Home / Poker News June 2009 / James Van Alstyne captures $1,500 HORSE bracelet
James Van Alstyne captures $1,500 HORSE bracelet
Posted by: James Carter. - Wed, 2009-06-17 14:55
The final day of the 2009 WSOP’s $1,500 HORSE event saw 23 day 1 and day 2 survivors head back to the tables. Of these players, Fabrice Soulier was best positioned: behind a 351,000 chip stack and in the provisional lead. Still in contention were Vanessa Rousso, Farzad Rouhani, Chris Bjorin and James Van Alstyne.
When the dust settled in the wake of 12 hours of final day action, James Van Alstyne alone was still standing, with a smile on his face, a WSOP bracelet in hand and a $247,033 prize in his pocket.
The day started out furiously, with 3 players heading to the rail within the first few hands. John Racener bought it first in a Stud hand from Dustin Bryan. He was followed to the rail by Torstein Iversen who first took a big hit from Alstuyne, then got tipped over the edge a few hands later. Paul Darden was eliminated shortly after.
Kathy Raymond busted out in an Omaha Hi/Lo round. Vanessa Rousso fell in a Razz Round.
Peter Gelencser and Phillip Marmorstein fell victims to Mitch Shock in the same Omaha Hi/Lo hand.
Lana Maier was the last surviving woman in the field, unfortunately for her though, she’ll probably remember this event for another – more dubious – honor: that of the final table bubble-girl.
After her elimination, 9 players remained, with Mitch Shock holding a pretty solid chip lead over the rest of the field. Farzad Rouhani was the short-stack and sure enough he became the first victim of the final table, eliminated by Van Alstyne in a Stud Hi/Lo round.
Ron Schiffman finished in 8th, busted by Brian Malcolm. Fabrice Soulier ran into Mitch Shock next and busted out in 7th. Shock moved on to eliminate Malcolm in 6th.
Shannon Shorr committed a few mistakes at the final table and that cost him dearly. He slowly sank and eventually succumbed to Mitch Shock in a Razz hand.
Brian Micon was sent to the rail next by Van Alstyne and proceeded to take a few huge pots off Mitch Shock, which eventually sent the latter to the edge of elimination. It was only a matter of time for Van Alstyne to move in for the kill and to eliminate Shock in a Stud Hi/Lo hand.
The heads-up stage between Van Alstyne and Tad Jurgens was a one sided affair. Not only did Van Alstyne hold a huge chip lead to begin with, he continued to catch cards and to increase the pressure. The final hand of the event saw Van Alstyne catch a pair of 10s on 6th street to send Jurgens packing.
