By virtue of taking down a $5,000 buy-in Pot Limit Omaha High-Low Split Eight or Better bracelet during the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP), Roland De Wolfe became only the second player ever to complete poker’s Triple Crown. De Wolfe also has wins on the European Poker Tour (EPT) and World Poker Tour (WPT).
He joins Gavin Griffin as the only players to have accomplished the feat. In 2005, De Wolfe won the WPT Grand Prix de Paris for €479,680, defeating Juha Helppi heads-up in a final table that also included Alan Goehring. In late 2006, De Wolfe emerged as the champion of EPT Dublin for €554,300 after navigating through a 389 player field. His win on Sunday in the Amazon Room was worth $246,616. The new Triple Crown winner told WSOP officials after the tournament had concluded that it was the third Pot Limit Omaha High-Low event he had ever played. He noted, “I got lots of advice from some English players. But when it comes to experience in this game, I was clearly in the bottom half of the field. But, I’m a card player. I have good card sense. I can play any game.”
Antony Lellouche was the first casualty of the nine-handed final table. After a flop of 10-8-6, Lellouche called all-in for his tournament life holding A-Q-10-2 for a pair of tens. Two-time Omaha bracelet winner Scott “BigRiskky” Clements showed A-9-7-2 for the nut straight. The turn came a 10, improving Lellouche to trips, but the river was a jack. Lellouche earned $29,965 for his ninth place effort. Armando Ruiz was the next to go, falling with A-Q-3-2 (all hearts) against Brett Richey’s A-A-9-7. Ruiz pocketed $32,105 for his troubles.
John Racener hit the skids in seventh place after pushing on a board of 10-4-2-9 with two clubs and two hearts. Racener flipped up A-3-9-8 with two clubs for flush and straight draws, while Robert Campbell showed A-7-3-2 with two hearts. A three of hearts on the river gave Campbell a flush for the high and a better low, sending Racener home $36,200 richer. Andy Black hit the rails 10 minutes later holding A-A-4-3 against Campbell’s A-A-5-4. Campbell hit a spade flush on the river to secure Black’s exit and $42,993 payday. Black finished fifth in the 2005 WSOP Main Event, which was ultimately won by Team PokerStars Pro member Joe Hachem.
Alex Kravchenko was eliminated in fifth place for $53,881. He was all-in pre-flop against Clements holding 8-7-5-4 with two clubs and two spades. Clements showed A-9-7-5 with two spades and two hearts. The board came J-10-5-K-6 with no flush possibilities and Clements’ pair of fives scooped the pot. De Wolfe then sent Campbell home after calling Campbell’s all-in on a board of 7-5-3-4. Campbell flipped over A-A-K-8, while De Wolfe showed A-9-7-6. An eight on the river preserved De Wolfe’s win with a straight and qualifying low.
Clements hit the rails in third place for $101,063 in his second final table of the 2009 WSOP. Clements was all-in against De Wolfe holding A-A-6-4 against De Wolfe’s A-9-8-3 with two clubs on a board of 9-7-2 (also with two clubs). The turn fell a five and the river was the king of clubs, giving De Wolfe a straight; he also scooped the low. Heads-up play between De Wolfe and Richey ended when the latter was all-in with Q-J-10-9 on a board of 10-8-4. De Wolfe held A-Q-8-4 for two pair. A deuce on the turn didn’t change matters and a river ace improved De Wolfe to aces-up. Richey pocketed $152,618 as a consolation prize, while De Wolfe banked $246,616.
Here were the final results from the $5,000 buy-in Pot Limit Omaha High-Low Split Eight or Better event:
1. Roland De Wolfe – $246,616
2. Brett Richey – $152,618
3. Scott Clements – $101,063
4. Robert Campbell – $72,121
5. Alexander Kravchenko – $53,881
6. Andrew Black – $42,993
7. John Racener – $36,200
8. Armando Ruiz – $32,105
9. Anthony Lellouche – $29,965
