With the Omaha event drawing to a close, Annette and Doyle took to the felt for a special heads up no limit hold’em match in which the winner would be the first man (or woman) to win two out of three falls.
With European players sweeping the three events held at last year’s WSOPE, and non-Americans winning a record dozen gold bracelets at this year’s WSOP, it was time to determine where the best poker players in the world hail from. It’s old school versus new school - the legendary Texas road gambler against the new age prodigy from Norway for bragging rights and country pride.
With the Friday afternoon crowd at the Empire Casino, Leicester Square closing in on the action, Europe took on USA in this highly anticipated encounter. Although all eyes were on the 20 year-old wonder kid, it was Brunson who struck first blood, Obrestad’s open-ended straight draw hitting the turn, but losing out on the river to Brunson’s bigger straight.
With the wind in his sails, Brunson shocked onlookers when he snapped up the second fall within just 15 minutes of play. This time, however, the youngster had her man by the short and curlies with K-J versus J-3 on a jack high flop, but a three on the turn followed by a blank river sealed her fate and awarded Brunson the victory.Elated to have proven that the old guard could still mix it up with the new blood of the modern game, Brunson was said to be overjoyed with his 2-0 victory and happily agreed to sign copies of his Super System book for the fans who continued to swamp the rail. Obrestad, meanwhile, will be more focused on the main event and maintaining her title as the Queen of Europe. In the upcoming days, we’ll learn if she can repeat that feat.