1995 Hall of Fame Poker Classic

$500 Buy-in
Entries: 77
Total Prize Money: $38,500

1994 Winner: Marcia Abrams -- $10,000

1995 Champion: BRENDA JACOBUS

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

1. Brenda Jacobus                           $15,400
Las Vegas, Nevada
2. Charlene Rodis                             8,855
Las Vegas, Nevada
3. Susie Isaacs                               4,620
Las Vegas, Nevada
4. Debbie Skidmore                            2,695
Las Vegas, Nevada
5. Pam Dressner                               2,118
Las Vegas, Nevada
6. Carolyn Wolford                            1,733
Corsicana, Texas
7. Diana Blankenship                          1,347
Columbus, Ohio
8. Marcia Abrams                                962
Las Vegas, Nevada (defending Champion)
9. Louene Brown                                 770
Albuquerque, New Mexico

. A retired psychologist, Jacobus holds titles from the Queens Poker Classic and the Gold Coast Open, and has cashed in several other ladies poker competitions. She began playing poker eight years ago and is married to professional bridge player Mark Jacobus.

. Jacobus came to the final table outchipped more than 2-to-1 by runner-up Charlene Rodis, but by the time heads-up play began, the tide had turned and Jacobus now held the advantage. In the final confrontation, Jacobus raised before the flop with K-Q and Rodis called with K-10. The flop came J-9-4, giving both ladies a gutshot straight draw. After much raising and reraising, the turn brought a king. Jacobus bet, Rodis called all in, and when an eight fell on the river, Jacobus outkicked Rodis to win the pot and her first Hall of Fame title.

. Rodis, a recreational poker player from Las Vegas, received $8,855 for her second-place finish. A poker dealer at the Mirage, Rodis also has cashed in a ladies event at the Gold Coast Open. She began playing poker six years ago when she met her husband, professional player George Rodis.

. Locking up third place and $4,620 in the Ladies Limit Hold'em competition was Susie Isaacs, a part-time professional poker player from Las Vegas. A columnist for Card Player magazine, Isaacs has cashed numerous times in major poker competitions and holds titles from the Queens Poker Classic and Bally's Crystal Open. She began playing poker at the age of 8. "This is my birthday," she commented. "I really wanted a new watch, but I'm happy to take third place."

. After surviving several all-in confrontations, Isaacs was eliminated from the tournament when she raised before the flop with A-Q offsuit and was called by Rodis, who held J-9 offsuit. The flop came Q-10-2, giving Isaacs top pair and Rodis an open-ended straight draw. When an eight fell on the turn, Rodis fired in her chips, and Isaacs raised all in. But she was drawing dead, and Rodis won the pot with a queen-high straight.

The Final Hand

Previous Event. Next Event.