Jay Heimowitz
|
By Steven E. Way
The five grim faced poker players all sat silent, waiting, listening, pondering. As Tournament Director Mike Ward introduced the final table contestants of yesterday's $1,080 Pot Limit Omaha event the tension in the air was as thick as the smoke in an old Bogart movie. The determined veterans, the young guns, East coast against West coast, all were determined to walk away with the champion-ship trophy and leather jacket.
The event had been dominated the day before with some pretty steady play, no one making any foolish moves. Today, would be different. To win on this day, someone would have to gamble.
The first to make a shot at it was the short stacked player known only as "Prince of Docness." The Prince, who calls Santa Cruz, California home, pushed all-in with a set of 6's on the flop. When the board came to include a pair of Queens, he seemed secure and showed his hand down, but was left staring, as Phillip Ivey of Atlantic City, New Jersey displayed his set of Jacks to go with the pair of ladys.
Forth place would take a while longer to determine, five hours longer, but would eventually go to Ivey when he moved all-in on the turn with two pair. Unfortunately, Allen Cunningham of Ventura, California would make the call with trip 5's and win the pot.
After the five hour spell, the very next hand produced the third place finisher. Paul Sherr of Phoenix, Arizona would play pocket Kings all-in only to lose to Cunningham too, this time with a Jack high flush.
Now at heads up, Jay Heimowitz of Bethel, New York winner of the previous $1,080 No-Limit Hold 'em event, and Cunningham who also had an "in-the-money" appearance earlier in the tournament, began the final confrontation at just after 6:00 last evening.
Heimowitz, having picked up a number of blinds, was soon sitting on the chip lead, but a nearly disastrous hand at the $300-600 blind level allowed Cunningham to double up. After pecking away at Cunningham's stacks, Heimowitz made a big move playing a flush draw with two pair on the turn. He pushed all-in in on when the river making Kings full. Cunningham mucked, and saw a few more nondescript flops, but was soon forced into action with pocket Aces. After Heimowitz called, the flop brought Queen, 9, King making his straight, giving him the pot and after another nine grueling hours of final table play his second World Poker Finals championship in as many tries.
With his back-to-back wins, Jay has put himself into contention for the "Best Overall Player" award, and is certainly a player to watch in the $5,100 No-Limit Hold 'em event on Saturday.
Congratulations Jay, and thank you for a fine performance!
|
