Hidden Court West - Jim H. managed to edge out a red-hot Bill B. in head's-up play to claim the fourth event in Season Five of the Fish 'N' Chips Poker Tour early Sunday morning.
The event was filled at 20 players a week in advance, however Mike T. dropped out early Thursday due to babysitting issues. He was replaced by substitute player Shawn B. who made his FNCPT debut.
The cards flew at 7:15pm sharp.
Eric W. was the last player to arrive, but the late start meant he had only been blinded off one small blind. After pulling a few pots, he raised it up in the level 3 while in the small blind and got four callers. Eric bet the AA7 flop and two people dropped with Drew M. being the only one to stick around. Eric checked the brick turn and Drew bet out; Eric re-raised all in and Drew quickly called, tabling 77 for a flopped boat. Eric needed the a king or a paired board for his AK to survive. The river was dry and Eric was eliminated in 20th place.
Several leaguer's convinced Eric to stick around for the cash game which was at least 2 hours away. In the meantime, Eric took to the camera to treat everyone to some of his Pulitzer Award Winning Photography. Here are just a few of Eric's great shots:
The field held at 19 players through the next few blind levels.
That was until Marc was eliminated in 19th place. Lolly, John, Kevin, Nick, Shawn, Angie, Keith, Mike M. and Anita all followed thus forming the final table.
Jason Ta. was the first player out at the final table. He was followed by Chris S. and then Jim O.
6 handed play included Drew M, Jim H, Jason Tr, Sean O, Bill B. and Chris Ba. Bill was the big chip leader as evidenced below.
Chris Ba. was eliminated in 6th place followed by Jason Tr. who was out on the bubble in 5th place for the 2nd time this season.
Substitute player Drew M. managed to hang on for 4th place with his 2nd cash this season. Drew was followed by fellow "super" substitute Sean O. (out 3rd) who cashed for the 3rd time this season.
Head's-up play began with Jim having approximately 100k more then his opponent Bill. And it didn't take long for the final hand of the tournament to be dealt.
On the final hand, Bill limped and Jim raised to 20k. Bill then shoved and Jim quickly called revealing the "Ardmore Girls", pocket queens. Bill showed the 10d-Kh. The Jc-Qs-10h flop gave Jim a set of queens for the lead however Bill had drawing hope in the form of an ace for a straight. The turn card was the 6s and brought neither player any help. Bill needed an ace and an ace only to win the hand and to have a shot at his 3rd victory this season. But is was not meant to be as the 2s fell instead and gave Jim his 3rd career win at Hidden Court West and a spot in the current "April 8".
Nobody matched the 2s river card so a measley $20 will roll over to S5.
Jim is the all time FNCPT leader in regular season wins with 6 and career earnings with $4,535.
Thanks to everyone who came out for S5E4 and congrats to Jim on his win.
~ Jason Tr.
