Robert Ford Wins US Poker Championship in 2008
The US Poker Championships were held at the Trump Taj Mahal Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey earlier this month. Last year's event was won by Adam Gerber and attracted more than 160 players. Perhaps due to the recent economic difficulties, this year's event saw a sharp decline in entries. Only 52 players put up their $10,000 to play in the tournament.
Gerber made a valiant attempt at defending his title. However, he hit the rail in 16th place. He was knocked out by Mike “GoLeafsGoEh” Leah. Leah eventually finished the tournament in third place.
Melece Sliwinski was the last female left in the tournament. Holding a pair of aces in the hole, Sliwinski had the best of it prior to the flop. Rick Austin flipped over a pair of cowboys. Unfortunately for Melece, another king hit the board on the flop and Sliwinski went from participator to spectator. Her ninth place finish netted her nada since only six placed paid any moolah.
Rick Austin became the bubble boy, finishing in seventh position. As soon as the bubble burst, the action heated up. When heads-up play began, Duane Hunton and Robert Ford got right down to it. Less than half an hour later, the tournament was over. Ford, who had a more than 2-to-1 chip lead going in, emerged victorious from the battle.
A winner of an EPT preliminary event from Monte Carlo (Season 1) and won more than half a million dollars for his third place finish at the Poker Stars Caribbean Adventure on January 10, 2007, Ford is no stranger to poker success. This time, he earned more than $220,000 for the US Poker Championship title.
These are the results:
1) Robert Ford -- $221,936 2) Duane Hunton -- $118,534 3) Mike Leah -- $75,660 4) Wooyang Lin -- $50,440 5) Frank Vizza -- $25,220 6) Steve Gross -- $12,610
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