In this up and down SPT year, Saturday night was an up, as 17 players crammed into Waiz's house, only a couple after only 9 showed up at the same location. The result was the same, however, as a first time SPT win occured, with Rick Thomas beating the field.

 

Play started fairly slowly, and no one was out within the first 3 levels. However, with escalating blinds, play started to move faster and we quickly got down to the final table after Rick knocked out two people with pocket Aces in back to back hands. When Sanjit went out, we had the final table:

 

Kevin Bristow            4,550

Matt Mallory               3,350

Rick Thomas            14,050

Chris Sorensem       5,250

Jeff Pierce                 11,700

Tim Waisner              2,350

Greg Buhler               2,000

Steve Harbaugh         2,600

Travis Green              4,650

 

Greg was the first one out, as his K-9 all in on a 4-4-2 board was called by Rick, holding A-4. Waiz fell with K-9 vs. Matt's A-3. Chris was next, as he moved all-in with A-10. Matt Mallory called with A-9, and hit a 9 on the flop. Travis followed with A-8 vs. Jeff's K-6 when two 6's hit the flop. And very quickly we got down to the money.

Steve Harbaugh was short stacked, and moved in with 9-2, called by Jeff with A-9. A K-K-4-4 board meant the Ace played, and Harbaugh was out in 5th. He earned $30 and 94 points in his third cash of 2006.

 

Kevin Bristow was out next, pushing all in from the small blind with A-6 (with the 6 of clubs) on a board of 3-5-7 all clubs. Jeff called with pocket 9's with the 9 of clubs. The 10 of clubs hit on the turn, giving both a flush, and Bristow missed on the straight flush draw on the river. Bristow finised with $39 and 116 points in his 8th point finish of 2006, and 22nd of his career.

 

Matt Mallory was next to go, as got all the money in with A-9 on an A-J-3 flop... only to see Jeff had A-3 for two pair. No help came, and Matt was out in third. He earned $68 and 148 points in his second cash of 2006.

 

Heads up, Jeff started with a chip lead over Rick. However, an ill-timed check raise when Rick had flopped a set of Jacks led to over $8,000 heading to Rick. The two quickly got the money all-in, with Rick holding K-10 of hearts, and Jeff A-J. The turn was a 10, and the river a King, giving Rick the title.

 

This was Jeff Pierce's first (and likely last) SPT event, as he indicated he'll be moving. He earned $102 and 202 points.

 

Rick Thomas earned $141 and 322 points in his second cash of 2006.

 

The TOC race got tighter at the top and the bottom. Bristow is now only 123 points behind Waiz for the top spot. The top 8 remained the same, but Mallory, Harbaugh and Thomas all got much closer. It looks like it's going to come down to the last 3 events, with Man Day 7 and the two tournaments on that day looming large.

Be sure to mark your calendars now - Man Day 7 - November 18th