Mangrum wins "Cinco De Mayo" Major for first SPT win

Topples Bristow in heads up match

The second major of the 2005 season took place on Saturday at Dave's house, hosting 17 players. Jon Mangrum, playing for the first time in 2005, took home the title, his first cash and win on the SPT.

Play started with a re-buy period, and 3 tables. Jim McDaniel played aggressive, including call a raise with 8-2 suited, only to flop a flush. His aggressive play built up some chips, but he lost most back, and needed 5 re-buys. Scott also needed 5 rebuys, with Dave and Barry each needing 4. All told, there were 26 re-buys and 16 players took the add-on (only Mangrum, who had about 10k in chips, declined the add-on).

Shortly after the re-buy period ended, Rick Thomas knocked out two players with one hand, and we were down to 2 tables. Play continued to move quickly, as Jim, Dave and Bill were eliminated. Jim had J-7 vs. Mangrum with K-J. When the board had 2 jacks on it, Jim moved in, only to be called and out-kicked.

A massive pot developed with Bristow, Mangrum and Rick Thomas. Rick called with A-J, Mangrum raised with Q-Q from the small blind, and Bristow moved in with K-K from the big blind.  Rick called the raises, only to face an all-in from Mangrum, creating a side-pot. Thomas called this all-in as well. No help came on the board, and Thomas was eliminated, while Bristow took a big chip lead.

We eventually had a final table of: Sean MacLean, Greg Buhler, Barry Bonillo, Eric Stamp, Eric Christensen, Duncan O'Friel, Tim Waisner, Kevin Bristow and Jon Mangrum.

Sean was the first out, as his K-10 ran into Barry's A-K. The flop had a King, but the kicker held up, and we were down to 8. Barry Bonillo was crippled soon after that as his A-K ran into Waisner's A-A. He fought off elimination and stayed alive through a number of hands. Greg Buhler was out next as his pocket 7's went up against Waisner with A-Q. An Ace on the flop ended it for Greg. Barry moved in with 10-9 vs. Duncan with 9-6, and looked good... until a 6 on the river knocked Barry out in 7th.

At 6, players realized that the next one out would be the "Bubble Boy", missing out on a pay-day and points towards the Tournament of Champions. Short stacked, Stamp moved in for 2700 with A-K, Mangrum called with K-Q, and Bristow called from the BB for 1100 more with 5-4 (blinds were 800-1600 at this point). A 5 came on the flop, and no other help arrived, and Stamp was out in 6th.

Play moved quickly after this. Duncan picked up pocket kings and moved in, only to be called by Mangrum with A-K. He looked good, until an ace came on the river, and Duncan was out fifth. He took home $38, and earned 189 points towards the player of the year standings.

"Spicey", Eric Christensen, was getting short stacked and moved in with J-8. Waisner called with A-10, and the board was no help. Spicey finished in fourth, earning $77 and 232 points.

Within 3 more hands, we were down to heads up. Bristow made it 10,000 to go with KK (at this point, blinds were 2000/4000), Waisner moved all-in with 22, and Bristow called. No help came, and Waisner finished in third. He earned $154 and 296 points. With his third cash this year, Waisner has moved into first place in the player of the year standings.

The final two of Bristow and Mangrum started with Bristow wtih a chip lead. It wouldn't last, however. Mangrum was extremely aggressive, raising at almost every opportunity. At 2000/4000 blinds, he quickly picked up chips as Bristow laid down hands, waiting for an opportunity. Finally, Bristow picked the wrong time to bluff, moving all-in with 6-3 suited, only to be called by Mangrum with 8-8. No help from the board, and Mangrum won first SPT event. Mangrum won $308, and 645 points. Bristow won $192, and 403 points.

The player of the year standings have Tim Waisner now in first, with Matt Gilbert second, one point ahead of Kevin Bristow. Mangrum moves into fourth place, ahead of Spicey, Killian, Dunnigan and Bonillo.

The next event will be a Saturday event, June 4th, at Barry's house. This will be the annual ping pong tournament, followed by the poker tounament. Tim Waisner looks to continue his unprecedented run of three consecutive ping pong victories.