KIRBY WHEELS HIS WAY INTO HIS 1ST PLACE FINISH
By Debbie Burkhead
The $225 Limit Hold’em event drew 150 players and created a prize pool of $30,000.
The final table began at 8:10 with eight players at the $1,500-$3,000 limit, $500-$1,500 blinds and 30 minute levels.
In seat one was Brian Saltus with $17,500, last November’s Fall Pot of Gold winner of this event.. In seat two was George Lauren with $28,000, not only his first final table but his first poker tournament. Glen Bean was in seat three with $28,000. Bill Kirby was in seat four with $21,000, was making his third final table appearance of this Summer’s Pot of Gold. Chris Hansen was in seat five with $29,500. Last nights winner of the Pot-Limit event, Richard Phelps was in seat six with $10,000. Mike Davis was in seat seven with $2,500 and Josie Comagon was in seat eight with $32,500.
Ten minutes into final table play George Lauren was eliminated. George went all-in with pocket eights and was called by Bill Kirby with A-J. The flop came with a jack and no eights ever hit the board. George took 8th place and collected $960 for his first poker tournament play.
At 8:45 the limit rose to $2,000-$4,000 with $1,000-$2,000 blinds.
At 8:48 Glen Bean raised, Kirby reraised, and Glen called. The flop came 8-9-A, Glen checked, Kirby bet and Glen called all-in. Kirby showed A-4 and Glen turned over pocket sixes. The turn card was a queen and the river card was a four. Kirby make aces up and Glen had to settle for 7th place and $1,170 in cash.
One hand before the limit was to increase another player was eliminated. Kirby raised and Richard Phelps called all-in for the remainder of his chips. Kirby showed pocket deuces and Richard had A-Q. The board came K-9-J-K-3 and Kirby’s deuces took the pot. Richard had to settle for 6th place and collected $1,440.
At 9:15 the limit rose to$3,000-$6,000 with $1,500-$3,000 blinds.
There were five players remaining with Kirby well in the lead with $66,000, Josie Comagon was in second with $34,500, Chris Hansen was in third with $27,500, Brian Saltus was in fourth with $11,600 and Mike Davis was in last place with $10,000.
The next casualty was Chris when he raised, Brian reraised and Chris called. The flop came 6-5-8, Kirby bet, Chris called all-in for his remaining $800. Chris had pocket kings and Kirby showed J-6. The turn card was a four but the river card came a jack which gave Kirby two pair. Chris was sent home with $1,860 for his 5th place finish.
At 9:47 last year’s winner of this event was sent to the rail. Josie raised and Brian called. The flop came 7-4-6, Josie bet, Brian raised, Josie reraised and Brian called. The turn card came a king, Josie bet and Brian called all-in. Josie showed K-10 and Brian turned over 9-8. The river card was a four and Brian had to take $2,550 for his 4th place finish.
There were three players remaining and Kirby had a commanding chip lead over the other two. Kirby had $105,000, Mike had $25,000 and Josie had dropped to $20,000.
The three of them played a few more hands then talked money and all agreed that Kirby was the winner. Mike took 2nd place and collected $5,490 and Josie finished 3rd and took home $3,530.
At 10:10 Kirby was declared the winner of the $225 Limit Hold’em event, won a beautiful hand made clock trophy, a TOC qualification and $9,750. This was Kirby’s best finish in a major poker tournament. Kirby is paralyzed from the neck down and usually his wife, Georgia, sits by his side and shows him his cards along with handling his chips. On this particular occasion Todd Thurn, a dealer from Suncruise Casino out of Florida was assisting Kirby.
Congratulations, Kirby!
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