As the World Series of Poker's #1 fanboy, you get the impression that 888poker Stream Team member Josh Manley could pass out from excitement at the very idea of entering the Main Event, let alone making a deep run.
"I'm so excited," he told PokerNews. "I've been watching all the episodes on PokerGO and following the Series since 2006 — the Jamie Gold year — and just watching it religiously. I love it."
Having made it through to Day 2, Manley still needs to navigate a huge tournament field in the pursuit of the glory and poker immortality that comes with being crowned WSOP Main Event champion.
First Main Event Excitement
"I've been watching all the episodes on PokerGO and following the Series since 2006"
Playing in his first WSOP Main Event, Manley says that's already ten-times his largest ever tournament buy-in. But that the experience of just being in Las Vegas during the WSOP is already priceless.
"I've seen so many familiar faces. Saw Marcel Luske (pictured). No one else recognized him and I was like 'Love that guy!' what a legend."
Rubbing shoulders with players like Luske is nothing compared to coming up against some of the greatest players of all time at the table, so who would Manley's favorite and least favorite players to have at his table in the Main.
"Jerry Yang would be unbelievable. He's a legend. I think I'd want a massive character [like him]. Someone historical that I really liked. That was probably my favorite final table to watch ever.
"Least favorite? I think if I had Chris Moorman on my direct left or like Phil Ivey would be awful. But I suppose Phil would be awesome at the same time."
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Beer Level? What Beer Level?
If something other than sheer enthusiasm is going to propel Manley on a deep run this year, perhaps a no-drinking policy might have a say. He told PokerNews that he won't be drinking until he busts the Main, but also explained that come the beer level he may make some exceptions.
"I think I should make a decision based on the amount of chips I need to have at a certain time," he suggested. "So if it's final level and I have a decent stack then yes. If I've got below what I started with, then no.
"It's a loose rule — I'm not that strict!"
Exploring Vegas
"The whole time I'll be absolutely buzzing just to be there"
Getting to explore Sin City is something that Manley is looking forward to, especially with the WSOP now on the Vegas Strip at Paris and Bally's, but he says that he has no plans to end his Main Event run in order to fit in some sightseeing.
"If I'm in the Main still, I'm enjoying Vegas," he explained. "The whole time I'll be absolutely buzzing just to be there. I sort of feel like there's this "Moment ICM" of just being in the Main Event still.
"I just want to be shown the way by people who are experienced with coming to the WSOP. I just want to play the Main Event, put in a good performance and have the best week of poker of my career."
