Gavin Smith
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Gavin Gets Goods
By Steven E. Way
Irony is a strange lady. On the day where Americans will be going to the polls to select there new President, the players at Foxwoods Resort Casino here in Mashantucket, Connecticut watched as a Canadian became the latest champion. Gavin Smith who hails from Ontario would claim his prize of $26,200 at just after midnight this morning in the $550 7-Card Stud Hi-Lo Split, 8 or Better contest.
The day's events began with 121 dedicated high low split players all joining in the tournament area at the usual noon starting time. The pace of play was unusually rapid, especially for a split game, and would be reduced to the final table at just after 9:00 last evening.
The final table action got moving when James Bucci of Hollywood, Maryland went all-in with his short stack while holding a low straight. Fernando Bracelli of Caspoggio, Italy thought that looked good and also went all-in with an 8 high straight. The illustrious Mr. Smith called both men holding an Ace high straight with a 7, 6 low, knocking them both from the contest.
Next, Russ Salzer of Las Vegas, Nevada with 4's full would knock out the anonymous player who went all-in for his last few chips with a King high flush.
A few short hands later, "Miami" John Cernuto of Las Vegas, Nevada would make a
move with two pair and a 6 low, but ran into Thomas Schreiber of nearby Norwich, Connecticut who played for a card on the river to make a wheel.
Salzer would be next to join the rail when his pair of Jacks with an open ended straight draw got beat by the trip Deuces belonging to William LeConche of Rocky Hill, Connecticut.
LeConche would be next to depart when he was forced to make a play and lost out to a Jack high heart flush played by Smith.
Next came an epic battle as the final two combatants would play heads up for almost two hours, watching the limits rise to $10,000-20,000 before the end of the contest. Smith, with about 40 percent of the chips would play aggressively at first, and ultimately survive five all-in's before coming back to take the championship away from Schreiber. the last hand would see Schreiber go all-in after making two pair, 8's and 5's. Smith would need help for his pair of 10's, and got it in the form of a third 10 for the win.
Congratulations Mr. Smith, perhaps now you can take that trip to Washington!
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