WSOP -- Ken Aldridge Wins Event No. 9

At every World Series of Poker, there is a fair number of grueling heads-up matches that last until the early morning hours. Just one day after Phil Ivey’s epic battle with John Monette, two lesser known adversaries did their best to recreate the drama.

For awhile, it didn’t look like it would take long at all. Ken Aldridge had amassed a 6-1 chip lead on his opponent, Carman Cavella and was just a few pots away from the title. But Cavella stormed back, doubled up twice and was back in contention in no time. After a few hours had passed, Aldridge’s aggression had finally whittled Cavella down and on the final hand, his dominating king sealed the deal on his first career bracelet.

Aldridge pocketed $428,259 for his victory and overcame the likes of Peter Gould, Charles Furey and Manelic Minaya at the final table. Other notables to go deep included Bryn Kenney, Praz Bansi, Bobby Firestone, David Baker, David Fox and Allan Sass.

The tournament attracted a field of 1,459 and was played out over a period of three days. On day two, the tournament was forced to stop play with eight remaining and came back early on Friday afternoon to finish it off.

Here are the final table results:

1. Ken Aldridge — $428,259
2. Carman Cavella — $264,814
3. Peter Gould — $170,953
4. Bryce Yockey — $115,230
5. Charles Furey — $80,896
6. Manelic Minaya — $59,049

Here are the elimination hands according to CardPlayer.com’s live updates:

Manny Minaya Eliminated in Sixth Place ($59,049)

Manny Minaya open shoved all in for 295,000 and Peter Gould called from the button. Their cards:

Minaya: 88
Gould: 99

Board: Q63J4

Minaya was eliminated in sixth place and Gould grew his stack to 1,200,000.

Charles Furey Eliminated in Fifth Place ($80,896)

Charles Furey rased to 135,000 and Ken Aldridge reraised to 400,000. Furey moved all in and Aldridge called.

Furey showed 10 10 and Aldridge was behind with 9 9. But the flop came out nine-high and Aldridge took the pot when he filled up on the river. Furey was eliminated in fifth place.

Bryce Yockey Eliminated in Fourth Place ($115,230)

Bryce Yockey was all in for his tournament life holding pocket tens against the K Q of Carman Cavella.

The board gave Cavella a queen and he took the pot, busting Yockey in fourth place.

Peter Gould Eliminated in Third Place ($170,953)

Peter Gould raised to 120,000 on the button and Ken Aldrige called in the big blind. The flop came out 7d6s2c and Gould moved all in for 385,000. Aldridge called with A-10 which was ahead of Gould’s K-9.

The turn was the As and Gould was drawing dead, busting in third place.

Ken Aldridge Wins Event No. 9 ($428,259) Carman Cavella Eliminated in Second Place ($264,814)

After a long, drawn-out heads-up session, Carman Cavella was finally back on the ropes. He moved all in with K4 only to see Ken Aldridge wake up with KQ.

The board ran out K9910J and Aldridge made a straight to take out Cavella.

Cavella earned $264,814 for his runner up performance and Aldridge walked away with his first bracelet and $428,259.

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