which has forced him to resign from StoxPoker, and for their parent site, Cardrunners, to disband the StoxPoker brand altogether!

The poker world has been waiting for someone with inside information to come forward, and Dusty Schmidt is perhaps that person. Of course, Schmidt has been decidedly tight-lipped up to this point, perhaps due to a confidentiality agreement when he left StoxPoker.

Regardless, the Big Game IV has already been a boon for Party Poker and it has yet to even take place! If the game itself comes anywhere near the hype and gossip that has preceded it, it will be a poker game for the ages. Maybe Isildur1 could not only be identified, but sign with Party Poker right at the table! Who knows what will happen, especially when master promoter Tony G is involved.