John K Robertson
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Robertson Realizes Reward
Steven E. Way
Spring Fever was the diagnosis. Seems that the splendid weather here in New England must have brought out another group of the finest poker players on the East Coast. The $220 No Limit Hold’em event at the Foxwoods Resort Casino sponsored “New England Poker Classic” saw 117 entrants, who also collectively made 206 rebuys.
With the large number of rebuys, the march to final table was a longer one than usual. The last eight contestants were joined just after 8:00 in the evening. The first to make their departure would be crowd favorite Gregory Pappas of Rockville, Maryland when he played all-in for his last $800 with Ace, Jack and had Nicholas “Grey Beard” Dileo of Brooklyn, New York call him with King, Queen of clubs. The flop brought a pair of tens and an eight while the turn and river saw a nine and Jack to make a straight for Dileo.
Ninth place was soon claimed by Stefano Berio of nearby Norwich, Connecticut who had started the table with the short stack. Berio was eliminated playing Ace, Jack by Defending Champ Carlo Sciannameo of Worcester, Massachusetts who played Ace, four. While both men flopped a second Ace, Carlo caught a second four on the turn for the win.
Andrew Bloch of Boston, Massachusetts was vacated in the eighth spot when he moved all-in with Queen, Jack of clubs. Sciannameo would again be the spoiler when he played Ace, seven off and flopped the winning Ace.
Seventh place was claimed by Raymond Zananiri of New York, New York when he was forced all-in with Trey, Deuce. Norman Standring of Pawtucket, Rhode Island with pocket Queens won the pot.
Keith Laflam of Colchester, Vermont was sent to the rail next when he was eliminated playing Ace, ten against Queen, nine in the hand of John Robertson of Mitchellville, Maryland. A nine on the flop was all that he needed for the win.
With the field now at five players, the play for the top prizes would be hard fought. Staking his claim to fifth place would be Standring when he played six, five of clubs. While the flop brought two cards to a straight draw, the Ace, nine belonging to Robertson would be enough to win.
Michael Sukonik of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania garnered fourth place after moving all-in with Ace, nine off against Dileo who held pocket Jacks. The only help came in the form of another Jack on the river for Dileo.
Sciannameo then lost his bid to repeat when Dileo played nine, six off suit against his Queen, Jack. A simple six on the flop would secure the pot for Dileo.
A short time later, Robertson would call after Dileo put the last of his chips in action. Dileo’s Pocket pair of sixes were ahead of Robertson’s Jack, nine of hearts before the flop. But alas, there has to be a flop. When it came with three hearts even the river six was not enough to help Dileo.
A Round of Applause for Mr. Robertson!
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