The unstable and rather unpredictable poker clique 'The Crew' has just accrued its fourth WSOP bracelet in the form of Russ 'Dutch' Boyd's dominating victory in the $2,500 No Limit Hold'Em Six-Handed Freezout.
Dutch Boyd, a former law student from Culver City, California, last night won $425,712 for his commanding performance in Event 5 of this year's WSOP. On winning the Event, Boyd briskly left the arena in favour of a champagne celebration in the player lounge with his mother and fellow 'Crew' members.
Following in the footsteps of Scott Fischman (who earned an impressive 2 bracelets in 2003) and Brett Jungblut (Omaha Hi-Lo winner in 2004), Boyd's victory gave him his first ever gold bracelet, and 'The Crew's' fourth (although rumour has it that the original Crew is no more).
This isn't the first time Boyd has faired well at the World Series. Many may recall his more than respectable 12th place finish in 2003's M.E, not to mention his outdraw when he rivered quads to escape a set over set predicament.
This year however, he didn't need to rely on such outrageously good fortune. After replacing Negreanu as chip leader when his set of sevens were paid off by Daniel's pocket rockets, Boyd simply never looked back, eventually taking an overwhelming 909,000 in chips onto the final table.
His nearest threat was Michael Goodwin with 575,000, but the American would only be able to manage 4th when he was eliminated by the eventual winner, finally seeing his 1 pair lose out to a Broadway straight.
And after initial low stack Jeff Knight was taken out in 3rd, we were left with just two players and a heads up battle that would attract a stream of media interest, if only because Boyd's opponent was none other than 2005 Main Event winner Joe Hachem.
But Boyd made good use of his 1,200,000 to 850,000 chip lead, taking the title after around 50 minutes of one-on-one confrontation.
It wasn't easy though. and, for Hachem especially, it was a tale of two Ace Queens. First off, both players moved all-in (Boyd with K-3, Hachem with the A-Q), only to be greeted by a rather dramatic board of J-3-J-T-T (the final ten counterfeiting Boyd's flopped pair), and then, just several minutes later, it was Hachem who was to drown on the river when his A-Q was outdrawn by Boyd's A-5.
But the champion took defeat well and swiftly shook the hand of his younger, more impressionable opponent. Clearly keen to prove that last year was no fluke, Hachem will be disappointed with his runner-up spot, but utlimately happy to have made another final. His final cheque amounted to the sum of $256,800, a figure that not even a millionaire would sniff at.
But this week, the spotlight will be firmly fixed on the controversial Dutch Boyd. Known by many as the man whose online cardroom snapped up the deposits of their punters, Boyd has always pleaded his innocence to stealing the money himself, and frequently suggests that every cent will be reinbursed. Perhaps this win will be a step towards that goal. Only time will tell, but another bracelet, a la Fischman (above-right), wouldn't go amiss...
[Ed Note: To see the final result of this comp, please click here]