By
Dan |
Published
Jan 31 2007, 08:47 PM
The poker world was abuzz this week as 571 of poker’s biggest names converged on the Borgata in Atlantic City for the Borgata Poker Classic. Poker pro John Hennigan took home over $1.6 million for his victory, defeating Charles Kelley heads up. This is not Hennigan’s first rodeo; he captured a World Series of Poker bracelet in 2002 in the $2,000 HORSE event and won again in the 2004 WSOP’s $5,000 limit hold’em event. The Borgata Poker Classic saw 32 PocketFivers compete, including online poker greats JohnnyBax, TranquilChaos, and iMsoLucky0. In the end, PocketFiver David "Nutstr84444" Redlin finished in 9th place and John "$JMONEY$" Racener (pictured here) took home 8th. The event was covered live on PocketFivesLive.com, featuring online poker players in the biggest live tournaments.
Racener moved all in after three players had limped into the pot, holding Big Slick. Joe Simmons called, showing Q-10 offsuit. The flop came 10-8-4 and the turn and river gave Racener no help, sending him home in 8th place and $166,000. PocketFivesLive Tournament Reporter Court Harrington commented on Racener’s play: “John has recently turned 21 and has transitioned to live play. He has had extremely impressive showings so far, finishing 12th and 8th in the last two $10,000 buy-in WPT events and had live cashes totaling nearly $350,000 since mid-December."
Redlin (pictured at left) took home 9th place and $110,000 after also being eliminated by Simmons. Redlin held a wired pair of fours and Simmons turned over Big Slick. A king-high flop and no help on the turn or river sent Redlin packing. Luckily, his wallet is slightly bigger as a result. Harrington notes: “Two World Poker Tour Main Events and two top ten finishes. Redlin is a top caliber player and is proving it every time he sits down at the table."
Jon “PearlJammer” Turner took home 12th place in this WPT event. Hennigan raised to 75,000 and Turner pushed all in for 526,000 more. Hennigan called and flipped over pocket tens. Turner turned over pocket fours and, after a 6-5-2-8-K board, Turner was eliminated, taking home $72,000. Harrington describes Turner’s notoriety: “Jon was one of the favorites from very early on in the tournament. He is building a well deserved reputation as a player to watch out for on the tournament circuit."
Igor "tigor" Tyagay finished in 33rd place after a strong showing. Tyagay moved all in for 120,000 over the top of Chip Jett's 36,000 bet on a flop of 8-9-6. Jett called with J-T and when Igor flipped over his 5-7 from the big blind another player at the table said "nice flop," referring to Igor's flopped straight. While the flop was nice for Igor, the turn was brutal, when a queen on the turn Jett made a bigger straight and eliminated Igor. Tyagay had to take a walk around after the beat, but handled himself very professionally, showing no emotion and congratulating Jett and wishing him the best as he left the table. Igor's 33rd place finish was worth $16,616.
Next on tap for Court Harrington and PocketFivesLive.com is the L.A. Poker Classic from the Commerce Casino in Southern California. The event kicks off on February 24. If you or anyone you know has qualified or is planning on buying in for this or any World Poker Tour tournament, you can register for coverage on PocketFivesLive.com.