Gale wins bracelet

The real test of character is not watching someone during a time of celebration. Rather, it is watching someone in a time of despair. Anyone can behave politely when things are going good. But what about during the bad times? What do they do? How do they act? This notion brings about the old saying, “adversity introduces a man to himself.”

The 2006 Pot-Limit Hold’em championship concluded on July 21, 2006. But the story of John Gale and his inspiring gold bracelet-winning victory started more than a year earlier.

At last year’s World Series of Poker, Gale had his last opponent down to the felt and drawing slim. ESPN cameras and the entire poker world were watching as Gale, one of poker’s most gracious gentlemen, was about to win the $5,000 buy-in Pot Limit Hold’em championship. But poker is all about the unpredictable. Gale not only lost the key hand that would have won him a WSOP title, he proceeded to lose several more vicious hands (usually as the favorite). Brian Wilson ended up making a stunning comeback in heads-up play, eventually seized the chip lead, and ended up as the winner. Instead of acting bewildered or angry, Gale extended his hand and then warmly embraced the winner. He smiled and moved off of the stage to allow Wilson his moment of glory.

John Gale’s victory was all the more pleasing to watch because he so genuinely wanted the gold bracelet – far more than the monetary value of the $374,849 in prize money. It’s often a cliché to mention that a WSOP gold bracelet means more than the money. But in Gale’s case, it’s truthful.

“It’s every poker player’s dream,” Gale said. “It means so much more now because I came so close (last year). I really do feel bad for anyone that gets close and does not win. But, to now come back and enjoy this moment makes it all the sweeter.”

After 553 players had been eliminated over two long days, nine players took the final table on the Rio poker stage. The nine finalists comprised a very tough lineup, most notably Joe Hachem the reigning world poker champion. When play began, John Gale was a distant third in the chip count, trailing by more than 3 to 1 to the chip leader, Alex Jacob.

Down to four players, there was a hand that was as enlightening as it was dramatic. World champ Joe Hachem was all-in against Kevin Ho and was in serious trouble. He was down to a single card. With his tournament life on the line, the entire room standing and holding their collective breaths, a queen spiked on the river and saved Hachem — at least temporarily. As the crowd roared, Hachem made what unfortunately is an all-too rare revelation of overt sportsmanship. As he heard the cheers around him, Hachem saw his opponent looking down and dejected. With the wave of his arm, Hachem asked for stillness from the crowd. It was a respectful and dignified gesture that reveals more about Hachem as a champion and as a person than any million dollar prize or gold bracelet.

Sadly, Hachem’s good graces did not translate into what could have been his second WSOP victory. He went out a short time later on a horrible beat. On the key hand, Hachem moved all-in holding king-nine after the flop came K-4-3. John Gale had ace-three and called with the small pair. The turn brought a blank, but an ace on the river stunned the crowd, knocked out the champ, and rocketed Gale up into the chip lead.

“Sorry Joe,” John Gale would say later in a post-tournament interview. “I knew I did not have the best of it when I called. But I decided to gamble to have the chance to knock out a great player.” For Hachem, fourth place paid $90,482.

Kevin Ho went out in third place when he was all-in with an outside straight draw holding jack-nine to the flop — which came A-10-8. John Gale had ace-jack, for top pair. Two blanks sealed Ho’s fate – which paid $103,408.

The final hand of the tournament came when Maros Lechman’s ace-six lost to Gale’s king-nine. The final board showed 10-9-7-5-2. Gale’s pair of nines won the pot. Maros Lechman finished the tournament in second place and earned $197,768.

Gale was tearful after his well-deserved, crowd-pleasing victory. He hugged many well-wishers in the stands and it took several minutes for Gale to compose himself for the post-tournament festivities. True to his genial nature, Gale complimented his opponents — especially Lechman in heads-up play.

Poker is a game of peaks and valleys. Many valleys, in fact. Only one player in each tournament can see the winner’s view from the summit. As Gentleman John Gale discovered, wallowing in the World Series valley for a while makes the summit’s view all the more magnificent when it finally comes. Oh, and how magnificent the view is.

Event #29
$2,500 Pot-Limit Hold’em
Final table results:

1. John Gale, Bushey, UK $374,849
2. Maros Lechman, Columbia Station, OH $197,768
3. Kevin Ho, Gainesville, FL $103,408
4. Joe Hachem, Melbourne, Australia $90,482
5. Alex Jacob, Parkland, FL $77,556
6. Lee Grove, Superior, NE $64,630
7. Jeffrey Roberson, Rolla, MO $51,704
8. Lee Markholt, Eatonville, WA $38,778
9. Greg Alston, Miami Beach, FL $25,852