It's Post Time!
Bay Area educator Jory Post rides to victory in Lake Tahoe's $500 no-limit hold'em championship
'I believe in the importance of education,' said Jory Post immediately following his first-place win and $44,540 payday at Lake Tahoe's World Series of Poker Circuit tournament. 'Going back to my early days at UC-Santa Cruz what I learned as an educator is no so much the importance of mathematics or social studies, but teaching kids how to think for themselves in a meaningful way in a democratic society.'
Learning, and by inference 'self improvement' is important to Jory Post. When he's asked a question - it's whether about poker or something more personal -- he pauses and gives the issue serious thought before speaking with obvious conviction. Post spent several years in a classroom setting teaching 5th and 6th graders, before gravitating into education technology consulting and writing. 'I started out as a psychology major, which I think really helped me in the game of poker,' Post said. 'I later learned that I enjoyed working with kids and loved the process of learning, so that became my career choice.'
Post provided quite a poker lesson to the 287 players who entered the $500 buy-in no-limit hold'em championship, the third event in this WSOPC tournament series. Day One resulted in the elimination of 278 players. Places 10 through 27 received prize money ranging from $835 up to $1,670. The nine finalists returned on Day Two, with John Bryant from Stockton, CA holding a shaky 3 to 2 chip lead over his closest rival Don Mullis - who was making his second final table appearance in just three days. Finalists arrived with the following seat positions and chip counts:
SEAT 1 Carl Sciandri Napa, CA 31,300
SEAT 2 Josh Ewing S. Lake Tahoe, CA 43,700
SEAT 3 Michael Capener Phoenix, AZ 28,300
SEAT 4 John Bryant Stockton, CA 95,700
SEAT 5 Mani Zarrehparvar Copenhagen, Denmark 64,000
SEAT 6 Eric Cloutier Mont-Laurier, Quebec 38,600
SEAT 7 Don Mullis Mooresville, NC 67,200
SEAT 8 John Buchanan Las Vegas, NV 26,700
SEAT 9 Jory Post Santa Cruz, CA 35,100
Players were eliminated as follows:
9th Place - Carl Sciandri arrived as one of the lowest stacks and failed to win the critical first pot that might have allowed him to become a force on Day Two. Twenty minutes into play, he was callously eliminated in 9th place. Italian-born Sciandri, who now lives in the Napa Valley in northern California, added $2,785 to his poker bankroll. With that hand, former NHL player Eric Cloutier became the new chip leader.
8th Place - Cloutier's rush continued as he knocked out another player a few minutes later. Cloutier was dealt Q-Q and called an 'all in' re-raise' by Internet poker professional John Buchanan, who was holding A-K. Buchanan failed to catch either an ace or king, and busted out as the 8th-place finisher. This was Buchanan's second final table appearance in three events at this year's Lake Tahoe WSOPC tournament (he took 5th place in Event #1). Buchanan earned $4,175.
7h Place - This was also Don Mullis' second time to make it to the final table. He finished 9th in Event #1. Unfortunately, Mullis wasn't able to use his large stack to his advantage and failed to establish dominance over his opponents. It didn't help that Eric Cloutier, the table's most aggressive player, raised constantly from Mullis' immediate right - leaving Mullis to make some tough decisions about when to commit his stack. The car dealer from North Carolina desperately needed a jump start from the deck to regain his lost chips, but in the end, he was totaled in 7th place - good for $5,570.
6th Place - It took another hour before the next player busted out. Josh Ewing moved 'all in' with 9-9 and was called by Jory Post, holding A-J. The flop made things interesting. The board J-10-9 gave Post top pair with jacks, but Ewing had several outs (10) with two cards to come. Unfortunately, two blanks fell and Ewing came up dry. Josh Ewing, a 24-year-old poker pro from S. Lake Tahoe, CA (technically, just across the street from the casino in Stateline, NV), walked home in a cold rain with $6,960.
5th Place - Mani Zarrehparvar arrived at the finale third in the chip count. He was the next victim to fall when he ended up short-stacked and made his final stand with K-4, not much of a hold'em hand. Eric Cloutier was sitting in the blind and called the 'all in' raise with A-10. An ace on the flop effectively ended any suspense, and Zarrehparvar, a telecommunications manager from Copenhagen, Denmark was disconnected from the final table. Fifth place paid $8,350.
4th Place - Michael Capener came in with the shortest stack of the nine finalists and made the biggest leap up the money ladder. Capener wasn't ever really a 'force' with his few chips, but he certainly made the most of them. He was desperately short-stacked when he played his final hand, ultimately losing to a no pair king-high.
To his credit, Capener has only been playing poker for two years and this was his second time to make it to a WSOP circuit final table. Capener enjoys the distinction of being one of a few players who has attend every single WSOPC event this year - which includes visits to Atlantic City, San Diego, Las Vegas, and now Lake Tahoe. Capener earned $9,745 which should help pay the airfare to New Orleans (the next WSOPC event) next month.
3rd Place - Early chip leader John Bryant went card dead at the worst possible moment, failing to put a dent in either of his opponents' stacks when play was three-handed. Bryant was gradually blinded down and suffered the misfortune of having hyper-aggressive Eric Cloutier on his immediate left - which meant chips were certain to be flying into the pot anytime Bryant showed weakness. Bryant was down to his last 30K and made his final stand of the night with A-7. Cloutier called in the blind and won the pot when his J-9 connected with a nine on the flop. John Bryant, a corrections officer from Stockton, CA, locked up 3rd place - good for $12,530.
The heads-up duel between Eric Cloutier and Jory Post began with the Quebec Canuck holding a formidable 4 to 1 chip advantage. But if Cloutier thought he could steamroll over Post, he was in for a rude awakening. Jory Post proved to be a tenacious competitor, unsusceptible to Cloutier's intimidating aggression. About 10 minutes into heads-up play, Post made a very tough 'all in' call when holding a flush draw and was staring at Cloutier set of 10s as the final card was about to be dealt. It proved the single most important moment of the tournament. Cloutier stood up from his seat ready to celebrate victory. Not so fast. Wham! Post caught a club, which completed the flush and Cloutier mucked his set in disgust.
That hand would prove to be the turning point, and essentially would determine the outcome of the tournament. Afterward, Cloutier held a 290K to 150K chip lead, and then the hemorrhaging began. A few key hands later, Post enjoyed a slight chip lead and then the final hand came out of nowhere:
Post was dealt J-10. Cloutier was dealt 9-8. Cloutier certainly didn't know it at the time, but he was about to be gutted like a Canadian salmon. The flop came 10-9-3. Both players caught a pair, but Post had the best hand with top pair. Cloutier called Post's modest-sized bet quickly. An ace fell on the turn - a potential 'scare' card for both players. Just as the ace hit the felt, Cloutier declared he was 'all in,' and after about 30 seconds of judicious deliberation, Post quietly spoke two words Cloutier did not want to hear -- 'I call.' Cloutier winced and knew he'd made a big mistake. 'He bet out too fast,' Post explained later. 'I thought he probably had a nine. I really didn't think the ace helped him.'
Post had read his opponent perfectly. Perhaps it was the early training in psychology, the teaching of others, or the career spent working in education. Or perhaps it was 30-plus years playing poker in Reno, Lake Tahoe, and the Bay Area. Whatever the reason, Post's victory was a convincing display of poker expertise.
The runner up, Eric Cloutier is sure to make it to many more final tables. The former professional hockey player from Quebec (who now owns several sports bars in Louisiana and elsewhere) was disappointed with the outcome. But it was his aggression that bolted him into a commanding chip lead at one point, just as it was his fearless style of attack that ultimately ended up busting him out. Live by the sword, die by the sword. Second place paid $24,500.
Fifty-four year old Jory Post made it clear that while he has numerous accomplishments (including an honorary fellowship) and has learned about many different subjects, he still strives to study and learn more. 'Learning never ends,' Post concluded.
Report by Nolan Dalla - World Series of Poker Media Director
World Series of Poker Circuit Director - Ken Lambert
World Series of Poker Tournament Director - John Grooms
Harveys Poker Room Manager - Vince Contaxis
Harrah's Full Service Games Manager -- Steve Schorr
And the race is on
We start the day with 1000/2000 blinds and an ante of 300. The button lands squarely on the South Lake Tahoe homeboy, poker pro Josh Ewing. Josh is a youthful 24 years old and is trying his hand at being a poker professional. He is relatively new to the game, playing for only 2 years. He came into the final day as second highest in chips. He says he would like to see a feeder system going into a much larger buy in and end in a $100.000 buy in World Championship. Not a bad idea Josh.
The first match up of the night puts two players all in. After the flop, Mani Zarrehparvar raises all in and sitting directly next to him Eric Cloutier thinks and then calls. The flop shows 7s 5d 8s. Eric flips over and 85 while Mani holds a 6T. No help for Mani with a Th and Ah completing the board and Eric doubles up leaving Mani sitting with about 24K. Mani hales from Copenhagen, Denmark. He is 35 and has been playing for about one and a half years.
Coming right back around, Eric raises on the button and is re-raised all in by Carl Sciandri. Eric calls and turns over a pair of jacks while Carl has my least favorite hand, AK. The penny drops for Carl when the flop reveals a 7d Jh 9c. Carl is all but drawing dead as he would have to hit runner runner for a straight. The turn is a 6s and it is all over for Carl this trip. He picks up 9th place and $2785. Eric fortifies his stack once again and is now the chip leader. Carl is another lucky retiree and likes to play tournament poker and likes the direction it is going.
Amazing. Eric Cloutier has lady luck in his lap. He claims to be a gigolo on his Bio sheet, but this is ridiculous. He and Mani get heads up and all in for Mani. He shows the portentous AA and Eric has that AK combination. Looking bad this time for Eric, but the board says NOOOOOOOO!... Jc 8h 7c Td with only 4 outs for a push, the 9h lands exactly where it was destined to be. No win for the mighty AA. Lady luck prevails for Eric and they chop the pot.
Eric Cloutier is on fire. He is two behind the button. He raises 8K. John Buchanan is on the button and pushes his stack out in front of him declaring all in. Eric calls and to John's dismay shows a Qc Qs. John has the hand from hell, AK. Here is how it unfolds. 2d 3h 2s 9c 4d. Once again!.AK buries another player.
John Buchanan ends this day with $4175. John came in 5th in event #1 day before yesterday. Not a bad 'live play ' week for this Internet player. John wishes the government would not be so concerned with what he does with his money in his own home. Here here John! I bet you can get a lot of agreement with that opinion.
After the first break, the chip count looks like this. Josh has 37.000, Michael has 37,000, John has 72,000, Mani has 61,500, Eric has 140,000, Don has 55,500, and Jory has 30,000. Looks like Eric is dominating at the beginning of this round. The cards are flyin', so, lets see how this shakes out. The blinds are up to 2K/4K and the ante is 500.
Jory Post doubles up in heads up play against Mani. Jory has 9h 9d and Mani held Ad Jd. (I call that hand SATAN!) Flop comes Qd Qs 8c, followed by a 2d leaving a diamond draw for Mani. A Th hits 5th street and Jory doubles to 60K. Jory has been playing poker for most of his life starting in high school. He is an educational writer and consultant and would love to write articles and books about tournament play, the people and the travel. He loves the growth that is taking place and would like to play many more tournaments in the future.
The 3rd player has ended his stretch at this final table. Don Mullis worked his way to the final table again after going out 9th in Event #1 of the Lake Tahoe WSOP Circuit Events. Don sells new cars for a living and is doing quite well at his "hobby" poker. He adds $5570 to his winnings this week. Don held a 9d 9h and John Bryant had AK. Holding his breath, Don took the flop in stride, J 7 Q, another 7 on the turn and, yep, a K on the river. John Bryant has taken the chip lead.
What a lay down for Josh Ewing. He is the button and Jory is one behind him in late position. Josh raises preflop by 20K. Jory calls. The flop comes Ad 9c 8d and Jory bets 42K. The call would put Josh all in, but not calling leaves him pretty short. Jory stares intently at the pot, not moving a muscle but to blink. Josh stares at Jory. We wait. Josh shows AJ and folds. Man, tough fold. Jory mucked and it remains a mystery as to what he had.
Josh is the little blind now and pushes all in for 34,500 chips preflop. His nemesis Jory Post raised preflop 20K. Jory calls the all in bet and we see how it unfurls. The cards are turned over and Josh has a made hand of 9d 9s with Jory holding an Ac Jc. The flop is murder for Josh, coming Ac Jd Th. The turn and river do nothing for him and he smiles and collects his 6th place winnings of $6960. Jory is a force to be reckoned with now. He was almost down to the felt and has clawed his way back winning those two huge hands from Josh.
Another player has met his match. Mani was short stacked and ended up all in with Eric Cloutier. The cards flip over and Mani isn't looking good. He has Ks and 4c while Eric has Ac Tc. The flop all but finalizes the finish for Mani bringing an A 6 8 followed by another 8 and a 7. The pair of aces holds and Mani claims 5th for $8350.
Up the stakes and bring the blinds to 3K/6K keeping the 500 ante. It is now 6:30 and the players have been hacking away for 2.5 hours. Of course this follows about 12 hours of play yesterday. The game heats up again with a 3-way pot. Michael Capener is the big blind and Jory is little. John Bryant is UTG. They all check it down until the river. 5d 2d 9c 2s 6c. Michael makes a move and goes all in, John Bryant calls, Jory folds. Michael's move proved to be costly as he turns over a meager 3 8 off and John holds the mighty K J and takes the pot. Michael made it to 4th and took down $9745. Michael has played in all three events so far and has cashed quite well for his endeavor. He says he will continue to play poker as long as his game and results continue to improve. He feels poker has an exciting future.
OK. Down to three and it is that time to fold fold fold or steal steal steal. Of course if they didn't do this, move the money around and around, each taking a turn holding it, I would be writing pages and pages and pages! Break and it is 8:35pm. Blinds are 4K/8K with a 1000 ante. A huge hand ensues immediately. John Bryant is button with 8K in the pot and Jory small with 4K committed. Eric calls the 8K, along with Jory.
It is a 3 way pot. The flop comes Ac 2c 5d. Eric checks to Eric who bets 15K and Jory folds. John raises to 30K with Eric answering his raise. The turn brings a 9s. The bet comes 15K from Eric and John raises to 30K and this urges Eric to push all in. John calls. The river comes a 4c and Eric wins with a wheel as he holds a 23 and we don't get to see John's cards. This was a huge pot, 292K chips and it takes Eric to chip leader. John is left with about 10K in chips.
The very next hand John doubles up when all three players are in and it is checked down to the river. This time John has the wheel and triples up.
John Bryant gets all in on the next hand and runs into Eric again. This time there was nothing to help John. The flop, 5d 4s 9h, turn 7d, river 8d and Eric wins the pot with a J 9 off suit to John's A 7 off suit. Eric's luck keeps holding up and sends John to the bank to pick up his $12,530 and claim 7th place.
Heads Up. Jory Post and Eric Cloutier duel it out. Eric is heavy with chips, but Jory is hanging in there with a pretty nice stack. The blind trading is in effect as both are waiting for the final encounter. Eric puts on his coat and looks very professional. Then, he turns his chair around and straddles it. Well, it looked professional for a minute anyway. And the temperature rises as Eric raises John and makes it 16K to go. John calls. The flop arrives a Qc Jh 5c. Both check. The turn is a Tc and Eric checks, Jory bets 23K, Eric says all in and Jory hesitates and calls. Jory holds a 4c Jd and Eric TT, making him a set.
Eric gets up and turns his back to the board knowing a club would bury him. The river gets there and gives Jory a flush with the Kc. Jory not only stayed afloat on that river but gets to watch Eric kiss 145K chips away giving Jory the chip lead of 290K with Eric holding approximately 150K. This is far from over yet. Eric is biding his time, seeing flops and stealing blinds. Jory is aggressive and is making Eric think hard about every move he makes.
It's all over but the shouting as the final hand engages. It looks something like this. Jory had just acquired the button and had 4K in for the little blind. Eric had his 8K in already so Jory calls and Eric checks. The flop is 9h Td 2s. Eric checks and Jory gathers 50K in chips and bets them and Eric calls. An Ad turns, Eric immediately goes all in and Jory calls. The last card is a 3h making Eric's 8h 9c fade away as Jory has the Th and Jd making a bigger pair taking it to game, set and match. When asked about the call on the turn, Jory said that it was a tough call on the turn when the Ace showed up.
He didn't really feel Eric had the Ace because throughout the game Eric was always pensive. He would think and then drop a chip on his cards before acting. This time he didn't. Great observation Jory, you nailed it.
Eric shows his anguish and then shakes hands with Jory. Eric pulls down a smooth $24,500 and Jory walks with $44,540 and the ring. This was Jory's first major tournament win although he came in 11th in Event 1 for this tournament. Another day another dollar!!wish we could all be so lucky. Until tomorrow, good night.
Sharla Lehrmann sharla@pokerpages.com
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