McEvoy is WSOP champion's champion
For newly crowned 2009 World Series of Poker Champions Invitational winner Tom McEvoy, this event was about much more than just the 1970 Corvette Stingray he won Sunday.
"The car was just the frosting on the cake," McEvoy told PokerListings.
"Beating all my colleagues that were talented enough to win the Main Event was what it was really about."
To help celebrate the 40th anniversary of the World Series of Poker, the Champions Invitational brought together 20 Main Event champions to compete for the car and the newly created Binion's Cup.
McEvoy, who won the WSOP Main Event in 1983 when there were just 108 entrants and a $540,000 first-place prize, said winning this prestigious event was also about gaining the respect of the entire poker world.
"I'm totally overjoyed," he said. "One of the reasons I was so determined to win this was to reestablish myself and prove, not only to myself, but to everybody else, that I can still do this."
After a first day Sunday that saw a huge crowds gather to catch a glimpse of the star-studded field, the final table began Monday with Carlos Mortensen holding the lead.
2008 WSOP champ Peter Eastgate was actually the first to hit the rail taking ninth before two-time Main Event winner Doyle Brunson said goodbye in eighth position.
Short stacks Berry Johnson and Huck Seed were given the gate in seventh and sixth respectively when suddenly Jim Bechtel doubled through Mortensen, knocking him down to size.
A few hands later Bechtel hit a set against Mortensen's top pair and it was all over for the 2001 Main Event champion.
McEvoy sent Bechtel home fourth and after 2002 Main Event champ Robert Varkonyi doubled through Dan Harrington, all three players remaining appeared evenly stacked.
Three-handed play turned out to be an epic four-hour battle before McEvoy sent Harrington packing.
He waltzed into heads-up holding a 3:1 chip lead and ended Varkonyi's hopes in short order.
"I had a great time and it was a great success for me to even come in second," Varkonyi said. "I would have loved to win it, but these are all champions. It was probably the toughest field ever."
Now the champion of champions, McEvoy is putting the 2009 World Series of Poker on notice.
"I think I proved that I can compete at the highest level against the best players in the world," he said.
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Comments
38dmac
2009-06-02Congratulations to the champ of champs ! Certainly overdue, but we all stood behind you, whether visible or not ! dmac - cinti
casey kastle
2009-06-02I think the San Remo, Slovenia, Monte Carlo trip was what put Tom in the proper frame of mind to compete at the highest level.
Combined with winning the PPT in San Jose, it just shows that though Tom does not play much anymore, he sure Can Play.
George Marlowe
2009-06-02I doubt very much that a trip to Sam Remo, Slovenia or Monte Carlo had much to do with your big win, especially considering the company you were forced to keep. It probably had more to do with the 14 books and years of dedicated work, playing, writing, teaching, analyzing and being a true student of the game that finally paid off BIG. Congrats my friend...nobody deserves it more.
Susie Isaacs
2009-06-02Congratulations, my friend, my first poker teacher, and some think, my husband at one time! You are certainly in an elite group now - a group of one! I am thrilled when a "seasoned" player shows the world he still has it, and I love it that it was YOU!
Susie Isaacs
MikeTelford
2009-06-02Never heard of the guy and it just shows that the new boys still have to deal with legends out there.
Most new bloods dont even know these old timers man! I really am shocked, good work Tom im sure you'll see many a reward for this feat of poker agility.
If I watch the event and you suck im deleting this lol.
Or was it even scheduled to be on air?
Stephanie
2009-06-02Way to go Tom!
And thanks for supporting Gamblers Against Secondhand Smoke (GASS)!
We love you for making a difference in the air we breathe!
www.smokefreegaming.org
Brad Daugherty
2009-06-02Congratulations!!!., you played great
I am very happy for you.
You were my second choice to win...:))
Your friend
Brad Daugherty
Jan Fisher
2009-06-02Congratulations Tom...
If only you played tennis as well as you do poker. Well deserved.... may I drive the car please?
Good luck in the rest of the series,
Jan Fisher
Angela
2009-06-02That's my uncle!
mike spinetti
2009-06-02You said you were going to win. Congratulations on a job well done
Gambler's Book Shop Staff
2009-06-02We always knew you're a winner; you always knew you 're a winner; now everyone knows you're a winner.
As for your superb competition, a quote from Addison Walker: It is not true that nice guys finish last. Nice guys are winners before the game ever starts.
Congratulations, Tom,
The staff at Gambler's Book Shop
Jane
2009-06-02Great Job, Tom! I'm as happy for you as you are!
John Van Fossen
2009-06-02Tom,
I am proud to have played across the table from you. Congratulations!
You are a heck of a player and you gave them one for the old guys, like me.
Best Wishes,
John Van Fosse
Cincinnati, Ohio
Spider
2009-06-02Good to see you in the winners circle, again!
spider
luckydogruss
2009-06-02Congrats, Tom! I have always respected your game and valued your instructional books.
Haven't seen you, though, since I called all-in with A-8 suited against your A-K offsuit and made a flush, which propelled me to a second-place finish in the '08 PCA media tourney!
Looking back, maybe what helped keep you going years ago was the bags of candy and suckers my friend Scotty gave you every time we'd see you an at event!
Oh, and thanks again for inviting us to dinner that night about 10 years ago in Marina del Ray! It was a blast!
--Russ Scott
LuckyDog Poker
TEX
2009-06-02Tom, the pride of South Dakota.
Way to go Ol Scout. You WON it, it was not a gift.
Good Luck with the rest of the Events
Ted Simmoneau
2009-06-02A very long time ago you coached me from the 2/4 tables up to the 20/40 and 30/60 games where i had a long fabulous career as a working pro. There was never a doubt in my mind. Congratulations.
Ted
Dana Smith
2009-06-02Tom, we've worked on lots of poker projects together, but you did not need help from anybody in defeating the best of the best poker players in the world!
And now only one champion stands out among the rest --t he one who owns the Binions Cup. You, my friend, you!
Paul Zibits
2009-06-02Congrats, Tom! Followed the blow-by-blow all day.
You deserved this win for sure against the greatest players out there.
On a side note, just want to thank you for all the great poker advice and friendship over the years.
I want a ride in your 'vette!!
See you soon at this year's WSOP!
Dan Sheetz
2009-06-02Congratulations Tom! A well deserved win for a true legend in the game of poker.
Through your books, and through those you've coached, you've helped create a generation of great players. I'm proud to be mentored by someone who was mentored by you (Paul Z).
Cheers to you Tom!
John Schneiter
2009-06-02Congrat's Tom,
Overdue and well earned in that crowd.
TGS sent me the article. He is overdue as well. Wish I could be there to drive everyone nutz with my unique playing style. :)
Have fun and take another one down!
Joliet Jack
Kurt Schneiter
2009-06-02Tom:
The world now knows what the rest of us were thinking. You deserve to sit with the best and have them fear your next move.
Congratulations
PS
I want a ride in your vet also.
Long Beach Dan
2009-06-02Grandma IS Proud! (and she wants small share...)
Steve & Carol Ann
2009-06-02Steve says I knew it along. Carol Ann says it's about time. Love ya!
Bro-Steve
2009-06-03My my............ look what happens when the best poker field in the world is over confident, and underestimates a "Steady Eddy" workhorse of the poker world. Tom, you still got it!!! S
Milt & Phyllis Meyers
2009-06-03Tom,
Phyllis & I were in the stands rooting for you, as you know we are part of the old farts club and couldn't stay up to watch the end.
We are so very proud of you and happy for you. You still have it and this time you showed it.
Bryant
2009-06-03He always had it... he just likes to slow play it. Way to go Uncle T.
Yolanda Stock
2009-06-03Good Job honey! Wow, a boyfriend with a corvette, ssssssssssss hot!!!!!!
Love you
Rosanne & Juston Wright
2009-06-03Hey Champ; Hope you were feeling some of that good "Sweating" we were sending your way. We're still smiling Big Time for you. Thrilled to pieces that you won--you were our only choice! Can we borrow the car for a quickie?--ride that is..... Love you Tom. Rosanne and Juston Wright
Whit1
2009-06-03Congrats Tom from an old CC'62 classmate. You brought home one not only for yourself, but also for the more chronologically gifted set.
Nick Gullo
2009-06-03Tom is also a Champion of Champions in life . He gives inspiration and hope to all that know him.
Tom should be an easy nomination for the Poker Hall of Fame.
In my book, he is already in it.
Joe VandenBerg
2009-06-03Way to go Tom!! Gail, the kids and I are all proud of you. Bring some pics of the vet you won next time your up this way visiting.
Don Hart, Dayton
2009-06-04You're a great poker champion, Tom. Here's wishing you more victories in the future.
Jim Ward
2009-06-06Tom, you are a disciplined survivor. World champions will come and go but few stand up to the test of time. You will always be among the very best. Congratulations from your friend in Alaska.
Sister Marcia
2009-06-10Way to go brother! I just found out about your win via an e-mail from Melanie. We are all so proud of you! Mom and Dad would be so proud! Love you!
Maggie Madden
2009-06-10This is wonderful ! Congratulations!! Just goes to show that you are definitely the best of the best. I always knew you were to. :) Love you! Way to go!
stew ansteth
2009-06-14I`ve always known you could do this. I`m very happy you are putting yourself out there again. I`m also happy to call you my friend.
Mr. Bill Scher (SD)
2009-07-15Awesome achievement! Top Gun...beating "the best of the best". Making a big statement like that always feels good! Hope to see you in SD.
HOF for sure!