A ninth World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet was not in the offing for Full Tilt Poker pro Erik Seidel in the $1,500 buy-in Pot Limit Hold’em tournament (Event #20). He finished seventh, paving the way for John-Paul Kelly to capture his first WSOP bracelet.
Kelly was a commanding chip leader entering the tournament’s final table. He held a stack of 627,000, well out in front of Jason Dewitt’s second place tally of 476,000. The first to depart the nine-handed final table was Ravi Raghavan, who cashed for $18,634. Raghavan picked an untimely spot to risk his tournament life with pocket sevens, running into Marc Tschirch’s pocket jacks. The final board read 10-9-8-4-4 and Raghavan became the first casualty. Exiting stage right shortly thereafter was Andrew Radel, who took eighth place for $21,082. Radel called a raise by Kelly all-in after a flop of A-10-2. Radel flipped over A-Q for top pair and was in front of Kelly, who revealed pocket nines. However, Kelly spiked a nine on the river to send Radel home.
Dewitt sent the eight-time WSOP bracelet winner packing in seventh place for $24,919 after showing pocket eights on a board of 8-K-J-5-5. Seidel mucked and recorded his 55th WSOP in the money finish, tied for fifth all-time with T.J. Cloutier. Tony Steward was ousted in sixth place after pushing on a flop of Q-J-4 with J-3. However, Tschirch called, showing K-J for middle pair with a higher kicker. Steward’s sixth place effort was worth $30,837 in his first WSOP cash.
The honor of fifth place in the $1,500 buy-in Pot Limit Hold’em event went to Aaron Virchis, who took home $40,048 for his efforts. Virchis called a bet from Kelly with his tournament life on the line after a flop of 10-4-10. Virchis showed K-8 for “squadoosh” and Kelly revealed A-4. Kelly had to dodge a king or eight to win the hand and watched as the turn came a jack and the river came an ace, improving him to aces-up. Twenty minutes later, Kyle Carlston exited in fourth place after running A-J into Kelly’s A-K of spades. The flop came A-Q-7, keeping Kelly out in front; running spades improved him to a flush.
Kelly promptly lost most of his newfound chips after Dewitt made a straight flush against his top pair. Dewitt was all-in holding 4-5 of clubs on a board of A-10-3-7 with two clubs for flush and straight draws. Kelly held A-5 for a pair of aces, but watched as the six of clubs fell on the river, giving Dewitt a seven-high straight flush. Kelly returned the favor several hands later, doubling up with A-10 against Dewitt’s 9-8 on a board of 9-10-2-2-A. Short on chips, Dewitt pushed pre-flop with A-10 and was called by Tschirch, who held 6-7. After four blanks fell, a six hit on the river to give Tschirch the win in the hand and send Dewitt packing in third place for $78,826.
Kelly held a 3:2 chip lead entering heads-up play. The conclusion of the five hour final table featured raised action before both players saw a flop of 8-5-4. Kelly bet, Tschirch called behind, and the turn came a queen. Kelly bet, Tschirch pushed all-in, and Kelly called, turning over A-Q for top pair. Tschirch exposed A-5 and needed to spike a five on the river in order to stay alive. However, the final card was the deuce of clubs, sealing Kelly’s first WSOP bracelet. Tschirch took home $120,102, while Kelly banked $194,434. Here were the final payouts from Event #20 of the 2009 WSOP:
1. John-Paul Kelly – $194,434
2. Marc Tschirch – $120,102
3. Jason Dewitt – $78,826
4. Kyle Carlston – $54,711
5. Aaron Virchis – $40,048
6. Tony Steward – $30,837
7. Erik Seidel – $24,919
8. Andrew Radel – $21,082
9. Ravi Raghavan – $18,637
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