World Series of Poker Ray Foley Wins Event 39: $1,500 NLHE

The final day of Event #39, yet another $1,500 No Limit Hold'em event at the 2009 World Series of Poker, began with 26 returning players. It took five hours for them to reach the actual final table of nine:

Brandon Cantu was the most notable among this final table, with one WSOP bracelet ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em in 2006, $757,839) and one WPT title ($10,000 Bay 101 Shooting Star, 2008, $1,000,000) to his credit. He began the final table in the middle of the pack, chips-wise.

Alex Jacob was the only other known player making this final table. Alex won the US Poker Championship in 2006 ($878,500) and has accumulated over $2 million in tournament earnings, but has yet to claim a WSOP or WPT title. He came close in 2007 when he finished 3rd in a WSOP $1,500 No Limit event ($282,367). Alex started the final table second in chips.

Second-shortest-stack Patrick O'Connor opted to make his stand when action folded to his small blind. He shoved for about half a million chips and got looked up by Brandon Cantu in the big blind. Patrick's A4 suited was drawing live against Brandon's pocket 3s, but the board bricked out and Brandon took the pot. Patrick took $80,049 for his 9th place finish.

Richard Lutes was bluffing with the best hand when he moved in on an A 7 4 flop with two hearts. He held KT for King-high and was ahead of Brandon Cantu's JT suited, but Brandon had the flush draw. The draw came through on the turn and Richard was drawing dead. He earned $85,608 for 8th place.

Chairud Vangchailued ran his QJ suited into Alex Jacob's pocket Jacks. Although he caught a Queen on the flop, there was also a Jack giving Alex the set and the pot. Chairud took 7th place and $96,355.

The cooler was in play when Jonathan Markham opened for 210k up front. He cleared the field to Wei Mu in the big blind, who decided to call. On the A K J flop, all the chips went in. Jonathan had flopped a set with his pocket Kings, but Wei held QT off and had flopped Broadway. The board failed to pair for Jonathan and he was done in 6th place ($114,514).

Apparently Tyler Spalding thought chip leader Alex Jacob was pushing him around when he raised to 200k one off the button. Tyler decided to defend his big blind by shoving for 575k straight. Alex called him down with pocket 9s. Tyler's suited J2 was in bad shape and got no help from the board. He earned $143,421 for his 5th place finish.

Chip leader Alex Jacob was caught looking in the wrong direction when Brandon Cantu raised on his right. Alex shoved and then found Ray Foley calling all-in on his left. Brandon got out of the way and Alex found that his A3 off had run into Ray's pocket Jacks. The Jacks held up and Ray doubled up, taking the chip lead.

Tilt may have been a factor soon after when Brandon raised again and Alex moved all-in again. This time Brandon called, showing pocket Tens and Alex was holding only 86 offsuit. The Tens held up and Brandon doubled up, leaving Alex with nothing but fumes. Those chips went in with J9 suited and was facing Ray Foley's A4. Ray paired his four and Alex got no help from the board. Alex Jacob departed in 4th place, earning $190,857.

On a K 4 3 flop, Wei Mu got all-in against Brandon Cantu. Wei held K9 for top pair, but was out-kicked by a pip as Brandon held KT. The board ran dry and Brandon took the pot. Wei Mu took 3rd place and $269,609.

Heads up play will begin with Brandon Cantu holding almost 7 million chips to Ray Foley's 5.2 million. Brandon was busy chipping away at Ray's stack when a pivotal hand came down. Ray got all-in holding pocket Tens against Brandon's K9. A King flopped, giving Brandon the lead. That shiny new bracelet was twinklling in his eyes, then a Ten hit the turn, giving Ray the set and the double-up. Brandon was left down two-to-one in chips and apparently crushed in spirit.

Soon after, Ray shoved on a Jack-high flop. Brandon thought for a while before committing his tournament life holding J7 for top pair. Ray had QJ and had him out-kicked. No miracle for Brandon and it was over.

Ray Foley finished in 1st place, earning $657,969 and his first WSOP bracelet.

Brandon Cantu just missed out on his second bracelet, finishing second for $403,951.

Results of Event #39 Final Table:

For live coverage of the Final Table and final day of Event #39, click here.

For a full list of all player standings in Event #39, click here.

For schedule, results and reports of All Events of the 40th Annual WSOP, click here.

Be sure to stay on top of WSOP action, with up to the minute chip counts, leaders, results and live coverage - - with the handy WSOP Viewer on the homepage of PokerPages.com.

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