Post by jdaddy on Apr 4, 2008 10:40:11 GMT -4
www.worldseriesofpoker.com
APRIL 4, 2008 - 9:13:19 AM PST
Ex-Ballplayer Craig Brumfield Hits One Out of Park and Wins Circuit Event #3
by: Bluff staff (Bluff Media)
Elizabeth, IN -- Craig "Sweed" Brumfield, who played two years of minor league ball as an outfielder, hit a home run tonight, coming in first in the third event of the WSOP Circuit tour at Caesars Indiana, $500 no-limit hold'em. Picking his spots and playing patiently, he came on strong at the end to run over his final opponent as he took home a prize of $38,859.
"Patience and reads," those are my strengths," he said. Now a financial advisor with Woodmen of the World, Brumfield said he's a people person, a salesman, and figuring out people is part of his trade. Brumfield plays mainly cash games -- "anything no-limit" -- and an occasional tournament. He previously had a nine-way chop at a Borgata no-limit event and a seven-way chop at a Wynn tourney.
Brumfield, 33, is from Kenova, West Virginia, and this is his second Circuit event. He played college ball, then spent two years with two minor league teams. When his wife became pregnant, he returned home to finish college and go to work. He now has three children. He learned poker when he was eight from an "old navy guy" who was a friend of his uncle. Perhaps the key hand for him tonight came when he was down to 3,700 before the dinner break, decided he'd either double up or go broke, and moved in with 5h-2h. He flopped a straight and flush draw and made a wheel on the river. .
Tonight's event had 40-minute rounds. It was midnight before the players got to the final table, and it took another three hours to finish. We got down to the final nine after Johnny Smith moved in for 30,000 with Jd-10d. He had a good flop of Q-10-9, but couldn't overcome Brumfield's pocket kings. Final-table action started with 3,000-6,000 blinds and 500 antes, 23:09 on the clock. In the lead with 166,500 was Jeff Burns.
Here were the starting chip counts:
Seat 1. Mark "Pegasus" Smith 44,000
Seat 2. Jerry Payne 70,000
Seat 3. Larry Kozlove 73,500
Seat 4. Jeff Sluzinski 123,000
Seat 5. Chris Jones 55,000
Seat 6. Karec Terrell 139,500
Seat 7. Jeff Burns 166,500
Seat 8. Craig Brumfield 103,500
Seat 9. Pat Peercy 139,000
On the first hand, Larry Kozlove looked at Ac-Qc and pushed in all his 73,500. Pat Peercy called with pocket queens and took over the chip lead after all rags hit the board. Kozlove left in ninth place, which paid $2,429. Kozlove, 62, is a retired bank senior vice president from Louisville. His nickname is "Wizard of Koz." He learned poker as a youngster, has entered numerous Circuits, and his 17 or so cashes include wins in Omaha here and in a WPT hold'em event in Biloxi. He is also a tournament bridge player.
As play went on, Mark "Pegasus" Smith raised all in for 30,000. Chris Jones, in the big blind, had a 14,000 call. After long hesitation, he said "I don't want to double you up," and folded, laying down pocket 9s. Perhaps the two WSOP Circuit championship rings Smith was flashing daunted him. "Pegasus" (he breeds and races horses among other things) won the main event at Tunica in 2006, and a $500 no-limit event here last year.
Blinds were now 4,000-8,000 with 1,000 antes. Hand 19 was spectacular. Chris "Jonesy" Jones was all in with pocket 4s against pocket 9s for Jeff "Boski" Sluzinski and Ac-4c for Jerry Payne, also all in. "A four, a four!" Jones demanded. He got his wish when the flop came 10-4-2. But then a trey turned to give Payne a gut-shot straight. After a queen rivered, Jones was out. Eighth place paid him $$3,643. Jones, 38, is a banker from Paris, Kentucky who learned poker from his dad at a young age. This is his first Circuit and his poker highlight. He is married with "two wonderful boys."
After a second all-in that wasn't called, Smith pushed in a third time for about 40,000 in late position with 9h-8h. Karec "K-Rock" Terrell had only pocket deuces, but he wasn't afraid of doubling Smith up and called. A board of A-7-4-7Q didn't change the status, and Smith picked up $4,857 for seventh. The horseman/pro is 55 and from Georgetown, Kentucky. Though he's only been playing three years, he already has wins in Midwest Regional events this year and last, in addition to his two WSOP Circuit victories.
A few hands later, Brumfield raised with pocket 10s and Sluzinski called all in with pocket 8s. Sluzinski busted out when the board of A-6-6-7-9 didn't rescue him. Sixth was worth $6,072. Sluzinski, 24, is a former sales manager turned pro from Dearborn, MI. This is his third Circuit.
Blinds moved up to 6,000-12,000 with 2,000 antes. By this time, Payne had been all in three times and was still around, with lots of chips now. He pushed in a fourth time on the button for 137,000 holding pocket 5s. Terrell called from the small blind with A-Q. Payne won the toss-up when the board came 10-7-3-7-9. He now had a slight lead with about 290,000, while Terrell was crippled. On the next hand, Terrell was on the button and called with his last few chips holding Q-8. It was no match against Burns' K-Q, and Terrell went out fifth, paying $7,286, when the board showed 10-9-5-A-K.
Terrell, 24, is a poker player from Brownstown, Indiana. He's played many Circuits, winning one of them, $500 no-limit, at Rincon two months ago.
Next to go was Peercy. He moved in for 46,000 with A-8. Once again pocket deuces, this time held by Burns, did the trick when a third deuce flopped. Peercy went home with $8,500 for fourth. Peercy, 37, is a truck lot manager from Fortville, Indiana. He learned poker as a kid at the car lot where his father played every day. His other hobbies are fishing and hunting.
At this point, a rough count showed Payne leading with 370,000 chips to 320,000 for Brumfield and 230,000 for Burns. But things turned around quickly on the next hand when Burns opened for 40,000 and Brumfield came over the top all in. Burns was in very bad shape with A-J to Brumfield's A-K. He flopped a straight draw when K-10-5 was dealt, but missed and settled for $10,929 for third. Burns, 38, is from Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, where he owns a telecommunications company. He's played numerous Circuits, and has final tables here and at the Tunica Grand.
Heads up, Brumfield had a substantial lead with about 580,000 to 340,000 to Payne. A few hands later, blinds went to 8,000-16,000 and 2,000 antes, with Payne closing the gab slightly. From that point on, though, Brumfield took down the majority of the pots as Payne's chips began to disappear. At one point Payne blew off 50,000 on a failed bluff. Down to under 100,000, Payne managed to survive two all-ins, getting his chips back to where he started heads-up.
But then, a couple of hands later, the match ended. Burns opened for 42,000, Brumfield made it 142,000 to go, and Burns moved in. Brumfield had pocket 5s, Payne A-J. Payne took the lead on a flop of A-8-7, but then Brumfield made a runner-runner straight when a 6 turned and a 4 hit the river. For finishing second, Payne took home $21,373. Payne, a 29-year-old professional from Dayton, Ohio, was playing his fourth Circuit. His best prior finish was 12th in a $300 no-limit event here last April. His other hobbies are golf and basketball. --Max Shapiro
For more information, please contact:
Max Shapiro -- WSOP Media Director at (323) 356-3303
Or visit our official website: www.worldseriesofpoker.com
World Series of Poker Commissioner – Jeffrey Pollack
Director of Poker Operations for Harrah’s Entertainment – Jack Effel
Caesars Indiana Poker Room Manager – Jimmy Allen
Tournament Directors -- Christopher Reason and Sue Stetar
APRIL 4, 2008 - 9:13:19 AM PST
Ex-Ballplayer Craig Brumfield Hits One Out of Park and Wins Circuit Event #3
by: Bluff staff (Bluff Media)
Elizabeth, IN -- Craig "Sweed" Brumfield, who played two years of minor league ball as an outfielder, hit a home run tonight, coming in first in the third event of the WSOP Circuit tour at Caesars Indiana, $500 no-limit hold'em. Picking his spots and playing patiently, he came on strong at the end to run over his final opponent as he took home a prize of $38,859.
"Patience and reads," those are my strengths," he said. Now a financial advisor with Woodmen of the World, Brumfield said he's a people person, a salesman, and figuring out people is part of his trade. Brumfield plays mainly cash games -- "anything no-limit" -- and an occasional tournament. He previously had a nine-way chop at a Borgata no-limit event and a seven-way chop at a Wynn tourney.
Brumfield, 33, is from Kenova, West Virginia, and this is his second Circuit event. He played college ball, then spent two years with two minor league teams. When his wife became pregnant, he returned home to finish college and go to work. He now has three children. He learned poker when he was eight from an "old navy guy" who was a friend of his uncle. Perhaps the key hand for him tonight came when he was down to 3,700 before the dinner break, decided he'd either double up or go broke, and moved in with 5h-2h. He flopped a straight and flush draw and made a wheel on the river. .
Tonight's event had 40-minute rounds. It was midnight before the players got to the final table, and it took another three hours to finish. We got down to the final nine after Johnny Smith moved in for 30,000 with Jd-10d. He had a good flop of Q-10-9, but couldn't overcome Brumfield's pocket kings. Final-table action started with 3,000-6,000 blinds and 500 antes, 23:09 on the clock. In the lead with 166,500 was Jeff Burns.
Here were the starting chip counts:
Seat 1. Mark "Pegasus" Smith 44,000
Seat 2. Jerry Payne 70,000
Seat 3. Larry Kozlove 73,500
Seat 4. Jeff Sluzinski 123,000
Seat 5. Chris Jones 55,000
Seat 6. Karec Terrell 139,500
Seat 7. Jeff Burns 166,500
Seat 8. Craig Brumfield 103,500
Seat 9. Pat Peercy 139,000
On the first hand, Larry Kozlove looked at Ac-Qc and pushed in all his 73,500. Pat Peercy called with pocket queens and took over the chip lead after all rags hit the board. Kozlove left in ninth place, which paid $2,429. Kozlove, 62, is a retired bank senior vice president from Louisville. His nickname is "Wizard of Koz." He learned poker as a youngster, has entered numerous Circuits, and his 17 or so cashes include wins in Omaha here and in a WPT hold'em event in Biloxi. He is also a tournament bridge player.
As play went on, Mark "Pegasus" Smith raised all in for 30,000. Chris Jones, in the big blind, had a 14,000 call. After long hesitation, he said "I don't want to double you up," and folded, laying down pocket 9s. Perhaps the two WSOP Circuit championship rings Smith was flashing daunted him. "Pegasus" (he breeds and races horses among other things) won the main event at Tunica in 2006, and a $500 no-limit event here last year.
Blinds were now 4,000-8,000 with 1,000 antes. Hand 19 was spectacular. Chris "Jonesy" Jones was all in with pocket 4s against pocket 9s for Jeff "Boski" Sluzinski and Ac-4c for Jerry Payne, also all in. "A four, a four!" Jones demanded. He got his wish when the flop came 10-4-2. But then a trey turned to give Payne a gut-shot straight. After a queen rivered, Jones was out. Eighth place paid him $$3,643. Jones, 38, is a banker from Paris, Kentucky who learned poker from his dad at a young age. This is his first Circuit and his poker highlight. He is married with "two wonderful boys."
After a second all-in that wasn't called, Smith pushed in a third time for about 40,000 in late position with 9h-8h. Karec "K-Rock" Terrell had only pocket deuces, but he wasn't afraid of doubling Smith up and called. A board of A-7-4-7Q didn't change the status, and Smith picked up $4,857 for seventh. The horseman/pro is 55 and from Georgetown, Kentucky. Though he's only been playing three years, he already has wins in Midwest Regional events this year and last, in addition to his two WSOP Circuit victories.
A few hands later, Brumfield raised with pocket 10s and Sluzinski called all in with pocket 8s. Sluzinski busted out when the board of A-6-6-7-9 didn't rescue him. Sixth was worth $6,072. Sluzinski, 24, is a former sales manager turned pro from Dearborn, MI. This is his third Circuit.
Blinds moved up to 6,000-12,000 with 2,000 antes. By this time, Payne had been all in three times and was still around, with lots of chips now. He pushed in a fourth time on the button for 137,000 holding pocket 5s. Terrell called from the small blind with A-Q. Payne won the toss-up when the board came 10-7-3-7-9. He now had a slight lead with about 290,000, while Terrell was crippled. On the next hand, Terrell was on the button and called with his last few chips holding Q-8. It was no match against Burns' K-Q, and Terrell went out fifth, paying $7,286, when the board showed 10-9-5-A-K.
Terrell, 24, is a poker player from Brownstown, Indiana. He's played many Circuits, winning one of them, $500 no-limit, at Rincon two months ago.
Next to go was Peercy. He moved in for 46,000 with A-8. Once again pocket deuces, this time held by Burns, did the trick when a third deuce flopped. Peercy went home with $8,500 for fourth. Peercy, 37, is a truck lot manager from Fortville, Indiana. He learned poker as a kid at the car lot where his father played every day. His other hobbies are fishing and hunting.
At this point, a rough count showed Payne leading with 370,000 chips to 320,000 for Brumfield and 230,000 for Burns. But things turned around quickly on the next hand when Burns opened for 40,000 and Brumfield came over the top all in. Burns was in very bad shape with A-J to Brumfield's A-K. He flopped a straight draw when K-10-5 was dealt, but missed and settled for $10,929 for third. Burns, 38, is from Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, where he owns a telecommunications company. He's played numerous Circuits, and has final tables here and at the Tunica Grand.
Heads up, Brumfield had a substantial lead with about 580,000 to 340,000 to Payne. A few hands later, blinds went to 8,000-16,000 and 2,000 antes, with Payne closing the gab slightly. From that point on, though, Brumfield took down the majority of the pots as Payne's chips began to disappear. At one point Payne blew off 50,000 on a failed bluff. Down to under 100,000, Payne managed to survive two all-ins, getting his chips back to where he started heads-up.
But then, a couple of hands later, the match ended. Burns opened for 42,000, Brumfield made it 142,000 to go, and Burns moved in. Brumfield had pocket 5s, Payne A-J. Payne took the lead on a flop of A-8-7, but then Brumfield made a runner-runner straight when a 6 turned and a 4 hit the river. For finishing second, Payne took home $21,373. Payne, a 29-year-old professional from Dayton, Ohio, was playing his fourth Circuit. His best prior finish was 12th in a $300 no-limit event here last April. His other hobbies are golf and basketball. --Max Shapiro
For more information, please contact:
Max Shapiro -- WSOP Media Director at (323) 356-3303
Or visit our official website: www.worldseriesofpoker.com
World Series of Poker Commissioner – Jeffrey Pollack
Director of Poker Operations for Harrah’s Entertainment – Jack Effel
Caesars Indiana Poker Room Manager – Jimmy Allen
Tournament Directors -- Christopher Reason and Sue Stetar