THE FINAL TABLE
2005 World Series of Poker
New Orleans Circuit Event
Harrah's New Orleans Casino and Resort
Daily Report
May 28, 2005
Buy-in: $10,000
Number of Entries: 259
Total Prize Money: $2,460,500
SEAT 1: Walter Chambers Baton Rouge, LA
Chip Count 576,000
Wally Chambers is a 31-year-old business owner from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He earned his college degree in psychology from Louisiana State University. Chambers has been a real 'Tiger' in this tournament. He comes into the final table as the chip leader. Chambers is no stranger to final table appearances. He finished second here last year at the New Orleans Bayou Poker Challenge earning nearly $35,000 in prize money. But that's chump change. Chambers is guaranteed to do much better than that today, as everyone sitting here will earn $49,000 and up.
SEAT 2: Nick 'Chairman' Mao Long Beach, CA
Chip Count 522,000
Nick 'Chairman' Mao certainly isn't in the red at this final table. He arrives second in the chip count. Mao was actually born in 1975 in war-ravaged Cambodia. He arrived in the United States seeking to build a better life. He is now living the American dream. Today, Mao is a real estate broker in Long Beach, California. He has won major poker tournaments held in Los Angeles, and just won an event at the Heavenly Hold'em Classic held last week good for 55 grand. He started playing poker only a year ago, which means that 'Chairman' Mao's like his namesake -- will only be more dangerous later in life. The Chairman hopes to stage his own revolt here today, and says he will take no prisoners at the poker table.
SEAT 3: Harry Cullen, Jr. Houston, TX
Chip Count 202,000
Harry Cullen, Jr. is a 47-year-old Houston native who is married and has three children. Cullen is a real gambler -- a wildcatter in the oil and gas exploration business. While his poker contemporaries are playing cards, Cullen is usually out in the oil fields trying to strike it rich. He hopes to put a drill to his opponents today and produce a steady flow of chips towards his stack. We'll soon see if Cullen can build a pipeline, or instead discover if his well has come up dry.
SEAT 4: Antonio 'The Magician' Esfandiari San Francisco, CA
Chip Count 320,000
Antonio Esfandiari is unquestionably the most well-known poker player at today's final table. He has been featured on television many times, due just as much to his natural charisma as his immense poker talent. Esfandiari is better known as 'The Magician' because he performed magic tricks for a living before turning to poker. The Magician was actually born in Iran and immigrated to the United States at the age of nine. He now lives in San Francisco. Last year, he won his first World Series of Poker gold bracelet, in pot-limit hold'em earning nearly $600,000 for the top prize. Esfandiari is quite philosophical about his poker success: "Money is not the answer" Esfandiari says. "More money that's the answer".
SEAT 5: Imre Leibold Tallinn, Estonia
Chip Count 169,500
Imre Leibold traveled the greatest distance to play at today's final table all the way from Tallinn, Estonia. He is 29-year-old soon-to-be married professional poker player who has won major European tournaments -- including the 2005 Baltic Open Championship held earlier this month. He is ranked among the top European tournament finishers so far this year. Leibold has proven to be a dangerous player over the past three days and we will see if he ends up as the last man sitting at what is certainly one of the most enigmatic final tables on this year's World Series of Poker Circuit.
SEAT 6: Marlon Labbe Lafayette, LA
Chip Count 163,000
Marlon Labbe is a 28-year-old salesman from Lafayette, Louisiana. He is one of two poker players at the final table from the New Orleans region. Labbe is married and has two children. This is the first time Labbe has ever made it to the final table of a major poker tournament. When he's not playing poker, he enjoys hunting and fishing. Today, Labbe hopes to be the shark inside the fish tank. If so, he'll complete what might have been just a dream a few days ago to win a World Series of Poker event and end up with nearly $800,000 in cash. Today, we'll see if dreams do come true.
SEAT 7: Cyril 'Sid' Gittens Miami, FL
Chip Count 338,500
Sid Gittens was born in Trinidad and now lives in Miami, Florida. He is a 48-year-old manager and is married. Gittens won his seat into this tournament by playing at an online poker site. This is his first time to make it to a final table at any poker tournament. Today, we will see if Gittens can translate his online poker skills into a huge tournament victory. Gittens is certainly sitting in good position at the start, as he comes into today third in the chip count. Hey, maybe these online players can play poker, after all. Just ask Greg Raymer and Chris Moneymaker.
SEAT 8: Corey A. Bierria Atlanta, GA
Chip Count 191,000
This is a sort of homecoming for Corey A. Bierria. He was born right here in New Orleans, but now lives in Atlanta, Georgia. Bierria is 28-years-old, engaged, and owns a small business. He is also an LSU graduate, one of two ex-LSU Tigers sitting at today's final table. Bierria says that he plays poker mostly in Tunica, Mississippi and occasionally online, as well. Oddly enough, Bierria admitted that he considered selling off his entry into this $10,000 buy-in event, but it was his fiance who ultimately talked him into playing. If only all poker players received such encouragement and confidence.
SEAT 9: Mark Cole Greensboro, NC
Chip Count 107,000
Mark Cole is a 43-year-old owner of a restaurant business, who lives in Greensboro, North Carolina. He is married and has two children. This is his second taste of success at the World Series of Poker. Cole finished in 11th place in last year's pot-limit hold'em championship in Las Vegas. He has the biggest challenge of anyone at today's final table since he arrives with the lowest stack size. Cole, who enjoys sailing when he's not playing poker, is hoping for smooth sailing in today's final. But this final table will not be a breeze. Cole will need to get chips early to stay afloat at today's final table, or he'll end up like the Titanic.
NOTE: Play at the final table will start on Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 2:00 pm CST
Prize Money:
1st $787,340
2nd 433,050
3rd 221,445
4th 172,235
5th 147,630
6th 123,025
7th 98,420
8th 73,815
9th 49,210
Day Three Finishers:
10. Don Mullis Mooresville, NC 29,525
11. Stephen Lazar New Orleans, LA 29,525
12. Howard Lederer Las Vegas, NV 29,525
13. Tony Hellmann Louisville, KY 24,605
14. Matt Gardner Charleston, SC 24,605
15. David Williams Las Vegas, NV 24,605
16. Ted Lawson Ft. Lauderdale, FL 19,685
17. Dan Schmiech Houston, TX 19,685
18. Russell Rosenblum Washington, DC 19,685
19. Reno Williamson Mooresville, IN 14,765
20. Bill Hobbs New Iberia, LA 14,765
21. Brandon Adams New Orleans, LA 14,765
22. Jeffrey Lipton Palos Verde, CA 14,765
23. Thomas �¢??Buzzer�¢?? Bihl Frankfurt, Germany 14,765
24. Joe Leibman Fort Atkinson, WI 14,765
25. Eric Cloutier Mt-Laurier, Quebec 14,765
26. Dennis G. Perry Williamstown, KY 14,765
27. Thomas Pullen Sumrall, MS 14,765
Report by Nolan Dalla - World Series of Poker Media Director
Harrah's New Orleans Poker Room Manager - Rick Korte
World Series of Poker Tournament Director - John Grooms
World Series of Poker Circuit Director Ã?¢?“ Ken Lambert
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