Norborne Angie kicked off Season III of the FNCPT with a win, overcoming a substantial chip disparity in the process. With the win, Angie has laid claim to a seat in the Championship early on. Over the last two years, the winner of Event #1 has remained in the Top 8 and finished the season with an automatic seat in the Championship (in Season 1, Jeff won event #1 and finished 3rd overall at the end of the season; Jason Tr. won Event #1 in Season 2, en route to his Player of the Year honors).
With a cancellation late in the week, the field was set at 19 players. However, another player cancelled after the tournament started and the field shrunk to 18, forcing the tables to be balanced before anyone was even eliminated.
Pat's rough night ended early as he mis-read his hand twice in big pots and was eliminated in 18th place. Bill was the next one sent home. After spending most of the night folding, he limped on the button preflop. Chris was in the big blind and managed to turn his 10-6 into a boat on the river, taking all of Bill's chips.
Jason Tr., last year's Player of the Year was sent home in 16th place after he was unable to gain any traction. Keith's two pair were crushed earlier by John's full house, but Keith rebought and managed to outlast three other players for a 15th place finish.
Father and daughter were the next to go. Season 1 champion Anita was bounced in 14th after a string of good hands would not hold up. Next out was reigning Champion Jim S. in 13th place.
Lolly and Sean were the next two players eliminated and the two tables both played five-handed, waiting for the next elimination and the formation of the final table. Jim H obliged the remaining 9 players by bowing out in 10th place.
Jason Ta. was the first player eliminated from the final table. He was followed by Jim O. in 8th place and John in 7th. Kevin's aggressive play at the final table earned him a 6th place finish, but because of a rebuy, he earned 8th place points.
Eric was nursing a shortstack on the bubble and had managed to double up a few times, but the blinds and antes were oppressive. When he looked down and saw A-10, he pushed and was called by the A-7 of Mike. A seven on the flop ended Eric's night and burst the bubble.
Nick was the first out of the money with a 4th place finish. Three-handed, Mike was the next to succumb to the pressure, leaving with 3rd place money. Angie and Chris were poised for a heads up battle with Chris having a healthy chip lead.
There was considerable pushing back-and-forth of blinds with no one taking a commanding lead (and a clock snafu that delayed an increase in blinds). But as the clock ticked, the blinds and the pots both got bigger. With 4 previous cashes, Angie was starved for a win. And having not tasted the winner's circle since his first event in Season 1 (and a string of 2nd place finishes outside the FNCPT), Chris wasn't going to go gentle into that good night.
As the two battled back and forth, Angie raked pots and slowly built a slight chip edge. And on the final hand, the players got all the money in the middle. Angie showed KJ for top two pair while Chris showed QT and an open ended straight draw. In the end, Angie's top two pair ended up being the best hand, good enough for $350 and her first FNCPT victory.
The six of diamonds on the river meant that no one won the River Jackpot. $40 will rollover into Event #2's jackpot.
Thanks to everyone who played in Event #1 and congrats again to Angie on the win!
~ Eric
Congrats Angie!
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