Killian wins 2nd career SPT title

First Hold-Em Title for Killian

The Sacramento Poker Tour held the third event of 2005 Friday night, and Bill Killian took home the title. The win is his second on the SPT, and the first hold-em title for Killian, as his first win was in the inagural heads-up 7 card stud event. Killian knocked out Dave Gutierrez in a quickly played heads up match of only 2 hands.

11 players were present for the event, creating a prize pool of $275 (10% withheld for the year end Tournament of Champions/Player of the Year). Two tables were necessary to start, and the draw had very divergent styles, as one was very tight and conservative, while the second kept yelling out "Full house", "Flush" and "4 aces", the latter for Tim Waisner. The early prediction of all members of the tight table making it to the final table came true. Chad Dunnigan was first out as his set of queens ran into Rick Thomas's flush. Jim McDaniel was next, as he flopped two pair (10's and 6's) on a board of 10-6-5. Rick Thomas moved all-in with K-K, and the 5 on the turn gave him a higher two pair.

The final table chip counts/seats were:

1 Eric Stamp  2,150

2 Steve Guzier 1,175

3 Bill Killian 3,575

4 Kevin Bristow 4,125

5 Barry Bonillo 3,575

6 Dunan O'Friel 3,225

7 Tim Waisner 2,550

8 Rick Thomas 6,750

9 Dave Guiterrez 5,475

Steve Guzier showed up wearing a suit, trying to impress his mentor, Jim McDaniel. On his knuckles, he had "WWJD" - for "What would Jim do?". Short stacked, he pushed all-in with 9-9. Barry called with J-J. The board was no help and Gooz was out in 9th, to comments of "Yep, that's what Jim would do".

The most controversial hand of the tournament happened next. Eric Stamp limped in with AK, followed by Kevin Bristow limping in with QJ. The flop was A-10-rag. Stamp bet 300 into the 800 chip pot, with Bristow calling. The turn was a K, with Stamp betting 800, Bristow moving all-in and Stamp calling. The river was a deuce, and Eric Stamp was out in 8th. ** Comments from Stamp reserved for this space**

Waisner was out next as his pocket queens ran into pocket Kings from Bill. Duncan went all-in with A-Q, only to be called by Barry with KK. The flop had a King, and Duncan was out in 6th.

A race for a large pot developed with Rick Thomas having Q-Q, and Kevin Bristow A-K. No help came on the board, and Bristow was crippled. He moved in shortly thereafter with Q-10 of diamonds, only to run into pocket queens yet again, this time from Dave, and Bristow was out in 5th.

The top 5 earned points, but only the top 4 got paid. Rick Thomas earned his first career SPT money finish, cashing for $24. Rick went all-in with K-2 on a board of 4-K-Q-8-Q, only to be called by Dave with Q-8.

Play at 3 handed went back and forth for a bit. Dave had a substantial chip lead, at 16,700 in chips to 9,100 for Bill, and 7,000 for Barry. Dave laid down a few hands to big raises from Bill and Barry, and the three were close to even. Barry eventually moved all-in with K-5, only to be called with pocket queens (again) from Dave. No help on the board, and Barry had his 6th career money finish and 2nd this year, winning $49.

Dave started with a chip lead over Bill, 19,700 to 13,100. The first hand had fireworks, however. Both players called to see a flop, Dave with J-2, Bill with 10-6. The flop was J-8-9. Bill made a bet, Dave raised, and Bill moved all-in. Dave thought about it, but ultimately called. His top pair was good, until a Queen showed up on the turn, giving Bill a massive chip lead. The next hand had both in with a board of A-5-3. Bill moved in with K-5, Dave with 9-5. No help to Dave, and Killian won the event. Dave took home $61 for second, while Killian won $111.

The next SPT event is Saturday, April 2nd at Barry's house. The next major is what is now being referred to as the "Cinco De Mayo" tournament, at Dave's house