 The winner of the 2010 Harrah's Rincon Ladies Poker Championship is Susan Rhodes, from Las Vegas, NV. She is a social work supervisor, who also happens to take poker very seriously. Rhodes has previously won several poker tournaments, mostly notably events held at the Nevada Poker League, The Eureka Open, and with Card Player Cruises. Rhodes also final tabled the Ladies Championship at the L.A. Poker Classic.
But this win was clearly her most satisfying victory. Rhodes won the $100 (+25) buy-in No-Limit Hold'em tournament which was held at the Harrah's Rincon Casino and Resort, near San Diego. She collected first-place prize money totaling $5,993. Rhodes was also presented with a gold pendant, which is equal in stature to a gold ring, the ultimate prize awarded to all winners of World Series of Poker Circuit tournaments.
"I have to give thanks to my best pals who were here with me," said Rhodes moments after her win. "I also want to thanks the ladies I consider to be my mentors, Linda Johnson, Susie Isaacs, and Jan Fisher."
This year's Harrah's Rincon Ladies Championship attracted a large field of 242 players. In fact, this was one of the best-attended ladies tournaments held this year on the WSOP Circuit. The top 25 finishers received prize money. It was a one-day tournament which began at 4 pm on March 27th and played deep into the night. The last hand was dealt out at 4:15 am.
The runner up was Leah Wasicka, from Loveland, CO. She is the wife of top tournament pro Paul Waskica, who among his many accomplishments was the runner up in the 2006 WSOP Main Event. Among those who participated in the Ladies Poker Championship at Rincon was Barbara Enright, a three-time WSOP gold bracelet winner and the only female member of the Poker Hall of Fame.
An interview with champion Susan Rhodes at tableside moments after his win can be seen here: http://www.twitvid.com/1FC04
A short feature video of the Ladies Poker Championship can be seen here: http://www.twitvid.com/BB1CC
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by Nolan Dalla
 The final World Series of Poker Circuit preliminary tournament held before the championship ended today with Michael Kaplitz taking the gold ring and a $29,433 cash prize for first place. He overcame a highly-competitive field and won his biggest tournament payout ever, after six years of cashes in various poker tournaments held throughout Southern California.
Oddly enough, Kaplitz almost did not play in this tournament. He was talked into entering the event yesterday by his wife. Kaplitz signed up at the last minute urged on by his wife, who later joined him near the Final Table lending her enthusiastic support. Kaplitz did not disappoint her and the friends who came to cheer, pulling off a masterful performance at the final table, which was aided by a bit of good fortune on the final fateful hand. He ultimately defeated Bernie Yang, who ended up finishing second in the tournament, and came close to winning his second WSOP Circuit title within a week's time.
The latest poker champion Kaplitz is a 48-year-old businessman from San Diego. He owns a sourcing business, which assists companies who are engaged in trade with China. Kaplitz essentially aids American companies who want to import goods and brokers deals which enhance free trade between the two nations. But Kaplitz ended up using his skills and instincts in quite a different way in what turned out to be his first WSOP-related victory.
The $1,000 (+80) buy-in No-Limit Hold'em tournament won by Kaplitz was played over two consecutive days during March 27-28, 2010. The tournament began with 105 players. All but the final nine players were eliminated on Day One. Final Table play began on a Sunday afternoon. There was only one former WSOPC gold ring winner among the final nine, Bernie Yang, who won his first WSOPC title five days ago here at Harrah's Rincon. Also of note was the presence of Ron Segni, who was making his third Final Table appearance at this year's Rincon series (the only player with three, so far this year).
Jason Smith arrived at the Final Table holding a decisive chip advantage. In fact, he was ahead nearly 2 to 1 over his closest rival, Bernie Yang. All other players were down by a 2.5 to 1 margin or more. Eventual winner Kaplitz started off in fourth place, but seized the chip lead about midway into the finale.
Heads-up play lasted about 40 minutes. When the final duo began play, Kaplitz enjoyed nearly a 2 to 1 chip advantage. But Yang gradually drew close to even. Then, Kaplitz won what was unquestionably the biggest hand of the tournament, when he made a full house versus Yang's two pair. The fateful hand came when Yang was dealt Jd 9h. Kaplitz was dealt Qd Qh. After the flop came Js 9s 8h, Yang moved all-in holding two pair. Kaplitz called with his overpair. The 8s came on the turn, reversing the advantage in Kaplitz's favor with two higher pair. The Qc fell on the river, which was an exclamation point of victory, giving Kaplitz a full house and the title.
The final hand of the tournament can be seen here: http://www.twitvid.com/7C89F
San Diego businessman Michael Kaplitz won his biggest payday ever with a resounding victory in the latest WSOP Circuit event held at Harrah's Rincon. He collected first-place prize money totaling $29,433, in addition to his first gold ring, the ultimate prize given to winners of WSOP Circuit events. Kaplitz has plans to parlay this victory into even bigger things. He says he will play in the Harrah's Rincon Championship, which begins tomorrow.
An interview with champion Kaplitz at tableside moments after his win can be seen here: http://www.twitvid.com/87F69
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by Nolan Dalla
 The most recent tournament played at Harrah's Rincon was filled with remarkable poker hands, amazing comebacks, and a surprise victory by a first-time winner. Ethan van Klaveren, a professional massage therapist from San Francisco, CA won the World Series of Poker Circuit event, along with his first championship gold ring. But it wasn't just the victory that was memorable. It was the thrilling poker hands along the way, plus a couple of astounding comebacks by the final two players that should put this tournament in the history books.
At one point when play was down to the final eight players, Van Klaveren looked down and saw pocket kings. He moved all-in with the premium cards on what would become the most talked about hand of the tournament. One player was already all-in holding pocket Q's. Incredibly, a third player called, and then a fourth player also called. One of the callers tabled pocket aces. In an astounding hand, pocket queens, versus pocket kings, versus pocket aces which were turned up and all-in. Then, the real drama started. Wham! A queen on the flop completely disrupted the Pavilion Arena, the locale of the final table played at Rincon. Things went from crazy to absolute bedlam moments later. Kaboom! A king fell on the turn, once again completely changing the outcome of the tournament and disrupting the expectations of the players. As if no one could take any more excitement, a harmless blank fell on the river, which meant van Klaveren's pocket kings ended up making trips and he quadrupled up on a monster hand.
Indeed, it was the kind of night for Ethan van Klaveren.
Although the part-time poker player from San Francisco, CA ended up winning the tournament about four hours later, the trial and tribulation experienced the second-place finisher was just as amazing. Ali Yousri, a.k.a. "Chicago Ali" started at the final table as chip leader. But he took several early beats. At one point, he was down to a single 1,000-denomination chip, when the blinds were at 4,000-8,000. The true tale of poker legend Jack Straus in the 1982 World Series of Poker Main Event has been told many times, and Ali nearly pulled off an equally astounding feat. Starting with just one chip, he went on to win five consecutive pots when he was basically all-in and managed to come all the back to the point where he regained the chip lead when play was three-handed. It was an unthinkable turn of events for Ali to go from chip leader, down to a single chip, and then back to the chip lead, but that's exactly what happened. The colorful poker personality, born in Egypt and now living in Chicago ended up finishing in second place.
The No-Limit Hold'em tournament, which is the fourth event of this year's World Series of Poker Circuit stop in Southern California, was played at the Harrah's Rincon Casino and Resort, near San Diego. The $340 buy in competition was played over two days during March 22-22, 2010. Van Klaveren ended up scooping the biggest prize of his young career, collecting a payout totaling $15,079. Van Klaveren was also presented with his first gold ring, the coveted award which is presented to all champions of WSOP Circuit tournaments held around the country. This was his first time to cash in a WSOP Circuit tournament.
Final Table play began on a Monday afternoon. There were no prior WSOP Circuit gold ring event winners amongst the final nine players, thus guaranteeing a first-time champion. "Chicago Ali" arrived at the Final Table as the chip leader. But Ali lost his advantage early to Troy "Cowboy" Benjamin and later to Stephen Peterson, who were viable forces during most of the seven hour finale. Ethan van Klaveren also jumped into contention after he won the huge pot with pocket kings and acquired some chips.
The last hand came when Ali was dealt Tc 3h. After the flop came Ts 5d 4s, Ali moved all-in. Van Klaveren called and showed Qs Td. He had the best kicker. Ali needed help. The last two cards came Th followed by the 8s giving both players three-of-a-kind, with 10's. But Van Klaveren won with the better kicker.
The final hand of the tournament can be seen here:
http://www.twitvid.com/3B6A7
Ethan van Klaveren was absolutely thrilled with his victory. He received $15,079 in prize money. But he said the victory was really amazing because he had always hoped to win a WSOP event. Van Klaveren says he hopes to play in more events and win another WSOP tournament in the future.
An interview with van Klaveren at tableside just moments after his win can be seen here: http://www.twitvid.com/64A71
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by Nolan Dalla
 The first World Series of Poker Circuit tournament held this year at Harrah's Rincon Casino and Resort began in spectacular fashion with a complete sell out. Every poker table in the tournament arena and poker room was filled to capacity, along with 100 players who later took seats as alternates. Indeed, while some tournaments played elsewhere have suffered declining attendance, poker remains very much alive and well in Southern California, especially at Harrah's Rincon.
This now marks the sixth consecutive year Harrah's Rincon has hosted a WSOP Circuit stop. This year's 12-event series began with a $200 (+30) buy-in No Limit Hold'em tournament, which was played over two days on March 18-19. The tournament attracted 599 entrants, which created a prize pool totaling $116,206. Most of the field was eliminated on day one, which clocked in at 14 hours. Four tables of survivors returned for day two which played for another 12 hours, when the last hand was dealt out at 2:00 am.
The tournament winner was Chris Farmer, a 25-year-old semi-pro poker player from San Diego, CA. He collected $24,415 in prize money. He was also presented with his first gold ring, which is the ultimate token of achievement given out to all tournament champions of WSOP Circuit events held around the country. This was his first time to cash in a WSOP Circuit tournament. He has cashed and won other events, but this was his biggest in a live tournament.
Final Table play began on a Friday night and was held inside the special events center at Rincon. There were no prior WSOP Circuit event winners amongst the final nine, thus guaranteeing a first-time champion. Rod Dingler, from Temecula, CA started play as the chip leader, and ended up finishing second. But at least three other players, including the eventual winner, Chris Farmer, were all within striking distance, making the Final Table a wide open competition. The low blinds (6,000-12,000) and average chip stack amounting to roughly 350,000 at the start allowed plenty of play.
Rod "Big Dog" Dingler came close to victory several times. He held the chip lead during most of the Final Table play and had his opponent all in and covered four times, losing on each occasion. Had Dingler managed to catch just one card at a key moment, he would have won. Instead, Dingler was never able to close out the victory. One of many turning points came when Chris Farmer rivered a full house, which proved to be the decisive hand of the tournament.
The key hand with Farmer making a full house against Dingler can be seen here: http://www.twitvid.com/BD585
Dingler was eliminated about 15 minutes later, after he lost a race with pocket 8's against AQ. The final hand of the tournament can be seen here: http://www.twitvid.com/EB491
Rod "Big Dog" Dingler, a real estate agent from Temecula, CA collected runner up prize money which amounted to $14,235.
Chris Farmer, a 25-year-old semi-pro poker player from San Diego won his first WSOP Circuit gold ring and $24,415. An interview with Farmer at tableside just moments after his win can be seen here: http://www.twitvid.com/5D733
The WSOP Circuit at Harrah's Rincon continues through March 31st. This year's schedule includes 12 gold ring events, along with multiple second-chance tournaments, single table and mega satellites, in addition to cash games going around the clock inside the Rincon Poker Room. This marks the sixth straight year that Harrah's Rincon has been a part of the WSOP Circuit. It is one of only three Harrah's resorts which hosted a WSOP Circuit every year. This is the eighth WSOP Circuit stop of the 2009-2010 season following previous tournaments held in Chicago, Southern Indiana, Lake Tahoe, Harrah's Atlantic City, Tunica, Council Bluffs, and Caesars Atlantic City.
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by Nolan Dalla
 Some professions make poker seem rather unimportant, by comparison. Matters of war and peace and life and death put the game in its proper perspective that for as exciting as poker might be at times, it pales in contrast to life's greatest challenges.
No one knows this better than John Hubiak. He is a 29 year old nurse who works in the intensive care unit of a trauma center. To say Hubiak works in a stressful environment on a daily basis would be an understatement. Indeed, the part-time poker player and full time medical professional from Taylor, PA often has the lives of strangers in his hands. His split second decisions can sometimes mean the difference between life and death.
Hubiak brought that depth of worldly experience and broader perspective to the poker table, and based on the most recent tournament results from the World Series of Poker Circuit at Caesars Atlantic City, it served him quite well. Hubiak won the $340 buy in No-Limit Hold'em tournament here and collected the top cash prize totaling $58,937. He was also presented with the coveted gold ring, which is the ultimate token of achievement given out to all tournament champions who win WSOP Circuit events held around the country.
This was the fourth of 12 WSOP Circuit events on this year's Caesars schedule. The tournament attracted 392 entrants. Most of the field was eliminated on day one, which clocked in at 14 hours. Five tables of battle-tested survivors returned for day two and played another lengthy session, which lasted another 13 hours. The top 36 finishers divided prize money from a $190,120 prize pool. Among those who finished in the money was former gold ring winner Yat Cheng, who won this yea's inaugural Event 1, which completed just a few days ago. He came in 19th.
Final table play began on a Sunday night inside the Palladium Arena at Caesars and ended at 1 am. The only previous WSOP Circuit winner among the final nine was Julian Manolio, who won a gold ring at Harrah's Atlantic City two years ago. Alan Sansome, the table's senior citizen at 70, arrived as chip leader. But all the players were within striking distance of victory, which made this finale an unpredictable affair. The low blinds (5,000-10,000) and average stack of nearly 300,000 in chips at the start of play meant all players at the table had time to wait it out for the best possible advantage.
William Daloisi, a semi-pro poker player from Staten Island, NY leapfrogged into second place when the two far larger stacks went to battle, with Hubiak coming out on top. Once third place was decided, Daloisi agreed to a deal and accepted a second place finish. This was the second time Daloisi has cashed in a WSOP Circuit event. He officially pocketed $30,419.
John Hubiak agreed to a deal and took first place. He officially collected $58,937 plus his WSOP Circuit gold ring. This also marked Hubiak's first major tournament victory.
An interview with John Hubiak at tableside moments after his win can be seen here: http://www.twitvid.com/D9B51
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by Nolan Dalla
 Most poker tournaments reach a stage at which there is a definite turning point, a fateful series of events where momentum decidedly shifts towards one player and abandons another. The most recent WSOP Circuit tournament held at Caesars Atlantic City reached that point when play became three handed.
Three players battled it out for more than four hours before the self-admitted underdog in the fight, a 41 year old network engineer from Fairfax, VA named Earnest Whistler, made a startling comeback and vanquished two far more experienced poker tournament pros. Indeed, Whistler managed not just the unthinkable act of defeating Goliath. In fact, he whipped two Goliaths. The remnants of the final table and tournament room resembled the epic ancient battlefield at Carthage. All that was missing were the fading flames of the pyres and motionless bodies, although 661 lifeless former tournament souls were missing when the newest poker conqueror was crowned.
Amongst the 661 players getting their collective tails kicked were two New Yorkers, Adam "Lippy" Lippert and Vinny Pahuja, who have a combined dozen tournament wins and more than $1.6 million between them. Contrast this with Whistler, with one lone unremarkable cash in a B-level tournament, and you have all the makings of a classic upset. That's exactly what it was, with Whistler catching a gratuitous flurry of cards when play became short handed which provided the propulsion towards the most satisfying of victories.
The three handed battle with Whistler, Lippert, and Pahuja at center stage was full of extraordinary hands and contentious emotions. At several points, heated words were exchanged. One could argue emotions were fueled by the rank amateur far outperforming expectations, lighting the fuses of frustration within Lippert and Pahuja. It was Pahuja in particular who grew increasingly agitated with the course of events. As his chip lead gradually evaporated and then disappeared altogether, the poker pro made no attempt to hide his aggravation. Caught in the crossfire was Whistler, who could only marvel at being at sitting a major tournament final table at the first time. Whistler collected the top cash prize totaling $53,939 plus his first gold ring, which is the ultimate token of achievement presented to all tournament champions who win WSOP Circuit events around the country.
This was the third of 12 WSOP Circuit events on this year's Caesars Atlantic City schedule. The tournament attracted 662 entrants. After most of the field was eliminated on day one which clocked in at 14 hours, six tables of survivors returned on day two and played another lengthy session, which lasted another 16 hours and ended well past midnight. The top 63 finishers divided prize money from a $192,642 prize pool.
Final table play began on a Saturday night inside the Palladium Arena at Caesars. The only previous WSOP Circuit winner was two-time former champ Adam "Lippy" Lippert, who began play in eighth place, but who would ultimately manage to shape the course of events which unfolded and produced the latest winner. Long Islander George Walther arrived at the finale with a slight chip lead, but soon became a non factor within only a few hands. Vinny Pahuja appeared to be the player to watch, and did not disappoint as what some would describe as the finale favorite. Earnest Whistler ended up playing a duel role, that of the wild card and the joker. The wide scattering of chips as play began made the competition one of the most uncertain finales of the season. Indeed, the final table was a wide open affair, and given the low blinds (16,000-8,000), all the stacks at the table had time to patiently wait it out for the best possible situation.
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by Nolan Dalla
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 Alexandru Masek is making poker look too easy. He just won his second World Series of Poker Circuit gold ring within a year's time, and has future plans to accomplish much more. Eleven months after winning his first WSOP Circuit gold ring at Harrah's Rincon in California, Masek traveled to the East Coast for the first time and pulled off an encore. With another major tournament in Los Angeles in February added to the mix, Masek now has three major wins on his resume since March 2009, an enviable record any poker player would crave.
Masek is a 25 year old college student. He is currently attending law school at the University of San Diego. Masek came to the WSOP Circuit event being held at Caesars Atlantic City during his Spring Break. While his peers populated the beaches and bars of Florida and elsewhere, Masek chose to pursue his poker passion instead and profited to the tune of nearly 40 grand. Not too many college kids in Daytona Beach can claim they pocketed enough money to pay tuition in just a week's vacation.
Masek won the $340 buy in No-Limit Hold'em tournament and collected the top cash prize, which officially totaled $39,372. He was also presented with his second gold ring, which is the ultimate token of achievement given out to all tournament champions who win WSOP Circuit events held around the country. Masek's previous victory took place in a $230 No-Limit Hold'em event held at Rincon. This was his fifth time to cash in a WSOP Circuit tournament.
This marked the fifth of 12 WSOP Circuit events on this year's Caesars schedule. The two-day tournament attracted 451 entrants. Most of the field was eliminated on day one, which clocked in at 14 hours. Four tables of survivors returned for day two which played until a deal was reached when play became five handed. The top 45 finishers divided up prize money from a $131,241 prize pool.
Final table play began on a Monday night and was held inside the Palladium Arena at Caesars. The only previous WSOP Circuit winner among the final nine was Alexandru Masek. Masek arrived as the chip leader and was in a comfortable position throughout the competition. The low blinds (5,000-10,000) and average chip stack of nearly 300,000 from the start gave competitors plenty of play.
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by Nolan Dalla
 If ever there was a poker tournament where two champions deserved to be crowned, it was the $560 buy in No Limit Hold'em event which recently completed at Caesars Atlantic City. Two players Michael J. Morusty (Ithaca, NY) and Luis Nargentino (Queens, NY) dominated the competition from start to finish. They ultimately ended up together in a showdown in what some observers described as a duel that was as foreseeable as it was inevitable. After 23 hours of combined play over two consecutive days, the two New Yorkers faced off for the WSOP Circuit title.
Coming out on top was the elder amateur player Morusty, who was ecstatic following his first major tournament victory, after several near-misses. He is a 54 year old union plumber who plays poker recreationally. However, Morusty has done quite well as a part-timer. He was the runner up in a tournament held recently in Las Vegas. Morusty also finished fourth in the 2009 Seniors World Championship which took place at last year's WSOP. He pocketed over $100,000 for that finish. But this experience was all the sweeter by virtue of the sweet taste of victory. Morusty officially collected a cash prize totaling $39,731 plus his first gold ring, which is the ultimate token of achievement presented to all tournament champions who win WSOP Circuit events around the country.
This was the second of 12 WSOP Circuit events on this year's Caesars Atlantic City schedule. The tournament attracted 256 entrants. After most of the field was eliminated on day one, which clocked in at 14 hours, three tables of survivors returned on day two and played another lengthy session, lasting another 11 hours. The top 27 finishers collected prize money from a $124,160 prize pool. Among those who finished in the money were two former WSOP gold bracelet winners, Chris Reslock (2007 $5,000 buy in Seven Card Stud cahmpion), an Atlantic City local who finished 20th, and Michael "Little Man" Sica (2003 $3,000 buy in No Limit Hold'em), who came in 24th.
Final table play began on a Friday evening inside the Palladium Arena at Caesars. Dapper dressed Micheal J. Morusty, adorned in a blue suit and tie with a black fedora, arrived at the finale with a slight chip lead over rival Luis Nargentino. The remaining seven players were outchipped by more than 2 to 1 by the two big stacks.
The final hand of the tournament can be seen here: http://www.twitvid.com/ED96F
Michael J. Morusty, a union plumber from Ithaca, NY was the champion. This marked his first major tournament victory following a number of notable high finishes. Morusty was not only the best-dressed poker player in the $560 buy in No Limit Hold'em tournament, he was also the most skilled and most fortunate player over the two day duration. Morusty won a well-deserved victory at Caesars Atlantic City and earned a hearty round of applause from the large crowd, as he tipped his trademark fedora in gratitude.
An interview with the new poker champion, Michael J. Morusty can be seen here: http://www.twitvid.com/C66E9
The WSOP Circuit at Caesars Atlantic City continues through March 14. This year's schedule includes 12 gold ring events, along with multiple second-chance tournaments, single table and mega satellites, plus cash games going around the clock inside the Caesars Poker Room. This marks the fifth straight year that Caesars Atlantic City has been a part of the WSOP Circuit. This is the seventh WSOP Circuit stop of the 2009-2010 season following previous tournaments held in Chicago, Southern Indiana, Lake Tahoe, Harrah's Atlantic City, Tunica, and Council Bluffs.
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by Nolan Dalla
 Tonight's event went rather quickly. Fifteen minutes at most. Only four players started. Fred Walker quickly knocked out two of them, took the chip lead, made an offer to his final opponent, and event #23, H.O.R.S.E, the final one before tomorrow's championship final table at the Horseshoe Council Bluffs WSOP Circuit, was in the books.
First officially paid $2,421, but the two finalists chopped evenly, with Walker throwing in an extra $400. This has been a great series for Walker, 73, a retired pool hall owner. He's had four cashes and three final tables, the others being a second in another H.O.R.S.E tournament, and a fifth in Omaha hi-lo. He also has four WSOP cashes: a third in both 7-stud and razz, a 9th in razz, and a 47th in stud hi-lo.
Walker 73, a retired pool hall owner from Omaha, has been playing poker all his life, and obviously is a stud specialist. He plays hold'em now only out of necessity because stud has gotten so scarce. His key to the game, he said, is keeping a close watch on his opponent's open cards to see what cards he needs are still available. Tonight he had a good run and was never short chipped. He also had high praise for the way the tournaments here have been run. "Very high class," he said.
This event had 26 players and a $5,055 prize pool. When it got to four, Frank Dukich had the lead with 80,000 chips.
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by Max Shapiro - WSOP Media Director
 Here's one for the books: a liver transplant that not only saved someone's life, but his poker game as well.
Tim McReynolds is an attorney from Omaha who used to do corporate mergers and later had his own law firm. Four years ago his liver began failing, along with his mental acuity. He started playing poker two years ago, but was terrible at it because his mind wasn't working very well. Then, last August, he had a liver transplant. He rebounded in health, and his mind immediately regained its sharpness, along with his poker game.
Tonight he tried playing H.O.R.S.E for the first time, and thanks to his new liver and rejuvenated brain, he won it. McReynolds' operation was in August. Afterwards, the doctors told him he had six months to live. That date arrived Feb. 15, McReynolds still feels great, so every new day is a freeroll for him. He also went back to doing corporate mergers.
Before poker, McReynolds used to be a blackjack card-counter until he got thrown out of three casinos. Until tonight he played only hold'em, and came third in a tournament at Caesars Palace recently. In any event, despite his win tonight, he still considers himself a novice. First place officially paid $5,028, but most of the money had been distributed in two deals.
This event had 36 players, a prize pool of $10,476, and only four players for the final table. Before that, the final nine made a deal allowing everyone to get back his buy-in.
Heads-up, McReynolds had 165,000 chips to 55,000 for Ray Babb. Soon after, Babb doubled through in a stud round with 12,000-24,000 limits, making two pair against McReynolds' pair of 8s.
The match continued for about a dozen hands after that. Finally, the two made a deal: chop the remaining money evenly and deal one hand, with the winner getting the title. Babb started with (8-7)6 and his next two cards were 7s, giving him trips. That's how he ended after a queen and jack were dealt to him. McReynolds began with (A-K)10. He picked up a 10 on fourth street and another on the river, and his three 10s beat Babb's three 7s. Babb, 68, is a rancher from Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin. Second officially paid $2,829.
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by Max Shapiro - WSOP Media Director
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