WSOP Circuit Atlantic City - Main Event

Friday, December 28, 2007 | Francis Lee

The World Series of Poker Circuit Tour was in Atlantic City this time round, with the main event starting on December 16th 2007 lasting for three days. The $5,000 buy-in main event attracted 244 players, pushing the total prize pool on offer to well over $1million dollars.

A large number of the players starting out were some of the most well known poker players across the globe, with the like of Andy Black, Louie Esposito, Robert Williamson III and the WSOP Circuit Indiana winner Carlos Uz.

When we reached the final table stage of the tournament Eric Buchman was leading the chip rankings on $870,000 in chips, just ahead of Joh Racener on $780,000 in 2nd. The players in the short stack positions needed to make a good early start, as the blinds started off very big compared to the chip stacks held.

Final Table Chip Rankings:

• 1st Eric Buchman $870,000
• 2nd John Racener $780,000
• 3rd Adrian Velez $755,000
• 4th Feming Chan $690,000
• 5th David Fox $535,000
• 6th James Nelson $470,000
• 7th Joseph Brooks $450,00
• 8th Thomas Fee $255,000
• 9th Samuel Skolnik $80,000

Sam Skolnik on the short stack decided to make a play on the second hand moving All In with This bet was called by the chip leader Eric Buchman who tabled The Flop came down giving Skolnik top pair, looking in good shape to double up. The increased Buchman’s out’s giving him a double barrelled straight draw. The on the River completed Buchman’s straight eliminating Skolnik out in 9th place winning $23,712.

On hand 14 Joseph Brooks took the chip lead eliminating James Nelson out in 8th place. Nelson was leading pre Flop, All In with against This lead didn’t last long as Brooks hit two pair with the Flop coming down Nelson needed a Queen to stay alive but the and came down to end his tournament.

Half a dozen hands had passed before Buchman eliminated his second player on this final table retaking the chip lead. Adrian Velez moved All In with but found himself dominated against Buchman’s The final board came down knocking Velez out in 7th place to collect $47,424 in prize money.

Buchman extended his lead on the 37th hand eliminating Dave Fox, busting his pocket Aces with Buchman Flopped a straight with the coming down, and this was easily enough to beat Fox’s bullets.

It took a further 20 hands of play before we lost the next player. Thomas Fee moved All In with for $410,000 and was called by John Racener with The Flop came down giving Fee top pair, but this was under threat with Racener on a Flush draw. The on the Turn increased Racener’s outs as any King, Queen, Ten or heart would give him the pot. The fell on the river completing Raceners Flush eliminating Fee out in 5th place winning $71,136.

It didn’t take long for it to become three handed as Joseph Brooks moved All In against Racener with after the Flop had come down Unfortunately Brooks had ran into Racener with pocket Aces and needed help to survive. This never came with the and coming down on the Turn and River confirming Brooks exit in 4th.

Just a few hand later Feming Chan lost all his chips in the space of two hands. First he was crippled by Buchman running into pocket Jacks when only having The Jacks held up with the final board showing On the next hand of play he was All In with up against Racener with The Flop came down pairing Raceners Nine leaving Feming needing a miracle. The ended Feming’s day leaving him drawing dead on the River.

Buchman held the chip lead over Racener going into heads up but this didn’t stop Racner winning the event in just six hands. On the fifth hand Buchman called an $180,000 bet from Racener and the Flop came down Buchman checked, Racener bet $310,000 and Buchman re raised All In. Racener went into the tank for a while before calling revealing Buchman had needing another Jack to fall with two cards to come. The and handed Racner the pot doubling him up.

On the next hand Buchman moved All In with and was called by Racener with It looked all over for Buchman as the Flop came down and only running Nines or spades would save him. The on the Turn ended the tournament as Buchman was drawing dead leaving Racener to collect the $379,392 first place prize.

Final Standings:

• 1st John Racener $379,392
• 2nd Eric Buchman $208,666
• 3rd Feming Chan $106,704
• 4th Joseph Brooks $82,992
• 5th Thomas Fee $71,136
• 6th David Fox $59,280
• 7th Adrian Velez $47,424
• 8th James Nelson $35,568
• 9th Sam Skolnik $23,712

LEAVE A COMMENT