1995 Hall of Fame Poker Classic

$1,500 Buy-in
Entries: 114
Total Prize Money: $171,000

1994 Winner: Julien Studley -- $56,400

1995 Champion: CHRIS BJORIN

• The Winners.
• The Showdown.
• The Final Table.
• The Final Hand.

1. Chris Bjorin                             $68,400
London, England
2. Brian Nadell                              39,330
Las Vegas, Nevada
3. Scotty Nguyen                             20,520
Las Vegas, Nevada
4. Eli Balas                                 11,970
Las Vegas, Nevada
5. Dave Rabbi                                 9,405
Las Vegas, Nevada
6. Pete Robinovitz                            7,695
Lincoln, Nebraska
7. Marsha Waggoner                            5,985
Downey, California
8. John Henson                                4,275
Temple City, California
9. Hasson Kameoi                              3,420
Coachella, California

. This is the second Hall of Fame title for Bjorin, who won the $1,500 buy-in pot-limit Omaha event during the 1992 tournament. A compiler for SSP, the largest bookmaker in the world, Bjorin also holds titles from the Queens Poker Classic and the L.A. Poker Classic, and has cashed in numerous other major competitions. Although he has played high Draw and Five-Card Stud with a stripped deck since childhood, he began playing the popular American games just eight years ago.

. Bjorin arrived at the final table with more than a 3-to-1 chip lead over his remaining eight opponents, and by the time heads-up play began, he held an 8-to-1 advantage over runner-up Brian Nadell. A few hands later, it was all over when Nadell raised before the flop with KS QH 10S 10H and Bjorin, who held JD 9H 8D 8C, called. The flop came K-8-6 of mixed suits, giving Bjorin trip eights and the lead. The turn brought a nine and a second king fell on the river, dealing the fatal blow to Nadell as Bjorin made a full house to scoop the pot and win his second Hall of Fame title.

. Nadell, a 38-year-old professional poker player from Las Vegas, received $39,330 for his second-place finish. Formerly in the promotion and travel businesses, Nadell holds titles from the Queens Poker Classic and the Diamond Jim Brady Tournament, and has cashed numerous times on the major competition circuit.

. "I'm pleased and disappointed at the same time," Nadell commented. "My main goal in poker is to win a tournament at the Horseshoe, and I've come so close. But I'm happy for Chris. Of all the poker players I've ever played with, I've never known anyone with more class than Chris Bjorin. He's a true gentleman."

. Winning third place and $20,520 in the Omaha High-Low Split event was Scotty Nguyen, a 33-year-old professional poker player from Las Vegas. A former poker dealer, Nguyen won three titles in a row during the 1992 Gold Coast Open and has cashed in a number of other major poker competitions.

. Almost down to the felt, Nguyen was eliminated from the tournament when he took Q-J-6-2 up against Bjorin, who raised before the flop with A-A-10-5. The flop came K-9-4, and when a trey fell on the turn, Nguyen called all in. The river brought an eight, and Bjorin scooped the pot with a pair of aces for high and an 8-5 low.

The Final Hand

Previous Event. Next Event.