Allen Cunningham Wins His Fifth Gold Bracelet

Phil Ivey, Chris "Jesus" Ferguson, Layne Flack, Berry Johnston, Gary Berlang, Ted Forrest, and now Allen Cunningham are members of an exclusive club. Cunningham joined the illustrious five-time World Series of Poker bracelet club with his victory in event #13, the $5,000 world championship pot-limit hold'em. Cunningham survived a field of 389 players, who created a prize pool of $1,870,600. He claimed the top prize of $487,287. The final table was stacked with top pros and they entered the day like this: Jeff Lisandro ($982,000), Joe Patrick ($631,000), Travis Rice ($544,000), Gavin Griffin ($524,000), Allen Cunningham ($346,000), Jason Lester ($295,000), Alan Jaffray ($254,000), Humberto Brenes ($225,000), and Keith Lehr ($182,000). Cunningham defeated high-stakes cash game pro Jeff Lisandro in a two hour heads-up match that featured countless small pots, then two huge ones consecutively.

On the 79th hand of heads-up play, Cunningham limped and Jeff Lisandro raised to $220,000. Cunningham made the call and the flop came 7 6 3. Lisandro bet $300,000 and Cunningham quickly called. The turn brought the 5 and Lisandro showed weakness. He checked and Cunningham bet $300,000. Lisandro mucked and that set up the final hand of the tournament.

On the last hand Lisandro raised to $165,000 and Cunningham reraised to $495,000. Lisandro moved all in and Cunningham made the call. He showed K 9, but was behind Lisandro's Q Q. Cunningham's girlfriend, Mellissa Hayden, who was sitting in the media area, led a group sweat that included pro Andy Bloch. She made sure everyone rooted for a king, saying that if just one person wished for two nines it would break the "Mojo." The flop came A 8 3, and Lisandro was in prime position to double up. Suspicious looks were cast from Cunningham supporters, as they tried to figure out who was the lone soul pulling for the nines. Whoever it was must have got on board because the turn brought the K, and the rail exploded in victorious cheers. The river brought the 7, shipped Cunningham the pot, and his fifth WSOP bracelet.

During the bracelet ceremony, Phil Hellmuth came over from late in the $1,500 no-limit event to give congratulations to Cunningham. He bowed in a Wayne's World ("I'm not worthy") style tribute before climbing the stage and shaking Cunningham's hand. Of course during the camera time, Hellmuth quickly updated everyone on his own chip count and status in the event.

Cunningham still has ample time to make 2007 his first multi-bracelet year, and with the way he is rolling, it's entirely possible. If he were to win another one this year or next year, he would be the youngest player ever to win six.

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