Gavin Smith had high hopes to finally take his first World Series of Poker bracelet yesterday, but came up just short. The bombastic Canadian made it to the heads-up portion of Event 4, only to lose in the final to Michael Spegal. Here’s a look at what else was going on here yesterday;
- Experienced pro Tom “Donkey Bomber” Schneider triumphed over a loaded final table in Event 5 – Omaha/7 stud hi/lo. Schneider triumph over a monster final table that included Annie Duke, Chris Ferguson, David Benyamine and Chris Bell. - For Duke, it was her thirtieth cash at the WSOP, a record for women players. - An unknown final table does battle today in Event 6 – Limit Hold’em. Gary Styezynski of New York is the leader. - A powerful field dispensed of names like Chip Reese, Chau Giang and Mike Sexton to establish a final table in Event 7 - $5,000 Omaha with rebuys. The final will include such luminaries as Humberto Brenes, John Juanda, Mihn Ly, Burt Boutin, Erick Cajelais and Dave “Devilfish Ulliott” - Internet sensation Sorel Mizzi leads Event 8 - $1,000 NL Hold’em with rebuys going into day two. Michael Binger, Amir Vahedi, Gavin Griffin and Alex Melenkow are also amongst the leaders. - Event 9 - $1,500 Omaha hi/lo is lead by Jordan Morgan in a tight race after one day. Also in the hunt; Kiril Gerasimov, John ‘Razor’ Phan and Rob Holling.
In the final hand, Smith raised on the button to T120,000 and Spagal made it T240,000 to go. Gavin moved in for T415,000 on the strength of pocket fives; Spegal made the call with As-10s. The flop came Jd-6s-3s, and the turn was Qs, giving Spegal the spade flush. After a useless Kd hit the river, Gavin’s tournament was over. He’d stay on the list no one wants to be on; best players in the world without a bracelet.
