Amgad Mahmoud
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Amgad Streaks in No-Limit!
By Max Shapiro
Arriving at the final table with the fewest chips, poker pro Amgad Mahmoud was
virtually unstoppable as he streaked to his first major tournament win by taking down
the tenth event of Big Poker Oktober, no-limit hold'em. Pumped up by several big draw-
outs, he held better than a 3-1 chip lead when he got heads up and a deal was made.
Finishing second was David Troyer, a physicist who does government contract work
for the "Star Wars" program. Troyer, yet to win his first event, has two other seconds, in
Heavenly Hold'em at Commerce two years ago, and in a '96 Legends stud tourney.
John Henson just missed the final cut. After he bet $4,000 with A-2 of spades, Troyer
came over the top with pocket sevens. Henson, who later said he shouldn't have called
but was just "tired of playing" put in his last $9,000, losing when he didn't improve.
Television writer/instructor/board game inventor "L.A. Jay" Moriarty, who won last year's
no-limit event, was first out at the final table. After the usual slew of all-in uncalled bets
by several players, Moriarty, with J-9, moved in for the fourth and last time on a board of
7-J-10. Dan Heimiller, who had checked, called with J-10. Both players had exactly
$14,000, and Heimiller doubled up with his winning two pair.
Mahmoud had his first big draw-out against Ken Goldstein, winner of the first event of
the Bicycle Casino's inaugural Global Pot Limit tournament in July. Amgad was a big
underdog with K-5 against Goldstein, who was all in with A-K. But he hit his three-
outer by pairing his five on the turn. A few hands later Amgad had only a two-outer.
He raised to $6,000 with pocket eights and Bruce Shaneyfelt, an engineer, called for his
last $4,900 with pocket aces. A third eight flopped and now three were gone.
Heimiller later had his sizeable stacks reduced when he tried an all-in move with just
8-7. Troyer called with his remaining chips and won with A-J when an ace flopped.
Minnesota attorney Jim Meehan, meanwhile, who was getting low, built up his chips
by going on the offensive and raising all in four times in six hands without a call.
After the blinds increased to $2,000-$4,000, Jim Bates, a poker player, was in the big
blind with K-6 and decided to call Troyer's raise with his last chips. The physicist had
two kings and it was no contest. Ben Tang, a machinist, started with the second chip
lead but slowly went downhill, seemingly unable to find any hands. Finally, in the small
blind with Q-10, he raised with his last $4,300. Mahmoud, for once holding the better
hand, called with K-Q. The board came 7-Q-2-7-J, and Tang, disappointed with his
showing, quietly departed in fifth place.
Heimiller then lost a lot more chips when he raised with 6-10 of hearts and called when
Meehan moved in with A-10 of spades. Dan hit a six on the turn, only to lose when
"Minneapolis Jim" completed his flush on the river. He finally made his last stand, in
the small blind, with K-8. Mahmoud, with A-J, put him away with a jack on the turn.
When Mahmoud woudn't agree to Meehan's terms for a three-way deal, they kept playing.
On the final hand, Mahmoud made his last draw-out. He had J-3 of hearts to Meehan's
K-8. A heart flopped, and runner-runner hearts made it heads-up. Mahmoud had
$115,800 to Troyer's $35,700, and they agreed on a chip-count split.
Biography - Amgad Mahmoud
Amgad Mahmoud, 34, came here from Egypt 20 years ago and lives in Riverside. He
used to have a car dealership business, and 10 years ago he decided to turn to playing poker
full time. Four days ago he finished second in the $200 limit hold'em event by virtue of
chip count in a four-way split. By now winning his first major tournament, he is finally
able to join in the winner's circle his older brother Mohamed, who has several first to his
credit in Vegas tournaments.
In tonight's tournament, he freely admits he was very lucky. Earlier in the event, things
were a lot tougher. Before the break, he was all in for a single $100 chip. After winning
that hand, he began getting fortunate, and moved steadily upward. Tonight he played quite
aggressively. Asked if that was his usual style, he said it varies, depending on his
opponents and the situation he's up against.
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