Harrah's Rincon San Diego North - Live Updates

It's all over and Michael "Mickey" Pickett is champion! On the final hand David Peters limped from the button and Mickey checked his big blind. The flop came down A♦ 9♣ 3♠ and Pickett bet out $20,000. Peters called and the 7♦ hit the turn. Pickett led out again, this time for $60,000, and Peters called.

The J♣ hit the river. Pickett pushed $200,000 into the middle and Peters immediately moved all-in. Picket snap-called and tabled T♦ 8♠ for the straight. All Peters could muster was J♥ 9♦ for two pair and just like that we have our champion! David Peters will take $120,156 for second and Pickett will take $229,002, a seat to the WSOP Main Event and the WSOP Circuit ring!

Michael Pickett limps from the button and David Peters checks in the big blind. The flop comes Q♥ T♠ 7♦ and Peters bets $40,000. Pickett makes the call and the turn is the 8♥. Peters fires $100,000; Pickett once again calls. "I'm all-in," says Peters before the river card has been dealt. The K♥ hits fifth street and Pickett goes into the tank. It's $188,000 to call and after a short dwell he pays it off. Peters shows T-8 for two pair which is good for the double.

Both players see a flop of A♠ K♥ Q♦ and Peters bets $16,000. Picket makes the call and the turn is the 4♦. They both check and the river brings the T♠. Peters bets out $30,000 and Pickett raises to $100,000. Peters announces all-in and Pickett insta-calls. They both show a jack for the broadway straight and the pot is chopped.

David Peters goes all-in for $180,000 with Q♣ J♠ and Michael Pickett calls with A♦ 9♦. Peters is in for his tournament life as we head to the board, which comes K♣ 3♦ 2♠ 7♥... Q♥!

Peters doubles up with his pair of queens.

In just the third hand of heads-up play Michael "Mickey" Pickett has added to his already-significant lead. David Peters limped from the button and Pickett raised to $50,000 from the big blind. Peters made the call and the flop came down A♥ T♠ 8♥.

Both players checked and the turn was the 6♣. Mickey bet out $60,000 and Peters raised to $200k. Mickey made the call and the river brought the 7♣. Pickett fired out $500,000 and got a call. He showed Q-9 for the straight and Peters mucked. Pickett now has a massive chip advantage.

Start-of-day chip leader Edward Sabat has been eliminated, paving the way for heads-up play. David Peters raised to $50,000 and Sabat re-raised all-in from the big blind. David Peters snap-called and we go to showdown with Sabat's tournament life on the line.

David Peters: 8♠ 8♦

Edward Sabat: A♣ 9♠

The flop comes down K♥ 7♦ 3♦ and Sabat is still looking to improve. The turn is a terrible card for him, the T♦, which means he'll have to catch an ace or a nine that is not a diamond. The river misses, coming the 6♣, and just like that we're down to heads-up. Edward Sabat will take down $70,680 for his finish.

With overwhelming chip leader Michael Peters breathing down their necks, Edward Sabat and David Peters appear happy to play hands against each other.

In a recent hand they both saw a flop of K♣ 8♥ 8♣ and Sabat bet $16,000. Peters calls and the turn comes 5♠. Sabat decides to bet $30,000 and Peters once again calls. The river falls 6♥ and Peters bets $50,000. Sabat makes the call and Peters says, "I've got a king" and flips over K-5, which is enough to take down the pot.

Kenny Bedoya, our chip leader for the majority of the 2008 WSOPC Rincon, has been eliminated. Here's the hand where it all went down:

Bedoya is under the gun plus one and bets $45,000 pre-flop. Michael Pickett calls from the button and the flop comes Q♠ 7♦ 6♥ and both players check. The turn comes 5♥ and Bedoya checks but Pickett bets $50,000. Bedoya re-raises to $100,000, Pickett re-raises to $200,000, Bedoya re-raises all-in and Pickett calls. The players flip over their cards:

Kenny Bedoya: A♥ Q♣ (pair of queens with top kicker)

Michael Pickett: 8♦ 4♦ (straight)

Bedoya is drawing dead and the river is meaningless. Bedoya will receive $56,544 for his efforts.

David Peters has been spewing chips as of late and just gave up another sizable pot to Kenny Bedoya. Bedoya opened from under the gun and got a call from Peters in the big blind. The flop came down J♦ 5♠ 4♥ and Peters quickly pushed in a bet of $100,000. Bedoya paused a beat before announcing raise. Peters tossed his hand in the muck before Bedoya had even decided on a number.

David Peters has been throwing chips around all day long and many have been folding to his large bets.

In a recent hand Michael Pickett bet $30,000 from the button and Peters called from the big blind. The flop came A♥ Q♣ 9♣ and Peters checked but Pickett bet $45,000. Peters made the call and the turn came A♠.

Peters bet $70,000 and in a role reversal it was Pickett doing the re-raising. Pickett made it $200,000 total and apparently Peters couldn't play at those stakes because Pickett raked the pot.

It's folded to Edward Sabat in the small blind and he limps. David Peters checks his option in the big blind and the flop comes K-K-5. Sabat checks and Peters fires $20,000. Sabat calls and the turn is another five. Edward checks again and Peters bets $30,000.

Sabat raises to $90,000 and after Peters makes the call the river brings a four. Sabat immediately moves all-in for $101,000 and Peters makes the call, saying, "Your king's good." Sabat turns over K-X and Peters mucks a five as he watches the pot being pushed to his opponent.

Cristian Avendano open-shoves from under the gun and Kenny Bedoya makes the call from the dealer button. The players reveal their cards:

Cristian Avendano: 7♠ 7♥

Kenny Bedoya: 8♠ 8♣

Things look bad for Avendano and they get considerably worse when an eight hits on the flop. Avendano needs running sevens for quads to win and the turn comes 4♠ sealing his fate. Avendano will receive $42,408 for his efforts.

The second remaining big-name pro at this table, Canada's Gavin Smith, has been eliminated. He open-shoved from under the gun for $93,000 and it was folded to Kenny Bedoya a few seats over who re-shipped over the top. The remaining players got out of the way and it was time for the showdown.

Gavin Smith: Q♥ T♦

Kenny Bedoya: A♠ J♣

The flop came A♥ K♠ 4♦ and Bedoya took the lead. The turn was the K♣, no help to Smith, and the river was the 9♥. Gavin Smith is eliminated in sixth place, taking $35,340.

Gavin Smith bets $32,000 pre-flop and both David Peters and Michael Pickett call. The flop comes down K♣ 7♠ 3♦ and Pickett checks but Smith bets $58,000. Peters calls and the turn comes Q♦.

Smith checks and Peters shoves all-in. Smith thinks for minute but then lays it down. Smith is in critical condition and will need to double up in a hurry if he wants a shot at this thing.

Meanwhile Peters is putting on a display of aggressive poker. Does he have the hands to back it up? No one knows. 

Lee Watkinson, perhaps the biggest name at this final table, has been eliminated. It was folded to Lee in the cut-off and he moved in for around $80,000. Gavin Smith, next to act on the button, re-shipped over the top and after the blinds got out of the way it was time for a showdown.

Gavin Smith: T♥ T♦

Lee Watkinson: 4♣ 4♦

Watkinson was looking for some serious help but got none from the A♥ Q♣ 8♠ 2♠ 8♥ board. He's out in seventh place and will receive $28,272.

David Peters pops it up to $40,000 pre-flop and action is folded to Edward Sabat, who re-raises to $100,000. Peters opts to make the call and we head to the flop, which comes Q♣ J♥ 10♥. Peters bets $100,000 and Sabat calls. The turn comes 6♣ and David Peters moves all-in. Sabat thinks for a minute and then lays it down.

Peters rakes a $460,000 pot.

We are down to seven at this final table with the elimination of Australia's Damien Oborne in eighth. It was folded to David Peters on the button who put in an opening raise and Damo re-popped all-in from the small blind. The big blind got out of the way and Peters made the call.

David Peters: K♣ T♥

Damien Oborne: A♥ 5♠

The flop came down T♣ 8♠ 3♠ and Peters takes the lead. The turn is the J♠ and the river is the 9♣, eliminating Oborne. He will take $21,204 back Down Under for his trouble.

 

Lee Watkinson raised pre-flop and Gavin Smith went all-in for approximately $50,000. Watkinson made the call and flipped over 10♣ 9♣. Meanwhile Smith showed A♦ 4♣ and is hanging on for his tournament life.

The board comes Q♥ 5♦ K♦ 7♥ A♣ and Smith doubles to approximately $112,000 and is still one of the short stacks. Watkinson is not in great shape either.

Lee Watkinson raises pre-flop and Michael Pickett re-raises all-in. Watkinson calls almost immediately and flips over A♠ 7♠. Pickett shows a very decent A♦ K♣ and is in the lead.

The board comes 3♦ 3♥ 3♠ 9♣ 4♣ and Pickett's king plays. Watkinson's stack is severely depleted while Pickett now has double what he started with. 

HOMETOWN: Las Vegas, Nev.

CHIP COUNT: 337,000

Lee Watkinson is one of the most well-known professionals sitting at today's final table. He is perhaps best known for taking eighth place in the WSOP Main Event last year. Despite winning $585,500 for the effort, Mr. Watkinson left relatively unsatisfied as many observers viewed him as the player to beat in the 2007 championship finale. He is the only player of the final nine to have won a WSOP gold bracelet, which came in the $10K PLO in 2006.

Mr. Watkinson is an avid animal-rights activist. He rescues retired chimps that have been exploited in show business or for research. Part of his tournament winnings goes to help fund his work with chimpanzees. He also owns a record company, clothing line and jewelry business. He holds a degree in economics and is an astute investor and businessman, as well as a champion poker player.

HOMETOWN: Quito, Ecuador

CHIP COUNT: 96,500

Cristian Avendano is a 37-year-old general manager for Unique, Inc. Prior to being a businessman, he served as a U.S. naval officer for nine years. In fact, he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, and went on to earn a masters degree in industrial engineering from Georgia Tech. He now lives in North Las Vegas. This will be the fourth cash for Mr. Avendano. He cashed twice here at Harrah's Rincon so far in preliminary events and also finished in the money at the 2007 World Series of Poker.

HOMETOWN: Lancaster, CA

CHIP COUNT: 854,000

The chip leader coming into today's final table is Edward Sabat, a 21-year-old college student who is currently attending the University of Southern California. His major is accounting. Mr. Sabat took second place at the Harrah's Atlantic City Circuit event held last month. He also took 12th place in the second event here at Harrah's Rincon this year. Mr. Sabat currently has a strong wind in his sails as he is cruising to his first major tournament victory.

HOMETOWN: Little Canada, Minn.

CHIP COUNT: 121,000

Mickey Pickett is 23 years old. He has an impressive tournament record so far with eight major cashes including first place in the 2006 Fall Poker Classic at the Canterbury Card Club near Minneapolis. He also finished in the money two times at last year's World Series of Poker.

HOMETOWN: San Diego, Calif.

CHIP COUNT: 701,500

Kenny Bedoya is a 36-year-old tile-setter from nearby San Diego. He has dominated this event so far, as he enjoyed an overwhelming chip advantage at the end of Day 1. Mr. Bedoya arrives today ranked second in chips. His best two tournament finishes to date include second place at the Commerce Casino last year and fourth place in the Carmen Electra Charity Poker Tournament. He is the proud father of two children, Monika and Andrew. In his spare time he enjoys camping and dirt bike riding.

HOMETOWN: Las Vegas, Nev.

CHIP COUNT: 79,000

Jon Eaton is a 24-year-old professional poker player from Las Vegas. He has come up through the ranks the hard way. He first started out as a poker tournament reporter in 2005. Next, he worked as a poker dealer at the 2006 World Series of Poker. Encouraged by his success as a player, Mr. Eaton decided to go pro last year, which brought even greater financial rewards.

He earned well over half a million dollars playing poker last year, including two cashes at the WSOP in Las Vegas. Mr. Eaton hopes to pick up his first major live tournament victory today but has a serious challenge ahead, as he arrives with the lowest number of chips.

HOMETOWN: Melbourne, Australia

CHIP COUNT: 124,000

Damien "Damo" Oborne is a 28-year-old poker pro from Down Under. He undoubtedly has the most interesting story of any player sitting at today's final table. Despite being Australian, Damo is a huge fan of American football, and specifically the New York Giants. When Damo saw that the Giants were playing in this year's Super Bowl, he decided to fly 17 hours and come to America to cheer on his favorite team.

Of course as it turned out, the Giants did not let him down. Energized by the Giants' upset victory, Damo next heard that there was a World Series of Poker tournament here at Harrah's Rincon. So, he decided that he had to come here and play. And, look at him now - sitting at the final table. He has several impressive finishes in major poker tournaments, mostly in Melbourne.

HOMETOWN: Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.

CHIP COUNT: 442,000

David Peters is a 47-year-old attorney from nearby Rancho Santa Fe. He is also a licensed rugby referee. Mr. Peters has several tournament cashes on his resume, including two wins. He took first place in Event 13 at this year's WSOP Circuit at Harrah's Rincon, where he pocketed nearly $38,000. Mr. Peters arrives third in chips coming into today's final table.

HOMETOWN: Las Vegas, Nev.

CHIP COUNT: 197,500

Gavin Smith is a 39-year-old professional poker player who resides in Las Vegas. He's originally from Ontario, Canada. After enjoying great success playing in poker tournaments about five years ago, Mr. Smith decided to quit a series of low-paying, dead-end jobs and turn pro. That turned out to be a wise decision. He has since racked up nearly $3.3 million in tournament earnings.

Yet despite all his success, Mr. Smith has yet to win a WSOP gold bracelet, or a WSOP Circuit championship, although he has come close many times. He took second at the Harrah's New Orleans championship in 2006. He also took seventh in this championship event at Rincon last year.

Smith's record is impressive indeed - ninth in last year's US Poker Championship, and second in the Pot-Limit Hold'em world championship. He also finished in the money in the championship event at the 2007 WSOP. For all the ladies watching today, Mr. Smith is certain to break many hearts as he is now engaged to be married to his sweetheart, Cindy Kay. They will be married in August.

After a lengthy period of technical delays used by the WSOPC crew to get their cameras in place we are finally getting under way at this final table. Media Director Nolan Dalla is currently introducing the final nine players as they each make their entrance and take their seats. Stay tuned for short bios of each player as well as all the action, as it happens, here at Harrah's Rincon.