Eric Richards(credit: Image Masters Inc - Eric Harkins)
TULSA, OK – Eric Richards of Lacey, WA, battled his way through a 226 field to seize the Oklahoma title in the 6pm, $300+40 Omaha Hi/Lo Championship event Sunday, February 17, during the “Oklahoma State Championship of Poker” at the Cherokee Casino. He cashed for $8,060. “I was a little worried because I showed up late,” explains the champ. “But once I started playing I felt really good about my game.”
Players decided on a chop with eight entrants remaining. The top four chip stacks received $8,060 and the bottom four chip stacks received $5,059. They played out the rest of the game for the title, seat, and championship ring.
It took twenty heads up hands to declare Eric Richards the champion. In the final hand, blinds were $25,000 and $50,000. Larry Sipes was in the big blind and Eric raised before the flop. Larry called. The flop came 2d,4d Qs?. Larry checked the flop and Eric bet. Larry smooth called the bet and the turn was the 5h. Larry bet out all-in with Ac,10h,6h,6d and Eric called with Ac,5c, 3d,3s. The river brought a blank and Eric wins it all.
24-year-old Eric Richards has been playing poker for around five years. Omaha is his favorite game and he was thrilled to come to Cherokee for the Omaha Hi-Lo event. Eric attended Montana State where he studied Pre-Med and is serving our country in the Army. He is currently stationed in Lawton, OK.