The Anaconda Squeezes Win!
Kevin 'The Snake&' Blakey, who's been on a tremendous rush the past year, struck once again as he took down the 14th event of Winnin' o' the Green 2006, $500 no-limit hold'em. The Snake has now made a kill in just about every major tournament from here south to the border. In fact, he is ranked number one in $1,000-and-under events for 2006 in PokerPages.com's listings. He came to the final table with a big lead, his coils wrapped around 128,000 chips. He held the lead, or was close to it, throughout, and was still in front when a five-way chip-count deal ended play.
And this was one tough final table. There were eight pros, one semi-pro (Alexi 'Speedy&' Dimitrov) and just one recreational player, Joe Schulman, a former cinema photographer/writer/director in the film industry turned art dealer. And Schulman, with an LAPC win and numerous final tables, was hardly a pushover himself.
Opening blinds were 1,500-3,000 with 500 antes. On the first hand, Edward Yoo had only a few chips left after posting his big blind and decided to gamble with his 7-3. Raed Abukartomy, with A-J, blew him away when the flop came A-K-J.
On hand 12, Nicholas Dileo, who has a World Poker 0pen bracelet, opened for 13,500. Blakey called, then folded after Schulman re-raised to 42,000. Schulman had K-J, Dileo A-Q. A king flopped and Dileo was out in 9th place. 'Good call,&' Abukartomy said approvingly. 'I'd have folded,&' hissed the Snake.
Down to 21,000, David Cai tried an all-in move under the gun with 10-7. Paul Vinci picked him off, moving in with pocket jacks, and seven were left.
Jacks then knocked out the next player too. On hand 24, David Ly, a poker prop at the Bicycle Casino, moved in for 29,500 with Q-J. Schulman re-raised all in and turned over J-J. The board came 5-4-2-3-K, and Ly cashed out in seventh place. Schulman, incidentally, was happy just to have gotten this far. With six tables left, he was all in against an opponent who had already made kings-full on the turn, only to have Schulman make a bigger kings-full on the river.
At this point, John Hoang asked for a chip count. The Snake was still in front with 121,000, just ahead of Hoang's 120,500, followed by Schulman, 94,500; Abukartomy, 74,000; Vinci, 62,500; and Alexi Dimitrov, 51,000. Blakey, whose share would have been $22,600, rejected any deal and play resumed. Vinci then picked up a nice pot on hand 33. After Schulman raised to 30,000 on a flop of A-10-3, Vinci moved in and Schulman folded. Vinci, a former restaurateur, had a best all-around here last year along with another best-all-around at Hollywood Park's National Poker Championship in 1997.
Two hands later, Dimitrov raised all in for 16,500 more with Kd-Qd. Kaktomy called with A-K. With the board showing 10-8-4-J, Dimitrov had his hopes raised when a queen hit the river, only to realize that it gave Abukartomy a winning straight.
With five players left, another chip count was made. This time it was Vinci who had a narrow lead, with 127,500 to Blakey's 116,000. Hoang had 112,500; Kaktomy 106,500; and Schulman, 72,000. Blakely again said no and we continued.
After a few more hands, blinds moved up to 3,000-6,000 with 1,000 antes. On the final hand, Hoang, who finished third in event number four, had returned from the break with a Red Bull. He moved in, and Blakey, after a lengthy time in thought, probingly asked, 'That Red Bull got you hot?&' before finally folding.
For the third and final time, there was a chip count. This time the counts and payouts were: Blakey, 127,500 and $22,765; Vinci, 111,000 and $21,020; Hoang, 105,500 and $20,815; Abukartomy, 93,500 and $19,135 ; and Schulman, 82,500 and $17,135.
When Blakey was still hesitant, Vinci pointed out that he was already getting second-place money. 'What are you hoping for - first?&' he asked. The Snake was convinced, and the deal was done, ending the evening. -Max Shapiro
BIOGRAPHY
Kevin 'The Snake&' Blakey, who's been playing poker 20 years, owned a construction company before deciding to play poker full time two years ago. In the past year he's won titles at the LAPC's shootout event, at Ocean's 11, Harrah's, Legends of Poker, Cal State Championship of Poker, Ho Ho Hold'em and Heavenly Hold'em. In all he's had more than 20 cash-outs during this time. One of his strengths, he has said, is the wholehearted support he gets playing poker from his parents and older sister.
The Snake, who describes himself as an aggressive player, was short-chipped tonight until the fourth table. By the third table, he had the chip lead and never fell far back after that. He also admits to having more than his share of luck tonight. With two tables, he won seven hands in 10 deals. During that streak, he says he was dealt A-K five times in one round.
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