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Robert Willis
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EVENT #1: Omaha (Pot Limit) $500 3/26/01
TOTAL PRIZE MONEY: $178,965
ENTRIES IN THIS EVENT: 152
REBUYS IN THIS EVENT: 217
Report by Lynn Loomis
"I ram it and jam it, thats the way I play," said Robert Willis, whose aggressive style enabled him to ultimately defeat 151 opponents and capture first place in the inaugural event of the second annual Jack Binion World Poker Open. His victory in the $500 buy-in Pot-Limit Omaha competition -- incidentally the first poker tournament he has ever entered -- brought Willis $71,586 in prize money, plus a WPO gold and diamond bracelet.
A 44-year-old consulting civil engineer and an avid blackjack player, Willis has also played poker since childhood and regularly takes a seat in the local Holdem and Pot-Limit Omaha cash games. "I just played the side games during last years tournament, but decided to enter an event this year," he commented. "I've got to admit, it was great fun."
Willis came to the final table in middle chip position and wasted no time in pumping up his stack, eliminating several of his opponents in the process. One of the few to escape his onslaught was Jerry Clay, who was low on dough from the outset and met a quick demise when he raised all in before the flop with Q-Q-10-2 against Richard Tatalovich, who called from the big blind with Q-9-4-2. The fourth-street board showed A-7-4/2, and when Clay failed to catch on the river, he was gone in ninth place for $2,863.
Next out was tournament veteran Brent Carter, who fired his last volley when he raised before the flop with A-K-10-4 and was challenged by Robert Willis, who held A-5-5-4. The flop came 10-5-2, and when another deuce fell on the turn, Carter was drawing dead and bit the dust in eighth place for $3,579.
After forfeiting two big pots in a row to Willis, reigning U.S. Poker Champion Richard Tatalovich found himself close to the green and soon made his final stand when he raised before the flop with K-Q-J-J. Willis called with 10-9-8-8, and the flop came 9-9-6. Tatalovich bet all in, but he got no help on board and was sent home with seventh place and $4,474.
Two hands later, Willis took out Jim Lester, who had survived several all-in battles before finally succumbing when he raised before the flop with Q-J-10-9. Willis called with A-9-8-3 and the flop came A-8-2, giving him top two. Lester bet all in, but when no miracle arrived to save him, he was forced to exit in sixth place for $6,264. A 40-year-old building contractor, Lester won the $1,000 buy-in Seven-Card Stud event in the 2000 WPO.
After nursing a short stack throughout most of the final-table play, Randy Edmonson lost it all when he took K-8-5-3 up against Phillip Ivey, who raised before the flop with As Ks Qc 2c. When the flop came Kc Qs 5c, Edmonson bet all in. But Ivey was in the lead, then caught runner-runner spades to claim the pot, leaving Edmonson washed up in fifth place for $8,053.
Also meeting his demise at the hands of Ivey was Michael Schneider, who made his final effort with K-Q-10-7, calling all in on a flop of J-10-6. But Ivey held A-J-6-5, and when babies fell on board, Schneider finished fourth for $10,738. The 34-year-old owner of several self-serve car washes, Schneider was playing not only his first tournament ever, but his first Omaha high game as well. He and his wife are expecting twins in June.
Ivey was knocked out a few hands later when he took A-Q-5-5 up against Robert Willis, who held Q-10-8-6. The flop came A-7-5, giving Ivey a set, but Willis turned a nine for a straight. When the board failed to pair on the river, Ivey had to settle for third place and $17,897. A 24-year-old poker pro and formidable competitor & a really tough player to eliminate, said Willis & Ivey captured a Limit Holdem title in last years WPO and has blazed through the tournament trail ever since.
When heads-up play began, Willis held almost a 2-to-1 advantage over runner-up Robert Ely Smith, who had arrived for the final showdown as the undisputed chip leader. It was all over only a few deals later when Smith raised before the flop with Ah Ac Qd 4c and Willis called with 9-6-6-5. The flop came 10d 8c 6c, Willis bet out, and Smith raised all in. Willis called and spiked an eight on the turn, claiming the pot and his first major tournament title with a full house.
You cant get much tougher than him, but I took my best shot, said Smith, who received $35,793 for his second-place finish. A 57-year-old airline transport pilot, he also was playing in his first major poker competition. "I really enjoyed it -- it was a great experience," he commented.
Robert Willis with Horseshoe Poker Room Manager, Ken Lambert and Gold Strike Poker Room Manager, Pat Walker
The Final Table Chip Standings & Seat Positions:
| Seat Position/Player | Chip Count |
| Seat 1: Jim Lester (Cincinnati, OH) | $10,500 |
| Seat 2: Michael Schneider (Oxford, Georgia) | $14,500 |
| Seat 3: Philip Ivey (Atlantic City, NJ) | $28,500 |
| Seat 4: Robert "Ely" Smith (Evansville, IN) | $40,500 |
| Seat 5: Richard Tatalovich (Scottsdale, AZ) | $31,000 |
| Seat 6: Brent Carter (Oakpark, IL) | $15,000 |
| Seat 7: Robert Willis (Grenada, MS) | $25,500 |
| Seat 8: Randy Edmonson (Colombus, MS) | $17,000 |
| Seat 9: Jerry Clay (Sherwood, AZ) | $4,000 |
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