Aleks wins first SPT title
After a huge field in the last major of 22 players, the summer months kicked in, and Saturday's event had
only 11 players. Still, the event featured plenty of top players, only to watch those who've previously done well on the SPT
go out early. In fact, the first 6 bust outs had a combined 87 career cashes, vs. only 18 cashes for the final 5. It proves
that anyone can win on the SPT!
Pocket Aces were the early theme of the event, with 4 straight players getting knocked out after running
into pocket aces. The play moved quickly, and we got to the top 5 in quick fashion.
Steve Harbaugh finished in fifth when his J-8 couldn't improve against John T.'s A-9. Harbaugh didn't
get any money, but he did earn 58 points.
At 4, Rick Thomas was short stacked and forced to go all-in with K-8 on a K-10-10 board. Unfortunately for
Rick, John had a 10, and he was out in fourth. Rick won $24 and 76 points in his second cash this year, and fifth of his career.
At 3, Dave Narayan moved all-in with a flush draw, but Aleks Campos had 3 aces and called. Narayan was out,
and earned $49 and 102 points. It was his third cash this year, and sixth of his career.
Heads up, John had a big chip lead on Aleks. However, Aleks doubled through him and the chips were close.
On the final hand, Aleks had 5-5, and John had A-K. No help came on the board, and Aleks won his first SPT title.
John
finished second and won $74 and 145 points. It was his first career SPT cash.
Aleks won $99 and 242 points. It was his second cash this year and third of his career.
A number of changes to the TOC leaderboard - Campos and Harbaugh are now in the top 8, and Narayan and
Thomas are close.
Can they make it further? Will someone else join them on the leaderboard? Be sure to attend the next
SPT event - it could be you!
