Steve Grant Takes Gold Ring and $23,697 Cash Prize
The most recent World Series of Poker Circuit tournament concluded at Harrah's New Orleans today. The winner was Steve Grant, a 24-year-old part-time local poker player from New Orleans. Grant won $23,697 for first place, plus the coveted gold ring, presented to all WSOP Circuit winners.Grant is currently working as a truck driver for a local wine and spirits company. However, he enjoys playing poker in his spare time and concentrates mostly on cash games. Grant had previously entered only a limited number of poker tournaments, but managed to cash a few times here in New Orleans back in 2007. He had two 12th-place finishes in tournaments held on the WSOP Circuit that year. Grant had not done much in tournaments since then, but sure came back in grand style with this showing, his first major tournament victory ever.
This was the seventh gold ring event (of 19) on this year's WSOP Circuit schedule at Harrah' New Orleans. Attendance at this year's tournament continues to be impressive. Attendance remains well ahead of last year's numbers. Through the conclusion of Event #8, overall tournament attendance is up 11 percent over the same point last year here at the WSOP Circuit.
The $500 (+50) buy-in No-Limit Hold'em tournament was played over two consecutive days during May 11th and 12th. The tournament attracted 195 entries. The top 18 finishers divided a prize pool totaling $89,425. After 186 players were eliminated on the first day, final table play began on a Wednesday afternoon.
The final table included Dwyte Pilgrim, who was shooting for his fourth WSOP Circuit gold ring. Pilgrim hoped to join Mark "Pegasus" Smith and Men "the Master" Nguyen as the all-time WSOP Circuit most gold ring winners (with four each). Pilgrim, who was the unofficial WSOP Circuit player of the year last season, ended up with a disappointing ninth-place finish, but still remains one of the Circuit's players to watch in future events.
Joseph Hebert arrived at the Final Table with a substantial chip lead. In fact, he was nearly 2 to 1 over his closest rival, Jeff Winget. The eventual winner, Steve Grant began play with about an average-sized stack. He took the chip lead when play reached five handed and was never in serious danger of losing his stack as play became shorter handed.
Joseph Hebert, from nearby Metairie, LA ended up in second place. He was short-stacked to Steve Grant throughout the final heads up match. He managed to double up once, but finally went out on a bad beat.
On the final hand, Hebert was dealt Ac Jh. Grant was dealt Ad 5s. Hebert raised pre-flop, and Grant moved all in. Hebert snap called then watched in horror as a five fell on the flop. Hebert caught no help from the deck and was left shaking his head looking at a final board that showed: 9s 5c 2d 9c Th. Grants pair of fives won the final hand of the tournament. For his fine effort, Hebert collected a nice consolation prize amounting to $14,308. This was his best showing ever in a poker tournament.
Steve Grant, who drives a truck for a wine and spirits company in New Orleans, motored away with the top prize in Event #7. He received $23,697 for first place, plus his first WSOP Circuit gold ring.
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by Nolan Dalla
posted by Kurt at 10:30 AM
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