Home / Poker News June 2009 / Tom McEvoy wins Inaugural WSOP Champions Invitational
Tom McEvoy wins Inaugural WSOP Champions Invitational
Posted by: James Carter. - Tue, 2009-06-02 07:16
It was one of the most anticipated events in this year's World Series of Poker, not least because of the sheer talent that was to be present. There were many rumours flying before the Champions Invitational got underway with as much speculation as to who would reign as champion of champions. Amongst the favoured where Phil Hellmuth, but ultimately it was to be a more veteran player that was to take the title.
The 2 day Champions Invitational saw 20 of the biggest and the best names in poker stack up and fight for the Binion Cup and a 1970 Corvette. At the end of the first day half the field remained, amongst them last year's WSOP Main Event winner Peter Eastgate and at the bottom of the pack was one of the favourites, Phil Hellmuth. It was Carlos Mortensen who was leading as the 10 reconvened for day 2. Hellmuth didn't make it as far as 20 minutes in as he went out in 10th followed just 10 minutes later by Peter Eastgate. By the time the dinner break came, nearly 6 1/2 hours into play Doyle Brunson, the grandfather of poker had gone to the rail, as had Berry Johnston, Huck Seed and Mortensen having lost several big hands and finally loosing to the pressure of Jim Bechtel. However despite Bechtel's successes, Tom McEvoy sent him to the rail in fourth leaving 3 handed play for after dinner.
As 3 handed play commenced a little before 10 p.m., McEvoy was well in the lead, and cautious seemed to be the name of the game. The first show down didn't come until nearly an hour into play and it was another hour after that before heads-up play was determined. It was to be Robert Varkonyi against Tom McEvoy with the later having a 3-1 lead. Varkonyi had a great start, winning several big pots, but ultimately it was McEvoy who was to succeed. The 1983 WSOP Main Event winner has done it again, winning the inaugural Binion Cup!
