If there has been one thing we have seen early on in the newly restructured World Series of Poker Circuit events, it is that the final tables seem to be stacked with extremely solid players. The final table of the $350 H.O.R.S.E. event at the WSOPC Horseshoe Southern Indiana was no exception as it provided a line-up of players ranging from old school veterans to online superstars.
Of the 113 entrants who started the event, eight returned on Day Two to battle it out for the WSOP Circuit Ring. The chip counts going in to the final table were as follows:
1. Jeremy Messer 256,000
2. Vince Burgio 203,000
3. Chris Viox 170,000
4. Leland Isaacs 145,000
5. Bill Yanney 112,000
6. Betty Jean Davidson 103,000
7. Scott Clark 42,000
8. Brian Swinford 39,000
Several hours passed before anyone was sent to the rail. As a testament to the new WSOPC structures, the chip leader at the start of the final table, Jeremy Messer, was eliminated by the original short stack, Brian Swinford, in eighth place during Stud H/L. Just a short time later, the lone woman at the table, Betty Jean Davidson, was knocked out by Chris Viox in the Hold ‘em rotation.
After the elimination of Davidson, things slowed down a bit as most of the poker room had their focus on Roy Halladay’s no-hitter on the television screens around the room. Once the Phillies were celebrating their victory over the local favorite Reds, the action picked up.
Indianapolis, IN native Bill Yanney was the next player to be sent to the cage. He got all his chips in with top pair during Hold ‘em but could not improve against Leland Isaacs' two-pair.
Chris Viox was one of the biggest threats at the final table. Viox not only has almost $400,000 in career live earnings and two World Series of Poker final tables, but he also won both a WCOOP and SCOOP event online. Unfortunately, he lost two big pots when five-handed and then was unable to survive the only time he had been all-in for the entire tournament. Scott Clark sent Viox to the rail during a round of Stud H/L.
Of all the players at the final table, Vince Burgio was the most accomplished. He has over $1.5 million in career earnings as well a fourth place finish in the 1994 WSOP Main Event just days after winning a bracelet in the 7-Card Stud H/L event. However, his deep run in the H.O.R.S.E. event ended in a fourth place finish.
Coming into the final table as the short stack, Brian Swinford worked his way up the pay ladder all day. He was finally eliminated in third place when his could not improve against the of Leland Isaacs.
Despite having just eliminated Swinford, Isaacs was still at a chip disadvantage to the aggressive Scott Clark. Clark proceeded to grind down the Louisville native and eventually was able to send him to the rail in second place. Isaacs took home $5,756 for his efforts.
A syndicated poker writer and blogger, Scott Clark was able to outlast the talented field and earn the victory in the $350 H.O.R.S.E. event. For his win, Clark pocketed $9,313 as well as the Circuit Ring.
Payouts at the final table were as follows:
1. Scott Clark $9,313
2. Leland Isaacs $5,756
3. Brian Swinford $4,098
4. Vince Burgio $2,977
5. Chris Viox $2,205
6. Bill Yunney $1,664
7. Betty Jean Davidson $1,280
8. Jeremy Messer $1,003
Play continues today at the Horseshoe with final day of Event #7, the $350 No-Limit Hold ‘em, as well as the start of Event #8, another $350 No-Limit Hold ‘em.
For the full schedule of events at the Horseshoe Southern Indiana Circuit, click here.
For more information about the WSOP Circuit National Championship, click here.