Monday, September 9, 2002
$1,500 BUY-IN
$1,500 in chips
DECLAWING THE TIGER
Someone finally looked the tiger in the eye and took his claws away.
There were 22 entrants in the $1,500 Buy-In, Stud Ho-Lo for a total prize pool of $29,610. Three players were paid.
To setup the Final Table, the Frenchman Paul Testud's busted low draw left him with a pair of 9's. Paul Honas' busted low draw left him with a pair of Jacks.
THE FINAL TABLE: 34 mins left of 60. The blinds were $50/
$100
Player Hometown Chip Count
Seat 1 John Cernuto Las Vegas NV $4,475
Seat 2 Tony Cousineau Daytona Beach FL $4,075
Seat 3 Bill Wiley Flora IL $4,100
Seat 4 Peter Costa Leicester, UK $1,000
Seat 5 Paul Honas Las Vegas NV $5,050
Seat 6 Men Nguyen Bell Gardens CA $ 450
Seat 7 Phil Ivey Atlantic City NJ $6,625
Seat 8 Maureen Feduniak Las Vegas NV $5,750
The delightful Englishman Peter Costa has shown a talent for getting to the Final Table, but of late has forgotten how to get paid for it. He's closing in on Humberto Brenes' Hall of Fame jacket total. Peter now has five of them, but he's way off in Brenes cash. The low draws weren't getting there for anyone, leaving them with weak highs. Peter had the lead with his pair of 10's, but Paul Honas with 6's spiked a Jack on the river for Jacks up. 'The Poet' could write an ode to 8th place.
Men 'The Master' Nguyen arrived at the Hall of Fame tournament later than most others and he has yet to hit pay dirt. It's just fun to watch his family check into the hotel. His beautiful wife and adorable, but energetic, small children create quite a stir. In 20 years it will be interesting to see if any of the children become poker players. They certainly have great genetic material. Nguyen brought almost no ammunition with him to the table and was gone in 7th when his all-in 3 4 8 starters weren't helped and he lost to Kings up.
It continued to be dangerous to draw to a low. Both Tony Cousineau and 'Miami' John Cernuto busted for low leaving Tony with 10's and the all-in Cernuto with 3's and 6th place.
For the first three hours at this table it looked like a replay of one of Phil Ivey's three 2002 World Series victories. Total dominance. A card-catching machine. Tony Cousineau had a Jack high straight on 6th street and understandably went all-in with the best hand. But the invincible Ivey caught full on the river to send the personable beach boy out in 5th.
This event started at noon. When the 2 p.m. lunch break arrived, Bill Wiley was certain he was doomed with only $1,000. Eight hours later Bill Wiley was certain he was doomed with $1,000 and on the bubble in 4th. This time Bill was correct. 'The Coyote' was stuck with a pair of 7's and a 7 4 3 2. He went all-in against Paul Honas with 9 9 showing. When a 10 came on the river for Bill, he was out run and fell off a cliff out of the money. What a nice man.
By now Phil Ivey had well over half the chips and an intimidating presence. Were Paul Honas and Maureen Feduniak playing for 2nd?
A marriage is supposed to be a partnership, right? Then why is Maureen Feduniak having to bring home all the bread? Seriously, these TWO entries to every tournament get to be a burden. Just kidding, Bob! For the second time in the last few days, Maureen Feduniak made the final three. She went all-in on 5th street with 6 5 4 3 3 and caught two bricks against trip Jacks for Phil Ivey.
Heads up, Ivey was just short of a 3-2 chip leader against Paul Honas. For the last couple of years no one has survived this situation against the hottest player in the game. To the audience Paul Honas was toast. But Paul didn't act intimidated. In fact, he seemed a little haughty. Like it was a done deal, already.
Playing against Ivey in Stud Hi-Lo, you are going to get low
freerolls. Phil WILL play all seven cards no matter what your boards looks like. Proof of that came when Honas had the biggest low board imaginable, an A 2 3 suited and Phil Ivey called Paul's bet.
The chip lead turned over to Honas when Paul made 4's full. Honas never looked back. Phil continued to give Paul low freerolls, which for the uninitiated means that Honas had a low made with a chance to win the high also.
Ivey fought back a few times. On one beautiful hesitation move, Phil pretended to be betting on the river only because Paul checked to him. Honas bit and called only to have Ivey turned over nut nut.
The last hand was a model for this heads up matchup. Phil pounded the pot all the to the felt with Aces and Kings. Honas quietly called every bet with a 7 6 3 3 showing. He'd gotten there with a straight on 5th street.
For once the tiger has been declawed, but they will undoubtedly grow back very soon.
Official Money Winners
1. Paul Honas $14,810
2. Phil Ivey 8,880
3. Maureen Feduniak 5,920 | 
