The Championship Limit Hold’em event drew 133 entrants with 125 players making a one-time rebuy which created a prize pool of $51,600. The remaining nine players took their seats at the final table at 7:45 with 15 minutes and 8 seconds left at the $1,500-$3,000 limit.
At 8:25 they raced off the $100 chips and raised the limit to $2,000-$4,000 with $1,000-$2,000 blinds.
On the second hand of the new limit David Hanson, who had started the final table with $27,800 lost a big pot to Richard Santos, who started the final table with the chip lead. Richard took a commanding chip lead with that win and David was left with only $4,500 of his original $27,800.
Forty-five minutes into final table play Sandy Shulman made a preflop call, Richard raised and Sandy called. The flop came 3-2-6, Richard bet, Sandy raised and Richard called. The turn card was a nine, Richard bet out again and Sandy called all-in. Richard turned over A-9 and Sandy showed K-Q. Richard had paired his nine on the turn and Sandy needed a king or queen to win. The river was a 10 and Sandy was the first casualty. Sandy took home $1,374 for his 9th place finish.
On the very next hand Bernard Treynet raised, Anthony Hamilton reraised and Bernard called. The flop came 8-9-7, Bernard check raised Anthony and Anthony called all-in.
Anthony had pocket queens and Bernard showed K-10. Anthony was in the lead until the turn produced a king. The river was an ace and Bernard sent Anthony home in 8th place with $1,635.
Four hands later David called all-in against Bernard who was on the big blind. David showed pocket sixes and Bernard turned over 10-8. The flop came 4-K-10 and Bernard was in the lead with a pair of 10’s. The turn card was an eight giving Bernard two pair. David was drawing to two cards in the deck to stay alive but as fate would have it, no six appeared and David took an early out. This was David’s second appearance at the final table and took home $1,993 for his 7th place finish.
On the 39th hand of play Bernard raised Jim Jolly’s big blind, George Geros called and Jim called. The flop came 9-4-3, Bernard bet, George folded and Jim called. The turn card was a 10, Jim bet out, Bernard raised and Jim called all-in. Jim had Q-10 of diamonds and had turned a pair of 10’s but Bernard showed pocket jacks and was in the lead. The river was a deuce and Jim was forced to take 6th place and $2,503.
At 9:10 George ran up against Richard and was all-in before the flop. George had called a raise by Richard with A-K. Richard showed 7-10 of diamonds, the flop came 9-2-3 and things looked good for George’s A-K. The turn was a six and George was still in the lead. This time the river card was the destroyer when it came a 10 and gave Richard a pair. George was eliminated in 5th place and received $3,320.
Three hands later Don “Smith” Vines raised and Ron Lemco called all-in. Don showed A-Q and Ron turned over Q-10. The flop brought an ace for Don and left little hope for Ron. The turn was an eight and left Ron with no hope. Ron finished in 4th place and took home $4,546.
At 9:25 they were down to the final three and a deal was agreed upon. There were $191,500 chips in play and Richard was in the lead with $89,000, Bernard was second with $57,000 and Don was trailing with $45,500.
Four hands later Don was in the lead with $94,000, Richard was in second with $50,000 and Bernard had $47,000.
Several hands later Don increased his lead to $125,000, Richard was still hanging on to second with $50,000 and Bernard had dropped to $36,500.
On the 68th hand of play at the final table Don raised Bernard’s big blind, Bernard reraised and Don called. The flop came 7-Q-3 all hearts, and both players checked. The turn card came a queen, Don bet, Bernard raised all-in for $3,000 more and Don called. Bernard turned over K-J of diamonds and Don showed 6-7. Don had paired his seven on the flop and had two pair. Bernard needed a king or jack for the win. The river was a nine and Bernard had to settle for 3rd place and $6,334.
When heads-up play began Don had a commanding chip lead on Richard. Four hands later Richard raised and Don called. The flop came 8-3-9, Richard lead out and Don called. The turn card was a five, Richard bet and once again Don called. The river was a jack, Richard fired in another bet, Don raised, Richard called all-in and Don showed him Q-10, for the nut straight. Richard turned over A-K and had to settle for 2nd place. Richard took home $9,348.
Don “Smith” Vines was declared the winner of the Championship Limit Hold’em Event at 10:25. Don received a whopping $16,858, a beautiful cut-class trophy and a gorgeous gold bracelet. Don has won numerous tournaments and took a second in a Pot of Gold at the Reno Hilton but this was his first 1st place win in the Reno area.
Congratulations, Don (Enjoy the bracelet Dana!)
The Mixed Doubles tournament was last night and the player's reportedly had a good time. I will fill you all in on tomorrow's report and give you a complete list of bounties.
This tournament also awards a best all-around player and I will have and up-to-date list on the leaders in tomorrow's newsletter.
| 
