2009 World Series of Poker Events 1-7

Lunkin Captures Bracelet in $40,000 Anniversary Tournament

Jun 14, 2009

The 40th World Series of Poker kicked off on May 27. This year, 57 bracelets will be awarded including a $40,000 buy-in tournament to celebrate the WSOP's 40th birthday.

Many people consider the World Series of Poker to be more of a lottery ticket now than an actual tournament of skill. With so many events reaching over 1,000 players, it takes a lot of luck to reach a final table.

However, right out of the gate at this year's WSOP, many pros and online pros have broken the "lottery ticket" notion and made final tables. Is this the year when the pros take back the WSOP? Stay tuned to find out.

Event 1: $500 No-Limit Hold'em Casino Employees

Andrew Cohen won the first bracelet of 2009 when he beat out 865 competitors to capture the No-Limit Hold’em Casino Employees tournament. In the final hand, Cohen called an all-in push with pocket sixes and they held up over his opponent’s ace-queen. Cohen won $197,488.

Event 2: $40,000 40th Annual No-Limit Hold’em

The final table of the special $40,000 anniversary tournament included the likes of Ted Forrest, Noah “fourUhaters” Schwartz, Dani “Ansky” Stern, Lex “RaSZi” Veldhuis, Alec “traheho” Torelli, Justin Bonomo, Greg Raymer and Isaac Haxton. However, it was Vitaly Lunkin who would emerge victorious from this prestigious event.

On the final hand, Lunkin limped in on the button and Issac Haxton made it 600,000 more to go. Lunkin called and an all-diamond flop of queen, 10, 8 came. Haxton bet 1.2 million and Lunkin went all-in. Haxton called and showed 8 of clubs 3 of diamonds for bottom pair and a flush draw. Lunkin flipped over pocket aces, neither of which were a diamond. Lunkin avoided another diamond, 3 or 8 and won $1,891,012 for his victory. Haxton received $1,168,566 for his second place finish.

Event 3: $1,500 Omaha 8 or Better

Thang Luu bested a field of 917 people to become one of the only players to win back-to-back championships in the same event. Not only did he win this event in 2008, but in 2007 he finished runner-up in this event. Luu won $263,135 when his pair of queens held up against Ed Smith’s pocket nines and heart flush draw. Smith won $162,110 for finishing second.

Event 4: $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em

Over 6,000 people entered the small buy-in event making it the largest non-main event field in history. On the final hand, Steve Sung raised to 500,000 pre-flop. Panayote Vilandos re-raised 1,700,000 more and Sung thought about his decision before moving all-in. Vilandos called and showed pocket eights. Sung had him crushed as he flipped over pocket kings. Sung’s kings held up and he pocketed $771,106 for his win. Vilandos received $473,283 for his runner-up finish.

Event 5: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha

Jason Mercier won $237,415 en route to his first gold bracelet. On the last hand, Mercier limped in on the button and Steven Burkholder raised to 48,000. Mercier called and the flop came jack of hearts, jack of spades and 6 of diamonds.

Burkholder bet 110,000 and Mercier raised to 285,000. Burkholder re-raised the pot, Mercier moved all-in and Burkholder called. Both players had trip jacks, but Burkholder had the better kicker. However, Mercier caught a queen on the turn to improve to a full house and win the title. Burkholder took home $146,748 for his second place finish.

Event 6: $10,000 World Championship Seven Card Stud

On the last hand, Freddie Ellis called Eric Drache on every single street. On seventh street, Drache decided to check and Ellis bet 200,000. Drache raised his last 20,000 on top of Ellis’ bet and Ellis called. Ellis revealed his cards for a heart flush and Drache mucked his hand. Ellis took home $373,744 for his first-place finish along with his first gold bracelet. Drache walked away with $231,014 for finishing second.

Event 7: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em

Travis Johnson won his first bracelet when he bested 2,790 players to win the $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em tournament. On the last hand, Steve Karp limped in on the button and Johnson went all-in. Karp quickly called revealing pocket fives and was slightly ahead of Johnson’s ace-queen. Johnson caught a queen on the turn, and sealed the win with a straight on the river. Johnson won $666,853 for his win while Karp would receive $414,116 for his runner-up efforts.

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