| Pizza Man, “Bush” Xhindi Won The $230 No-Limit Tournament
The $230 buy-in no-limit hold’em event with a rebuy drew 121 entrants that created a $40,158 prize pool.
At 9:45 p.m. with 15 minutes left in the 12th level the final ten players took their seats at the final table. The blinds were $800-$1600 with a $200 ante.
Don Bennett sat down to the final table with $41,700 and the chip lead, William Knowles was in second with $33,300, Sarah Casey was in a close third with $31,200, Hazbi “Bush” Xhindi was in fourth place with $27,100, James Aresco was in fifth with $19,800, Robert Taylor was in sixth with $18,600, Bob Greco was in seventh with $14,300, Aubrey was in eighth with $8,400, James Tippin was in ninth with $6,700 and Kenneth Ng was in last place with $4,800.
At 9:55 Robert Taylor made a preflop all-in raise of $3,900 and James Tippin called all-in with his remaining $3,500. Rob showed A-J and James rolled over pocket deuces. The board came A-Q-7-5-3 and James was forced to take 10th place and $560.
At 10:00 the blinds rose to $1,000-$2,000 with a $300 ante.
Two hands later Aubrey Vincent got all his money in against James Aresco but the bad news was James was holding pocket rockets and Aubrey’s K-5 was no match. James was sent home in 9th place with $805.
At 10:40 the blinds increased to $1,500-$3,000 with a $400 ante.
Sarah Casey, the only lady to date to make a final table, raised to $10,000 on the button hoping to pick up the blinds and antes but Kenneth Ng, on the small blind looked down to find pocket rockets. He reraised all-in for $16,500 and after some thought she called the raise. Kenneth turned over his aces and Sarah showed Q-J. The board came Q-9-4-6 and the river card came another queen sending Kenneth home in 8th place with $1,205.
At 11:20 the blinds went to $2,000-$4,000 with a $500 ante.
At 11:50 Hazbi raised to $15,000, Sarah moved all-in, William Knowles called all-in and Hazbi folded. William showed pocket eights and Sarah turned over pocket kings. Sarah’s kings held up and William was forced to take $1,605 for his 7th place finish.
Three hands later Sarah raised to $12,000 and Robert Taylor called. The flop came J-A-3, Sarah checked, Robert moved all-in and Sarah called. Robert showed K-Q and Sarah turned over A-9. The board came J-A-3-9-7 and Robert was sent home with $2,010 for 6th place.
Two hands later Bob Greco moved all-in for $31,500 with pocket threes and Sarah called with pocket rockets. Sarah’s rockets held up and Bob took $2,410 for his 5th place finish.
At 12:30 Hazbi raised to $21,000 and Don Bennett reraised all-in for $2,500 more and Hazbi called. Don showed K-4 and Hazbi turned over A-6. Hazbi’s ace high scooped the pot and Don took home $3,213 for 4th place.
After a dozen all-ins at the final table Aubrey Vincent was sent home in third place with $4,010.
Heads up play began at 12:40 with Hazbi and Sarah even in chips.
Ten minutes later Sarah called from the small blind and Hazbi checked the big blind. The flop came A-5-6, Hazbi bet $17,000, Sarah moved all-in and Hazbi called. Sarah showed A-8 for a pair of aces but Hazbi flopped two pair with his 5-6. Hazbi’s two pair held up and Sarah was forced to take 2nd place and $7,290.
Hazbi was declared the winner and took home $13,230 for his 1st place finish along with a beautiful chip set trophy.
Reported kindly submitted by Debbie Burkhead |
