Anyone can take a shot at winning the World Series of Poker, but only the most elite poker players in the world can sit down in the big game at Bellagio. Players like Doyle Brunson, Chip Reese, Phil Ivey, Barry Greenstein, and Jen Harman are regulars in a game which moves more money around the table than I see in a year.

Other than Michael Craig's absolutely brilliant book The Professor, The Banker and The Suicide King, nobody has been able to get particularly close to the big game, but Steve Rosenbloom, author of The Best Hand I Ever Played and colmunist for ESPN.com, recently did:

I get so many questions about the "big game'' at the Bellagio -- the one with Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey, Chip Reese, Barry Greenstein, Chau Giang, Jennifer Harman and others -- that I thought it would be beneficial to take three e-mails on the topic and send them to Greenstein. And naturally, Greenstein, author of "Ace on the River,'' a terrific book born out of playing in these types of games, supplied answers and insight.

I'm not surprised that Barry Greenstein answered his questions. After meeting Barry (briefly) at the WPBT Winter Classic, reading his book Ace on the River, and hearing Michael Craig speak so highly of him, I've come to the conclusion that Barry Greenstein is just as generous with his time and knowledge as he is with his tournament winnings.

You can read the questions and answers by following the link below. Rosenbloom's column is split into two sections, so don't let the title (about HORSE) throw you. The big game Q&A starts about halfway down the page.

(Photo from flickr user xrrr. Isn't Creative Commons cool?)