Ivey has proven that it is possible for a professional to make his mark in the World Series. Ivey is now tied for sixth on the all-time bracelet list.
Event 22: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em Shootout
One thousand players bought-in for the $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em Shootout tournament. However, Jeffrey Carris would outlast all of them and win the gold bracelet. His opponent, Jason Sommerville was short stacked on the final hand when he moved all-in with Q-6 off-suit. Carris called with the K-5 off-suit. The board did not help Sommerville and Carris walked away with $313,673. Sommerville won $194,004 for his second-place finish.
Event 23: $10,000 World Championship No-Limit 2-7 Draw Lowball
An impressive final table included the likes of David Benyamine, Michael Binger, John Juanda and two players looking for their second bracelet of the 2009 World Series, Steve Sung and Ville Wahlbeck. However, Nick Shulman would be the last player standing. On the final hand, Shulman raised to 75,000, Wahlbeck reraised to 250,000 and Shulman called.
Both players drew just one card. Wahlbeck moved all-in and Shulman insta-called and showed the stone cold nuts, 7-5-4-3-2. Wahlbeck disappointedly turned over his 9-9-8-5-2. Shulman won his first gold bracelet and $279,742. Wahlbeck, who has now placed 13th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st at this World Series, would walk away with $172,864 for finishing second.
Event 24: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em
After finishing second in the $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em event, Payayote Vilandos would not be denied a bracelet a second time. On the last hand, Vilandos limped on the button and Andy Seth raised to 710,000. Vilandos pushed all-in and Seth called.
Vilandos flipped over A-5, but Seth had him out-kicked with the A-J. However, Vilandos turned a wheel and eliminated Seth. Vilandos received $607,256 for first place. Seth had to settle for $372,855 for finishing runner-up.
Event 25: $2,500 Omaha 8 or Better/ Seven Card Stud 8 or Better
Phil Ivey joined Brock Parker as the only two players to win two gold bracelets during this World Series. On the final hand, Ming Lee was all-in on third street and Ivey called. Ivey showed two queens and a 3 and Lee needed some help with the J-6-7. Lee could not catch up, and Ivey walked away with $220,538 and his seventh gold bracelet. Lee received $136,292 for his efforts.
Event 26: $1,500 Limit Hold'em
Tomas Alenius won his first career gold bracelet as he defeated Jason Tam heads-up in the $1,500 Limit Hold’em event. On the last hand, Tam raised on the button, Alenius re-raised, Tam went all-in and Alenius called. Tam flipped over Q-5 and Alenius showed A-4. The board did not help Tam, and Alenius won $197,488. Tam received $122,000 for his second-place finish.
Event 27: $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha 8 or Better
Another professional won his first bracelet as Roland de Wolfe navigated a relatively small field of 197 in the $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha 8 or Better tournament. On a flop of 10 of clubs, 8 of clubs, 4 of diamonds, de Wolfe checked, Brett Richey bet 140,000, de Wolfe raised the pot, Richey raised all-in and de Wolfe called.
Richey flipped over Q-J-10-9 for a pair and a straight draw and de Wolfe showed A-Q-8-4 for two pair. The turn and river were no help to Richey, who was eliminated. De Wolfe pocketed $246,616 along with his first bracelet. Richey won $152,618 for finishing in second place.
Event 28: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em
Jeff Chang got his money in with the best hand, but the poker gods were smiling down on Mike Eise. Eise min-raised on the button and Chang called. The flop came 6-3-3 and Eise put Chang all-in. Chang instantly called and turned over A-J. Eise reluctantly turned over 8-7. However, the turn brought a pair of sevens for Eise and that is all he would need to win his first gold bracelet. Eise also won $639,331 in prize money while Chang would have to settle for second and $392,494.
See also:
2009 World Series of Poker Events 8-14
2009 World Series of Poker Events 15-21
