The second event of the 2011 World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) concluded Tuesday with Aussie Andrew Hinrichsen emerging victorious, the sixth Australian in history to win a World Series of Poker gold bracelet. The €1,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em tournament was the largest ever at the WSOPE, as its 771 entrants demolished the previous record of 608 that was set by the first event of the 2009 WSOPE. For his win, Hinrichsen received €148,030 ($197,748).
Hinrichsen does not have an illustrious history of live tournament success, sticking to mainly tournaments in his corner of the world, though he does have a couple relatively small wins. He has had a nice run this year, placing sixth in a preliminary event at the Aussie Millions, second in the high stakes event at the Australia-New Zealand Poker Tour stop in Melbourne, and he made a deep run at this year’s WSOP Main Event, placing 23rd for $302,005. With Tuesday’s win, Hinrichsen is just about at the three-quarters of a million dollar mark for career earnings on the live tournament circuit.
Going into the nine-handed final table, our champ was in fine shape with 434,000 chips, good for the second largest of the group. He had trouble gaining traction for a while and though he did get up over 800,000 at one point, he fell back and went into heads-up play against Gianluca Speranza at a more than 3-to-1 chip disadvantage (1,794,000 to 541,000).
It did not take long, however, for Hinrichsen to take over. The turning point was only about fifteen minutes in. After some raising and re-raising pre-flop, Hinrichsen put the 646,000 chips he had at that point into the pot and Speranza called. Hinrichsen was behind with just T-8 suited, but was in surprisingly decent shape, as Speranza had 5-5. The flop of T-9-2 gave Hinrichsen top pair and the lead, and while the turn brought a flush draw for Speranza, the river was uneventful and Hinrichsen doubled up. With that, he had the chip lead, 1,298,000 to 1,015,000.
After about another fifteen minutes, it was over. Speranza raised to 42,000 pre-flop, Hinrichsen took it up to 100,000, and Speranza called. After the K-7-3 flop, Hincrichsen led out with a 115,000 chip bet and Speranza called. After the 6 fell on the turn, Hinrichsen once again led out, this time for 200,000, and once again, Speranza called. When another 3 hit on the turn, Hinrichsen moved all-in and his opponent quickly called. Speranza had K-9, giving him a solid top pair, but Hinrichsen had him out-kicked with A-K, giving him the pot and his first ever gold bracelet.
The World Series of Poker Europe continues Wednesday as the bracelet winner will be determined in Event #3, the field is narrowed to the final table in Event #4, and Event #5 begins.
2011 World Series of Poker Europe Event #2 – Final Table Results
1. Andrew Hinrichsen – €148,030
2. Gianluca Speranza – €91,262
3. Tarcisio Bruno – €67,281
4. Bernard Guigon – €50,146
5. Roberto Romanello – €37,874
6. Eric Baudry – €28,977
7. John Eames – €22,449
8. Nabil Nedjai – €17,608
9. Gregory Lejolivet – €13,982
