1995 Hall of Fame Poker Classic

$1,500 Buy-in
Entries: 104
Total Prize Money: $156,000

1994 Winner: Tom Pinak - $48,000

1995 Champion: ANDY BLUMEN

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

1. Andy Blumen                              $62,400
Las Vegas, Nevada
2. Men "The Master" Nguyen                   35,880
Los Angeles, California
3. Marshall Ragir                            18,720
Los Angeles, California
4. Paul Sherr                                10,920
Phoenix, Arizona
5. Chris Bjorin                               9,360
London, England
6. Kevin Song                                 7,800
Hacienda Heights, California
7. David James                                6,240
Torrance, California
8. Rod Peate                                  4,680
Newport Beach, California

. This is the first major tournament title for Blumen, who incidentally was the runner-up in this same event during last year's Hall of Fame competition. The executive vice-president and general counsel for Stratosphere Corporation, Blumen dealt poker at the Sahara 20 years ago prior to enrolling in law school.

. Although Blumen came to the final table in good chip position, when heads-up play began, he was still at a 2-1 disadvantage against runner-up Men "The Master" Nguyen, who had been the overwhelming chip leader for the past several hours. But the tide quickly turned when Blumen scooped two huge pots in a row -- the first with an ace-high straight and the second with aces up. Then after being warned not to do so, Nguyen threw caution to the winds, winged the cards off the table, and received a 20-minute penalty, which cost him around $15,000 in antes and bring-ins. It was all over a few hands later when Nguyen raised on third street with Q-Q-K and Blumen, who started with 8-8-K, called. On sixth street, Nguyen went all in, hoping to at least pair one of his high cards to stay alive. But he failed to catch on the river, and Blumen scooped the pot and claimed the title with eights up.

. "It's a thrill to win," Blumen said. "I've been playing for a long time, and I came so close last year. But this year I got lucky."

. Nguyen of Los Angeles, California, received $35,880 for his second-place finish. A 41-year-old professional poker player, Nguyen has two World Series of Poker titles to his credit, as well as titles from the Hall of Fame Poker Classic, the L.A. Poker Classic, and the Diamond Jim Brady Tournament. He was introduced to poker some years ago when he played Five-Card Stud in his native Vietnam and has pursued the game as a full-time profession since 1988.

. Winning third place in the Stud High-Low Split competition and pocketing $18,720 was Marshall Ragir, a 51-year-old recreational poker player from Los Angeles, California. This marks Ragir's first appearance at the final table in a major poker tournament. A writer and producer of films and videos, he began playing poker with his family and friends at age 13.

. After surviving numerous all-in confrontations, Ragir was finally dispatched when he raised on third street with 4-3 in the pocket and an ace in the door against Blumen, who was rolled up with deuces. Blumen reraised and Ragir called all in. But he failed to make a low, and Blumen scooped the pot with his trips. "This tournament was a whole lot of fun," Ragir commented. "Finishing this high really made my day."

The Final Hand

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