Wednesday, May 23, 2007

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Gordon rides chip lead to WSOPC final table

By Sarah Polson

When Phil Gordon walks into Harrah's New Orleans today, he'll be coming in with more than one million in chips and a seat at the World Series of Poker Circuit main event final table. A win there will give him his biggest payout to date in a poker tournament.

Of course, first he'll have to get past the eight other players at the table if he's going to walk away with the $516,801 top prize in his pocket.

With $1,167,000 in chips, it will take a lot of work for any of the other players to trip up Phil Gordon in his quest for a win. His nearest competitor is David Fox of Coram, N.Y., who enters the final table with $400,000 in chips.

Fox has been playing poker professional for the past three years. The 30-year-old plans to use his poker winnings someday to eventually write and direct feature films.

The rest of the pack includes a wide range of players including two representing the host state: real estate broker J.D. Estilette from Lafayette and building supply company manager Clint Schafer of Baton Rouge.

A couple of New York natives - commodity trader Bobby Wisiak of Queens and business owner Lou Esposito from Howard Beach - also made their long trek to New Orleans worthwhile by making the final table.

Representing a few of the southern states are trial attorney Anthony Longoria from McAllen, Texas; aspiring poker pro David McLeroy of Raleigh, N.C.; and former rodeo clown Scott Mitchell of Pensacola, Fla.

Along with half a million dollars, the winner will also receive a WSOPC gold ring and a seat in the 2007 World Series of Poker Main Event.

The final table will start play today at 2 p.m. (CST). For those interested in watching it play out, it will be broadcast with a one hour delay at WorldSeriesofPoker.com starting at 3 p.m. (CST).

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