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Having been in a position to get to know so many of poker’s personalities, I sometimes get caught up in cheering for the guys I know. Sometimes, that factor makes it tough to remember that part of what makes poker so popular and so great is that anyone can win on any day if the cards fall just right.
Seven events into the 2007 World Series of Poker, the biggest names to have won bracelets were Tom Schneider and Burt Boutin, both solid citizens, but hardly marquee names. For the good of my job, for the good of the series, and for the good of the game, I had started actively cheering for a champion’s champion. I wanted the big names to start performing.
Event 8 - $1,000 no-limit hold’em with rebuys, wasn’t the one that would grant me my wish, but it certainly tried. While 844 entered, a stellar field stood when the event reached the teens, and even the eliminations of Gioi Luong, mark Newhouse, Sorel Mizzi, Michael Binger, Arnold Spee, Jason Strasser, Marcello Delgrosso and Todd Witteles between nineteenth and tenth places left a strong final table standing.
Amir Vahedi, Michael Gracz and Shane “Shaniac” Schleger went out 7th, 6th and 5th respectively, seemingly leaving Tommy Vu to run the table. Unfortunately for the early nineties infomercial star, however, this was Michael Chu’s day. Hand 132 was the turning point.
Vu had the button and limped in for T80,000. Chu made the raise to T280,000 from the big blind and Tommy made the call. The flop came 9s-8h-3h and Chu bet out for T375,000, to which Vu announced himself all-in, with Chu making the quick call for another T1,830,000 with Jc-10h. Vu had 8c-6c for the lead, but Chu had eight straight outs, two overcards and even a runner-runner flush draw. The turn was a safe 5d, but the river was 7h, giving Michael the straight and prolonging the tournament. It would be just what Chu needed, as he took the lead then held onto it for good, taking home %585,744 for his trouble.
That Vu was able to keep his focus was remarkable. Vinnie Vinh, a fellow pro who Vu had backed for the tournament, ended the first day with the chip lead, but never showed up for day two. He got blinded out in twentieth place after the day had almost played itself out. It was only three days later that Vinh reappeared, making sure to pick up his check from the cashier. Vinh would pull a similar disappearing act a few weeks later.
Gary Wise
gary@wisehandpoker.com
