Racener Races to WSOPC Atlantic City Win
John Racener (Credit: WPT)
Day 2 of the World Series of Poker Circuit Main Event in Atlantic City sure was a marathon. It took 18 hours for the final table to be decided. Apparently, the remaining nine combatants didn't want to see a repeat of the previous day's activities as they sat down on Day Three. Finalists hit the rail like flies. In fact, the tournament champ was crowned within five hours of play on the final day. Sam Skolnik, a journalist from Las Vegas, entered the final table as the short stack and left within two hands. He earned $23,712 for his ninth place finish James “Mike” Nelson took the long walk to the rail next. The 25 year old electrician who makes his home in Rock Tavern, New York, lasted twelve hands longer than Skolnik. He went all-in with A,K but was beat when his opponent made two pair – Aces and Nines – on the flop. Adrian Velez was KO'd in seventh position. A 23 year old 'expediter' from Queens, New York playing in his first-ever circuit event, Velez ran his A,10 into Buchman's A,Q. Velez received $47,424 for his finish. Buchman, aged 28, who hails from Valley Stream, NY, then claimed his next victim in sixth position, David “Dr. Fox” Fox. Dr. Fox used to work in TV/film production and turned pro several years ago after learning how to play from his father. Dr. Fox has played in 26 WSOPC events, including a third place finish in New Orleans earlier this year. Fox's elimination was especially painful since he was holding pocket rockets on his final hand. Ouch! Thomas Fee, a sales engineer from Philadelphia, PA, won his way into the event via a one-table satellite. He went all-in pre-flop with an A,9 and was called by John “J Money” Racener, a 22 year old poker pro from Tampa, FL. Racener held the K,Q of hearts and caught the nut flush on the river. Fee collected more than $71,000 for fifth. That's got to buy some sweet holiday swag, right? At this point, Joseph Brooks, one of two Jersey boys at the final table – he lives in Egg Township – bid farewell to the table in third position. Racener busted his fellow professional with pocket aces. This time they held up. Upon Brooks' elimination, the final three players were nearly even in chips. However, Buchman pulled way ahead of the pack after doubling through Feming Chan, a 27 year old living in West Windsor, New Jersey, with his pocket jacks. This left Chan in dire need of a chip transfusion. He put all his remaining chips in the middle, hoping for an early Christmas miracle. Instead, he found himself walking 'the green mile' in third place. As heads-up play began, Buchman had about double the amount of chips as Racener. However, Racener, who finished third in this event last year soon after his 21st birthday, needed only five hands to turn the tables on his opponent. On the final hand, Racener made top two pair, Aces and Kings. Here are the final results: 1) John Racener - $379,392 + $10,000 WSOP Main Event Seat 2) Eric Buchman - $208,666 3) Feming Chan - $106,704 4) Joseph Brooks - $82,992 5) Thomas Fee - $71,136 6) David Fox - $59,280 7) Adrian Velez - $47,424 8) James Nelson - $35,568 9) Sam Skolnik - $23,712