Frances Bryson
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Frances Finds Flops
By Steven E. Way
On a beautiful Autumn day here in New England, 257 players gathered around the poker tables here at Foxwoods Resort Casino in anticipation of the coming battles to be waged. The battlefield yesterday was the long anticipated $220 Omaha Hi-Lo, 8 or Better event. This event, like all of the events so far had $2,000 added to the prize pool by Foxwoods, making the total $53,400 at stake.
Most of the regular Omaha players from Foxwoods were in the field, as well as many others who consider this the ultimate thinking man's poker game. The only down side to this event, many in the field also participated in the previous day's marathon Stud 8 or Better event.
Today's event moved far more rapidly than the stud event, culminating in a final table of nine players at just before 10 p.m. last night. The make up of the table was notable, as it contained both Dr. Willard Noyes of Thompson, Pennsylvania, and his brother Tom of Port St. Lucie, Florida, both tournament trail veterans.
The play at the last was a bit more measured however, as the players were keenly aware of their position and the corresponding payouts. First to be eliminated, claiming ninth place was Robert Campbell hailing from Boston, Massachusetts when his King high flush ran into the Ace high flush of Peter Douerty of the country Ireland.
Next out was Bill Botchis of Niantic, Connecticut when he pushed all-in with a set of treys and got half-scooped by two wheels held by Vince Burgio of West Hills, California and Tom Noyes. Botchis, who collected $2,825 for a fifth place win in the Stud 8 or Better event, added another $1,275 along with those valuable "Best Overall Player" points.
Douerty would be next out after playing a short all-in and mucking his hand after seeing Tom Noyes Aces up.
Next came one of the largest single pots of the tournament, over $100,000 in action as Will Noyes pushed all-in with Queens up, while two other players, made several bets and raises Thomas Orr of Waupucu, Wisconsin made quad 9's and Charlie Brahmi or Ventnor, New Jersey took half with his Ace, Deuce lock low.
Tom "Mark 'em Down" Noyes would soon follow his brother on the rail as he went all-in with two pairs and ran into Brahmi and a wheel for a scoop.
Forth place was soon decided when poker veteran Vince Burgio of West Hills, California took A,A,2,10 with his short stack on the big blind and was introduced to Frances Bryson of Columbia, Maryland who flopped a straight but left Burgio with two pair and no low.
On the very next hand Orr would play his last few chips all-in on a blind, and also be introduced to Ms. Bryson and her full house.
Now playing heads up at just before midnight, Brahmi was about half stacked against Bryson who aggressively pushed for the win by forcing Brahmi all-in. As the two watched the board open some draws, both players were animated, but ultimately it was the river 5 that gave a wheel to Bryson for the win.
For the second day in a row, our congratulations go to a woman 8 or Better champion, well done Frances!
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