Ken Griffin Wins World Series of Poker Event No. 45 ($1,000 No-Limit Hold'em)Griffin Banks $455,356 For His Victory |
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Event no. 45, the $1,000 no-limit hold’em tournament, now belongs to Ken Griffin, a 34-year-old amateur from Houston, Texas. Griffin defeated a field of 2,890 players to collect the $455,356 first-place prize.
The former U.S. Marine spent considerable time serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan, but now works as a defense contractor, spending his free time at the poker tables.
This was not only Griffin’s first bracelet and first final table appearance, it also marked the first time he had ever cashed at the World Series of Poker.
Griffin said he plans on using his new found wealth to assist his mother, who was recently diagnosed with a serious illness.
“I’m going to take care of her and be closer to home,” he said. “I’m going to be transferring money into her account as soon as I get it. You know, she’s a senior, working-class, she’s going through chemotherapy and medicine is expensive. She lives paycheck to paycheck, so I’m really looking forward to helping her out.”
Here’s how the action went down according to Card Player’s live updates.
Jeremiah Siegmund Eliminated in 9th Place ($33,813)
Antonio Esfandiari raised to 60,000 before the flop, Jeremiah Siegmund moved all in for 315,000, Eric Baudry re-shoved and Esfandiari folded.
Baudry lead with Q Q against Siegmund’s 9 9.
The board came A 63 10 2, ho help for Jeremiah Siegmund who was the first one eliminated in 9th place ($33,813).
Aaron Massey Eliminated in 8th Place ($44,138)
Aaron Massey came in for a raise, Andrew Teng moved all in and Massey called.
Massey lead with K K against Teng’s 6 6.
The board came A 10 2 7 K, giving Teng a flush on the turn to win the pot. Aaron Massey was eliminated in 8th place ($44,138).
Antonio Esfandiari Eliminated in 7th Place ($58,288)
Kenneth Griffin opened the pot for 80,000 from under the gun, Antonio Esfandiari moved all in from late position, Philip Hammerling re-shoved from the button and Griffin folded.
Hammerling had A K against Esfandiari’s K 10.
The board came 9 7 4 4 3, no help for Antonio Esfandiari who was eliminated in 7th place ($52,288).
Jonathan Lane Eliminated in 6th Place ($77,873)
Andrew Teng raised before the flop, Kenneth Griifin flat called, Jonathan Lane moved all in, Teng folded and Griffin called.
Griifin lead with 8 8 against Lane’s A Q.
The board came J 10 9 4 2, no help Jonathan Lane who was eliminated in 6th place ($77,873).
Andrew Teng Eliminated in 5th Place ($105,262)
Andrew Teng button-raised to 85,000 before the flop, Kenneth Griffin reraised to 285,000 from the small blind, Teng moved all in for 1,215,000 and Griffin called.
Teng lead with 6 6 against against Griffn’s A Q.
The board came A K 9 8 K, giving Griffin top pair on the flop to win the pot. Andrew Teng was eliminated in 5th place ($105,262).
Eric Baudry Eliminated in 4th Place ($143,991)
Eric Baudry button-raised to 115,000 before the flop, Kenneth Griffin shoved for about 3,000,000 from the small blind and Baudry called all in.
Griffin lead with 9 9 against A Q.
The board came K 3 2 6 4, no help for Eric Baudry who was eliminated in 4th place ($143,991). Griffin cemented his chip lead that hand with about 5 million.
Marias Doubles Through Griffin, Takes Chip Lead
Shortly after busting Eric Baudry in 4th place and running his stack up to almost 5 million, Kenneth Griffin lost the chip lead to Jean Luc Marias. Marias doubled though Griffin after getting it all in on the flop with top pair against Griffin’s flush draw. Griffin bricked and Marias doubled up to over 4 million that hand while Griffin fell down below 3 million.
Griffin and Marias would tangle a few more times before the level came to an end and Griffin would eventually chip back up even out the big stacks at roughly 3.7 million each.
Philip Hammerling Eliminated in 3rd Place ($199,336)
Kenneth Griffin limped in from the button, Jean Luc Marias completed the bet from the small blind and Philip Hammerling checked the big blind.
The flop came 7 7 4, Marias and Hammerling both checked to Griffin who bet 100,000. Marias called, Hammerling check-raised to 290,000, Griffin called and Marias folded.
The turn was the A, Hammerling bet 535,000 and Griffin called.
The river was the 3, Hammerling moved all in and Griffin called.
Hammerling showed K 7 for trip sevens on the flop but Griffin turned over 8 6 for a flush on the river.
Philip Hammerling was eliminated in 3rd place ($199,336) while Griffin took the chip lead against Marias going into heads-up play.
Jean Luc Marias Eliminated in 2nd Place ($282,676)
After busting Philip Hammerling in 3rd place, Kenneth Griffin took the chip lead into heads-up play, and it wasn’t long after the final match began that Jean Luc Marias open-shoved pre-flop with K 6 and Kenneth Griffin snap-called all in with A A.
The board came Q J 3 8 9, no help for Jean Luc Marias who was eliminated in 2nd place ($282,676). Kenneth Griffin wins the gold bracelet for Event #45 and the $455,356 grand prize.