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2010 Harrah’s Tunica WSOP Circuit – Event #12 Final Results

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

2009/2010 World Series of Poker Circuit
Harrah’s Tunica
Event #12
No-Limit Hold’em
Buy-In: $200(+30)
Total Entries: 162
Total Prize Pool: $26,028
January 31-February 1, 2010

Final Results:

2010 Harrah's Tunica WSOP Circuit Event #12 Winner Donna Jetter

Finish Name City State Country Prize
1 Donna Jetter Sparta TN USA $7,091
2 Anne Manning Kosciusko MS USA $4,367
3 Lisa Craven Cornelius NC USA $3,084
4 Jennifer Embrey Horn Lake MS USA $2,202
5 Louraine Roberts Talladega AL USA $1,762
6 Marie Hernandez Pueblo CO USA $1,322
7 Karen Massey Cordova TN USA $882
8 Deborah Woit Algonquin IL USA $716
9 Sherry Hollis Pomona MO USA $606
10 Carol Tomlinson Nashville TN USA $531
11 Susan Davis St. Charles MO USA $531
12 Christy Gilbert Chattanooga TN USA $531
13 Sheila Carwile Chelsea AL USA $437
14 Shannon Johnson Memphis TN USA $437
15 Patricia Glass Houston TX USA $437
16 Carrie Oster Greenwood IN USA $364
17 Kristen Deardorff Gulfport MS USA $364
18 Stephanie Angotti Memphis TN USA $364

Donna Jetter wins “Tough” Harrah’s Tunica WSOP Circuit Ladies Event

Why she says ladies events can be more difficult than open field events

TUNICA, MS – Donna Jetter is the 2009/2010 Harrah’s Tunica WSOP Circuit Ladies Event Champion.

While a severe regional ice storm forced the closure of area schools, libraries and other public services through Monday, the ladies event attracted a modest field of 162 non-males, each vying to become the 2009/2010 Harrah’s Tunica Circuit Ladies Event Champion.

12 players returned on day two and after an hour of play, the final table was set.

Name Hometown Seat Chip Count
Louraine Roberts Talladega, AL 1 161,000
Sherri Hollis Pomona, MO 2 60,000
Jennifer Embrey Horn Lake, MS 3 214,000
Deborah Woit Algonquin, IL 4 70,000
Karen Massey Cordova, TN 5 50,000
Donna Jetter Nashville, TN 6 150,000
Lisa Craven Charlotte, NC 7 160,000
Anne Manning Kosciusko, MS 8 410,000
Marie Hernandez Pueblo, CO 9 270,000

Ninth Place
Final table action got underway shortly after 2:00 pm. Sherri Hollis moved her short stack all-in preflop with 10h-Jh and got a call from Louraine Roberts, who showed Kh-Js. Dominated, Hollis fell farther behind after Roberts flopped top pair kings. A benign turn and river resulted in the first elimination of the final table. Hollis, a home health agency administrator from Pomona, MO, collected $606 after her fourth WSOP Circuit final table appearance.

Eighth Place
A few hands later, Louraine Roberts raised preflop to 33,000 UTG, Deborah Woit got the rest of her chips in from the small blind and Roberts made the call. Woit was left needing help with Ah-Js vs. Roberts’ Ad-Qs on an 8c-5d-4c flop. A nine on the turn and river ace was the end of Woit’s run. .Eighth paid $716

Seventh Place
Karen Massey soon moved her 45,000-chip short stack all in from the small blind with Ac-2c while Donna Jetter called from the big with J-Q suited. A queen along with two clubs on the flop and a Kc on the turn left Massey looking for a river ace or club. Neither materialized on the river and Massey was eliminated. Massey is a captain in the United States Air Force. She earned $882.

Sixth Place
Marie Hernandez of Pueblo, CO was the sixth place finisher. Despite coming into the final table second in chips, she took a few blows to her chip stack, ultimately busting on an all-in with A-10 vs. Jetter’s A-J. Sixth paid $1,322.

Fifth Place
Roberts made it 50,000 to go from the cutoff before Jennifer Embrey moved all-in from the button. Roberts called with Ac-Jd, but was an underdog to Embrey’s pocket kings. The jack-high board wasn’t enough for Roberts, ending her bid for the pendant. The insurance agent from Talladega, AL picked up $1,762

Fourth Place
After a flop of 5c-9c-3, Jennifer Embrey fired out 25,000. Jetter raised to 115,000. Embrey went over the top all-in and Jetter called. Embrey showed 7c-5s for middle pair while Jetter turned over 6s-4s with an open-ended straight draw. The turn was a seven, giving Embrey two pair, but completing Jetter’s straight.
A 10d on the river sent Embrey out in fourth for a $2,202 payday.

Second Place
After real estate appraiser Lisa Craven was eliminated all-in with A-8 vs. Anne Manning’s A-J, heads-up was between Manning with 1 million in chips and Jetter with 600,000. Jetter went to work, bleeding Manning’s stack to just below 400,000. The final hand saw the two all-in with Manning showing 6h-6c and Jetter turning over Jh-Jc. The board came 10c-4s-7c-Kh-Qh, giving Jetter the win. Jetter pocketed $7,091 for first along with the gold WSOP Circuit Event ladies pendant. Manning collected $4,367 for second.

The 2009/2010 Harrah’s Tunica WSOP Ladies Circuit Event champion was still shaking a bit as she made her way to the payout table.

“I’m pretty nervous, excited,” she said.

Jetter is a poker dealer from Nashville, TN and has been playing poker for two years.

She notes that for her, women’s events are a lot harder than open events because it is harder to put women on a hand.

“You can read em’ a little better,” Jetter said about playing against men. “You can tell if they got the hand or not.”

However, Jetter says her observation has more to do with experience rather than gender.

“A lot of women playing in ladies events are new to poker and they tend to chase more hands down to the river.”

Still to come are 7 more events and single-day non-ring $125, $230 and $340 buy-in events which begin at 4 pm and 7pm. The WSOP Circuit at Harrah’s Tunica runs through February 10th.

2010 Harrah’s Tunica WSOP Circuit – Event #12 Final Results

2010 Harrah’s Tunica WSOP Circuit Events Schedule and Results

Ty Stewart – Director, Sponsorship and Licensing, WSOP
Craig Abrahams – Director, Broadcasting and New Media, WSOP
Seth Palansky – Communications Director, WSOP

Executive Staff, World Series of Poker Circuit – Harrah’s Tunica

Bill Wright – General Manager
Jimmy Sommerfeld –Tournament Director
Bill Bruce – Assistant Tournament Director
Patrick Collins – Public Relations Manager

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2010 Harrah’s Tunica WSOP Circuit – Event #10 Final Results

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

2009/2010 World Series of Poker Circuit
Harrah’s Tunica
Event #10
No-Limit Hold’em
Buy-In: $400 (+40)
Total Entries: 242
Total Prize Pool: $88,496
January 29-30, 2010

Final Results:

Finish Name City State Country Prize
1 Luther Lewis Goodlettsville TN USA $22,604
2 Jeter Brock Birmingham AL USA $13,823
3 Mike Ashar Vermilion OH USA $9,805
4 Ray Hall Huntsville Al USA $7,000
5 Zack Lawmaster Tulsa OK USA $5,602
6 Thomas Culberson Biloxi MS USA $4,204
7 Scott Standridge Ft. Smith AR USA $2,805
8 Michael Wolf Quinlan TX USA $2,274
9 Terry Alvert New Baden IL USA $1,929
10 James Gardner Shorewood ILL USA $1,690
11 Keith Woernle Montgomery AL USA $1,690
12 Ricky Fryer Orange Grove TX USA $1,690
13 Patrick Fogleman Springfield IL USA $1,389
14 Aaron Lasater Atlanta GA USA $1,389
15 Charles Lineberry San Antonio TX USA $1,389
16 Chris Nash Dallas TX USA $1,159
17 Brian Unkenholz Bartlesville OK USA $1,159
18 Darren Dwyer Salem IL USA $1,159
19 Jennifer Kasten Star City IN USA $1,009
20 Mark Mueller Columbia MO USA $1,009
21 Michael Sabbia Overland Park IL USA $1,009
22 Bradley Fowler Salem SC USA $903
23 Matthew Wright Rosebush MI USA $903
24 Gary Greenlee Muncee IN USA $903

“Nice Guy” Finishes First

Country musician and local favorite, Luther Lewis wins Circuit Event #10 at Harrah’s Tunica

2010 Harrah's Tunica WSOP Circuit Event 10 Winner Luther Lewis

TUNICA, MS – As tournament director Kevin Ferguson announced the name of the player in seat nine, a sudden burst of applause and cheering burst out in the event center at Harrah’s Tunica.

The unexpected barrage of loud whistling, clapping and shouts of encouragement from the room when Luther Lewis’ name was read was in stark contrast to the standard obligatory hand clapping.

Lewis, a 39-year old country singer and songwriter was probably the most surprised, seemingly taken aback from the crowd support.

“Lewis is the nicest player in this room,” said Rose Cooney, who plays regularly with Lewis at the Horseshoe in Tunica and says she’s never seen him berate a player after taking a bad beat or even go on tilt.

“And he’s polite to the ladies.”

In addition to home court advantage, Lewis had something else going for him heading into the final table of the $440 buy-in no-limit hold’em event, the chip lead.

Name Hometown Seat Chip Count
Ray Hall Huntsville, AL 1 380,000
Mike Wolf Quinlan, TX 2 240,000
Matt Culberson Biloxi, MS 3 215,000
Jeter Brock Birmingham, AL 4 356,000
Zack Lawmaster Tulsa, OK 5 310,000
Mike Ashar Vermillion, OH 6 143,000
Scott Standridge Fort Smith, AR 7 143,000
Nathan Burdette Birmingham, AL 8 247,000
Luther Lewis Goodlettsville, TN 9 480,000

Ninth Place
The final table got underway at 3:20 pm after Terry Alvert was eliminated. With blinds and antes at 5,000/10,000/2,000, the first hand of final table action saw Matt “Cub” Culberson and Mike Wolf all in pre-flop. Culberson was ahead with A-7 off against Wolf’s Jh-10c. Culberson flopped top pair and maintained his lead through the river. Wolf earned $2,274 for ninth.

Eighth Place
Shortly after, Ray Hall moved all-in with pocket queens pre-flop and Scott Standridge called with pocket sixes. The Jack high board was no help to Standridge, sending him the payout table to collect $2,805.

Seventh Place
After Nathan Burdette raised to 45,000 in late position, Culberson re-raised all-in with pocket 10’s for his remaining 90k. Burdette called with Kh-Ks. The board improved neither player’s hand, ending Culberson’s tournament run. Culberson picked up $4,204 for his efforts.

Sixth Place
A few hands later, Jeter Brock made it 75,000 to go from the button while Zack Lawmaster moved in the rest of his chips from the small blind with Ac-6c. Brock called with 5c-5s and won the coin flip after no aces or sixes appeared on the board. Lawmaster, a poker dealer from Tulsa, OK earned $5,602 for sixth place.

Fifth Place
With blinds at 8,000/16,000/3,000, the remaining five players struck a deal. While the details were not disclosed, they decided to play it out for the ring. In the very next hand, Burdette ran his Ac-3h into Luther Lewis’ pocket aces. The queen high board was no help to either player, ending Burdette’s ring bid. Fifth place officially paid $5,602.

Fourth Place
The fourth place finisher was Ray Hall. All-in pre-flop, his pocket 9’s could not improve against Mike Ashar’s pocket jacks on an ace-high board. Hall took home an official $7,000 payout.

Third Place
Lewis played conservatively throughout the final table and maintained his tight play down to the end, at one point folding pocket nines all-in pre-flop to 62-year old attorney Mike Ashar, who showed A-5 off.

Lewis’ patience eventually paid off after calling an all-in from Ashar, who had pocket 7’s. Lewis turned over pocket jacks, which held through the river on a 10-high board. Ashar officially earned $9,805 for third.

Second Place
At a decisive chip disadvantage to Lewis, Brock called his heads-up opponent aside. After a couple of minutes of discussion, the tournament was over with Brock taking home an official payout of $13,823 and Lewis the official $22,604 first place prize and the Circuit Event gold ring.

“This is amazing man, I can’t believe it,” said Lewis, whose musical stylings can be heard at his website www.lutherlewis.net.

When asked about nice guys finishing last: “Well, I guess I’ve proved today that it’s not always true,” replied Lewis, smiling.

Still to come are 9 more events and daily single-day non-ring $125 and $230 buy-in events which begin at 4 pm and 7pm. The WSOP Circuit at Harrah’s Tunica runs through February 10th.

2010 Harrah’s Tunica WSOP Circuit Event #10 Final Results

2010 Harrah’s Tunica WSOP Circuit Events Schedule and Results

Ty Stewart – Director, Sponsorship and Licensing, WSOP
Craig Abrahams – Director, Broadcasting and New Media, WSOP
Seth Palansky – Communications Director, WSOP

Executive Staff, World Series of Poker Circuit – Harrah’s Tunica

Bill Wright – General Manager
Jimmy Sommerfeld –Tournament Director
Bill Bruce – Assistant Tournament Director
Patrick Collins – Public Relations Manager

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2010 Harrah’s Tunica WSOP Circuit – Event #9 Final Results

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

2009/2010 World Series of Poker Circuit
Harrah’s Tunica
Event #9
No-Limit Hold’em
Buy-In: $300 (+40)
Total Entries: 230
Total Prize Pool: $61,530
January 28-29, 2010

Final Results:

Finish Name City State Country Prize
1 Raymond Mcghee Little Rock AR USA $15,715
2 Glyn Banks Smithville TN USA $9,611
3 Benjamin Carli Alliance OH USA $6,818
4 Benjamin Clayborn Memphis TN USA $4,867
5 Robert Russell Louisville TN USA $3,895
6 Danny Nelson Batesville AR USA $2,923
7 John Murtagh Lincolnton NC USA $1,951
8 Bruce Sturgeon Bedford IN USA $1,581
9 Bobbie Talbot Hernando MS USA $1,341
10 Ryan Enis Corinth MS USA $1,175
11 Joey Huey Newport AR USA $1,175
12 Daniel Lewis Orlando FL USA $1,175
13 Thaddeus Haas Chesterfield MO USA $966
14 Byford Klebba Mt. Vernon IL USA $966
15 Kevin Hercules Nashville TN USA $966
16 Johnny Garland Johnson City TN USA $806
17 Steven Weigel Woodland AL USA $806
18 Rondal Rector Birch Tree MO USA $806
19 Linda Kennedy Olive Branch MS USA $701
20 Larry Hicks Mt. Vernon IL USA $701
21 Kevin Oursler Asheville NC USA $701
22 Steven Pionk Hernando MS USA $471
23 Steven Onheiber Three Lakes IL USA $471
24 David Price Madison TN USA $471
25 Brett Connally Bulverde TX USA $471

2010 Harrahs Tunica WSOP Circuit Event #9 Winner Raymond Mcghee

Raymond “Fibber” McGhee Wins Harrah’s Tunica Circuit Event #9

After years of playing high stakes cash games, McGhee wins his first tournament

TUNICA, MS – While an ice storm brought temperatures down to the teens in Tunica, MS, Raymond “Fibber” McGhee remained hot throughout day two of event #9 at the World Series of Poker Circuit Events at Harrah’s Tunica.

McGhee, a 67-year old retired police detective from Little Rock, AR made it through a 230 player field to reach the final table.

Name Hometown Seat Chip Count
Danny Nelson Batesville, AR 1 114,000
Bob Talbot Hernando, MS 2 240,000
Raymond McGhee Little Rock, AR 3 350,000
Ben Carli Alliance, OH 4 300,000
Robert Russell Louisville, TN 5 310,000
Bruce Sturgeon Bedford, IN 6 157,000
Glyn Banks Smithville, TN 7 292,000
Ben Clayborn Memphis, TN 8 355,000
J.L. Murtagh Lincolnton, NC 9 210,000

Ninth Place
A few hands after the elimination of 62-year old retired civil servant, Rob Talbot, Ray “Fibber” McGhee limped in UTG, while Bruce Sturgeon moved all-in from the cutoff. McGhee made the call with 10d-10h and Sturgeon turned over As-10s. Fours on the flop and a 10 on the river completed the boat for McGhee and Sturgeon’s tournament run was finished. Ninth paid $1,341. Sturgeon, a furniture store owner from Bedford, IN took home $1,581.

Seventh Place
John “J.L.” Murtagh went out in seventh place after moving all-in after flopping bottom pair on a 4d-7c-Qc flop. Murtagh got a call from Ben Clayborn, who hit top pair. Blanks on the turn and river sent Murtagh to the payout table to pick up $1,951 for seventh.

Sixth Place
Glyn Banks moved all-in with Ac-7h for his remaining 114,000 from middle position and was called by Danny Nelson from the button with the rest of his chips. Ben Carli, in the big blind, also called. Nelson showed pocket jacks while Carli turned over Ad-Kc. The flop came 6c-5h-5c to give Banks the nut flush draw. A 4c and 2c on the turn and river completed the flush to triple Banks up and eliminate Nelson. Nelson, a former NHRA drag racing world champion, collected $2,923 for sixth.

Fifth Place
Robert Russell was the fifth place finisher after running his pocket sixes into Glyn Banks’ pocket Js-Jc. All-in on a 10-high board, Russell’s day was finished. Fifth paid $3,895.

Fourth Place
Fourth place went to Ben Clayborn after he moved all-in with As-3s on the river on a board of 2d-2c-4s-Js-8c. McGhee made the call, revealing 2s-4d for a flopped boat. Clayborn’s ninth major tournament final table resulted in a $4,867 payout.

Third Place
After mixing it up for a while with Banks, Carli was eliminated in third place after he moved his short stack all-in preflop with Ad-Qd. McGhee made the call with Qh-8h. McGhee paired both of his pockets and completed the boat with a third 8 on the turn. Carli, nephew of all-time Circuit Event casher, Doug “Rico” Carli, took home $6,818 in his major tournament debut.

Second Place
Heads up action saw McGhee with a 2-1 chip lead over Banks. In the final hand of the night, Banks was all-in with Ac-7c vs. McGhee’s pocket jacks. Jacks held up to give McGhee $15,715 first place money and the Circuit Event ring. Banks, who had made a number of Circuit Event final tables and cashes, earned $9,611 for second.

McGhee is one of a number of Circuit Event winners who had never before played in a major tournament.

But don’t call him green.

“I’ve been playing poker fifty years,” said McGhee. “I usually play high stakes cash games.” “Fibber”

McGhee got his nickname from the old time radio show, “Fibber McGhee and Molly.” The married comedy duo performed on air from the mid 30’s until the late 50’s

McGhee says his 20-year career in law enforcement helped developed an important attribute that helped him win the tournament.

“Discipline,” said McGhee.

Still to come are 10 more events and single-day non-ring $125 and $230 buy-in events which begin at 4 pm and 7pm. The WSOP Circuit at Harrah’s Tunica runs through February 10th.

2010 Harrah’s Tunica WSOP Circuit Event #9 Final Results

2010 Harrah’s Tunica WSOP Circuit Events Schedule and Results

Ty Stewart – Director, Sponsorship and Licensing, WSOP
Craig Abrahams – Director, Broadcasting and New Media, WSOP
Seth Palansky – Communications Director, WSOP

Executive Staff, World Series of Poker Circuit – Harrah’s Tunica

Bill Wright – General Manager
Jimmy Sommerfeld –Tournament Director
Bill Bruce – Assistant Tournament Director
Patrick Collins – Public Relations Manager

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Posted in Poker, World Series of Poker Circuit Events | No Comments »

2010 Harrah’s Tunica WSOP Circuit – Event #8 Final Results

Friday, January 29th, 2010

2009/2010 World Series of Poker Circuit
Harrah’s Tunica
Event #8
No-Limit Hold’em
Buy-In: $300 (+40)
Total Entries: 249
Total Prize Pool: $67,059
January 27-28, 2010

Final Results:

Finish Name City State Country Prize
1 John White Powell TN USA $17,129
2 Robert Schorr Henderson NV USA $10,475
3 David Kopacz Hopkinsville KY USA $7,430
4 Lawrence Beach Decatur GA USA $5,304
5 Roy Salinas San Antonio TX USA $4,245
6 David Kopacz Hopkinsville KY USA $3,185
7 Peter Hernandez San Antonio TX USA $2,126
8 Wayne Gatheright Walls MS USA $1,723
9 Bobby Woodruff Tuckerman AR USA $1,462
10 James Stallings Stevenson AL USA $1,281
11 Edward Guynes Robinsonville MS USA $1,281
12 A Culp Marvell AR USA $1,281
13 Richard Gibson Sidon MS USA $1,053
14 Christopher Nash Dallas TX USA $1,053
15 Christopher Stolz Huntsville AL USA $1,053
16 Michael Watford Richton MS USA $878
17 Kenny Piel Tunica MS USA $878
18 Richard Stoeckmann Princeton MN USA $878
19 Carlos Hamby Dalhart TX USA $764
20 Earl Merritt Ponder TX USA $764
21 Patrick Folgleman Springfield IL USA $764
22 Lou Salamone St. Louis MO USA $684
23 Harold Mabe Abingdon VA USA $684
24 Terry Coker Robinsonville MS USA $684

It’s a Science

Retired Nuclear Researcher John White wins Circuit Event #8 at Harrah’s Tunica

2010 Harrah's Tunica WSOP Circuit Event #8 Winner John White

TUNICA, MS – John White, a retired nuclear physicist from Powell, TN, is the winner of event #8 at the Harrah’s Tunica Circuit. The tournament drew 249 runners. White was the first player to register for the $340 buy-in Wednesday event but was last in chips going into the final nine.

Name Hometown Seat Chip Count
Wayne Gatheright Walls, MS 1 101,000
Rogelio Salinas San Antonio, TX 2 200,000
Robert Schorr Henderson, NV 3 990,000
Peter Hernandez San Antonio, TX 4 137,000
David Kopacz Hopkinsville, KY 5 290,000
Lawrence Beach Decatur, GA 6 223,000
Dale Curtis Tok, AK 7 204,000
John White Powell, TN 8 81,000
Bobby Woodruff Tuckerman, AR 9 170,000

Ninth Place
The final nine got underway shortly after 4:00 pm with blinds and antes at 6,000/12,000/2,000. The first casualty of the night was Bobby Woodruff. Woodruff, a corrections sergeant from Tuckerman, AR, busted after his pocket nines failed to hold against the K-Q of Dale Curtis. Ninth paid $1,462.

Eighth Place
Next out was Wayne Gatheright. The 70-year old retiree ran his short stack into John White’s pocket aces all-in with K-Q. Gatheright picked up $1,723.

Seventh Place
Seventh place went to Peter Hernandez, a former realtor-turned-poker pro from San Antonio, TX. Hernandez was unable to improve on an ace high board with 10c-8c vs. fellow San Antonian, Rogelio Salinas, who had pocket 3’s. Seventh paid $2,126.

Sixth Place
2008/2009 Horseshoe Southern Indiana event #10 champion, David Kopacz, was the sixth place finisher. Kopacz picked up his 8th WSOP Circuit cash worth $3,185.

Fifth Place
Salinas was eliminated soon after taking a beat from John White. Salinas’ pocket 3’s were cracked by White’s A-K after the board double-paired 9’s and 4’s on the river. He busted the next hand after moving his remaining chips all-in with 9-2 off suit. Fifth place paid $4,245.

Fourth Place
Lawrence “Andy” Beach busted in 4th after his pocket sixes failed to hold all-in against Dale Curtis’ J-Q. The 44-year old from Decatur, GA earned $5,304.

Third Place
A short-stacked Curtis was the third place finisher after being outflopped with A-J suited vs. John White’s Q-2 off. Third place paid $7,430.

At about 8:13 pm with blinds and antes at 15,000/30,000/4,000, heads-up action saw White and Robert Schorr dueling for a Circuit Event ring and the $17,129 first place prize. In the final hand, Schorr was all-in with A-2 vs. White’s A-5. The board came Ks-Qs-4h-3d-Kc to give White kings with a 5-high kicker and the win. Schorr collected $10,475.

White spent much of his career researching nuclear energy at the national lab. He was introduced to the game of hold’em back in the late 90’s. He cashed at the 2009 World Series of Poker Senior’s Event and was once a contestant on the poker game show, Poker Dome Challenge.

White says nuclear physics and poker share at least one thing in common.

“In both, there’s this element of unpredictability,” said White.

He went on in earnest trying to explain to this tournament reporter the science of calculating radiation levels and how they are affected as radiation travels through various elements.

After 10 minutes of going over hand-scrawled diagrams and discussing neutrons, isotopes and other terms that most of us have locked away forever in some dark corner of our minds, we’ll just leave it to this:

Poker and nuclear physics can both be unpredictable.

Still to come are 11 more events and single-day non-ring $125 and $230 buy-in events which begin at 4 pm and 7pm. The WSOP Circuit at Harrah’s Tunica runs through February 10th.

2010 Harrah’s Tunica WSOP Circuit Event #8 Final Results

2010 Harrah’s Tunica WSOP Circuit Events Schedule and Results

Ty Stewart – Director, Sponsorship and Licensing, WSOP
Craig Abrahams – Director, Broadcasting and New Media, WSOP
Seth Palansky – Communications Director, WSOP

Executive Staff, World Series of Poker Circuit – Harrah’s Tunica

Bill Wright – General Manager
Jimmy Sommerfeld –Tournament Director
Bill Bruce – Assistant Tournament Director
Patrick Collins – Public Relations Manager

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Posted in Poker, World Series of Poker Circuit Events | No Comments »

2010 Harrah’s Tunica WSOP Circuit – Event #7 Results

Friday, January 29th, 2010

2009/2010 World Series of Poker Circuit
Harrah’s Tunica
Event #7
No-Limit Hold’em
Buy-In: $200 (+30)
Total Entries: 408
Total Prize Pool: $73,752
January 26-27, 2010

Final Results:

Finish Name City State Country Prize
1 Robert Hankins Murfreesboro TN USA $16,314
2 Damjan Radanov Memphis TN USA $9,809
3 Michael House New Albany IN USA $7,036
4 Bobby Byram Osceola AR USA $5,023
5 David Simon St. Louis MO USA $4,019
6 Leo Stephens Dayton TN USA $3,016
7 Robert Taylor Booneville MS USA $2,006
8 Gregory Burns Flower Mound TX USA $1,630
9 Brandon Jackson Batesville AR USA $1,379
10 Mitch Jones Kennesaw GA USA $1,210
11 Steven Brown Ft. Wayne Beach FL USA $1,210
12 Jefferson Morrill Franklin TN USA $1,210
13 Richard Smith Berry AL USA $996
14 Billy Criner Little Rock AR USA $996
15 Timothy Kelly Cedar Park TX USA $996
16 Lawrence Morgan Flowers Branch GA USA $833
17 Steven Mcclusky Oxford MS USA $833
18 Luther Lewis Goodlettsville TN USA $833
19 James White Austin TX USA $723
20 Glen Balmat Little Rock AR USA $723
21 Chad Cooke Morrisville NC USA $723
22 Brett Connally Bulverde TX USA $649
23 Miranda Groesse Nashville TN USA $649
24 Fred Gerding St. Louis MO USA $649
25 Billy Mcbrayer Tuscaloosa AL USA $590
26 Jason Butts Ft. Myers FL USA $590
27 Donald Holcombe Blacksburg SC USA $590
28 Kevin Hercules Nashville TN USA $538
29 Jeremy Stocks Nashville TN USA $538
30 Jackie Jackson Dallas GA USA $538
31 Frederick Short WA USA $494
32 James Whittinghill Russellville KY USA $494
33 Timothy Mcgraw Crossville TN USA $494
34 Robert Davis Decatur GA USA $457
35 Joshua Robinson Pontotoc MS USA $457
36 Roger Gillard Galveston TX USA $457
37 Richard Raimond Dallas TX USA $450
38 James Daniell Carrollton GA USA $450
39 Frank Mcneill Aberdeen NC USA $450
40 James Knight Memphis TN USA $450
41 Curtis Milstead Summit AR USA $450
42 Matthew Wright Rosebush MI USA $450
43 Gary Keeton Florence AL USA $450
44 Michael Usakowski Belton SC USA $450
45 Christopher Wise Clarksville TN USA $450

…And that’s the Skinny of it

Robert “Skinny” Hankins wins event #7 of the World Series of Poker Circuit at Harrah’s Tunica

29-year old building a career in poker since being laid off after six years working at tire plant

2010 Harrah's Tunica WSOP Circuit Event #7 Winner Robert Hankins

TUNICA, MS – Robert “Skinny” Hankins is the latest Circuit Event winner at The World Series of Poker Circuit Events at Harrah’s Tunica.

Hankins started playing poker recreationally three years ago, both for fun and to make a bit of side money to supplement the income he earned making tires at the Bridgestone plant near his hometown of Murfreesboro, TN

However, beginning in 2008, production cuts resulted in the layoff of hundreds of employees at the LaVergne, TN plant. Among them was Hankins.

“I went from earning $1,100 a week to collecting a $200 a week unemployment check,” said Hankins in his slow southern drawl.

With an additional 40 hours a week now on his hands, Hankins started playing more poker at nearby casinos and at a local home game, the poker barn. “Skinny” soon began to realize the possibilities of earning a living from playing cards.

In his first year playing professionally, Hankins made the final nine three times and earned over $35,000, just from the WSOP Circuit at Tunica. His most recent final table saw him with second in chips against a group of mostly short-stacked but determined competitors.

Name Hometown Seat Chip Count
Dave Simon St. Louis, MO 1 176,000
Michael House New Albany, IN 2 740,000
Robert Hankins Murfreesboro, TN 3 960,000
Bobby Bryan Osceola, AR 4 100,000
Leo Stephens Dayton, TN 5 175,000
Gregory Burns Flower Mound, TX 6 365,000
Damjan Radanov Memphis, TN 7 1,250,000
Robert Taylor Booneville, MS 8 210,000
Brandon Jackson Batesville, AR 9 210,000

Ninth Place
Brandon Jackson was eliminated in ninth place after seeing his pocket aces cracked all-in vs. the pocket jacks of Robert Taylor. Jackson, a 35-year old contactor who played in memory of his father, Jimmy would have made dad proud with his final table finish. Ninth place paid $1,379.

Seventh Place
After the elimination of 33-year old Gregory Burns, Robert Taylor was next to hit the rail. A short-stacked Taylor called after Damjan Radanov moved his monster stack all-in from the small blind. Taylor was dominated with A-2 vs. Radanov’s A-9 and was unable to improve on the board. Seventh and Eighth places paid $2,006 and $1,630 respectively.

Sixth Place
A few hands later, Radanov claimed the rest of 58-year old roofing contractor, Leo Stephens’, short-stack with A-K vs. Stephens’s A-2 all-in on a king-high board. Stephens earned $3,016 for sixth.

Fifth Place
Another short stack, David Simon was the fifth place finisher after his A-4 all-in was unable to improve on the board against Michael House’s. Fifth place paid $4,019.

Fourth Place
41-year old restaurant owner, Bobby “Bob the Chip Builder” Bryan was eliminated after losing his remaining stack to Radanov with J-9 against his opponent’s A-10. Bryan picked up $5,023 for fourth.

Third Place
After House was eliminated in third place, Hankins and Radanov, each with comparable chip stacks, made a deal. While details were not disclosed, the agreement resulted in Radanov taking 2nd place for an official payout of $9,809 while Hankins took the ring and an official payout of $16,314.

“Radanov is a big cash player and I’m about the tournaments so we were both happy with the deal,” said Hankins, who ended up in third place in at an event in last year’s Tunica Circuit Event after seeing his aces cracked vs. an opponent’s A-K.

Despite a successful first year, Hankins acknowledges that sustaining a career as a poker pro is an uphill journey that he has just begun.

“It’s hard for a young poker player to play on the big stage unless you have the bankroll or someone to back you,” said Hankins.

“I’m going to play more Circuits, Vegas, and I’m talking with a backer so we’ll see how it goes.”

Said Hankins about his win, “I feel good man,”

Still to come are 12 more events and single-day non-ring $230 and $340 buy-in events which begin at 4 pm and 7pm. The WSOP Circuit at Harrah’s Tunica runs through February 10th.

2010 Harrah’s Tunica WSOP Circuit Event #7 Final Results

2010 Harrah’s Tunica WSOP Circuit Events Schedule and Results

Ty Stewart – Director, Sponsorship and Licensing, WSOP
Craig Abrahams – Director, Broadcasting and New Media, WSOP
Seth Palansky – Communications Director, WSOP

Executive Staff, World Series of Poker Circuit – Harrah’s Tunica

Bill Wright – General Manager
Jimmy Sommerfeld –Tournament Director
Bill Bruce – Assistant Tournament Director
Patrick Collins – Public Relations Manager

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2010 Harrah’s Tunica WSOP Circuit – Event #6 Final Results

Friday, January 29th, 2010

2009/2010 World Series of Poker Circuit
Harrah’s Tunica
Event #6
No-Limit Hold’em
Buy-In: $200 (+30)
Total Entries: 573
Total Prize Pool: $105,762
January 25-26, 2010

Final Results:

Finish Name City State Country Prize
1 Derek Puza Charleston SC USA $22,218
2 Dutch Magrath Ringgold GA USA $12,956
3 Richard Gibson Sidon MS USA $8,620
4 Larry Brown Jamestown TN USA $6,631
5 Zane Garner Jackson TN USA $5,309
6 Ray Martin Bargersville IN USA $3,977
7 Jody Akins Cordova TN USA $2,655
8 Keith Woernle Montgomery AL USA $2,158
9 John Lopez Houston TX USA $1,830
10 Daniel Behnke Mahomed IL USA $1,597
11 Charles Hafner Kingston TN USA $1,597
12 Jon Sexton Memphis TN USA $1,597
13 Daryn Holweg Marblehill MO USA $1,311
14 Kevin Young Atlanta GA USA $1,311
15 Daniel Goss Knoxville TN USA $1,311
16 Regan Williams Wartburg TN USA $1,100
17 Bobby Bean Ringgold GA USA $1,100
18 Norris Ross Eads TN USA $1,100
19 Randy Godwin Booneville MS USA $962
20 William Smith Russellville AR USA $962
21 Mark Smith Georgetown KY USA $962
22 David Beck Nashville TN USA $857
23 Michael Rose Desha AR USA $857
24 Carlos Requena Chandler AZ USA $857
25 Kristin Weeks Crandall TX USA $772
26 Rusty Farrin Jonesboro AR USA $772
27 Travis Wright Olive Branch MS USA $722
28 Merton Toler Princeton WV USA $709
29 Chad Stark Hardy AR USA $709
30 Larry Williamson Brookhaven MS USA $709
31 Misti Seibel Copperas Cove TX USA $656
32 Kerry Wallace Symsonia KY USA $656
33 Steven Shipowitz Germantown TN USA $656
34 Charles Casavant Avilla IN USA $603
35 James Lusk Murray KY USA $603
36 Garland Thomas Oxford AL USA $603
37 Rolland Young Cartersville GA USA $592
38 Charles Lineberry San Antonio TX USA $592
39 Steven Weigel Woodland AL USA $592
40 James Neal Chickamauga GA USA $592
41 Wendy Blumenthal Atlanta GA USA $592
42 Harold Mabe Abington VA USA $592
43 Tracy Cooper Oxford AL USA $592
44 Larry Hirons Arlington TX USA $592
45 Leslie Hollis Pomona MO USA $592
46 Jonathan Ritter Millington TN USA $497
47 Bradley Fowler Salem SC USA $497
48 Steven Pionk Hernando MS USA $497
49 David Hilfer Austin TX USA $497
50 Kerin Schooler Marble Falls TX USA $497
51 James Odom Crossville TN USA $497
52 Betty Mabe Abingdon VA USA $497
53 Elva Gullett Mountainview AR USA $497
54 Jay Herndon Murray KY USA $497
55 Bradley Kieffer Rogers AR USA $434
56 Scott Flournoy Sherwood AR USA $434
57 James Marotta Memphis TN USA $434
58 Allison Criswell Cumming GA USA $434
59 Johnny Brock Bradford AR USA $434
60 Billy Mcbrayer Tuscaloosa AL USA $434
61 Robert Hankins Murfreesboro TN USA $434
62 Diane Herring Alton IL USA $434
63 Jesse Oddo Houston TX USA $434

Player Wins Circuit Ring After Only One Month of Playing Hold’em

How I shipped a WSOP Circuit Event in 30 days

Derek Puza Takes Event #6 of WSOP Circuit Events at Harrah’s Tunica

Field sizes remain strong at Tunica Circuit

2010 Harrah's Tunica WSOP Circuit Event #6 Winner Derek Puza

TUNICA, MS – 24-year old bartender, Derek Puza of Charleston, SC beat out 572 other players to win event #6 of the World Series of Poker Circuit Events at Harrah’s Tunica.

While it is not at all uncommon for a 24-year old, or a bartender, or someone from Charleston, SC, for that matter to win a major tournament, it is pretty uncanny that a 24-year old bartender from Charleston, SC who’s only been playing Hold’em since this past Christmas has accomplished such a feat.

“My little brother taught me how to play,” said Puza about his steep learning curve.

“I’d play $20 tournaments at home with him and some friends, but these Circuits are the first tournaments I’ve ever played in.

Puza is not the only novice to have won an event at the Circuit Events here at Tunica. Out of the six tournaments played so far, five had never before cashed at a WSOP Circuit. Of these players, four had never cashed in a major tournament period.

The final table got underway shortly after 9:00 pm with nine players, each with their sights set on winning the $22,218 first place prize and the World Series of Poker Circuit Event ring.

Name Hometown Seat Chip Count
John Lopez Houston, TX 1 165,000
Jody Akins Cordova, TN 2 354,000
Ricky Gibson Sidon, MS 3 258,000
Zane Garner Jackson, TN 4 1,200,000
Keith Woernle Montgomery, AL 5 230,000
Ray Martin Bargersville, IN 6 570,000
Dutch Magrath Ringgold, GA 7 575,000
Larry Brown Jamestown, TN 8 1,100,000
Derek Puza Charleston, SC 9 1,015,000

Ninth Place
The first eliminations of the night came after John Lopez moved his short stack all-in and got two callers by way of Keith Woernle and Dutch Magrath. After an Ah-5s-3d flop, Magrath called Woernle’s 428,000 all-in with As-2s, while Woernle showed Ad-Kc. A spade on the turn gave Magrath a possible flush, but it was a four on the river that won him the hand with a straight. Lopez earned $1,830 for ninth while Woernle took home $2,158 for eighth place.

Seventh Place

Jody Akins, a business analyst for FedEX, was the next elimination after moving all-in with A-6 off against Derek Puza’s pocket fours. Puza hit quads on the board, leaving Akins to pick up a $2,655 seventh place shipment.

Sixth Place
A few hands later, Puza was all-in again with pocket fours, this time against the Jd-Qh of Ray Martin. Quads were unnecessary for Puza as the board missed both players. Martin, a 56-year old farmer from Bargersville, IN, took home $3,977.

Fifth Place
Baseball handicapper Zane Garner was the fourth place finisher after running his K-Q suited into Dutch Magrath’s pocket kings. Garner parlayed his $230 buy-in into a $5,309 fifth place prize.

Fourth Place
The next player escorted to payouts was Larry Brown after his pocket sevens failed to hold against Margath’s A-10. The 52-year old trucker hauled a nice $6,631 home to Jamestown, TN.

The elimination of 50-year old farmer, Ricky Gibson, in third place saw Derek Puza heads up against Dutch Magrath. With comparable chip stacks, the two players agreed to chop 1st and 2nd place prize and play on for the ring. In the final hand of the tournament saw call an all-in preflop from Magrath with Js-10d. Magrath turned over Ah-Kd. The flop came Qs-2s-8h, keeping Magrath in the lead, but giving Puza an inside straight draw. The turn was devastating for Magrath after a 9h was dealt, making him the runner up and giving Puza the win.

“I feel fantastic,” said Puza after the win.

“These structures are great, they allowed me to play tight and pick my spots here and there.”

Still to come are 13 more events and single-day non-ring $230 and $340 buy-in events which begin at 4 pm and 7pm. The WSOP Circuit at Harrah’s Tunica runs through February 10th.

2010 Harrah’s Tunica WSOP Circuit – Event #6 Final Results

2010 Harrah’s Tunica WSOP Circuit Events Schedule and Results

Ty Stewart – Director, Sponsorship and Licensing, WSOP
Craig Abrahams – Director, Broadcasting and New Media, WSOP
Seth Palansky – Communications Director, WSOP

Executive Staff, World Series of Poker Circuit – Harrah’s Tunica

Bill Wright – General Manager
Jimmy Sommerfeld –Tournament Director
Bill Bruce – Assistant Tournament Director
Patrick Collins – Public Relations Manager

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Beau Rivage Southern Poker Championship Main Event Results

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

Southern Poker Championship
$10,000 WPT Main Event
January 24-27, 2010
Total players: 208
Total prize pool: $1,930,000
18 places paid

HOYT CORKINS CAPTURES SECOND WPT TITLE AT BEAU RIVAGE’S 2010 SOUTHERN POKER CHAMPIONSHIP

Mississippi WPT Win is the Sixth Final Table for Alabama Native

Place Player Winnings
1 Hoyt Corkins/Glenwood, Ala. $713,986
2 Jonathan Kantor/Tulsa, Ok. $366,643
3 Jerry VanStrydonck/Rochester, N.Y. $196,829
4 Jared Jaffee/Brooklyn, N.Y. $135,079
5 James Reed/Newnan, Ga. $106,134
6 Tyler Smith/Smithdale, Ms. $86,837
7 Andy Philachack/Garland, Tx. $67,540
8 JJ Liu/Las Vegas, Nv. $48,243
9 Daniel O’Brien/Las Vegas, Nv. $28,946
10 James Guinther/Boston, Ma. $25,086
11 Ayaz Mahmood/Houston, Tx. $25,086
12 Ken Harbaugh/Atlanta, Ga. $25,086
13 Justin Smith/Los Angeles, Ca. $19,397
14 James Mackey/Columbia, Mo. $19,397
15 Vitor Coelho/Unknown $19,397
16 Narinder Khasria/Milton, Ontario $15,438
17 Tommy Vedes/New York, N.Y. $15,438
18 Shawn Quillin/Charlotte, N.C. $15,438

Beau Rivage Southern Poker Championship WPT Champion Hoyt Corkins

Beau Rivage Southern Poker Championship WPT Winner Hoyt Corkins<

After 22 days and 33 events, the Southern Poker Championship culminated with the $10,000 buy-in World Poker Tour Main Event Jan. 24-27. A mix of 208 poker celebrities, regional pros and unknown hopefuls competed for a $1.9 million prize pool and a $25,500-seat WPT World Championship at Bellagio in April 2010.
After three days of play, the final six players remained to take their place in televised World Poker Tour history.

The chip leader of the WPT Southern Poker Championship final table was Hoyt Corkins with a little more than 2 million in chips. The shortest stack belonged to James Reed of Newnan, Georgia. Tyler Smith was at this table last year, but went out 5th. Jonathan Kantor and Jared Jaffee have both won an earlier event in the Southern Poker Championship.

Below is a recap of how the action went down:

Jerry Vanstrydonck put in a raise to 55k, Jared Jaffee reraised from the small blind to 155k, and Tyler Smith called all in from the big blind for 49,000. Vanstrydonck folds. Tyler holds J-3 versus the A-Q of Jaffee. The board came K-10-6-4-6 and Tyler Smith finished 6th earning $86,837.

The short stack of the table was James Reed. He finally moved all-in and got the call from Jared Jaffee. Reed held 7-5 versus the pocket 8's of Jaffee. The board read A-Q-5-6-4 and the pocket 8's held. James reed finished 5th earning $106,134.

With blinds at 15k/30k, Hoyt Corkins raises the action to 110k. Jonathan Kantor and Jerry Vanstrydonk both call. Action gets to Jared Jaffee who moves all-in for 661k. Hoyt makes the call and the other two players fold. Hoyt holds pocket J's versus the K-Q of Jaffee. The flop was 6-7-3, the turn was a 4 and the river w...as a 9. Jared Jaffee finished 4th earning $135,079.

Hoyt Corkins made a raise to 60k on the button and Jonathan Kantor got out of the way. Jerry Vanstrydonk moved all-in for 1.61 million and Corkins took little time in calling. Vanstrydonk held 9-8 of diamonds versus the K-Q of Corkins. The flop was 7-4-2 rainbow. The turn was an A and the river was a 10. Jerry Strydonk finished 3rd earning $196,829.

Jonathan Kantor limps into action and Hoyt moves all-in. Kantor makes the call with K-10 versus the A-7 of Corkins. The flop is A-5-2, the turn is an 8 and the river is another 5. Jonathan Kantor finishes the tournament 2nd earning $366,643.

The WPT Southern Poker Championship Main Event champion is Hoyt Corkins of Glenwood, Alabama. This is Corkins’ second WPT first place win, sixth WPT final table and with 4,000 WPT points, he is now tied with Daniel Negreanu, Gus Hansen and Phil Ivey for the highest all-time WPT points. For his hard work, Corkins takes home $713,986 cash, the coveted WPT Southern Poker Championship trophy, the bracelet and a seat to the Bellagio $25,000 WPT World Championship event. Corkins has amassed more than 5 million in career earnings.

The World Poker Tour Southern Poker Championship is scheduled for broadcast on Fox Sports Net (FSN) on April 19, 2010. Visit www.WorldPokerTour.com to find show times in your area.

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2010 Harrah’s Tunica WSOP Circuit Event #1 Results

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

2009/2010 World Series of Poker Circuit
Final Results: Harrah’s Tunica
Event #1
No-Limit Hold’em
Buy-In: $300 (+40)
Total Entries: 304
Total Prize Pool: $83,060
January 20-21, 2010

Final Results:

PLACE NAME CITY STATE COUNTRY PRIZE
1 Michael Crump Maryville TN USA $20,185
2 James Rogers Russelville AL USA $12,277
3 William Ryan Enis Tupelo MS USA $8,738
4 Gerard Thorpe Christiana TN USA $6,246
5 Mark Smith Georgetown KY USA $4,992
6 J. Austin Hijar St. Louis MO USA $3,746
7 Joseph Pace Chicago IL USA $2,500
8 David Couch Chattanooga TN USA $2,027
9 James Whittinghill Russelville KY USA $1,719
10 Michael Bowling Hixson TN USA $1,503
11 Charles Dawson Owensboro KY USA $1,503
12 Warren Carps Cordona TN USA $1,503
13 Tracy Larson Russelville AR USA $1,238
14 Amy Haberstein Henryville IN USA $1,238
15 Robert Flowers Macomb MI USA $1,238
16 Donnie Martinez Little Rock AR USA $1,030
17 Brandon Garner Jackson TN USA $1,030
18 James Quick Decatur TN USA $1,030
19 John Miraglia Clarksville TN USA $905
20 Nicholas Cook Vineland NJ USA $905
21 Brent Elza Kenisaw GA USA $905
22 Matthew Duffy Ridgeway GA USA $806
23 Jarrod Brown Hillsboro TN USA $806
24 Jason Mayfield Cabot AR USA $806
25 Sokcheka Philpott Bartlett TN USA $731
26 Ross Rehrig Franklin TN USA $731
27 Todd Bartlett Dallas City IL USA $731
28 Joseph Gorman Memphis TN USA $665
29 Judah Merriman Dublin Ireland $665
30 David Mosby Fayetteville AR USA $665

2010 Harrahs Tunica WSOP Circuit Event #1 Winner

Michael Crump wins first event of Harrah’s Tunica WSOP Circuit

Mark “Pegasus” Smith falls short of record fifth Circuit Event championship

The first event of the 2009/2010 World Series of Poker Circuit at Harrah’s Tunica drew to a close Thursday evening with Michael Crump emerging as the victor.

Crump is a 47-year old insurance broker from Morrison, IL. His win not only marked his first WSOP Circuit Event ring but also his first cash in a major poker tournament.

Crump survived a field of 304 entrants to make it to the final table. Among the remaining nine players was four-time Circuit Event champion, Mark “Pegasus” Smith, who had his sights set on a record fifth gold ring.

Smith’s chip stack was critically low early in the first day, however his short-stack management not only saw him through day one, but also the end of day chip leader with 367,000 in chips.

Day two of the $340 buy-in no limit hold’em event began with 21 players. The first final table of the Harrah’s Tunica Circuit was decided shortly before 3:30 pm after the tenth place finisher, Mike Bowling, was eliminated a few hands after running his Ks-Qs into the pocket aces of William Ryan Enis.

Ninth Place
With blinds and antes at 5,000/10,000/2,000, Smith drew first blood, eliminating fellow Kentuckian, James Whittinghill, after isolating the all-in short stack with pocket 8’s. Whittinghill’s 10h-Qd got no help after a board of As-Kh-5d-7s-2d. The 47-year old restaurant owner finished in ninth for $1,719.

Eighth Place
David Couch, a 49-year old manager from Chattanooga, TN took home $2,027 for eighth after moving all-in with kings only to see them trumped by J. Austin Hijar’s As-Ah. The board was no help to Couch, sending him to the payoutline

Seventh Place
Joseph Pace was the next out after all-in pre-flop, his Qs-Kc failed to improve on Gerard Thorpe’s A-J suited. Pace earned $2,500 for seventh.

Sixth Place
After four players saw a flop of As-Qc-6c, Michael Crump fired out 65k. Two players folded while Hijar moved all-in. Clump made the call. Hijar showed top pair jack kicker but Clumps Ad-6d gave him two pair. No jack or queen on the turn or river meant the end of Hijar’s run. Sixth place paid $3,746.

Fifth Place
Having come into the final table second in chips, Mark “Pegasus” Smith took a huge hit to his stack while doubling Gerard Thorpe 175k after Thorpe completed a flush draw on the turn.

A few hands later, Smith was all-in with Kd-Qh against Jerold Rogers’ Ac-10s. A jack-high board ended his Circuit Event record bid.

Though a bit disappointed, Smith was only minimally deterred. “I lost today, but I’ll win tomorrow,”

Fourth Place
Having built up his pot to over 380k, Gerard Thorpe turned up the aggression taking a few sizable post-flop pots after raising his opponents all-in. The maneuvers of the 35-year old contractor from Nashville, TN saw him climb even further up the leader board until he took a few hits to his stack.

Down to 132k, Thorpe put Jerold James Rogers to a decision, moving all-in on the turn after a board of Jc-5c-3d-Ah. After tanking a bit, Rogers made the hero call with 6s-5s. Thorpe turned over 10c-Qd for a gutshot straight draw. Thorpe missed his 10 outs after a 3 came on the river. Thorpe took home $8,738.for fourth.

Third Place
Third place went to Enis after he called Michael Crump all-in on the river after a board of 9d-Qd-7c-5d-8h. Enis showed Qc-Ah for flopped top pair, but Crump turned over Ad-6c for the straight. Third paid $8,738.

Second Place
Heads-up play began at 6:46 pm with blinds and antes at 10,000/20,000/3,000 with Crump holding a considerable chip lead over Rogers.

Only a few hands into play, Rogers was all-in after the turn on a board of 2c-9d-ah-10h.

Crump made the call with As-9h. Rogers showed 10s-5d.

A Qs on the river sealed the victory for Clump, earning him $20,185 and a gold ring. Second place paid $12,277. First and second places were impressive results for both players, who have been playing poker for only about two years.

“I was able to double up early after getting some good cards and afterwards picked my spots, “said Crump about his play.

“To be honest with you, I’ve had very little sleep the last couple days and got a bit aggressive later which ended up working out for me,” he said.

When asked about how he felt to be the owner of his first Circuit Event Ring, Crump said, “I’m not sure, it hasn’t sunk in yet. I have to absorb this all for a minute.”

Still to come are 18 more events and 23 nightly (single-day) non-ring $230 and $340 buy-in events which begin at 4 pm and 7pm. The WSOP Circuit at Harrah’s Tunica runs through February 10th.

Ty Stewart – Director, Sponsorship and Licensing, WSOP
Craig Abrahams – Director, Broadcasting and New Media, WSOP
Seth Palansky – Communications Director, WSOP

Executive Staff, World Series of Poker Circuit – Harrah’s Tunica

Bill Wright – General Manager
Jimmy Sommerfeld –Tournament Director
Bill Bruce – Assistant Tournament Director
Patrick Collins – Public Relations Manager

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Posted in Poker, World Series of Poker Circuit Events | No Comments »