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Buy-In: $10,000
Prize Pool: $3,171,900
Entrants: 327

No-Limit Hold'em Championship

  • Jan 18, '06 - Jan 23, '06
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Updates on Final Day (Jan 23, 06)

 
 

Scotty Nguyen Wins the WPT World Poker Open ($969,421)

Posted: Mon, Jan 23, 06, 12:30 PM

Scotty Nguyen wins the WPT World Poker Open, winning $969,421, a gold bracelet, and a $25,500 seat in the WPT World Championship this spring. Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi finishes second, earning $566,352.
 

The Winner -- Scotty Nguyen!

Posted: Mon, Jan 23, 06, 12:10 PM

Hand 80 - Scotty Nguyen has the button, he raises to $300,000, Mizrachi reraises to $1.2 million, and Nguyen thinks for a minute before saying, "Alright, I'm all in, baby."

Grinder immediately calls with Ah-Jc, but he's dominated by Nguyen's As-Qs. They're nearly even in chips, so whoever wins this should effectively win the tournament.

The flop comes Kh-9d-2s, and Nguyen retains the lead. Mizrachi needs a jack or a miracle to win this hand. The turn card is the 10s, and Mizrachi picks up a gut-shot straight draw, but the same number of outs. (He'll win with a queen, and lose with a jack.)

The crowd goes silent as Scotty Nguyen takes the microphone to say some nice words about the Grinder. It's an odd moment, because there is still one card (and three outs) to go.

The river card is the 8s, and Nguyen makes the nut flush to eliminate Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi in second place, where he earns $566,352.

Scotty Nguyen wins the WPT World Poker Open, winning $969,421, a gold bracelet, and a $25,500 seat in the WPT World Championship this spring.

 

Heads-Up Play Begins; Shuffle Up & Deal!

Posted: Mon, Jan 23, 06, 12:05 PM

Everything is finally ready, so it's time to shuffle up and deal!

For the record, Scotty Nguyen and Michael Mizrachi are very friendly with each other, giving each other heartfelt "good lucks" before the action begins.

 

A Brief Money Presentation -- Followed by Insanity

Posted: Mon, Jan 23, 06, 12:00 PM

The money presentation was very basic, featuring three women dressed in black evening gowns carrying the money to the table. That classy moment was quickly overwhelmed by craziness as Linda Johnson offers t-shirts to the craziest fans in each section of the bleachers. If t-shirts don't fire up the crowd, nothing will.
 

Official Chip Counts

Posted: Mon, Jan 23, 06, 11:50 AM

Here are the official chip counts:

Scotty Nguyen - $3,340,000
Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi - $3,210,000

 

Short Break Before Heads-Up Play

Posted: Mon, Jan 23, 06, 11:48 AM

There will be a short break before heads-up play begins between Scotty Nguyen and Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi. Both players made this same final table a year ago, and they have both already improved on last year's results. (Nguyen finished fourth last year, and Grinder finished fifth.)

Reminder: In heads-up play, the small blind has the button and acts first before the flop.

 

Raul Paez Eliminated in 3rd Place ($298,908)

Posted: Mon, Jan 23, 06, 11:47 AM

Hand 78 - Scotty Nguyen has the button in seat 5, and he raises to $300,000, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand 79 - Michael Mizrachi has the button in seat 6, Paez moves all in from the small blind for a little over $800,000, and Nguyen thinks a bit before calling with Ac-Qh. Paez shows Qc-10c.

The flop comes 6s-2s-2d, and Nguyen is still in the lead with his ace. The turn card is the 2c, and Paez needs to catch a ten to stay alive. The river card is the 4h, and Raul Paez is eliminated in third place, earning $298,908.

The next player eliminated will receive $566,352 for second place, and the winner will take home $969,421.

 

Posted: Mon, Jan 23, 06, 11:43 AM

Hand 75 - Scotty Nguyen has the button in seat 5, Mizrachi limps from the small blind, and Paez checks his option. The flop comes 10d-9h-2d, Mizrachi bets $110,000, and Paez folds. Mizrachi takes the pot.

Hand 76 - Michael Mizrachi has the button in seat 6, and he moves all in, winning the blinds and antes.

Hand 77 - Raul Paez has the button in seat 3, Nguyen raises to $300,000, winning the blinds and antes.

 

Approximate Chip Counts

Posted: Mon, Jan 23, 06, 11:41 AM

The following approximate chip counts are announced to the crowd:

1. Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi - $3,200,000 (seat 6)
2. Scotty Nguyen - $2,000,000 (seat 5)
3. Raul Paez - $900,000 (seat 3)

 

Gavin Smith Eliminated in 4th Place ($173,052)

Posted: Mon, Jan 23, 06, 11:39 AM

Hand 74 - Gavin Smith has the button in seat 4, he raises to $350,000, Mizrachi moves all in from the big blind, and Smith immediately calls with pocket sevens (7d-7h). Mizrachi shows pocket queens (Qh-Qs), and has Smith dominated here.

The flop comes Jd-5s-4d, and Mizrachi retains the lead. The turn card is the 4h, and Smith needs to catch a seven to stay alive. The river card is the 5d, and Gavin Smith is eliminated in fourth place, earning 173,052.

The next player eliminated will receive 298,908 for third place.

 
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