Alaska Attacks! - Greg Hopkins Wins Event 37

By Arthur Crowson Jun 24, 2007 | 1 year ago

Greg Hopkins wins Event 37, $2,000 Pot-Limit Hold'em, 2007 WSOP

Greg Hopkins came into Event 37 with the second most chips. It was a wild final table that saw chips go back and forth, players that became chip leaders would then bust a few hands later. Through it all Hopkins kept his composure and earned his spot in heads-up play.

 

In heads-up play Hopkins battled Jason Newburger in a seesaw battle that, at times, seemed like it would never end. After several hours it was the soft-spoken Hopkins who finally put Newburger away for good. Hopkins spoke with PokerListings.com after his big win.

You seem like you are in shock and awe. How are you feeling right now?

Elated. It was a hard battle, man. The guy who started off with the chip lead, Yuval Bronshtein, was one tough customer. He was very unpredictable. My plan was to stay out of his way, which I think I did pretty well in the beginning. I laid down some hands I would normally play. I just wanted to get down to short-handed and see what happened.

Today's final table was incredibly unpredictable and the chip stacks just seemed to be going back and forth. How did you deal with that?

I never think about it. Even when he (Bronshtein) had me down 2-1, I thought to myself, 'I'm only two hands away from winning it.' I've had a lot of experience with it. I generally don't panic. You saw how the patience paid off for him? I knew the same thing would work for me.

Greg Hopkins

What did you think of Jason Newburger?

He was amazing. I mean that was the toughest heads-up match I've ever played.

Is Pot-Limit Hold'em your preferred game?

I learned how to play all the limit games with my family. I learned how to play with mainly four to five people. Friends and family basically. We used to play when we went camping. I guess I have a good feel for those kinds of games. Pot-Limit is my favorite game.

Where abouts are you from and how long have you been playing poker?

I grew up in California, but I've lived in Hawaii and Alaska as well. I started playing in Alaska in 1993 and started coming here every year since. This is what I do.

Day 2 of Event 37

Is this your best finish?

Yes.

Have you been to other final tables at the WSOP?

Yes. In Pot-Limit Omaha, actually.

 

 

What are your plans for the rest of the summer? Are you going to enter more events?

For sure in the Main Event and probably the next Pot-Limit Omaha and the six-handed event. Maybe four or five more events.

Thanks a lot, man. Enjoy your victory.

 

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The mild-mannered Hopkins seemed on the verge of tears when he was being interviewed right after his big victory. This was not some pro player winning his umpteenth bracelet. This was a guy who was profoundly affected by his win. That's not to say he didn't play like a pro, however. Hopkins played the unpredictable final table perfectly and never lost his composure. Who knows what the man from Alaska could accomplish in the future.