Tom McEvoy has been looking to regain some admiration from his peers. That goal was likely achieved late last night.
McEvoy, the 1983 World Series of Poker Main Event Champion, won the inaugural World Champions Invitational, a field comprised of 20 former WSOP Main Event champions. McEvoy bested 2002 champion Robert Varkonyi heads up by making a higher flush on the final hand. Varkonyi had one out when all of the chips went in and was unable to make his straight flush.
It was McEvoy’s first major victory since Bay 101 in 2005.
“I told all my friends that I wanted to win this tournament more than anyone else”, McEvoy stated in a post-tournament interview. “I think I have been losing some respect because I have not won in some time, and I wanted this to regain that respect.”
McEvoy was awarded the first-ever “Binion Cup,” named in honor of the Binion Family, who founded the WSOP forty years ago. Following the victory, Jack Binion was on hand along with WSOP President and Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack to present the cup to McEvoy.
He also received a fully restored classic red 1970 Corvette. The car was selected because of its rarity, universal appeal, and connection to the first year of the WSOP which was held in 1970. McEvoy said he intends to keep the car because of its meaningful association with the victory.
Varkonyi received nothing for finishing second but felt privileged just to have a chance to play with the fellow former world champions.
“This was a great experience — such a great honor to play with the champions”, Varkonyi stated afterward. “I had a lot of fun. I hope we do it again sometime. I would like to get another shot.”
Others at the final table of the event were Dan Harrington, Juan Carlos Mortensen, Berry Johnston, Peter Eastgate, Huck Seed, Jim Bechtel and Phil Hellmuth.
Said McEvoy, “This is the toughest field I have ever played against.”
Three other tournaments were being played at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino yesterday. The $1,000 NLHE “Stimulus” Event commenced at 2:00 p.m. local time as players that advanced from Days 1A and 1B came together for the first time. Fifty of the original 6,012 players were still kicking when play was halted early Tuesday morning. Robert Comegys is the chip leader with 1,186,000, but Dennis Fuhs, Steve Ma and Full Tilt Pro Amanda Baker are on his heels.
Play in the $1,000 NLHE “Stimulus” Event will resume at 1:00 p.m. local time Tuesday and wrap up when the final nine is reached. The winner of Wednesday’s final table will earn $771,106.
The $1,500 Pot Limit Omaha Event began with 809 players Monday and only 81 were left standing by the end of the night. All reached the guaranteed payout of $2,761 as the tournament director decided to burst the money bubble during the final level of the night. Jason Mercier built a Herculean chip stack during the last few levels. He climbed all the way up to 227,000 – over 88,000 more than his closest competitor. Josh Arieh, Robert Mizrachi and PokerStars Pro Alex Kravchenko are other notables still alive. Players will return at 2:00 pm on Tuesday and play down to the final table.
Last but certainly not least, the $10,000 Stud World Championship got underway Monday evening. One-hundred forty-two of the biggest names in poker took their seats in the back of the Brasilia Room and you couldn’t find a table without a bracelet winner. Play was slow from the get-go, as the first player wasn’t eliminated until just before the dinner break (four full levels of play). Matt Glantz, David Oppenheim and John Cernuto are among the chip leaders as the remaining 102 players will return at 2:00 p.m. and play until eight are left. The winner will earn a prize of $373,744.
Stay tuned to Poker News Daily for continuing coverage of the 2009 World Series of Poker.