This weekend saw thousands of players continue to enjoy the action at the Rio. Down in Sin City, the action remains hot and spicy and here is your update of the weekend’s biggest news.
Former NCAA baseball champion, Eric “BaseBaldy” Baldwin, who has been plying his trade online successfully for some time now, added another accolade to his list of achievements as he bagged a first bracelet in the new event 34, the $2,000 No Limit Hold’em event. Baldwin earned himself well over half a million dollars as he bested Dane Jonas Klausen heads-up at a final table that included British sensation and 2009 bracelet winner Roland de Wolfe. As his Pocket Tens held up, Baldwin realised a long time ambition and earned one of those key achievements that marks him out as one of the game’s best. It’s often said the first bracelet is the hardest to get (ask Jeff Lisandro), so if his online form is anything to go by (your author knows him as a fierce competitor), this should be the first of many.
The $10,000 World Championship events at the World Series, with their larger buy-ins and the greater prestige of winning them, attract star-studded fields full of bracelet winners and the World Championship of Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo Split was no exception to the rule. Doyle Brunson’s attempt to equal Phil Helmuth’s record of 11 career bracelets was fettered by a short stack and a lack of strong holdings, as he could only hold out to make 7th place. Jeffrey Lisandro, the veteran Australian, who for a long time looked destined never to win a bracelet, eventually emerged victorious, picking up his second bracelet of a highly successful series and the third of his career. Lisandro, who had to overcome a four to one chip deficit during his heads-up contest with Iranian Farzard Rouhani, bested a highly decorated field to pick up the $431,656 prize money.
That fantastic victory has propelled Lisandro to become level on points with Player of the Year leader Ville Whalbeck as that race heats up big style. It will often do no harm for the chances of his POY points side bet. Lisandro and Barry Greenstein have taken a clear lead over the team of Daniel Negreanu and Erick Lindgren, and it would appear that more money could be on his way soon.
Be sure to check back regularly for regular updates from the WSOP 2009. All the news from Vegas will be here waiting for you.
This article was written by meshuganater.
Tags: bracelet, las vegas, Lisandro, Player of the Year, WSOP