06.30
This past weekend at the World Series of Poker was one of the busiest of the summer. 5 new champions were crowned over the weekend including the prestigious $10,000 HORSE Championship which routinely showcases the world’s top poker players. Here are a few of the highlights.
Event #42 – $1,500 No Limit Hold’em
This tournament featured another enormous player pool with 2,521 players registering for the chance to become a poker world champion. In the end the winner was Dean Hamrick who has come close to poker glory before. In 2008, poker online star, Hamrick finished 10th in the Main Event, and in 2009 Hamrick made the final table of another No Limit event where he finished 5th. This year Hamrick finally took home his first bracelet and more than $604,000.
Event #43 – $10,000 HORSE Championship
One of the more prestigious events each year at the World Series of Poker is the $10,000 HORSE Championship. This even regularly draws the top poker professionals from around the world. While this year’s HORSE event was no different in that regard a relative unknown in the poker community, Ian Gordon, walked away with the first place bracelet. With only $4,345 in career winnings Gordon was not a heavy favorite to win this event. However, after surviving a tough final table that included Carlos Mortensen, Nick Schulman and Marco Taniello Gordon was able to win his first WSOP bracelet and take home $611,000.
Event #44 – $2,500 Mixed Hold’em
Always a fun event the $2,500 Mixed Hold’em tournament allows players to showcase their talents in both No Limit Hold’em and Limit Hold’em. Not many players can perform at a high level in both disciplines which is exactly what poker pro Gavin Smith can now claim. Smith can also take his name off of the list of notable poker pros who have never won a WSOP bracelet. After besting a field of 507 players and winning $268,000 Gavin Smith now has his first bracelet to show off as well.
Event #45 – $1,500 No Limit Hold’em
Event #45 was another of the massive field No Limit Hold’em events that the World Series of Poker has become famous for. After several days of play California native Jesse Rockowitz finally took home the bracelet and over $700,000 in cash. This is Rockowitz’s 7th career cash in a major event and 2nd of this year’s series. His largest previous cash was for $13,000.
