Michael Luciano Polera Wins $600 7 Card Stud Event at World Poker Finals

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With considerable help from the second
place finisher, Michael Luciano Polera, who
hails from Poughquag, NY, was able to
take the $600 7-Card Stud
Championship for 2006

2006 World Poker Finals
World Poker Tour Season 5
Tournament Report
Event #3
$530 + $70
Seven Card Stud

Anthony "Primo" Costa, who resides in Odessa, FL, tried mightily to win the
competition without assistance from any others as he eliminated all six
players until heads-up play with Michael. In fact he had Michael almost down
to the felt but was unable to put him away. Snatching victory from the jaws
of defeat, Michael stormed back to take the championship trophy,
commemorative leather jacket and First Place prize money of $42,705!

The competition began at 4 pm and within minutes Dan Carroll of Atkinson,
NH, and Eddie Gravelese of Revere, MA, were all-in with Primo. Dan had
pocket K's and Eddie had pocket Q's neither of which were a match for
Primo's rolled up deuces. Eddie, with more chips than Dan, took 7th place for
$3,714. Dan´s 8th place ranking paid $3,094.

Next to run into the Primo buzz saw was Bridgton, ME, resident Horace York.
He had A's up but Primo caught 9's full on fifth street and Horace would have
to settle for 6th place money of $4,332. Merton Sells, Floral Park, NY, would
rather have avoided a confrontation with Primo; he had 10's but Primo,
showing only a pair of 7's, turned over two more for quads!

The 5th place finish paid Merton $5,570. A resident of Las Vegas, NV, Robert
Brobst felt confident that his Q's would hold up as Primo only showed 987.
But when he turned over J-10 for the straight, Primo had eliminated another
competitor. Robert would take home $7,427 for his efforts.

Pleasantville, NY, resident Michael Huguenot tried to blunt Primo's attack but
he could not stem the tide. He had two pair but lost to a flush; two pair lost
to higher two pair. He was finally all-in with 2's but Primo had 6's and Michael
took 3rd place money of $12,069. Heads-up action began with Primo Costa
having a chip advantage of close to $100,000 over Michael Luciano Polera.

With the limits at $10,000/$20,000, large chip movement was inevitable.
Michael, at first was able to take a slight advantage, but Primo took control.
After a full round of betting to the river, Michael had one $10,000 chip on the
table. He won the pot with K's up to Primo's J's up and never looked back. He
won large pots with K's over 9's, 4's full to 2 pair, J's up to two pair.

The penultimate hand was won when Primo turned over a 6 high straight but
Michael had a straight to the 10. Primo was finally all-in after catching a
straight on fifth street but Michael had a full house at the same time. Primo
settled for 2nd place money of $21,705 and Michael was the Champion!

Reported by Jeffrey A Toth for Foxwoods Resort Casino