Vince Burgio: 2006 Lowball World Champion
The Lowball World Championship event saw 71 players putting up their $500 to try and become the 2006 Lowball World Champion. Coincidentally, about 260 miles northeast of The Bicycle Casino, the WSOP Main Event final table is also playing out in Las Vegas to determine their own World Champion (Congrats to Malibu's own Jamie Gold on his main event win!). Last year's defending Champion Rafi Krikorian was eliminated with 3 tables to go and a new champion will be crowned. Vince Burgio, typically a quiet player, gave his share of table talk to the friendliest final table I have witnessed. Vince built up his stack during the entire final table and as chipleader, made a deal heads-up to secure the win.
The final table began at midnight with 8 players. There were 3 young guns (in Lowball a young gun is under 50) and 5 seasoned players. There was 37 minutes left in Level 11 where the antes were $1,000 and blinds $1,500/$3,000. It would only take four hands for our first elimination one of the short stacks. Irv Warsaw, from San Bernardino, called all-in for his last $3,000. He was called by 2 players who stood pat and Irv took a single card. Vince Burgio showed an 8-straight and Irv reluctantly showed a 10-high and a third player just mucked. Vince drags the pot and Irv Warsaw is eliminated in 8th place and earned $1,065. Each remaining player congratulated Irv on his play and his finish "in the money."
On hand #15, Sonny Barth, after losing 2 pots in-a-row, found himself all-in for his last $2,000. He had 3 callers so a win would build his stack significantly. Sonny drew 1 card but the new card paired his 6 and he was beat by Bob Addison who was holding 9-6. Sonny ends his night in 7th place cashing in for $1,420.
The very next hand Jim Schmidt, a pro player from Spokane, WA, picked his spot and went all-in for his last $2,500. His timing was unlucky as Bob Addison took 1 card and showed his Joker-wheel. Jim's King high was no match against the nuts. Jim Schmidt was eliminated in 6th place and added $1,775 to his bankroll.
The next hand made the highlight reel as Bob Addison makes his second consecutive wheel beating Kirk Morrison's 7 high for one big pot. The highlight reel continued on hand #37 where Philly Al Barbieri aggressively raised Vince Burgio on the final round of betting and was re-raised by Vince. Philly Al, with very few chips left, made a great laydown of 7-6 and Vince revealed his wheel. Very
few players could have made that laydown, despite the loss for Philly Al, he earned the "laydown of the event" in my book.
Philly Al would win his next all-in pot but his luck would run out on hand #41 when he was up against Vince Burgio. Philly Al took two cards but the replacements paired his 6 and Vince won the pot with a 9-high. Philly Al, winner of last night's Stud Hi-Lo event, failed to post back-to-back wins, but cashed in his second consecutive final table appearance in 5th place for $2,130.
On hand #47, Phil Wood was all-in after raises and re-raises against Kirk Morrison, a poker pro currently residing in New Zealand. Kirk's pat 765 left Phil mucking his hand and collecting $2,485 for his 4th place finish. Phil entered the final table with the chip lead but then the deck just went cold for him. All remaining players congratulated Phil on his outstanding play during the last three tables.
The last elimination of the night came on hand #58 when young gun Kirk Morrison went all-in against Bob Addison. Each player took one card and Kirk showed his 9-high but then Bob squeezed out his 7-high for the win. Kirk Morrison, a Huntington Beach native but currently residing in New Zealand, finishes in 3rd place and earned $4,260. After busting out, Kirk sends a text message to his good friend Daniel Negreanu to let him know of his latest final table finish. I guarantee you that he is the ONLY final table player to send a text message. The elder statesmen at the table all have cell phones but are not texting anything to anyone, anytime soon (wtg Kirk).
The play was heads-up for a couple of hands when Vince Burgio, the chipleader, asked Bob Addison about calling it a night.. Bob agreed to a deal and play concluded at 3am. Vince Burgio became the 2006 Lowball World Champion and one hour later, Jaime Gold became the WSOP World Champion. Vince Burgio, a champion in life, also a champion at the poker table.
-Jay "Bugsy" Siegel
BIOGRAPHY
If you want to print out Vince's poker accomplishment on web you had better have a lot of paper. WSOP Stud Hi-Lo bracelet winner Vince Burgio has won so many tournaments you'd think he get tired of it. Not Vince, this gentleman makes my list of best poker ambassadors. He wins in a humble fashion but then again I'm not sure if he remembers what it is like to lose. Vince Burgio's new title "2006
Lowball World Champion" will be worn proudly. He secured his win last night after entering the final table as one of the 3 short stacks. He built up his stack methodically and slowly became chipleader.
Vince won 3 of the last 4 pots of the tournament. Vince, father of four daughters and grandfather to seven, shared his view of the importance of family in your success in life. "It's hard to get worked up about bad beats in life and in poker when I've got such a wonderful family. It took me awhile to understand this but I'm there now."
By the way, I can not print the specifics here, but next time you see Vince in person, ask him about his views on the F-bomb and how it should be handled if there is a lady present. I guarantee that Vince will number one, openly talk to you if you approach him, and number two, you'll get a big laugh when he shares his suggestion for a new F-bomb policy.
Vince, congratulations again, this win could not happen to a more deserving player and honorable person. | 
