World Series of Poker News Update.
The World Series of Poker is really generating its share of Poker News this year. You can find poker news and information about the World Series of Poker daily on the internet.The final table of the $5,000 No Limit Hold Em event(event number 13) was again chock full of poker players with bracelets, and/or a ton of experience in major poker tournament events. Not falling too far behind yesterday's PLO event, where we had four players representing 14 bracelets, today we had four previous bracelet winners representing 12 bracelets, and all of the WSOP bracelet winners at the final table today were multiple tournament winners (Cloutier 5, Bonetti 3, Ma 2, Hennigan 2).
This WSOP event started with 466 entries, which combined for a total prize pool of $2,190,200. The first place winner would receive $657, 100, and the gold & diamond bracelet.
1st Place: T.J. Cloutier, $657,100
This was T.J. Cloutier's 47th time in-the-money at the World Series of Poker (one finish behind Berry Johnston and Phil Hellmuth) and his 37th final table appearance (he holds the all-time record). Cloutier has now won over $3.7 million at the WSOP in lifetime earnings and is second only to last year's $5 million winner, Greg Raymer. Perhaps most remarkable of all is the fact that Cloutier has now cashed 19 consecutive years at the WSOP, dating all the way back to 1986.
"It always feels good to win," Cloutier said afterward. "I'm not ready for the pasture just yet. I still have a few more wins left in me. [John] Bonetti was here tonight and he's 12 years older than me. So, maybe I can still be doing it when I'm his age. Compared to him, I'm still a kid."
Whatever Cloutier wrote in his book, must have worked. Most players might have given up after losing such a heartbreaker, but Zoine made Cloutier earn every cent of his 657 grand. First, he doubled up with A-J against Cloutier's pocket kings (catching an ace on the turn). Then, a while later, down by a margin of 1,400,000 to 900,000, he had a golden opportunity to regain the chip lead. On the final hand of the night, Zoine opened for 50,000, which was re-raised to 300,000 by Cloutier. Zoine moved all-in and Cloutier called instantly. Zoine showed A-K against Cloutier's A-5. The flop came 9-8-6, giving Cloutier a straight draw. Miraculously, a seven spiked on the turn, which gave Cloutier the inside straight and his sixth gold bracelet.
Runner up Steven Zoine played as well as anyone in history for a first-time effort. He was quick to acknowledge Cloutier's influence in improving his game and experienced a surreal two days in Las Vegas. Not many tourists can say they played with the very best, appeared on national television, and made $352,620 while on vacation.
Runner up: Steven Zoine, $352,620
One of the biggest hands of the tournament took place when Zoine, who had a slight chip lead, was dealt 6-6. Cloutier was dealt J-9. The flop came 10-8-7 and Cloutier had to re-focus his eyes. He flopped the nut straight. Zoine was prepared to be done with the underpair, then after both players checked the flop, a six landed on the turn - giving Zoine trips. That lit a fuse under both players as a flurry of raises broke out and Cloutier was all-in. Zoine was one card away from pairing the board, which would have given him a remarkable upset victory. It wasn't to be. A blank fell on the river and Cloutier seized a massive chip lead.