Chuck Humphrey came to the final table with the third highest chip count, but still with only half as many as the chip leader Long Tran.
Long scooped a couple of large pots when they were down to 10 handed and as they broke to the final table he looked almost unstoppable.
Shortly after the final table was reached and before anyone could get eliminated the limits went up to $3000 and $6000.
The first casualty was Gerard R. who raised with his last $3000 and was promptly called by Chuck Humphrey and Long Tran. The hand is checked down and Chuck scoops the pot with two small pair against Gerard's pair of jacks.
The next key pot finds the short stack Zohrab Yeranosian moving all in with his last $3000, He is called by Chuck Humphrey, Long Tran and surprisingly Minh Nguyen with the same amount as Zohrab. The hand gets checked down and Minh gets back in the ball game by scooping the pot. Good for Minh but bad for Zohrab Yeranosian who becomes the seventh place finisher.
The next player eliminated is the patient, maybe too patient, Hugo Mejia, he has left himself with just one $500 ante. Can Hua and Brian Nunneley call the bring in. On fifth street Can bets $6000 and is called by Brian. Sixth and Seventh streets are checked and Hugo Mejia is eliminated when his Jacks over deuces are beaten by Brian’s Jacks over tens.
The next significant hand changes the entire complexion of the tournament, it is a confrontation between the two big stacks.
The hand starts with Chuck Humphrey making it $3000 showing a six, he is raised by Long Tran who makes it $6000. Before the hand is through Chuck has put$28,500 into the pot and is all in. The down cards are turned over and Chuck wins a monster pot when he shows a straight eight. Long, who started with Aces ends up with a busted low draw and his starting Aces.
Long is now severely crippled with only $3000 left and Chuck has close to $60,000 of the $116,800 chips in play.
It isn't long before Long Tran becomes the next victim of the evening. He goes all in for his last $3000 and is called by Chuck. Long makes a decent hand, a pair of eights and a low but chuck makes the hand we all dream of, you guessed it a five high straight flush.
Watching how fast Long Tran went from tournament leader to fifth place finisher makes you realize how exciting and disappointing tournament poker can be.
Chuck starts back where he left off, mostly picking up pots without a struggle or maybe having to wait till fifth street. Finally and merciful for this cub reporter on final table play, the three remaining players who have had to put up with this unmerciful onslaught by Chuck, ask for mercy. They propose a deal, it is accepted and the blood-letting stops. Chuck goes home with a nice payday a beautiful trophy, some all-around points and it’s still only one o'clock in the morning.. He still may even have time to finish that book he was reading all night.. Vince Burgio
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