ROB BRADEN TAKES LEAD FROM AVNER TO WIN LIMIT HOLD’EM
By Debbie Burkhead
The $120 Limit Hold’em event began with 120 players and created a prize pool of $22,900.
The final table began at 7:40 with 9 players. There were 14 minutes left at the $1,000-$2,000 limit with blinds at $500-$1,000.
Avner Levy was the chip leader with $49,000, Christina Hung was in second with $39,500, Tom Northern was in third with $21,500, Rob Braden was in fourth with $18,000, Tommy Garza was in fifth with $15,000, Shari Flanzer was in sixth with $10,000, Tam Ho was in seventh with $7,500, Kent Fie was in eighth with $5,000 and trailing in last place was Jon “Hippie” Andlovec with $3,500.
On the sixth hand of play at the final table Shari Flanzer was eliminated. Shari raised and Tommy Garza called. The flop came J-8-2, Shari checked, Tommy bet and Shari called. The turn card was a king, Tommy bet and Shari called all-in for her remaining $2,000. Shari showed A-Q and Tommy turned over a pair of treys for the lead. The river card was another jack and Tommy’s two pair sent Shari to the rail in 9th place to collect $621.
On the next hand Tam Ho was the next casualty. Rob Braden raised, Tommy reraised, Tam called and Rob called. The flop came 9-Q-4, Tam checked, Rob bet, Tommy called and Tam called. The turn card came a five and all players checked. The river was an ace, Tam bet all-in for $500, Rob completed the bet to $2,000 and the rest of the field folded. Tam showed A-K and Rob showed A-Q for the win with aces and queens. Tam was forced to take 8th place and $756.
At 8:00 the limit increased to $1,500-$3,000 and $500-$1,500 blinds.
Five minutes later Jon “Hippie” Andlovec played his last hand when he was all-in for $500 on his big blind. Tommy raised, Avner reraised, Hippie called and Tommy called. The flop came K-2-10 and it was checked around. The turn card was an eight, Tommy bet and Avner called. The river card was a four, Tommy bet and Avner called. Tommy had flopped two pair with K-2, Avner was chasing with A-Q and Hippie showed 7-3. Hippie took $939 for his 7th place finish.
At 8:30 the limit increased to $2,000-$4,000 with $1,000-$2,000 blinds.
Five minutes into the new level Tom Northern raised all-in for his remaining $4,000, Rob called and Avner called. The flop came 6-J-4, Avner checked, Rob bet and Avner folded. Rob showed K-J and Tom had pocket fives. The turn card came a queen and the river card was a three, neither helped Tom’s fives and Rob’s pair of jacks won. Tom was forced out in 6th place and collected $1,191.
At 8:45 Kent was all-in on his big blind after surviving several prior all-ins. Avner called, Rob raised and Avner called. The flop came A-Q-K, Rob bet and Avner called. The turn card was a jack, Rob bet, Avner raised and Rob called. The river card was a queen, Rob and Avner checked. Kent had J-8 and had turned a pair of jacks, Rob had pocket tens and had turned a straight, Avner had 4-9 of clubs and was chasing a flush. Rob’s straight held up and Kent was forced to take 5th place and $1,534.
Ten minutes later Christina was eliminated in 4th place and collected $2,061. This was Christina’s third appearance at the final table during this Pot of Gold. Christina had flopped a pair of queens and was beat by two pair.
At 9:00 the limit increased to $3,000-$6,000 with blinds at $1,500-$3,000.
Five minutes later Tommy went all-in with A-K against Rob who was holding pocket queens. The flop board came 10-5-2-9-9 and Rob’s queens held up. Tommy took 3rd place and added $2,885 to his bankroll.
It was heads-up between Avner and Rob.
After eight hands Rob had chipped away at Avner until he had the chip lead and Avner suggested a money deal. Rob was on a mission, he wanted the TOC qualification and he had Avner just where he wanted him, trailing. Rob agreed and the tournament was over. Avner settle for 2nd place and collected $4,237.
Rob was declared the winner of the Limit Hold’em event, got his TOC qualification and received $7,570 for his 1st place finish. Rob played the TOC last year and was eliminated on the bubble. He wanted to return to the TOC this year to try again and he needed today’s win to accomplish his goal. Rob is retired from the Army and a retired University professor. He writes a weekly political column for a newspaper in Marysville, CA and plays poker whenever he gets the chance. His qualification for last year’s TOC was also won in a Pot of Gold event here in Reno.
Congratulations, Rob.
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