WICHITA — It turns out Brandon Steven was never in the dire straits it seemed Thursday at the poker table.
He says Poker News, which provides updates for the World Series of Poker — where Steven currently is ranked 33rd — incorrectly reported his chip total at one point.
“They just missed a zero,” Steven says.
He says Poker News showed him having $121,000 in chips, and really he had $1.21 million.
“I got 27 texts in 20 minutes,” Steven says of his friends and family who hurried to contact him.
So, is he actually in 33rd place as the World Series Web site is reporting?
“Oh, I don’t know,” Steven says. “It doesn’t matter.”
He says one hand can change all that.
His ranking isn’t what Steven is focused on.
“Once I get to the table, I just zone in,” he says of playing.
He’s come a long way in seven days, and there’s only one more day if he makes it through today.
Since 7,500 players started the tournament, it’s quite a feat that he’s made it this far.
Steven doesn’t want to hear congratulations, though.
“There’s nothing to congratulate yet.”
You can follow updates on Steven at www.wsop.com.