Steve Sung wins ‘Stimulus Special’

1. Steve Sung, USA, $ 771,338
2. Pete Vilandos, USA, $ 474, 282
3. James Matz III, USA, $ 313,826
4. Larry Sidebotham, USA, $ 227,253
5. Nathan Mullen, USA, $ 175,851
6. Dan Heimiller, USA, $ 145,009
7. Jeffrey Oakes, USA, $ 126,612
8. Phong Huynh, USA, $ 117,414
9. Daniel Fuhs, USA, $ 114,167

When Event #4, the $ 1,000 ‘Stimulus Special’ began a few days ago it broke attendance records for a non-WSOP Main Event by shuffling up with an incredible 6,012 players. After four long days of play, the tournament eventually wrapped up in the early hours of this morning BMT time, with US player Steve Sung taking it down for $ 771,106.

That result means that Sung received an amazing return of 771x more than his buy-in! Sung is certainly no stranger to online poker fans as he is a regular in Full Tilt Poker’s biggest cash games and a consistent winner in the $ 200/$ 400 PLO and mixed games. He’s also had plenty of live success – including 3 WPT final tables – despite flying under the poker ‘celebrity’ radar somewhat. With this first bracelet behind him it wouldn’t be surprising to see Sung mount a charge for the 2009 WSOP Player of the Year title.

Despite some promise early on the final table was a relatively low-key affair with few recognisable faces. JC Tran could only muster a 68th place finish despite an early chip lead while the UK came very close to a final table appearance with InsidePoker strategy writer Jack ‘Doctor_Fun’ Powell in a great position until falling away at the end to finish 30th.

This tournament can only be considered a huge success for Harrah’s and the WSOP and the chances are it is likely to be repeated in 2010. Just remember to mnake sure you register early for that one though or you could be shut out like the hundreds of unfortunate players this year.