Deeb Rides Off Into The Sunset

Sun 24/Jun/07 - Thu 28/Jun/07
USA,
Submitted by: snoopy on Mon, 02/07/2007 - 12:31pm
Game Type:Limit
Buy-in:$50,000
Prize Pool:7,400,000
Entries:148
Rebuys:no
 
Whilst the $10,000 Main Event attracts big numbers and big money, the lesser populated H.O.R.S.E. event is the one many of the pro’s had their eye on, the complexity of games, the variance reduction of Limit and the concentration of professional players making this one of the poker calendar’s most esteemed tournaments.

It’s not cheap though, each player (or their respective backers) being asked to stump up a mammoth $50,000, thus meaning that the paltry in comparison 148 players turning up managed to produce a 7 million plus prize pool and a first prize of 2.2 million, enough to make even the most financially viable of players salivate at the prospect.

If anything, the reputation of this tournament was further strengthened by its inaugural winner, Chip Reese taking top honours during last year’s World Series as he pipped well-rounded pro Andy Bloch to the post to earn a 1.7 million payday. This time around, however, he would fall foul to Day 2, confirming the destiny of a new champion and paving the way for big names like Mike Matusow, Barry Greenstein and last year’s finalist, Dave Singer, to make their ambush on the comp.

While Jeff Lisandro suffered the earliest of showers it was Eli Elezra who took the bull by the horns, winning a 115k pot off Tuan Le early doors to storm into a dominating position as chip leader. And this lead was to remain for many hours, even days, as the chasing pack of Phil Hellmuth, Phil Ivey, Bruno Fitoussi and Russia’s celebrated bracelet winner Alex Kravchenko continually swapped positions.

As these players faltered, included Eli Elezra whose second half of the tournament severely failed to live up to his first, several Mateyboys threatened to shock everyone as John Hanson, Kenny Tran and Stephen Wolff made their presence known.

But, with the H.O.R.S.E event sorting the men from the boys, skill frequently prevails, allowing for a healthy mix of names and unknowns to take their seat at the Series’ most illustrious final table to date. The remaining 8 were…

1st   Amnon Filippi -- $4,015,000
2nd  Freddy Deeb -- $3,500,000
3rd  Kenny Tran -- $2,445,000
4th  John Hanson -- $1,995,000
5th  David Singer -- $1,330,000
6th  Bruno Fitoussi -- $895,000
7th  Barry Greenstein -- $750,000
8th  Thor Hansen -- $40,000

European legend Thor Hansen may have snapped up that inevitable early exit for $188,256, but with this being H.O.R.S.E., it would be a long time before the fat lady opened her dressing room door, the final table play happily trundling into the early hours of the morning.

At 10.30pm, there were 3 survivors remaining in Fitoussi, Deeb and Hanson, and at 4am there were still 3 remaining, each player enjoying their turn as the chip leader. But, naturally, the blinds do go up eventually, and when Hanson fell at the hands of Razz, two friends were left to commence heads-up battle.

Finally, after a testing 5 days and a grueling final session, it was Freedy Deeb who would emerge triumphant, picking off his French opponent in the Stud Eight or Better game as the Vegas sun reared its sparkling hear.

Taking home his second WSOP bracelet to date, no one would contest Deeb’s victory, and the experts were once again proven right when they claimed only a ‘name’ player would win this event. However, what must be said, is that Deeb is perhaps underrated, not just as a poker player, but specifically a mixed game player where he has proved he excels. As with Chip Reese the year prior, this win has undoubtedly cemented his position as one of the game’s very best, and rightly so.