Matt Gilbert, in town for work, showed up to play in the Super Bowl major tourney on a last minute invite, and ended up winning his 4 career SPT title, and second major title. The win pushed him past Kevin Bristow into first place in career points.

 

The event was the largest in SPT history, with 23 entrants (3 no-shows). Barry Bonillo went all out with the decorations, and everyone was impressed. Not as impressive, however, was Barry's distinct lack of clothing. Vowing to do the opposite of Barry was Jim "Aces/Fives" McDaniel, who wore a suit. While looking good is important, it didn't translate to playing good for Jim.

 

Being a major, re-buys were allowed, and the action got furious quickly. In total, there were 40 rebuys and 20 add-ons. Sean, Dave, and Dave's friend Bill led the way with 5 re-buys each, while Barry and Matt had 4 each. The total prize pool was $1,215 (the largest in SPT history), with 10% removed to fund the year end Tournament of Champions.

 

Chad Dunnigan got out to an early start, winning many pots and had over $15k in chips at the end of the re-buy period. He knocked Mark Holmes as the first one out as Mark check-raised with 10-3 on an 8-8-7 board, only to be called by Chad with KK. A K on the turn sent Mark home (?).

 

Action moved fairly quickly after that and the final table was set. Below are seats and chip counts starting the final table:

Seat 1 Greg  24,100

Seat 2 Kevin Koutney 6,500

Seat 3 Eric "Spicey" Christensen 16,200

Seat 4 Kevin Bristow 6,400

Seat 5 Eric Stamp 5,700

Seat 6 Matt Gilbert 29,400

Seat 7 Chad Dunnigan 22,100

Seat 8 Tim Waisner 10,100

Seat 9 Steve Guzier 3,100

 

Even though he was in 4th chip position coming into the final table, Spicey was the first one eliminated, tangling with Matt. Gooz and Kevin Koutney were next, and we were at 6, with Matt with a big chip lead. Stamp, Waisner and Bristow were all short stacked and looking for someone else to get knocked out. Finally, Stamp moved all-in with KQ, and Matt called with A-8. An A on the turn knocked out Stamp in 6th.

 

Bristow then fought off elimination multiple times. Almost all-in in the BB, he found AA, and doubled up through Waisner. The next round, he went all-in from the BB with A7, and with an A-A-7 flop, he doubled up. Waisner picked up some pots, and it was looking like all 5 had a chance. A major hand developed that helped turn the tournament for Waisner. Waiz limped in with KJ, Bristow called from the SB with K-10 suited, and Gilbert in the BB checked. The flop came down K-x-x and Bristow checked. Waisner moved all-in, Bristow called and was crippled. Forced to go all-in from the BB, Bristow had 9-4 vs. Matt's K-7. The flop of 9-6-5 gave Bristow top pair, but the 8 on the river gave Matt a straight, knocking out Bristow in 5th, who won $54 in his eighth career money finish.

 

Greg was out 2 hands later as his A6 ran into Matt's A9, and we were at 3. Greg won $108 in his first career SPT money finish. Play again moved quickly, as Matt and Chad battled from the blinds. Matt had J6, and Chad 74. The flop was 6-6-4, and Chad went all-in after a bet by Matt, with Matt calling. The 7 on the river didn't help, and Chad was out in 3rd. Chad won $219 for his first career money finish.

 

Play between Matt and Tim for the title looked like it might be a long battle, but they provided the largest pot (90k) in SPT history on the first hand of heads up action. Matt raised with KQ, Tim re-raised with AQ, and Matt went all-in, with Waisner calling. No help on the board, and Waisner doubled up and took a big chip lead. Play went back and forth until this key hand that Waisner looked to win his first title on. Waisner had AJ, and Matt Q3. The board of Q-J-10 led to a bet from Matt, a raise from Waisner, and an all-in from Matt, called by Waisner. With any A, J or K, Waisner would win, but the turn was a 2, and the river a 3, and we played on.

 

Matt picked up some more pots, and both saw the flop with Matt holding A-7 of diamonds, Waisner with A-8 of clubs. The flop of K of diamonds, 2 of diamonds, and 8 of clubs was all-in from Matt, and called by Waisner. No diamond came, and the 7 on the river was no help, as Waisner doubled up.

Matt then went on a run, winning a number of small pots, but with 2000-4000 blinds, the money quickly went his way. Down to his last 15k, Waisner was all-in with A-9 vs. Matt with K-Q. The flop of J-7-J was good for Waisner, as was the 9 on the turn, but the Q on the river gave the title to Matt.

Waisner won $273 in his 5th career SPT money finish. The points also put him past Barry Bonillo by 1 in career points.

 

Matt's victory allowed him to reclaim the career points lead (2632 to Kevin's 2570). He also tied Kevin with his 4th title, and 2nd major title (Matt won the 2003 Man Day invitational). The $437 win also pushed him over $800 in career winnings (money stats only count 2004 and after).