MICHAEL HICKS TAKES 1ST PLACE IN THE OPENING EVENT
By Debbie Burkhead
Today’s $120 Limit Hold’em tournament kicked off the annual Summer Pot of Gold at the Reno Hilton. One-hundred and ninety players signed up for the opening event and 171 made a rebuy, creating a prize pool of $36,100.
Mike Gainey, cardroom manager surrounds himself with the best tournament personnel possible to make it all look so easy. Dave Lamb, Billy V. and Steve Morrow are just three of the best that make up this team.
The final table began at 8:00 pm and lasted only one hour and thirty minutes. The final nine players started in the following chip position: The leader Michael Hicks had $57,000, in a close second was William Kirby with $54,000, in third was Benny Le with $30,500, in fourth was Bob Skundberg with $28,000, in fifth was Bryan Ervin with $25,000, in sixth was Bill Rose with $24,000, in seventh was Mike Atlas with $23,000, in eighth was Khiem Nguyen with $14,500 and last but not least in ninth was David Kwong with $10,000.
With 10 minutes remaining, at the $3,000-$6,000 limit and blinds at $1,500-$3,000, the final table action began.
Just before the next limit increased Khiem Nguyen was eliminated. Khiem raised Michael Hicks big blind, Michael reraised and Khiem called. After a flop of 10-5-4, Michael bet and Khiem called with his remaining three chips. Khiem showed A-J and Michael turned over A-K. The turn was a queen and the river was a seven. Michael won with his king kicker and Khiem was forced to take ninth place and $924.
The limit rose to $4,000-$8,000 with $2,000 to $4,000 blinds at 8:10.
Ten minutes later Bob Skundberg was knocked out by Mike Atlas when he went up against pocket jacks with K-J. Bob took 8th place and $1,083.
The next one out was David Kwong when he was left with only one chip after posting his big blind. Mike put in a preflop raise forcing David to call with a 6-3 offsuit. Mike showed pocket fours. The board came 10-A-7-5-K and David was forced to take home $1,300 for a 7th place finish.
One hand before the next limit increase one more player was lost. Bill Rose called all-in with his remaining five chips, William Kirby raised and lost the rest of the field. Bill showed K-J and Kirby turned over pocket queens. The board was no help to Bill and he was eliminated in 6th place winning $1,625.
The limit was increased to $6,000-$12,000 with $3,000-$6,000 blinds at 8:40.
Five minutes later Benny Le went up against Bryan Ervin and was all-in on the turn. Bryan showed A-K and Benny Le mucked his cards without showing his hand. Benny took home $2130 for 5th place.
At 9:05 Kirby was the next to be eliminated. Bryan Ervin raised, Kirby called, Michael reraised, Bryan mucked his hand and Kirby called. The flop came 2-A-J, Kirby bet, Michael raised and Kirby called all-in. Kirby showed J-9 and had flopped a pair of jacks, Michael showed A-K and was in the lead with a pair of aces. The turn was a seven and the river was a three which changed nothing and Kirby finished 4th taking home $2,924.
Before the next hand the limit was increased to $8,000-$16,000 with blinds at $4,000-$8,000.
The final three players were Mike the chip leader with $112,000, Michael in second with $80,000 and Bryan in third with $74,000.
After the first hand at the new limit the remaining three discussed a deal which was agreed up on by all and play continued.
Eight hands into the new limit Michael took the chip lead after a battle with Mike. Michaels raised, Mike reraised, Michael raised again and Mike called. The flop came 7-2-Q, Michael bet and Mike called. The turn came another queen, Michael bet and Mike mucked his cards.
Five hands later Michael won another big pot, this time against Bryan. Bryan raised, Michael called and Mike called. The flop came 6-4-9 and all three players checked. The turn card was a deuce, Michael bet, Mike folded, Bryan raised and Michael called. The river was a nine and both players checked. Bryan showed Q-5 of hearts and Michael showed A-J making him the winner with ace high. Michael now had a commanding chip lead.
On the next hand Mike raised and Bryan called all-in on his big blind. Mike showed A-k and Bryan had 10-4 off suit. The flop brought an ace and the rest was history for Bryan. Bryan took 3rd place and $4,223.
It was 9:25 and Michael and Mike were heads-up.
On the second hand of heads-up play Mike was all-in on his big blind and Michael called dark from his small blind. Mike turned over 7-8 and when Michael showed his hand it was pocket 10’s. The board was very kind to Michael when it came a 10 on the flop and a 10 on the turn for quad 10’s and the winner of the opening event of the Summer Pot of Gold. Mike took 2nd place and $6,390.
Michael took first place, a beautiful hand made clock trophy, a TOC qualification and $11,190.
Michael is from Aberdeen, WA where he and his brother own Mac’s Tavern and Cardroom. They have a low limit Omaha high-low game and run the oldest running Pan game in Washington. This was Michael’s best finish in a poker tournament. He is married to Linda and they have four teenagers, a boy and a girl. He was thrilled about his win and he is looking forward to playing the Tournament of Champions in Las Vegas this year.
Congratulations, Michael!
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