There were 114 participants in this year's $1000 Seven Card Stud Championship
and the first place prize of $44,840 was claimed by Helmut Koch of Chesterfield,
MI. Helmut was the 3rd place finisher in last year's $1000 stud event and he
was more than happy to come out the winner in 2005.
With his victory, he moves into the top ten in the Overall Player Award race;
the top spots remain unchanged.
After 7 events of the 2005 World Poker Finals, the total prize pool is $1,786,600
which is a 20% increase from a comparable period last year.
Returning at 4PM Saturday, the 8 finalists began their quest for the title.
Helmut entered the fray with the chip lead and never relinquished it until his
head's up confrontation with Matt Zambanini of New Castle, DE.
Matt put up a spirited fight; he battled back from two earlier all-ins to have
Helmut on the ropes several times but he was unable to put him away. In the
last hand, Matt's pair could not top Helmut's and he had to settle for 2nd place
and $23,600. Helmut also ended Tom Kalaj's night with A's up;
Tom will return to New York, NY, with 3rd place money of $13,570.
Matt lowered the hammer on Adam Gomes, Astoria, NY, when he hit a flush on
the river to beat Adam's two pair. Adam was left in 4th position with $10,030.
Richard Ziskind, Las Vegas, NV, was forced all-in with 8's and would have continued
but Helmut paired a K on the river to place Richard in 5th with $7,670.
The 6th spot was claimed by John Lahoud from Portsmouth, RI. John could not
catch any breaks as he took home $5,310. Chris DiChiara of Cranston, RI, was
all-in three times before he was out. He left the final table with $4,130 for
7th position.
Merton Sells was the first to collect a prize when his Q's up lost to Matt's
A's up. After four hours of playing, Helmut Koch was crowned the Champion as
he claimed the commemorative leather jacket, the crystal trophy and $44,840!
Reported by Jeffrey A Toth for Foxwoods Resort Casino | 
