Event #11 of the 2008 World Series of Poker Circuit at Horseshoe Casino Hammond concluded on November 2. This was the $5,000 Buy-in No Limit Holdem Championship tournament. There was a total of 165 players entered which created a prize pool which was worth $800,250.
Steve Billirakis of Chicago, Illinois beat Thomas Koral heads up to take down the Championship Event at the 2008 WSOP Circuit Event at Horseshoe Hammond. Billirakis reveived a total of $208,885 for his first place finish. The winner also received a free entry into the 2009 WSOP Main Event as well as a gold and diamond WSOP Circuit ring. Thomas Koral of Chicago, Illinois finished in second place and received a total of $126,120.
To view a complete listing of results for the Championship Event of the 2008 Horseshoe Hammond WSOP Circuit, click on the link below:
2008 WSOP Circuit Horseshoe Hammond – Championship Event Results
Steve Billirakis, 22, Youngest WSOP Bracelet Holder, Wins Hammond Circuit Championship
He Credits His Attitude of Playing for Fun, Not Money, as Key to Win
Hammond, IN–The first WSOP Circuit tour to be staged at Horseshoe Casino Hammond culminated with Steve “Mr. Smokey” Billirakis being crowned as champion. For winning the main event, the 22-year-old pro from Chicago earned $208,885, an eye-catching gold-and-diamond trophy ring, and a $10,000 buy-in to the 2009 WSOP main event.
Billirakis was only 11 days past his 21st birthday last year when he became the youngest WSOP bracelet winner (in U.S. events) ever by capturing the $5,000 1/2 limit, 1/2 no-limit tournament which paid him $536,287. The key to his success, he said, is that he plays for fun, not concerning himself, as “serious money players” do, with moving up another notch. “These don’t mean anything to me,” he said, fingering a pile of chips. “The fun players get the money.”
It was a convincing victory for the young pro, who held the chip lead at the end of day one and day two, and scored a wire-to-wire victory at the final table.
Billirakis has played poker for five years. His mother made him get a job after he quit high school as a junior and he worked the night shift for a while at a McDonald’s before deciding he’d rather play poker for a living. It was a sound choice because this victory tonight brings his total tournament cashes to past the $1 million mark.
Billirakis described his play as selective/aggressive, and said he tries to make players “pay for their mistakes.” He tried to project a “crazy” image while waiting for a big pot, and his strategy paid off when he took a huge pot holding pocket queens after he was able to get Jason DeWitt to call all in with A-Q. He busted his opponent in that hand and took a commanding lead which he never relinquished His next project, he said (providing he doesn’t retire), is to learn the limit event H.O.R.S.E. because too many players now are too good at no-limit hold’em. Billirakis’ other interest is playing Xbox.
This event drew 165 players who created a total prize pool of $800,250. The participants had high praise for the way the tournament was run as well as for the structure and blinds which gave plenty of time for play, putting a premium on skill and allowing so many accomplished players to make the final table…
To view a complete tournament report for the Championship Event of the 2008 WSOP Circuit at Horseshoe Hammond, click on the link below:
2008 WSOP Circuit Horseshoe Hammond – Championship Event Tournament Report
