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2009 Horseshoe Hammond
Event 9 - $2,000 Buy-in No Limit Holdem Final Results. 2009 Horseshoe Hammond WSOP Circuit Events.

2009 Horseshoe Hammond
World Series of Poker Circuit Events
Official Results
World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit Results
2009 Horseshoe Hammond Event #9 Results
2009-2010 World Series of Poker Circuit
Horseshoe Hammond
Oct. 21-22
Event #9
No Limit Holdem
Buy-In: $2,000 + $125
Number of Entries: 106
Total Prize Money: $200,400
Tuyen “Twin” Ngo
Final Results:
Place
Name
Hometown
Prize
To view the complete schedule and results for the 2009 Horseshoe Hammond WSOP Circuit Events, click on the link below:

2009 WSOP Circuit Horseshoe Hammond Schedule and Results
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Tuyen "Twin" Ngo
Drew Youngblood
Steffan Naas
Ray Wu
Chad Freid
Gary Datro
Susie Zhao
Will Durkee
Michael Johnson
Elvin Simpson
Stanley Haythorne
Bruce Axtman
Jacob Bazeley
Gablan Zawaideah
McHenry, IL
Dearborn, MI
Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL
Northbrook, IL
Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL
Bartlett, IL
Downers Grove, IL
Toldeo, OH
Chicago, IL
Cincinnati, OH
Birmingham, MI
$58,126
$36,079
$24,053
$17,438
$12,427
$9,822
$8,018
$6,815
$5,813
$5,011
$4,410
$4,410
$4,009
$4,009
Official Report

Event #9 Headlines

1.  “Twin” Wins $2,000 Buy-In No-Limit Hold’em Event at Chicago’s WSOP Circuit

2.  Tuyen “Twin” Ngo Achieves First WSOP Circuit Victory

3.  Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland) Continues to Draw Big Fields – Attendance Up 11
Percent Over Last Year Through First Ten Events


Event #9 Champion (Tuyen “Twin” Ngo)

The 2009 World Series of Poker Circuit champion of Event #9 held at the Horseshoe Casino
(Chicagoland) is Tuyen “Twin” Ngo, from McHenry, IL.  

Ngo is a 32-year-old professional poker player.  He mostly plays in local games around the
Chicago area.

Ngo was born in Vietnam.  He immigrated to the United States nearly 30 years ago.

Ngo collected $56,126 in prize money, plus the coveted gold ring which is presented to all
WSOP Circuit winners.  This was his first gold ring.


The Final Table / In-the-Money Finishers

When final table began, Drew Youngblood and Gary Datro were neck a neck for the chip
lead.  Eventual winner “Twin” Ngo was in third place when the action started on Day Two.

The final table included Will Durkee, a former WSOP gold bracelet winner.  Durkee won
$566,919 in the $2,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em event held in 2007.  Durkee has seven
WSOP cashes, and more than $700,000 in total WSOP earnings.

There were no former WSOP Circuit gold ring winners in the final group of nine, which
guaranteed a first-time winner.

The ninth-place finisher was Michael Johnson, from Bartlett, IL.  He is a 43-year-old
salesman.  Johnson earned $5,813.

The eighth-place finisher was Will Durkee, from Chicago, IL.  Oddly enough – despite
achieving much success at the WSOP in Las Vegas – this marked Durkee’s first time ever to
cash in a WSOP Circuit event.  He collected $6,815.  

The seventh-place finisher was Susie Zhao, from Chicago, IL.  She is a 22-year-old student
attending Northwestern University.  Zhao is quite accomplished as an online player.  She
was recently ranked 17th online in SNG tournaments.  Zhao was the highest female finisher
in an open event so far at this year’s Chicago Circuit.  She received $8,018 in prize money.  

The sixth-place finisher was Gary Datro, from Chicago, IL.  He is a 41-year-old cable TV
contractor, who is also an avid sports fan (favorite teams – Bears and Bulls).  Datro picked
up $9,822 in prize money for sixth place.

The fifth-place finisher was Chad Freid, from Northbrook, IL.  He is a 37-year-old real estate
builder.  Freid has previously cashed two times in the WSOP Main Event, in 2006 and 2008
– which includes more than $70,000 in earnings.  Freid received $12,427 for fifth place in
this tournament.

The fourth-place finisher was Ray Wu, from Chicago, IL.  He is a 32-year-old entrepreneur.  
This marked Wu’s best WSOP Circuit finish, which paid $17,438.

The third-place finisher was Steffan Naas, from Chicago, IL.  He received $24,053.

When heads-up play began, Drew Youngblood enjoyed about a 3 to 2 chip lead over Tuyen
“Twin Ngo.  The battle picked up some extra spice when the two surviving players were
unable to reach a deal (despite a break and some negotiation).  Once “chop talk” broke
down, Youngblood seemed even more determined to win the top prize outright.  A few
dozen evenly-divided spectators hollering their support only added to emotions.  
Youngblood and Ngo were involved in several big hands which swung the momentum back
and forth during the final 45 minutes of play.  

The first key hand took place when Ngo doubled up holding A-10 versus Youngblood’s A-5.  
Both players caught an ace on the flop and the 10-kicker ended up playing in Ngo’s favor.  

Youngblood regained the edge when he took A-8 up against Ngo’s A-J.  All the chips went
into the pot after an ace flopped, but Youngblood actually had two pair (aces and eights),
which held up.

The third and decisive confrontation took place when Ngo had his opponent all in with A-Q
versus Youngblood’s A-6.  Neither player made a pair, so the A-Q played, which gave Ngo
the victory.

The runner up was Drew Youngblood, from Dearborn, MI.  He had previously made final
tables at the WSOP and WSOP Circuit.  As the runner up, Youngblood received $36,079.

The winner was Tuyen “Twin” Ngo, who collected $58,126 and his first WSOP Circuit gold
ring.


The Tournament

This was the ninth tournament of the new WSOP Circuit season and is also the ninth of 13
events scheduled to be played in Chicago.  This tournament (Event #9) attracted 106
entries, which was a nice turnout for a $2,000 buy-in midweek tourney.  

Through the first ten events of the 2009 WSOP Circuit series at the Horseshoe Casino
(Chicagoland), attendance is up 11 percent over last year.  Through the first ten events,
the comparisons are as follows:

2008 – 3,198 total entrants
2009 – 3,597 total entrants

Through the first ten events of the 2009 WSOP Circuit series at the Horseshoe Casino
(Chicagoland), prize money is up 10 percent over last year.  Through the first ten events,
the comparisons are as follows:

2008 – $1,419,091 in total prize money
2009 – $1,563,142 in total prize money

The game played was No-Limit Hold’em.  The buy-in was $2,000 (+125).  The total prize
pool amounted to $200,440.  The top 14 finishers collected prize money.

The tournament began at noon on October 21st and was played over two days.  The entire
duration of the tournament lasted about 22 hours.


World Series of Poker Circuits (History)

The World Series of Poker Circuits began in January 2005.  WSOP Circuits were designed to
bring the excitement of the world’s largest and most prestigious poker series to more
players and fans in various regions throughout the United States.  Over the past five years,
WSOP Circuits have taken place at Harrah’s Entertainment properties in the following
locations:

Las Vegas, NV (Caesars Palace, Harrah’s, and Bally’s/Paris)
Lake Tahoe, NV (Harvey’s Lake Tahoe)
San Diego, CA (Rincon)
New Orleans, LA (Harrah’s)
Tunica, MS (Tunica Grand)
Council Bluffs, IA (Harrah’s)
Elizabeth, IN/Louisville, KY (Horseshoe Southern Indiana)
Hammond, IN/Chicago, IL (Horseshoe Casino)
Atlantic City (Caesars, Harrah’s, Showboat)

This begins WSOP Circuit season number six.  This season officially began on October 16,
2009 at the Horseshoe Casino (Chicago) and will conclude seven months later on May 19,
2010 at Harrah’s New Orleans.  This year, there are 11 WSOP Circuit stops held at the
following locations:

Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland)
Horseshoe Southern Indiana
Harvey’s Lake Tahoe
Harrah’s Atlantic City
Tunica Grand
Harrah’s Council Bluffs
Caesars Atlantic City
Harrah’s Rincon
Harrah’s St. Louis (new location)
Caesars Palace Las Vegas
Harrah’s New Orleans

Only three locations have hosted WSOP Circuits during all six seasons.  They are:

Harrah’s Atlantic City
Harrah’s New Orleans
Harvey’s Lake Tahoe

WSOP Circuit stops typically include 10-15 tournaments played over a two-week period
(some of the more popular events run longer and include as many as 23 events).  Buy-ins
range from $200 for the lower tournaments up to $5,000 for championship events.  During
the first two years of WSOP Circuits, all championship events had a $10,000 buy-in.  This
has been reduced to a $5,000 buy-in since the 2006-2007 season began.

WSOP Circuits consistently attract large fields and payout impressive prize money.  Here
are the ten largest poker events in WSOP Circuit history:

1,412 -- Horseshoe Casino (Chicago), Oct. 16-17, 2009 -- Event #1
1,345 -- Tunica Grand (Mississippi), Jan. 7-8, 2006 – Event #3
1,187 -- Horseshoe Casino (Chicago), Oct. 24-25, 2008 – Event #1
1,181 – Harrah’s Atlantic City, Dec. 5-6, 2008 – Event #1
1,106 -- Caesars Atlantic City, Mar. 5-6, 2007 – Event #1
1,056 -- Caesars Atlantic City, Mar. 5-6, 2008 – Event #1
1,050 -- Caesars Atlantic City, Mar. 7-8, 2008 – Event #3
983 -- Caesars Atlantic City, Mar. 6-7, 2009 – Event #3
954 – Caesars Indiana, Oct. 20, 2005 – Event #1
940 -- Tunica Grand (Mississippi) Jan. 5-6, 2006 – Event #1

Winners of WSOP Circuit tournaments receive a gold ring as the token of their
achievement.  This prize is patterned after the coveted gold bracelet, which is awarded to
all winners of WSOP events in Las Vegas.  

The player who has won the most WSOP Circuit gold rings is Men “the Master” Nguyen,
with four victories.  Nguyen also has 12 WSOP Circuit career cashes.

The player who has won the most WSOP Circuit championship events is Chris “Jesus”
Ferguson, with three Main Event victories.  Ferguson won Main Events at Harrah’s Rincon
(2005), Harrah’s Las Vegas (2005), and Harvey’s Lake Tahoe (2007).

The player with the most prize money winnings in WSOP Circuit history is Chris “Jesus”
Ferguson.  His combined career earnings currently total $1,359,143.  Ferguson has cashed
six times.  


World Series of Poker Circuit at Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland)

This is the 51st WSOP Circuit tournament series played since January 2005.

What is now the Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland) originally opened up as the Empress
Casino, back in 1993.  The casino has since been sold twice and has undergone both
expansion and renovation.  It is now the largest casino (measured by number of tables and
gaming devices) in the greater Chicago area.  The current Horseshoe Casino configuration
has more than 100 live table games, 3,200 electronic gaming devices, and a 34-table poker
room, making it one of the largest casinos in the Midwest.

Poker pioneer Jack Binion bought and took over the Empress Casino in 2001.  He renamed
the property as the “Horseshoe Casino.”  It became officially known as “Horseshoe
Hammond,” since it is actually located in Hammond, IN.  Harrah’s Entertainment purchased
the casino from Binion in 2004, and retained the name.  However, in an effort to align itself
with the Chicago area, the casino is now known as the Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland).

The Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland) underwent a $500 million renovation, which was
completed last year.  On August 8, 2008 (8-8-08) entertainment diva Bette Midler hosted
and performed at the grand re-opening.

The Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland) is the closest gaming facility in proximity to downtown
Chicago, which is just 16 miles away.  In fact, the downtown skyline can be seen from many
parts of the casino, which is located along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

A large marina is adjacent to the casino, which holds many water craft.  The casino is a
popular destination for boats which come to the resort from all over the region, especially
during summer months.
The casino is located less than a mile from the Indiana-Illinois border.  The closest major
airport is Midway, on Chicago’s south side.  Chicago’s O’Hare Airport is about an hour
away.  The casino offers shuttle service to many parts of Chicago and the region.

The Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland) draws visitors predominately from the Chicago area.  
However, the WSOP Circuit attracts many players from all over Illinois, Indiana, Michigan,
Minnesota, and Ohio.

This marks the second year that the Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland) has hosted a WSOP
Circuit stop.  Last year’s field came close to setting attendance records.  A big turnout is
also expected this year, and the first event of the new 2009-2010 season did not
disappoint.  The Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland) has now hosted two of the three largest
WSOP Circuit tournaments in history.

The Horseshoe Casino poker room regularly holds 34 tables.  However, the WSOP Circuit
took over the special events center called “The Venue.”  This additional floor space holds 78
more poker tables.  This means the Horseshoe Casino holds up to 112 poker tables
combined, making it the largest capacity facility of any WSOP Circuit event.

“The Venue” is regularly used for shows and attracts many of the biggest names in music
and entertainment.  The Venue holds up to 3,000 people.  But most of the theatre seating
was moved aside for nearly two weeks in favor of poker tables, all packed with players.  

This is one of two major poker tournaments held annually at the Horseshoe Casino.  In
addition to the WSOP Circuit, the casino will be hosting the “Chicago Poker Classic,” to be
held February 26 through March 7, 2010.  This tournament is expected to offer nine major
events, plus several second chance tournaments.  Attractions include $350,000 in added
prize money, plus a brand new Porsche Cayman luxury car as the grand prize.  A complete
schedule of the 2010 Chicago Poker Classic will be forwarded to media at the completion of
this year’s WSOP Circuit events.
__________________________________

HORSESHOE CASINO (CHICAGO)

Horseshoe Casino Senior Vice President and General Manager:  Dan Nita
Director of Table Games:  Jose Lebron
Poker Room Manager:  Jason Newman
Special Events Manager:  Amie Hill
Tournament Director:  Charlie Ciresi
Co-Tournament Director:  Steve Frezer


WORLD SERIES OF POKER

World Series of Poker President and Commissioner – Jeffrey Pollack
WSOP Vice President -- Ty Stewart
Director of Communications – Seth Palansky
Regional Vice President of Specialty Gaming -- Howard Greenbaum
WSOP Events Manager -- Angele Marshall
WSOP Marketing Manager – Elizabeth Anne Hill
WSOP Tournament Director – Jack Effel
WSOP Media Director – Nolan Dalla
2009 Horseshoe Hammond WSOP Circuit Event #9 Winner