When the tournament organizers at the World Poker Tour Championship at Bellagio declared day four would end with twenty-seven in pre-tourney literature, they didn’t realize they’d be giving up an opportunity for a short day five. The day started with fifty-four players; five-and-a-half hours later, it was over.
The chip leader at the end of the day was Paul Lee. Having never cashed in a tournament of more than $5,000 buy-in, Lee was hardly the favorite. His table demeanor didn’t earn him any fans, as he at one point called for the clock on player making a decision for their tournament life, a major faux pas. Still, despite some questionable play, Lee, finished the day with T3,601,000, almost a million ahead of the competition.
The competition in question was Kirk Morrison. Morrison was on a remarkable run, having cashed in each of the previous three WPT’s and tying Daniel Negreanu’s record with a cash here. He also won the Jennifer Harman charity event last week against the most elite of fields. If anyone is seeing the ball right now, it’s Morrison.
The day came to an end when Richard Anthony hit a one-outer on the river to take out Tom Schreiber in 28th. After Roland de Wolfe raised to T63,000, Anthony moved all-in for T314,000. Schreiber made the call and de Wolfe, knowing he was beaten, folded his hand. Schreiber had Ac-Ks; Anthony 9h-9d.
The flop came As-5s-2d, giving Schreiber the lead and leaving Anthony needing a nine, but when Js hit on the turn, the 9s turned into a flush out for Schreiber. Amazingly, 9c hit the river; it was the one card that could pull Anthony’s fat out of the fire. He won the pot and the day was done. Tomorrow should be a long one.
Gary Wise
gary@wisehandpoker.com
