Eric ‘Sheets’ Haber bags World Series of Poker Circuit main event at Atlantic City and $431,136
Caesars Atlantic City, located on the famed oceanfront boardwalk, hosted the ninth of 12 World Series Of Poker Circuit stops on this year’s tour. The $4,900 buy-in championship event championship attracted 277 entries creating a total prize pool of $1,357,300, the largest turnout of any WSOP Circuit main event on the 2007-2008 schedule so far.
Several poker pros entered the prestigious event, including former WSOP gold bracelet winners Eric Froehlich (2 wins), Cliff Josephy, Chris Reslock, Michael “Little Man” Sica, and Cyndy Violette. Former WSOP Circuit champions included Lou Esposito (2007 Harrah’s New Orleans), Abraham Korotki (2007 Harrahs Atlantic City), Rich Rosetti (2006 Harrahs Atlantic City), and Chris Reslock (2005 Showboat Atlantic City).
The defending champion, Danny Yousefzadeh (2007 Caesars Atlantic City) also entered. Other poker notables included Hevad Khan (WSOP main event final table in 2007), Bernie Lee (13th in WSOP main event in 2005), and experienced poker pro Young Phan.
Most of these players did not survive past the first day. In fact, 204 players were eliminated – leaving just 73 players for day two. After another 11 hours of play on the second day, the final nine were set. Florida’s Dan Hicks arrived at the final table with a slight chip lead.
Eric “Sheets” Haber collected a $431,136 cash prize for first place. He also received the WSOP Circuit gold and diamond champion’s ring, presented to all main event winners on this year’s tournament circuit. Haber was also given a voucher worth $11,000 good for an entry into the 2008 World Series of Poker championship event.
Haber is a 41-year-old hedge fund manager. He is married and has two children. Haber is a lead instructor at a popular website called pokerxfactor.com, which is a site dedicated to helping poker players improve their game. Look for Haber to pick up a few more students following his big win. Haber now has 15 cashes in his resume, and $660,000 in tournament winnings. He has earned considerably more money and has won other events playing online.
“I really cherish the opportunity to play in live tournaments. I am married with kids and I do not get the opportunity to play in as many events as some others, so I really have to make the most of it when I play live with real people,” Haber said. “To be able to grind it out day after day after day at one of these major events and then make it all the way to the final table is something really special. This is what it is all about for me.”
He offered another interesting perspective on tournaments and the challenges of winning on the circuit. “I would not want to travel around the country and play tournaments every day. I know there are many players who do that. But to me, you can’t possibly play your best game when you are out there day after day. For me, it is better to come to one of these events occasionally and really focus my efforts. When I get a shot, I really am determined to play my best.”
Final results:
1. Eric “Sheets” Haber, Syosset, LI (New York), $431,136 (plus $WSOP main event entry)
2. Dan Hicks, Tampa, FL, $237,124
3. Sumeet Batra, Lubbock, TX, $121,257
4. Soheil Shamseddin, Houston, TX, $94,311
5. Steven Greenberg, Flanders, NY, $80,838
6. Nick Binger, Las Vegas, NV, $67,365
7. Scott Blackman, Rochester, NY, $53,892
8. Steven Merrifield, Fairmont, WV, $40,419
9. Marc “Clark Kent” Morris, Woolrich Township, NJ, $26,946
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