Patrick Hsu Edges Out Sean Riley by One $5K Tournament Chip in a 5-Way Deal
The third event of the 2006 Legends of Poker had a sizable field of 347 players and created a prize pool of $121,450 including $50 bounties. With 3 tables to go, the play became slow and cautious. Slowly the field narrowed to 10 players and the final table seats were drawn at 2am.
Benny Nguyen arrived at the final table with the chip lead of $117,000. Behind him was Sung Lee with $112,000. This is familiar turf for Sung as he made a final table two days ago in the first No Limit event of the Legends of Poker. The final table started in the middle of Level #13 with antes of $500 and blinds of $2,000/$4,000.
In hand #3 of the final table, Patrick Hsu went all-in after a raise and re-raise all-in by two other players. The original raiser folded and Sung Lee called the all-in. Patrick showed 99 and Sung was in a dominating lead with QQ. The flop was 4-8-6 and Sung strengthened his lead. The turn was a 5, creating more outs for Patrick who now has a gutshot draw. The river was a 7 and Patrick completed his straight. Sung Lee informed the table that his last final table experience was full of bad beats like this one. This swing pot gave Patrick Hsu the chip lead which he would maintain through the balance of the final table.
The first elimination came in hand #7 when Sean Riley raised to $25,000 with pocket Jacks. The big blind, Larry Gordon, called with QJ and the flop was 10-6-4. Larry went all-in for his last $23,500 and Sean quickly called. The turn was a 10 and the river was a King. Sean's Jacks held up and Larry was eliminated in 10th place and was paid $1,300.
The next casualty occurred on hand #18. Benny Nguyen raised UTG with AKo to $32,000 and was re-raised all-in by Sung Lee with AJo. Benny called the additional $15,000 and the flop was 3-6-J. Sung had taken the lead and the turn was a 7. The river was a King and Benny wins the hand with a pair of Kings. Sung was eliminated in 9th place and took home $1,560.
The next key hand occurred during the next level (Level #15) with antes of $1,000 and blinds of $4,000/$8,000. James L. Harris, a Sales Manager, raises all-in from the small blind with KT for his last $20,000. The big blind, Sean Riley, called and showed his pocket Aces. James was going to need some help from this board. The flop was 9-7-7. The turn was a Jack and that gave James a gutshot draw. But the river 3 sealed the deal for Sean as his pocket Aces held up and he dragged the pot. James L. Harris was eliminated in 8th place and pocketed $2,080.
Just three hands later Ron Jenkins raises all-in from the button and was immediately called by Patrick Hsu in the big blind. Ron revealed his AQo and Patrick showed an underpair of 33, and the race was on. The flop was K-3-2 and Patrick flopped a set. Ron needed runner-runner to survive and the turn was the first runner, a Queen. Going to the river, Patrick was filled up and Ron was looking for the case Queen. The river was a 10 and Ron Jenkins was eliminated in 7th place and received $2,605.
The last elimination of the tournament occurred on hand #35. 'Hollywood' Tony raised all-in for his last $25,000 and Benny Nguyen re-raised from the small blind to $50,000. This drove out the middle position limper and left Benny heads-up with Tony. Hollywood showed his A7o and a relieved Benny showed his dominating Ac8c. The flop was 5-7c-2, and Tony paired his kicker and took the lead. The turn was a Kc and this brought a flush draw for Benny who said he was really rooting for Tony to win. The river was a 10…of clubs. Benny made the flush and Hollywood Tony was down to the felt in 6th place which paid $3,650.
Approaching 4am, play continued for a couple more hands and then the focus turned to 'let's make a deal'. The players requested a chip count calculation. The numbers were tallied, and with a little adjustment for the short stack the deal was accepted and Patrick Hsu was the winner with the chip lead of $188,000 to Sean Riley's $183,000. Patrick earns $39,040 and the coveted 'Legend of the Ring', a white gold ring awarded to all the event winners. Patrick's 12 'bounty discs' netted him an additional $600 bonus for knocking out 11 opponents during the evening. Patrick was short stacked and all-in in the middle of the tournament and the lucky river suck-out tripled him up and that was the beginning of the road to the final table.
-Jay 'Bugsy' Siegel
BIOGRAPHY
Patrick Hsu, a graduate of UCLA, is currently a District Sales Manager in Los Angeles County. Patrick started playing poker about 4 years ago while attending UCLA. He played on-line and with other students in live games on campus.He improved his game through 'lots of on-line hours'. He doesn't play on-line much anymore and finds live cash games to be his profit center. He just started playing more tournaments recently, and this win tonight has convinced Patrick to keep his eye on tournament play. Patrick also spends his free time making custom Poker Tables—a side business tied to his passion for poker. Patrick wants to thank his family and his un-named girlfriend for their support.
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