Pham Wins in the Rematch!
David Pham, the winner of the 7-Card Stud Hi-Lo tournament didn't have to wait long to get his revenge on the man who beat him in a head up battle just a few days ago. The man he "got even" with was former World Champion, Scotty Nguyen
Before the rematch could begin the two world-class players had to dispose of some other noteworthy players. The final table was reached at 11:20 p.m. when Kathy Liebert, the million dollar winner from the Party Poker Tournament was eliminated on the bubble.
The next casualty was rapidly rising tournament star Joe Belofsky. Joe came to the table short stacked and after his ante was left with $1,500. He could not complain about the strength of his own hand when all the cards were out, because he was showing 3 tens. The problem was his opponent David Pham ended up showing 3 queens.
Next to go to the showers was personable Roger Watson. With the limits at $1,000 and $2,000 Roger lost in a three way pot which saw David Pham winning the low and Eli Balis winning the high. Eli made a full house and Roger could only manage three sixes.
Steve Badger, who specializes in Omaha showed he can play other games as well. He ran into the wall at about two tables and never could mount a charge. He was sent home by Scotty Nguyen who started with 3 diamonds and ended up making 4 jacks. Steve started with 2 nines and ended with the same.
Eli Balas lost a series of small uncontested pots. Then he finally picked up a playable hand and got his whole stack in which was a $9,000 pot. His opponent Jean Robert, who is the owner of Sky Sushi, a restaurant in West Hollywood made the Stud Split player's dream hand
the bicycle and Eli, always the gentle-man, left to fight another day.
Ken Flaten, one of the top pro's in the poker world, came to town a day or two ago and not surprising ended up almost immediately at a final table. Kenny couldn't overcome a series of "no card syndrome" and had to settle for fourth place. He succumbed to David Pham's 3 queens when he missed his open-end straight draw.
All of a sudden they were down to three, David Pham had the chip lead with $53,000, Scotty was second with $40,000 and Jean Robert, who everyone calls Bobby was left with $25,000.
The last three players battle back and forth until a crucial pot comes up with Scotty and Jean Robert, when the smoke clears Jean Robert has to look at sevens full and could only show Queens over. This reduces Jean Robert's stack to $12,000.
It doesn't take long for Jean Robert to "get it in." He and David go at it and when both show down two pair the night is over for Jean, the new kid on the block.
Now the rematch begins, the chip count is $64,000 for David and $54,000 for Scotty. David gets Scotty on the ropes and just when it looks like it's curtains for Scotty the gutsy World Champion mounts a come-back. They play back and forth and finally after a long intense battle David evens the score. -Vince Burgio
Biography
David Pham is a 35 year old professional poker player who lives with his wife and three (soon to be four) children in Bell Gardens.
David came to United States 13 years ago and with the help of his famous cousin Men the Master Nguyen came into the poker world.
He was Card Player Player of the Year in 2000 and then won a bracelet in 2001 at the World Series of Poker.
David said he had nothing but respect for his opponent Scotty Nguyen but can't wait for the rubber match.
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