The Spring Poker Tournament at the Peppermill in Reno, Nevada, kicked off with a $120 Limit Hold'em event which drew 169 entrants with a prize pool of $32,670. This is the second non-smoking tournament in Reno's history. The Peppermill has also intsituted the TEARS structure for the first time. Both positive changes were very well received. The tournament will run through March 2, 2001 with eight main events and eight 2nd chance tournaments. All of the 2nd Chance tournaments are $120 buy-ins with no rebuys, with one exception, the mixed doubles event which will offer one rebuy.
The final table play began at 8:15 at the $2,000-$4,000 limit with $1,000-$2,000 blinds. The levels went to 30 minute rounds and there were $245,500 in chips in play.
On the 3rd hand of play Lilly Armstrong, who came to the final table short-stacked, with only $5,000, called a raise by Khiem Nguyen putting her all-in. Khiem had pocket aces and Lilly had called with A-Q, the board came 8-J-J-5-7 and Lilly became the first casualty. She was forced to take 9th place and $849.
The second casualty happened on the 8th hand of final table play when Gloria Tschetschot made a preflop raise and Steve Numoto reraised and got a call from Gloria. The flop came A-10-6, Steve bet all-in and Gloria made the call. Gloria had flopped a set of tens and Steve had flopped a pair of aces with a queen kicker. The turn card was a four and the river was a five, neither of which helped Steve. Steve took home $1,013 for 8th place.
On the very next hand Gloria made another preflop raise and Fred Rolando, another short stack starter with only $4,000, called all-in. Michael Fore and George Tramountanas also called Gloria’s raise. The flop came 3-2-5, George bet, Gloria raised, Michael folded and George made the call. The turn card produced a three, George checked, Gloria bet and George folded leaving Fred alone with Gloria. The river was a seven, Gloria showed pocket nines and Fred had K-J. Gloria’s nines were good and Fred was dismissed in 7th place with $1,241 to add to his bankroll.
At 8:45 the limits rose to $3,000-$6,000 with $1,500-$3,000 blinds and only six players remained.
On the second hand at the new limit, Reo Cutler raised, Thomas Witherspoon reraised, and Reo called all-in. Reo turned over the king-six of hearts and Thomas turned over the king-six of spades, at that point it looked like it would probably be a split pot, but no such luck for Reo. The flop came with two hearts and the third heart came on the river which gave Thomas the flush he was hoping for. Reo took home $1,568 for a 6th place finish.
Two hands later at 8:50, only 35 minutes into final table play, they lost another player and only four remained. George Geros was on the big blind and after posting, was left with only $2,000. Thomas raised and George called all-in with his remaining $2,000. Thomas had raised with Q-J and George had called with 10-9 of spades. The board came 3-J-Q-10-J which gave Thomas a full house. George took 5th place and $2,026.
The remaining players finished the level without losing anyone and at 9:15 they took a break and raced off the $500 chips. The chip leader was Khiem with $113,000, Thomas was in second with $76,000, Gloria was in third with $48,000 and Michael was barely holding in with $9,000.
On the ninth hand after the break Michael found himself all-in on the big blind for his last $2,000. Khiem raised, Thomas called and Michael was all-in. The flop came 4-5-A, Thomas bet, Khiem raised and Thomas called. The turn card came a queen, Thomas checked, Khiem bet, Thomas raised and Khiem folded leaving Michael alone with Thomas. Thomas showed pocket queens and Michael had 9-6 of diamonds. The river was an ace and Thomas sent Michael home in 4th place with $2,744.
It was 9:40 and only three remained. The final three agreed on a small save and continued play. During the next dozen hands or so Thomas had dropped down to $12,000 in chips and was in real trouble. On the 70th hand of final table play Thomas raised and was left with only $3,000. Khiem reraised forcing Thomas all-in. Khiem turned over 6-8 of diamonds and Thomas had gone all-in on king-seven. The flop came A-9-7, which gave Khiem an open-end straight draw and
Thomas was in the lead with a pair of sevens. The turn was a queen and helped neither of them but the river was a heartbreaker for Thomas. It brought the 10 that Khiem was hoping for to complete his straight. Thomas took home $3,888 and 3rd place bragging rights.
Gloria and Khiem were now heads-up and play continued for 10 hands before Gloria found herself in trouble with only $20,000 to Khiem’s $225,000. On the 82nd hand of final table play Gloria raised and Khiem called. The flop came 6-2-4, Khiem bet, Gloria raised and Khiem called. The turn card came a king, Khiem bet and Gloria called all-in. Khiem showed K-5 and Gloria had J-10 of spades. Gloria was drawing dead to Khiem’s pair of kings and she said, “There’s no way I can win now.” Gloria took an impressive 2nd place for $5,848.
Khiem became the first champion of the 2001 Peppermill Spring Poker Tournament. He was awarded $10,454 and a custom-engraved, cut glass trophy.
Khiem had started the final table in second chip position, moved into first chip position and held on to that lead until the end.
Congratulations, Khiem!
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