July 7, 2005

MacLean wins second SPT event

McDaniel takes second for first cash in 18 months

The July minor event took place on Friday night, with 16 players filling up two tables, paying five places. The action got underway quickly with a huge pot between Kevin Bristow and Jon Mangrum. Bristow limped in with 5-5, Mangrum raised from the small blind with 10-10, Bristow called. The flop came down 10-5-2, all clubs. Mangrum bet 200, Bristow called. The turn was a 5, and both players checked. The river was the fourth club, and both players hoped the other had a club. Mangrum bet 500, Bristow raised to 1,200, Mangrum went all-in and Bristow called. Mangrum thought at first Bristow must have had the flush, but then realized that the four of a kind was good. Bristow earned some revenge for losing heads up to Mangrum at the last major event.

Duncan was next out as he flopped a flush, only to run into Chad's full house on the river. Waiz was short stacked and went all-in with J-7, only to be called by Stamp with 4-4. The fours held up, and the last 3 champions were the first 3 out. Rick Thomas was next, moving a short stack in with J-2, but Bristow calling for only 125 more from the big blind with J-6. No help came, and Rick was out. Dave got all-in with 8-8 vs. Bill with J-Q suited. Dave noted as he dealt "I'm going to screw myself". The flop of 8-9-4 seemed to be a good one... until the 10 came on the river to send Dave out.

Matt Mallory, playing in his first SPT event, played well and built up a good chip count through the event. He lost a big pot against Sean, and was down under 2,500. Sean then raised with K-K, Matt called with A-6. A 6 came on the flop, and he called Sean's bet on the flop and all-in on the turn. No help came, and Matt was knocked out. Sean then knocked out Steve Harbaugh with K-9 vs. Harbaugh's A-2. The flop of 9-5-2 was good for Sean, and 9 on the turn sealed it.

The final table of 9 was quickly down to 8 as Chris Mangrum was short stacked and pushed in with A-J. Bristow was in the big blind for less than his bet with K-Q. The flop of K-K-8 meant Bristow had knocked out both Mangrums.

Jim McDaniel came ready to play in this event. He was accumulating chips through raises and key calls. He was close to the chip lead at this point in the tournament. He raised to 1,500 with the blinds at 250/500. Chad moved all in with J-10, and McDaniel instantly called with A-A. No help on the board, and we were 7, and suddenly people realized that the McDaniel curse might be broken. It's been 18 months since he's cashed, a span of 12 tournaments.

Barry dodged elimination as his K-10 all-in bet was called by Sean with A-J of diamonds. The flop came down with a King and two diamonds, but the board bricked, and Barry doubled up. Bill Killian was the next out, as his A-J of clubs ran into Barry's pocket queens. No help came, and we were six.

Sean took a big pot from Bristow in a blind vs. blind match-up. Bristow had A-9 and Sean had A-7. The flop was 7-7-9. Bristow bet out on all three streets, and Sean only raised the river. The pot was over 10,000 by the end, causing a big blow to Bristow's chip stack. Down to 3,100, Bristow moved all-in on the button with A-10, Stamp called with 10-8 for less than the raise. No help on the board and Stamp (or "Bubble Boy") continued his streak of just missing the money. The final 5 immediately gave Jim a big cheer for finally cashing.

The final 5 all would get points and get paid - Sean MacLean had the chip lead with 15,100, followed by Jim with 11,600, Barry with 11,100, Kevin with 6,700 and Greg Buhler with 3,300.

Greg picked up some chips to pull slightly ahead of Kevin. The next hand was the key hand of the tournament. At 400/800 blinds, Greg raised to 2000 with A-J. Bristow moved all-in from the small blind with K-K. Sean instantly called with A-K, and Greg called as well. The majority of the money ($17,100) was in the main pot, with a $800 side pot between Greg and Sean. Bristow immediately started yelling for no Ace, but the flop came down A-4-2, and Sean yelled out a "Yes!". No help came, and Sean took a massive chip lead. Since Greg had more chips going into the hand, he finished in 4th place, and Bristow in 5th. Bristow earned $18 and 89 points in his 5th top 5 finish in 7 events this year. Greg earned $36 and 110 points in his third top 5 finish this year. Sean also won $20 from Kevin for a bet that he wouldn't reach the top 5 (getting 2-1 odds on a $10 bet). He pointed out that it was fate since Kevin had bet against him. Bristow referred to it as something else entirely.

Bristow commented that "Sean's not a very good player, but when he gets a chip lead, he knows what to do with it". Sean immediately started raising hands, taking down blinds. He raised with A-K, only to run into the human rain delay which is Barry counting out his chips. Barry routinely has his chips splashed in the tray with no idea how many chips he has. He takes a good 2 minutes to count them, then another two minutes to sigh, look down, stare at the raiser, utter some smack talk (usually involving a slur of some sort), sigh again, then say "I'm all-in". Sean called, and his A-K was well ahead of Barry's K-J. No help came on the board, and Barry was out in third. Barry won $72 and 141 points.

Heads up had Sean with a massive chip lead over Jim - $42,000 to $6,000. Three hands in, Sean limped on the button with A-K of hearts. The flop came down J-9-8, two hearts. Jim checked with 8-7, and Sean moved in. Jim thought about it for a while, but ultimately called. He was ahead, until the King on the turn and no help on the river gave Sean the title.

Jim McDaniel earned $90 and 193 points. This is his first showing on the SPT leaderboard this year. Jim is still on the outside of the TOC, but he has home field advantage for the next event - McDaniel's World Series of Poker, the 3rd major this year on the SPT.

Sean MacLean earned $144 and 310 points in his first showing on the SPT leaderboard in 2005. He's still out of the TOC (despite his claims that last years winner should get an automatic qualifier).

Tim Waisner retains his 2005 points lead. Kevin Bristow has now moved into second place. Greg and Barry are now tied for 6th place.

The next event is McDaniel's World Series of Poker, to be held August 27th in Roseville. Sean MacLean looks to defend his title from last year, and make it two events in a row.