| The 111 participants in this year's $1200 Seven Card Stud Championship
were pursuing a total prize pool of $121,347. The First Place winner was Brighton, MA resident, Igor Tyagay who
emerged victorious after a momentous four hour struggle with stud neophyte Mark Awalt. Mark, who was pursuing
his 2nd title of this year's World Poker Finals, had, in his own words, never played stud before the tournament started.
In fact, he related that the night before he had stopped by a bookstore and read a chapter on how to play the game.
Igor, in spite of Mark's'studying', was able to take down the $48,539 that went to the winner.
Returning at 4 pm, the 8 finalists began their quest for the title. Igor was third in chips and added to his stack
almost immediately when he called Paul Lombardo's all-in. Paul had 10's but Igor hit a flush on the river and Paul, a
resident of Absecon, NJ, was the 8th place finisher with $3,641. Local player Anthony Costa of Coventry, RI, had
pocket 10's for his all-in move but Paul Darden turned over pocket Q's and Anthony took 7th good for $4,247.
Michael Luciano Polera was at his third final table of the 2006 WPF and was the 6th place winner today. Michael
could not beat Mark's two pair and he would take additional winnings of $5,460 home to Poughquag, NY.
Paul Darden of New Haven, CT, made a final stand with K's but George Kalaitzis had rolled up 7's and Paul
would end his night in 5th place. Paul added to his earnings with the $6,674 prize. Jim Paluszek of Bensalem, PA, had
entered the table as chip leader but was unable to maintain his edge. Jim earlier lost a large pot with Q's up to Mark's
A's up and was unable to recover. In his final hand his 7's were topped by Igor's 10's and Jim was in 4th for $8,798.
Another local player George Kalaitzis of Brockton, MA, was down to his last $5K after mucking to Mark's straight. In
the next hand, he could not beat Igor's J's and George was the 3rd place winner of $13,348.
As Igor and Mark entered head's up play, their stacks were virtually equal with the limits at $10K/$20K. At
$15K/$30K Mark had a 4 to 1 advantage and proceed to whittle Igor's stack down to the felt. With his last $21K, he
paired his J on the river to top Mark's 10's. He really never looked back from that point on. The major chip
movement occurred when Mark had A's up but Igor had trip J's to take a commanding lead. Mark attempted the same
comeback as Igor but it was not to be. With the limits at $30K/$60K, Mark went to the river with Q's up but Igor
caught a full house to end the four hour marathon. Mark would return home to West Enfield, ME, with a 2nd place
finish in $1200 7-Card Stud to go along with his 1st in $1200 Limit Hold'em. Mark collected $24,270 for his first
venture in 7-card stud.
Igor, who usually has his fiancé by his side, had his future groomsmen cheering him on to victory as he took
home the coveted crystal trophy, commemorative leather jacket and $48,539!
Reported by Jeffrey A Toth for Foxwoods Resort Casino |
