By
Dan |
Published
Dec 20 2006, 11:38 AM
Not even a lawsuit over violations of the Sherman Antitrust Act could keep 2005 World Series of Poker Main Event Champion Joe Hachem from taking down the Bellagio Five Diamond World Poker Classic and pocketing over $2 million. Hachem is one of several poker professionals suing the World Poker Tour over the company’s stance regarding its player release forms. Battling Hachem at the final table was PocketFiver David “nutstr84444” Redlin, who finished 5th for over $250,000. The event was covered by PocketFivesLive.com, which provides live coverage of online players in the biggest live tournaments.
“After watching David play for five days, he isn't a player that lucked his way into it,” said PocketFivesLive.com Tournament Reporter Court Harrington. “His play was solid throughout and he continually made good plays and great decisions.” On his final hand, Redlin raised to 180,000 under the gun and Hachem made it 500,000. Redlin moved all in for 725,000 more and Hachem called. Redlin flipped over A-Q offsuit and Hachem flipped over pocket queens. After the flop missed both players, an ace hit on the turn to leave Hachem drawing to one out, the case queen. The river – you guessed it – the last queen in the deck, which sent Redlin to the rail.
Other PocketFivers in the event included Justin "ZeeJustin" Bonomo (pictured at left), who bubbled the final table and finished 7th. Bonomo lost a race with A-Q suited versus a wired pair of sevens, cashing for $152,230. It was his fourth final table at a Bellagio event. Also representing PocketFives.com was Brent "El Rubio" Sheirbon, who finished 13th for over $84,000. Sheribon found himself all in with Q-J against fellow PocketFiver ZeeJustin’s big slick. The board gave Sheribon no help and he was sent packing.
Chris "Chrisc7" Cetrone, whose satellite to make the Bellagio event was the largest tournament he had ever played in, managed to survive to Day 3, finishing 79th and earning just over $25,000. Jody "trickybstrd" Trainer (pictured at right) outlasted the short end of a set over set twice as well has having his aces cracked, finishing 86th for $25,370. Also cashing in this marquee WPT event were Cliff “JohnnyBax” Josephy, fresh off his final table appearance at the UltimateBet.com Aruba Poker Classic; Shaniac; Devin “TranquilChaos: Porter, who has already made two WPT final tables; CrazyMarco, Jim “KrazyKanuck” Worth; and Jason “J FREE” Fretag.
The PocketFivesLive.com crew will head to sunny Nassau in the Bahamas for the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure. The event kicks off January 5th from the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. This $8,000 buy-in event will feature a “who’s who” of online poker superstars. Check out www.pocketfiveslive.com for more details. If you’ve qualified for this or any other major live tournament, you can register for coverage on the site as well. PocketFivesLive.com will track your progress for friends, family, and fellow online poker players to see.