Professional & Celebrity Poker Articles: January 2010

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Thursday

51-year old "whippersnapper," Rogers Patterson wins Seniors Event at Harrah's Tunica

Rogers Patterson Wins WSOP Circuit Event

Tourney draws unexpectedly large turnout with 67% increase over last year's event.

The past few years in poker have been marked by incredible accomplishments by players just old enough to participate in the game.

During the 2006 WSOP a young Jeff Madsen took down two bracelets. In 2008, Peter Eastgate became the youngest player to win the WSOP Main Event title, while in 2009 Joe Cada overtook the honor just a year old enough to play at the World Series.

51-year old Rogers Patterson followed in that trend Monday, January 25th after outlasting a field of 409 players to win the 2009/2010 World Series of Poker Seniors Event at Harrah's Tunica.

Last year's seniors event attracted 274 participants. This year's numbers marked a 67% increase.

The seniors event is open to players 50 years of age and over, making Patterson just a year old enough to play.

Patterson, a database administrator from Bryant, AR, chipped his way through the mammoth field of well-refined and experienced competitors to face a final table of his elders.

"Fantastic, absolutely fantastic," said Patterson about how he felt to win the tournament.

Despite his young age, Patterson seemed mature enough to handle his newly found success pretty well.

"I'm surprised they didn't card me," joked Patterson. "I guess I look older than I am."
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by Alan Fowler - WSOP Assistant Media Director

Tuesday

Shawn Brown Claims Third Event of Harrah's Tunica Circuit

First time WSOP Circuit Event cashers 3-3 so far at Harrah's Tunica. Final table not the only place to find a full house in the packed events center at Tunica.

While over 600 players were in the early rounds of event #4 in the packed event center at Harrah's Tunica (with 200 more in the poker room), the third event of the 2009/2010 Circuit Events at Tunica was in its final stage.

The remaining nine players of the $550 buy-in no limit hold'em event battled it out for a first place prize of $32,397 and the coveted World Series of Poker Circuit Event ring.

The highest buy-in event of the Circuit so far attracted a field of 286 entrants, generating a final table of disciplined and skilled players.

Brown, a 28-year old screen press company owner from St. Louis, MO says table image was critical to his win. "I was playing like a maniac when we were down to two tables," said Brown.

"They thought I was the worst player, but after a while they figured out that that wasn't the case."

Brown's Circuit Event win was also his first cash. The winners of events #1 and #2, Michael Crump and Jonathan Elliott were also first time Circuit Event Cashers.

Brown was ecstatic.

"Oh this is great man," said Brown. "Halfway through the tournament, I told myself I was going to win the ring. I refused to take anything other than first in this thing."

Still to come are 16 more events and single-day non-ring $230 and $340 buy-in events which begin at 4 pm and 7pm. The WSOP Circuit at Harrah's Tunica runs through February 10th.
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by Alan Fowler - WSOP Assistant Media Director

Friday

Michael Crump wins first event of Harrah's Tunica WSOP Circuit

Mark "Pegasus" Smith falls short of record fifth Circuit Event championship

The first event of the 2009/2010 World Series of Poker Circuit at Harrah's Tunica drew to a close Thursday evening with Michael Crump emerging as the victor.

Crump is a 47-year old insurance broker from Morrison, IL. His win not only marked his first WSOP Circuit Event ring but also his first cash in a major poker tournament.

Crump survived a field of 304 entrants to make it to the final table. Among the remaining nine players was four-time Circuit Event champion, Mark "Pegasus" Smith, who had his sights set on a record fifth gold ring.

Smith's chip stack was critically low early in the first day, however his short-stack management not only saw him through day one, but also the end of day chip leader with 367,000 in chips.

Day two of the $340 buy-in no limit hold'em event began with 21 players. The first final table of the Harrah's Tunica Circuit was decided shortly before 3:30 pm after the tenth place finisher, Mike Bowling, was eliminated a few hands after running his Ks-Qs into the pocket aces of William Ryan Enis.

Only a few hands into play, Rogers was all-in after the turn on a board of 2c-9d-ah-10h.

Crump made the call with As-9h. Rogers showed 10s-5d.

A Qs on the river sealed the victory for Crump, earning him $20,185 and a gold ring. Second place paid $12,277. First and second places were impressive results for both players, who have been playing poker for only about two years.

"I was able to double up early after getting some good cards and afterwards picked my spots," said Crump about his play.

"To be honest with you, I've had very little sleep the last couple days and got a bit aggressive later which ended up working out for me," he said.

When asked about how he felt to be the owner of his first Circuit Event Ring, Crump said, "I'm not sure, it hasn't sunk in yet. I have to absorb this all for a minute."

Still to come are 18 more events and 23 nightly (single-day) non-ring $230 and $340 buy-in events which begin at 4 pm and 7pm. The WSOP Circuit at Harrah's Tunica runs through February 10th.

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by Alan Fowler - WSOP Assistant Media Director