WSOP Event #2

World Series of Poker Event #2, No-Limit Hold’em 31 May – 3 June 2008

Entrants: 3,929
Buy in: $1,500
Prize pool: $5,363,085

Final results:

1. Grant Hinkle, $831,462

2. James Akenhead, $520,219

3. Chris Ferguson, $388,287

4. Theo Tran, $327,148

5. Mike Ngo, $268,154

6. Aaron Coulthard, $211,841

7. Melvin Jones, $158,211

8. David Bach, $117,987

9. Joe Rutledge, $83,127

With 3,929 total entries Event #2 was the largest poker tournament in the 39-year history of the WSOP – amongst all non-Main Events, with only the 2005, 2006, and 2007 Main Events attracting more participants. Hence, this tournament currently ranks as the fourth-largest tournament in poker history.

The winner was 27-year-old marketing manager Grant Hinkle, from Kansas City, MO. The win kicks off a great week for Hinkle, who celebrates his birthday on 7 June.

The runner up was Brit James Akenhead. He is part of a London-based poker team called “The Hitsquad.” This group consists of six poker pros, including Akenhead, Praz Bansi, Chaz Chattha, Sunny Chattha, Jim Kerrigan, and Karl Mahrenholz. The group filled the stands and made the final table seem like a sporting event, particularly when things went Akenhead’s way. He collected $520,219.

The final hand brought an astounding end to a marathon tournament. Holding a 2 to 1 chip lead, Hinkle was dealt 10-4 of diamonds. He tried to push his opponent out of the pot with an all-in pre-flop re-raise. At first glance, it was a case of very bad timing by the chip leader.

Akenhead called and showed A-K. The flop brought cheers and screams, depending on one’s allegiance. When 10-10-4 flopped, Hinkle’s cheering section went bonkers. Another ten on the turn gave Hinkle the biggest pot of the night and his first-ever WSOP gold bracelet.

2000 World Series of Poker main event champion Chris “Jesus” Ferguson made it to the final table, which ensured a standing-room only crowd shoehorned around the ESPN stage and ended up as the third place finisher. Ferguson currently owns five WSOP gold bracelets. He is also the only player to have won three WSOP Circuit championships.

His 51st career in-the-money finish in this tournament now ranks fifth on the all-time list. This was Ferguson’s 27th final table appearance, which ranks fourth all-time – now one spot ahead of Johnny Chan.

Clocking in at a total duration of 53.5 hours, this was the fourth-longest tournament in WSOP history. The total prize pool amounted to $5,363,085. The top 378 finishers collected prize money. First place paid $831,279.

Several former WSOP gold bracelet winners finished in-the-money. They included Andre Boyer (24th), Mark Vos (146th), Gavin Griffin (251st), Chris Bjorin, Todd Brunson (292nd), and Victor Perches (335th).