Positively Fifth Street

After being sent to cover the 2000 World Series of Poker and the trial of a stripper and her lover, James McManus risked the entire commission to try and play in the tournament itself. This account describes his unlikely progress and gives a vivid portrait of the colourful characters at the tables

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James McManus was sent to Las Vegas by Harper's magazine to cover the women players in the 2000 World Series of Poker, and the trial of a stripper and her boyfriend for the gruesome murder of Ted Binion, the tournament's prodigal host. At least that's what McManus told his wife. In fact he risked the entire commission on a long-shot attempt to play in the tournament itself. This account describes his unlikely progress and gives a vivid portrait of the colourful characters at the tables - including the woman on the verge of giving birth to her 3rd child.