The Finals of the World Series of Poker

A record 631 players competed for a $2 million first prize and poker immortality in the 2002 World Series of Poker $10,000 buy-in no-limit hold'em championship event. Those who made the money didn't have much to worry about in terms of being outclassed in "experience," as only one of the remaining 45 players (Dave Crunkleton) had ever been at the final table of the main event. When the smoke cleared, it seemed only fitting that an amateur who had never cashed before at the WSOP was crowned champion. Congratulations to Robert Varkonyi, the new World Champion of Poker!

Far more amazing to me than the lack of final-table experience of those who made the money in this event was that none of the top 22 finishers had ever won a bracelet at the WSOP. Phil Ivey, a three-bracelet winner this year, finished 23rd. In the May 10 issue of Card Player, I put some WSOP odds in my column that included a former bracelet winner (any event, any year) winning the main event. I made the price of this happening a 9-to-5 "favorite." Talk about being way off – wow! Believe it or not, as peculiar as it may seem, I still think this was the right price.

It was a unique final table. Six of the nine were born outside the United States. Three had never cashed in the WSOP and only one had more than $62,200 in WSOP earnings. Although unknown to the public, there were some "players" at the final table. Ralph Perry, Minh Ly, and Tony D are regular high-stakes poker players. And the three European finalists, John Shipley and Julian Gardner from England, and Scott Gray from Ireland, are very experienced tournament players.

When final-table play began, the chip leader was John Shipley. He started the day with more than $2 million in chips, and no one else had a million. On this day, John's timing was off. His calls, raises, and reraises simply weren't working, and his chips were steadily disappearing. He ended up going out seventh after losing a monster pot to Varkonyi. That pot "shipwrecked" Shipley and helped propel Varkonyi to the title.

Let's now take a look at the final four. Scott Gray ended up fourth, but played great. Scott is one of the tough Irish players. The Irish creed is, "Don't get anted out of a tournament." You don't have to worry about Scott violating that creed. The previous day, I watched him pick up pot after pot. When 11 players remained in the tournament, he had $240,000 in chips. He raised and moved all in consistently (much to the pleasure of his sidekick Padraig Parkinson – a third-place finisher in this event in 1999), and built his stack up to $545,000 when play stopped for the day with nine players left. Let me add that he did this without showing down a hand! Now, that is playing the game.

Scott wasn't too fortunate at the final table. He picked up numerous pots to stay afloat, but he lost his two big showdown hands even though he had the best hand both times. The first time, he had two queens vs. A-Q, and on the final hand, he held A-9 vs. Q-10. I remember what poker legend Johnny Moss used to say: "All I can do is get my money in with the best hand." Well played, Scott!

Ralph Perry, a successful high-stakes player who lives in Las Vegas, was the third-place finisher. At the final table (and throughout the tournament), Ralph was always professional and deliberate in his actions. He played solidly all day, and went out with pocket jacks vs. Varkonyi's pocket aces. Ralph picked up $550,000 for his efforts. Nice tournament, Ralph.

Play was now down to Varkonyi and the energetic European poker sensation Julian Gardner. Gardner may be young, but he is a terrific poker talent. Had he won, he would have been the youngest player ever to win the world title. Despite being only 23 years of age, he was by far the most experienced and successful tournament player at the final table. He has been playing the European circuit since he was 18, and has won many tournaments. The kid can play.

As heads-up play began, Gardner was down in chips by a 5-to-1 ratio. He wasn't fazed, though. He came over to me and said, "Mike, remember the 2000 Euro Finals in Paris?" He knew I would remember that tournament, as I won the European no-limit hold'em championship there. "I was in exactly this same chip position in the pot-limit Omaha event (the largest Omaha tournament ever in Europe) and won it," he continued. I told him I remembered it well, and wished him luck.

But, it was Varkonyi's day. Gardner couldn't get anything going, and went out after completing a flush draw when Varkonyi filled up. Gardner picked up a cool $1.1 million for second place. Keep your eyes on him, as he will do well in this event for years to come.

Q-10 will be remembered forever as "Varkonyi's Hand." It was this hand that knocked out Phil Hellmuth earlier in the tournament in a huge pot, then Scott Gray, and finally Gardner. Henceforth, if you lose to a Q-10, you can say you were "Varkonyized." Hats off to new World Champion, Robert Varkonyi.

Take care.