EVENT #21 Day 45/15/97
WORLD SERIES OF POKER
NO LIMIT TEXAS HOLD'EM CHAMPIONSHIP ($10,000)
TOTAL PRIZE MONEY - $3,120,000 PRIZE MONEY TO DATE - $12,259,000
ENTRIES IN THIS EVENT - 312 TOTAL ENTRIES TO DATE - 4,053
Daily Report
Final Results
1.Stu Ungar - Las Vegas$1,000,000
5.John Strzemp - Las Vegas583,000
4.Mel Judah - London, England371,000
2.Ron "Carolina Express" Stanley - Las Vegas212,000
3.Bob Walker - Las Vegas161,120
6.Peter Bao - Las Vegas127,200
Daily Report
Las Vegas, May 15, 1997. Stu Ungar enjoyed close to a 3/1 chip advantage over John Strzemp when they began heads up play for the 1997 $10,000 Final Event No-Limit World Championship today. About 15 minutes later, in their first major confrontation, Stu raised John's $120,000 bet by enough to put John all-in, but needed to hit a gut shot wheel on the river to win the Title.

The final board was [Ac 5d 3h 3d 2s], with Stu's [Ah 4c] drawing out on John's [As 8x].

Stu was the chip leader throughout the Final Table, won key hands when he needed them, and generally dominated and intimidated the other players all day long, IMHO.
I do not believe that a Deal was made, or even discussed, at any time by any of the Final Table participants.

Considering Stu Ungar's commanding stack size and intimidating table presence throughout Final Table play, there was very little reason for him to even remotely consider sharing the wealth.

This was Stu Ungar's third World Series Final Event Championship, with the other two coming in 1980 and 1981. Johnny Moss is the only other player to win three World Titles.
Mel Judah lost most of his chips early, but hung on through several all-in situations to finish 3rd.
Ron "Carolina Express" Stanley, everybody's choice for Mr. Nice Guy, was never able to get it started today, and finished fourth when John Strzemp picked off Ron's all-in, bluff-raise on the flop, after John, with pocket Aces had made a limping call of Ron's pre-flop raise.
John Strzemp's pre-flop limping call with Aces obviously paid dividends. Here's another 1997 WSOP example that I observed where limping produced very negative results:

Late on Day 1, John Galbraith held pocket Aces in the small blind, and limped in against Minh Ly who had [Kc 5s]. Both had above average stacks, of $20,000 + and I believe there was a $25 ante and $100/200 blinds at a full table. The flop came [K 5 X], and by the time Minh Ly had won the hand, John Galbraith was all-in and out of the Tournament.

T. J. Cloutier was at the table, and received general agreement when he said that John G. got what he deserved.

I'm not so sure. I think I would tend to limp most of the time in that situation, and hope for a big score. Of course, I'm a tournament has-been now, as my first out in TARGET helps illustrate.

This year's Final Event was held outdoors under the canopy of the Fremont Street Experience, and I believe that indoors is much, much better. The temperature was around 98 degrees, and when the wind kicked up a little around 1:30 PM, the dealers had to slide the cards to the players, $20 commemorative coins were given out as card markers and wind protectors, and they used a piece of plexiglass to slide the flop under. And the wind was pretty mild relative to Las Vegas standards.

The only use I got from my Press pass today was an early seat in the stands, and I had great difficulty recording all of the cards and bets accurately. From a spectator's point of view, it was very difficult to follow the action. The overhead television monitors were almost useless because of the glare and outdoor brightness, and the television crews and photographers completely obstructed my view about 75 % of the time. They did have much larger bleachers outdoors than they have had indoors, but if you can't see, more seats aren't a plus factor.

I moved into the Tournament Tent area for the last 30 minutes or so, and wish I had been there all along. Indoors there were two very large screen TV's in front of bleachers and chairs. It was much easier to follow the action indoors, despite the fact that the cameras concentrated on color shots, and the cards and bets were ignored on some hands.

Things were supposed to start at 10:00 AM, but the first hand wasn't dealt until 11:15 AM, which I understand is considered on-time when TV people are involved in a production. Something about audio problems.

All of the players were fitted with a lapel mike, and there were air conditioning vents underneath the poker table. Water Misters were doing their thing around the top of the bleachers, but the cocktail girls were doing a landmark beverage business because it was hot in the Poker arena.

There was the usual confusion getting the right people into the stands before play started, and every seat was occupied. After the first break, there were many vacant seats, as the heat and viewing difficulties took their toll.

The standard attire for the players was long sleeve sportshirts and slacks. The only deviations were by Mel Judah who wore a nice short sleeve polo type shirt and by Stu Ungar who wore blue jeans. All-in-all, the attire was casual, but presentable.

Oh yes, Ron "Carolina Express" deviated a little also. Ron was resplendent in a black tux, matching black and silver bow tie and cumberbund, topped off by his lucky black and white "Polo" baseball cap.

I sat next to Rosanne Stanley and her parents, John and Yvonne De Kenipp, and joined them in pulling for Ron. I had hoped that it would be Ron's Day, but it was not to be.

The only smoker was John Strzemp.
Stu Ungar wore a pair of small, circular, blue sun glasses, Peter Bao wore a pair of aviator sunglasses, and Ron Stanley had a pair of aviator sun glasses, but I'm not sure whether he wore them or not.
The Binion's management crew, and commentator Gabe Kaplan all wore purple WSOP polo Tee shirts. Phil Helmuth, Susie Isaacs and Linda Johnson were interviewed and then did some guest commentating.

Phil has been very careful to have his Bay 101 baseball cap prominently featured in publicity photos, and during his TV stint. Phil welcomed my questions on this subject, and seemed glad to be receiving favorable internet exposure. He was very aware of some of the stories about him in rec.gambling.poker in recent months.

It is unfortunate that it is so difficult to spectate at Major Poker Tournaments in Las Vegas. Lack of suitable facilities is a major problem, but there are many things that Sponsors could do to improve spectating opportunities, if they wanted too.

For example, as players are eliminated and tables are broken, it would be spectator positive to always keep tables in play on the rail. Instead, the opposite is done, and they end up with tables in a corner, away from the rail.

I have posed this situation to Tournament Officials, and I've learned that there is much more weight given to administrative efficiencies and eliminating distractions for the players, than to spectator catering. After all, the players have paid an entry fee, while the spectators are free-loading.

Could be a very short sighted attitude ?

Jack McClelland informed me that player response to the new two day format for the Daily Events has been overwhelmingly favorable. I did a straw poll of Tournament Pros and Not so Pros to check the accuracy of Jack's feedback, and found that 19 out of 25 liked the new format better. Three were undecided and three preferred playing straight through.
The winner of each Daily Event got an engraved Nieman Marcus gold bracelet and free accomodations at Binion's during next years WSOP. Every Final Table participant got a green WSOP silk jacket.
For a really superb photographic coverage of the 1997 WSOP Participants, check out Jon Wetzel's PokerCentral.

Jon, who is a Poker dealer at the Mirage, spent a lot of his Tokes on a digital camera that allows him to skip the scanning process and put very high quality photos directly on his web site. No film to buy or develop either.

Good job Jon !!!

I will do the hand-by-hand transcribing for the last three Events shortly, and may get around to doing some proof-reading and/or more English-like outputs of hand-by-hand data at some future date.

It's been a Grind.

It's been Fun.

Best wishes to all.

QED.

Tom Sims

Measure with a micrometer * mark with chalk * cut with an axe

... Turtle Tom ... Live From Las Vegas ...

A note from Chuck Weinstock. I'd like to thank Tom Sims for his above and beyond work covering this years' World Series of Poker. He has done a great service for the Internet poker community and I think he deserves our thanks. If you agree, you might send him a note of thanks to simst@nevada.edu.

I also think we owe a big round of applause to Don Larrimore, who wrote the daily column about the events for Binion's Horseshoe. Don is Internet Challenged, so you won't be able to send him the note that he deserves.

Finally, none of this would have been possible without the hard work of Jim Albrecht of Binion's Horseshoe. Jim, a friend of r.g.p for years, stayed up for hours after each event preparing much of the material that eventually found its way into these pages. Jim can be reached at wsop97@aol.com.

I hope you've enjoyed this coverage of the 1997 World Series of Poker. It's been a lot of work for all involved but well worth the effort. Come back periodically as we expect to update and revise some of the information over the next several weeks.

Chuck Weinstock

The Final Table
Card by Card and Bet by Bet
WSOP Event #21: $10,000 No Limit Holdem
312 Entries, $3,120,000 Total Prize Pool and chips in play

Final Table chip position:
1.[U] [SU] Stu Ungar - Las Vegas$1,066,0001
2.[R] [RS] Ron "Carolina Express" Stanley - Las Vegas694,0006
3.[W] [BW] Bob Walker - Las Vegas611,0003
4.[J] [MJ] Mel Judah - London, England301,0005
5.[S] [JS] John Strzemp - Las Vegas245,0004
6.[B] [PB] Peter Bao - Las Vegas204,0002

Standard Abbreviations:
Bet [b]Big Blind [bb]
Bring in [bi]Call [c]
Check [ck]Fifth Street [5:]
First In [fi]Flop [fl]
Fold [f]Fourth Street [4:]
River [rv]Seventh Street [7:]
Sixth Street [6:]Small Blind [sb]
Show Down [sd]Third Street [3:]
Turn [t]Winner [w]
    Standard Flop Game Notations

    [K] Kevin Song Seat #1
    [Y] Yvan Lanvin Seat #2

    96. sb K - c K - ck Y - fl 9s 5h 7h - ck Y - b K - f Y - w K

    Interpretation: On hand #96 in heads-up play, Kevin Song had the small blind on the button, Kevin called and Yvan checked. The flop was the 9s 5h 7h. Yvan checked, Kevin bet and Yvan folded. Kevin won the hand.

    Standard Stud Notations

    [B] Peter Brownstein Seat #1
    [L] Linda Johnson Seat #2

    170. 3: 4h 9s - bi L 9s - c B 4h - 4: Ad Kc - b B - f L - w B

    Interpretation: On hand #170 in heads-up Razz play, the doorcards on third street in seat order were the 4h for Peter and the 9s for Linda. Linda's 9s made the bring-in bet and Peter called. On 4th street Peter got the Ad and Linda got the Kc. Peter Bet. Linda folded. Peter won the hand.

    DISCLAIMER: My access to this Final Table Event turned out to be very poor. I was not offered "inside the ring" access, so I selected a first row seat with a view down the table, in front of an overhead TV monitor. The TV monitor turned out to be almost useless because of glare and brightness, a TV camera man completely blocked my view of the table about 75 % of the time, and most of my information came from Jack McClelland's generally excellent card-by-card announcing. Jack tended to call a flop as 6 7 T with two hearts rather than 6h 7c Th, and his identification of winning hands, or shown hands, usually did not provide the detail I would have liked. Occasionally he would get involved in something else, and I would end up with very little information on a particular hand. Also, there was a very conscientious Security Guard. who was threatening me with bodily harm every time I left my seat, for even an instant, to stoop nearer the table for a better direct view of a card.

    In the middle of play, I moved higher in the stands with very little improvement, and I moved indoors right after Ron Stanley was eliminated. I could follow the action and see the cards much better on the indoor big screen monitor, but the camera concentrated more on color shots than on bets and flops and hands, and Jack McClelland's commentary was in the background and a little more difficult to pick up. Sort of a wash, as to whether it was better indoors or outdoors.

    Considering the conditions, I was amazed that my play-by-play data turned out as well as it did. I missed the suits of some cards, probably didn't see some intentionally exposed hands, maybe missed or approximated a couple of cards and/or bets, and perhaps missed some other details, but I believe this is a pretty accurate record of the Final Table play.

    The TV monitor never showed the suits of the two kickers that Ungar and Strzemp had with their Aces on the last hand. I saw all of the other cards and identified the suits and board order on the monitor. The LV SUN printed the final hand on their front page, and identified them as the [4s] and [8c]. However, there were mistakes in some other LV SUN narratives and card identifications, and Ungar later held up the [Ah 4c] for TV, as part of his winning wheel hand, so I decided to use the [8c] for Strzemp, but to go with the [4c] for Ungar.

    Another "Aces and Eights, what was the other card situation" ? This may be cleared up in later TV viewing.

    A plainer English version of the play-by-play is also available.

    Cards were in the air at 11:15 AM with Jack McClelland and Jim Albrecht presiding. 73 minutes remaining at the $2,000 ante and $5,000/10,000 blind level.

  1. sb U - bb B - fi r25000 U - f B - w U
  2. sb B - bb W - fi r25000 R - all fold - w R
  3. sb W - bb S - fi r25000 R - all fold - w R
  4. sb S - bb J - fi c W - c S - ck J - fl Ac 9c 2h - all ck - t 3h - b20000 S - c J - f W - rv 3c - both ck - J shows 9d 4h - S mucks - w J
  5. sb J - bb R - fi r25000 U - all fold - w U
  6. sb R - bb U - fi c W - c R - ck U - fl J 3 3 - ck R - b35000 U - f W - c R - t 5h - both ck - rv Qs - ck R - b55000 U - r80000 R - f U - w R
  7. sb U - bb B - fi r25000 S - f U - c B - fl Kc 6c 3c - ck B - b60000 S - f B - w S
  8. sb B - bb W - fi r25000 U - all fold - w U
  9. sb W - bb S - fi r25000 J - f W - c S - fl Ac Jc 8 - b225000 S all in - c J - S shows 9c 7c - J shows A J - t 3c - rv T - w S
  10. sb S - bb J - fi r25000 W - r510000 S - all fold - w S
  11. sb J - bb R - fi c J - r50000 R - f J - w R
  12. sb R - bb U - fi c R - ck U - fl A 9 7 - both ck - t 2 - both ck - rv 4c - both ck - R shows K X - U mucks - w R
  13. sb U - bb B - fi c U - ck B - fl As 2c 3c - b15000 U - c B - t 3d - both ck - rv Jd - both ck - B shows A 8 - U mucks - w B
  14. sb B - bb W - fi r25000 S - all fold - w S
  15. sb W - bb S - fi r25000 R - f W - c S - fl Ks 6c 5h - b60000 S - f R - w S
  16. sb S - bb J - fi r10000 W - f S - c J - fl 4c 6s 5c - b8000 W - c8000 J all in - W shows Ac 6h - J shows Jd 7 - t Jc - rv 2d - w J
  17. sb J - bb R - fi r25000 U - r25000 B all in - f J - f R - c U - U shows A 3 - B shows T T - Board 3 5 8h 2d 9c - w B
  18. sb R - bb U - fi r20000 B - all fold - w B
  19. sb U - bb B - fi r25000 S - all fold - w S
  20. sb B - bb W - fi r25000 U - all fold - w U
  21. sb W - bb S - fi r25000 R - all fold - w R

    *** Approx chip count: U 1080K B 160K W 420K S 600K J 60K R 800K

  22. sb S - bb J - fi r25000 R - c U - c S - f J - fl Ah Kd 6c - all ck - t 7c - ck S - b45000 R - c U - f S - rv 3d - ck R - b100000 U - c R - U shows As Qc - R mucks - w U
  23. sb J - bb R - fi r25000 W - f J - c R - fl Ac Js 9s - both ck - t 7h - b50000 R - f W - w R
  24. sb R - bb U - fi r20000 B - all fold - w B
  25. sb U - bb B - fi r25000 S - all fold - w S
  26. sb B - bb W - fi r41000 J all in - f B - c W - J shows Ts 7s - W shows K 2 - board Th 4d 4s 9c Ac - w J

    *** Approx chip count: U 1250K B 160K W 300K S 650K J 125K R 650K

  27. sb W - bb S - fi c U - f W
  28. sb S - bb J - fi r25000 U - c S - f J - fl Kc 4s Ac - both ck - t 8s - b45000 S - c U - rv 6s - b70000 S - c U - S shows Ks Ts - U shows Ad 5s - w S
  29. sb J - bb R - fi r25000 W - c S - r80000 J all in - all fold - w J

  30. sb R - bb U - all fold to bb - w U

  31. sb U - bb B - fi r25000 S - c R - f U - f B - fl 4h 7h 8s - b50000 S - r100000 R - f S - w R
  32. sb B - bb W - fi r25000 S - all fold - w S
  33. sb W - bb S - fi r20000 J - c R - c W - f S - fl 3h 6h 6d - ck W - ck J - b35000 R - all fold - w R

    *** Approx chip count: U 1,000K B120K W 250K S 700K J170K R 900K

  34. sb S - bb J - fi r25000 R - c U - c J - fl Tc Kh 7h - ck J - ck R - b60000 U - all fold - w U
  35. sb J - bb R - fi c J - ck R - fl Ah 2s Qc - ck J - b10000 R - r20000 J - f R shows Q - w J
  36. sb R - bb U - c R - ck U - fl As 9h 6s - both ck - t 8c - b 25000 R - r60000 U - c R - rv Kd - ck R - b220000 U - f R shows 9 - w U shows Q T

    *** Break at 12:28 PM. Cards back in air at 12:45 PM.

    Levels increase to $2,000 ante with $10,000/20,000 blimds.

  37. sb U - bb B - fi r30000 U - f B - w U
  38. sb B - bb W - fi r50000 J - all fold - w J
  39. sb W - bb S - fi r50000 U - f W - c S - fl Kh Qc Js - b80000 S - f U shows 5 5 - w S shows K
  40. sb S - bb J - fi r50000 U - all fold - w U
  41. sb J - bb R - folded to bb - w R
  42. sb R - bb U - fi r50000 R - c U - fl Qh 8c 8d - both ck - 5d - ck R - b60000 U - c R - rv Kd - b120000 R - c U - R shows 7 7 - U shows K Q - w U
  43. sb U - bb B - fi r60000 J - f U - c50000 B all in - J shows A Q - B shows Q J - board 6s 7h 9h 3d 5d - w J

    *** Peter Bao finishes 6th at 12:57 PM.

  44. bb W - fi r60000 S - r350000 R all in - all fold - w R
  45. sb W - bb S - fi r50000 R - all fold - w R
  46. sb S - bb J - fi r50000 U - c S - f J - fl Qs Jh 3c - ck S - b100000 U - f S - w U
  47. sb J - bb R - fi r110000 W - all fold - w W
  48. sb R - bb U - fi r150000 W - all fold - w W
  49. sb U - bb W - fi c U - r190000 W - f U - w W
  50. sb W - bb S - fi r50000 R - all fold - w R
  51. sb S - bb J - fi r40000 U - all fold - w U
  52. sb J - bb R - fi r50000 U - c S - f J - f R - fl Jc Jh 7c - ck U - b120000 S - r300000 U - f S - w U

    *** Approx chip count: U 1700K W 200K S 450K J 150K R 650K

  53. sb R - bb U - all fold to bb - w U
  54. sb U - bb W - fi r50000 S - c U - f W - fl Ah 4c 2h - b60000 U - f S - w U
  55. sb W - bb S - fi r 40000 R - all fold - w R
  56. sb S - bb J - fi r50000 U - all fold - w U
  57. sb J - bb R - fi r50000 U - r59000 J all in - c U - J shows As Ah - U shows Js Ts - board Ac Jh 5h 9 X - w J
  58. sb R - bb U - fi r60000 S - f R - c U - fl Qh 5c 3d - both ck - t Jh - both ck - rv 4h - b30000 U - f S - w U
  59. sb U - bb W - fi r210000 S all in - all fold - w S
  60. sb W - bb S - fi r40000 J - all fold - w J
  61. sb S - bb J - fi r50000 S - all fold - w R
  62. sb J - bb R - fi r50000 U - all fold - w U
  63. sb R - bb U - fi c J - r70000 R - all fold - w R

    *** Approx chip count: U 2000K W 170K S 150K J 250K R 550K

  64. sb U - bb W - fi r40000 J - all fold - w J
  65. sb W - bb S - fi r40000 R - c U - fl Ah 9d 7h - both ck - t 4d - both ck - rv Th - both ck - U shows Q Q - R shows A T - w R
  66. sb S - bb J - fi r40000 R - c U - r140000 S all in - r400000 R all in - f U - R shows K K - S shows T T - J folded a T - board 7s 6h 3c Td 5h - w S
  67. sb J - bb R - fi r40000 U - r40000 W all in - U shows 8d 9h - W shows J J - board Jd 6h 4d 7s Q - w W
  68. sb R - bb U - fi r50000 R - f U - w R
  69. sb U - bb W - fi r40000 R - all fold - w R
  70. sb W - bb S - fi r40000 U - all fold - w U
  71. sb S - bb J - all fold to bb - w J

    *** Approx chip count: U 1750K W 250K S 600K J 250K R 300K

  72. sb J - bb R - all fold to bb - w R
  73. sb R - bb U - all fold to bb - w U
  74. sb U - bb W - fi r40000 J - all fold - w J
  75. sb W - bb S - fi r40000 U - all fold - w U
  76. sb S - bb J - fi r40000 U - all fold - w U
  77. sb J - bb R - fi r40000 U - c J - f R - fl Ad 8d 4c - ck J - b250000 U - f J - w U
  78. sb R - bb U - all fold to bb - w U
  79. sb U - bb W - fi r40000 R - c U - f W - fl Ac 7d 3h - ck U - b40000 R - c U - t As - b80000 U - f R - w U
  80. sb W - bb S - fi r190000 W - f S - w W
  81. sb S - bb J - fi r40000 S - c J - fl Kc 8s 7s - b510000 S all in - f J - w S
  82. sb J - bb R - fi r40000 U - all fold - w U
  83. sb R - bb U - all fold to bb - w U
  84. sb U - bb W - fi c U - r124000 W all in - c U - U shows Ad 7c - W shows Ac 7h - board Qs 9s Jh 3s 2 - split pot
  85. sb W - bb S - fi r50000 R - all fold - w R
  86. sb S - bb J - fi r30000 S - f J - w S
  87. sb J - bb R - fi r30000 U - r27000 J all in - f R - c U - J shows Ac Jh - U shows A Q - board Kh Qc Js T 9 - split pot
  88. sb R - bb U - fi r50000 S - all fold - w S

    *** Approx chip count: U 2015K W 140K S 450K J 90K R 425K

  89. sb U - bb W - fi r40000 U - f W - w U
  90. sb W - bb S - fi r77000 J all in - c W - f S - J shows Th Ts - W shows Kh 9d - board Jd 6d 7s 2d 9h - w J
  91. sb S - bb J - fi r10000 W all in - f S - c J - W shows Qs Ts - J shows 2s 2h - board 6h Jc 9d 4c 7d - w J

    *** Bob Walker finishes 5th at 2:17 PM.

  92. sb J - bb R - fi r40000 S - all fold - w S
  93. sb R - bb U - fi r40000 F - all fold - w J shows Ad Kd
  94. sb U - bb S - fi r40000 R - f U - c S - fl Tc 7c 2d - b80000 S - r100000 R all in - c S - S shows As Ah - R shows Jh 8d - t 2h - rv Ac - w S

    *** Ron Stanley finishes 4th at 2:23 PM

    Break, and I move inside in hopes of getting better view of play on indoor large screen monitors.

    Cards back in the air at 2:41 PM.

  95. sb S - bb J - fi r50000 S - f J - w S
  96. sb J - bb U - fi c J - ck U - fl As 8h Kd - both ck - t 2h - both ck - rv 8c - b30000 J - f U - w J shows Qs 6s
  97. sb U - bb S - fi r40000 J - c U - f S - fl Jh 3h Td - both ck - t 2c - b80000 U - r162000 J all in - c U - J shows T 9 - U shows Q J - rv Kc - w U

    *** Mel Judah finishes 3rd at 2:46 PM.

    Approx chip count: U 2300K S 820K

  98. sb and button S - r50000 S - c U - fl Qd 9s 2h - both ck - t Qs - b120000 U - f S - w U
  99. sb U - f U - w S
  100. sb S - c S - ck U - fl Kd Qs 2c - ck U - b60000 S - f U - w S
  101. sb U - r40000 U - c S - fl Ks 9s 4d - ck S - b100000 U - f S - w U
  102. sb S - c S - ck U - fl Ah 5s Ks - b50000 S - f U - w S
  103. sb U - r40000 U - c S - fl Ac 5d 3h - b120000 S - r800000 U - c630000 S all in - U shows Ah 4c - S shows As 8c - t 3d - rv 2s - w U

    John Strzemp finishes 2nd and Stu Ungar wins the 1997 WSOP $10,000 No-Limit Holdem Final Event World Championship at 3:02 PM.

NOTES

First action reported in a betting round, normally means the first player that put money into the pot in that betting round. A check is usually not reported as the first action in a betting round.

Folds are not always reported. If there are four players at the beginning of a betting round, and it's reported that one player bets and is called by one other player, then the remaining two players folded.

Cards were in the air at 11:15 AM with Jack McClelland and Jim Albrecht presiding. 73 minutes remaining at the $2,000 ante and $5,000/10,000 blind level.

  1. sb SU - SU raises 25,000 and PB folds.

  2. sb PB - RS raises 25,000 and all fold.

  3. sb BW - RS raises 25,000 and all fold.

  4. sb JS - BW, JS and MJ all limp and check the Ac 9c 2h flop. JS bets 20,000 and MJ calls after the 3h on the turn. Both check after the 3c on the river. MJ shows 9d 4h and JS mucks.

  5. sb MJ - SU raises 25,000 and all fold.

  6. sb RS - BW, RS and SU limp and see the J 3 3 flop. SU bets 35,000 and RS calls. Both check after the 5h on the turn. SU bets 55,000, RS raises 80,000 and SU folds after the Qs river card.

  7. sb SU - JS raises 25,000 and is called by PB. JS bets 60,000 and PB folds after the Kc 6c 3c flop.

  8. sb PB - SU raises 25,000 and all fold.

  9. sb BW - MJ raises 25,000 and is called by JS. After the Ac Jc 8 flop, JS bets 225,000 all-in and is called by MJ. JS shows 9c 7c and MJ shows A J. The turn is the 3c and a T comes on the river. JS made a flush to win the hand.

  10. sb JS - BW raises 25,000 and all fold after JS raises 510,000 all-in.

  11. sb MJ - MJ limps and then folds after RS raises 50,000.

  12. sb RS - RS and SU limp and check all through the river. Board: A 9 7 2 4c. RS shows K X and SU mucks.

  13. sb SU - SU and PB both limp and see the As 2c 3c flop. SU bets 15,000 and PB calls. Both check after the 3d on the turn and the Jd on the river. PB shows A 8 and SU mucks.

  14. sb PB - JS raises 25,000 and all fold.

  15. sb BW - RS raises 25,000 and JS calls. JS bets 60,000 and RS folds after the Ks 6c 5h flop.

  16. sb JS - BW raises 10,000 and MJ calls. BW bets 10,000 and MJ calls 8,000 all-in after the 4c 6s 5c flop. BW shows Ac 6h and MJ shows Jd 7. Turn is the Jc and the 2d comes on river. MJ wins with pair of J's.

  17. sb MJ - SU raises 25,000 and then calls PB's 25,000 all-in raise. SU shows A 3 and PB shows T T. Board: 3 5 8h 2d 9c. PB wins.

  18. sb RS - PB raises 20,000 and all fold.

  19. sb SU - JS raises 25,000 and all fold.

  20. sb PB - SU raises 25,000 and all fold.

  21. sb BW - RS raises 25,000 and all fold.

    **** Approx chip count: SU 1080K PB 160K BW 420K JS 600K MJ 60K RS 800K

  22. SB JS - RS raises 25,000 and is called by SU and JS. All check the Ah Kd 6c flop. RS bets 45,000 and SU calls after the 7c turn card. SU bets 100,000 and RS calls after the 3d on the river. SU shows As Qc and RS mucks.

  23. sb MJ - BW raises 25,000 and RS calls. Both check the Ac Js 9s flop. RS bets 50,000 and BW folds after the 7h turn card.

  24. sb RS - PB raises 20,000 and all fold.

  25. sb SU - JS raises 25,000 and all fold.

  26. sb PB - MJ raises 41,000 all-in and BW calls. MJ shows Ts 7s and BW shows K 2. Board: Th 4d 4s 9c Ac. MJ's pair of T's win.

  27. sb BW - SU raises 25,000 and all fold.

    **** Approx chip count: SU 1250K PB 160K BW 300K JS 650K MJ 125K RS 650K

  28. sb JS - SU raises 25,000 and JS calls. Both check the Kc 4s Ac flop. JS bets 45,000 and SU calls after the 8s turn card. JS bets 70,000 and SU calls after the 6s on the river. SU shows Ad 5s and JS wins with Ks Ts for a flush.

  29. sb MJ - BW raises 25,000, JS calls and all fold after MJ raises 80,000 all-in.

  30. sb RS - all fold to SU in bb.

  31. sb SU - JS raises 25,000 and RS calls. After the 4h 7h 8s flop, JS bets 50,000 and then folds when RS raises 100,000.

  32. sb PB - JS raises 25,000 and all fold.

  33. sb BW - MJ raises 20,000 and is called by RS and BW. RS bets 35,000 and all fold after the 3h 6h 6d flop.

    **** Approx chip count: SU 1,000K PB120K BW 250K JS 700K MJ 170K RS 900K

  34. sb JS - RS raises 25,000 and is called by SU and MJ. SU bets 60,000 and all fold after the Tc Kh 7h flop.

  35. sb MJ - MJ and RS limp and see the Ah 2s Qc flop. RS bets 10,000 and folds after MJ raises 20,000. RS shows a Q.

  36. sb RS - RS and SU limp and check the As 9h 6s flop. RS bets 25,000, SU raises 60,000 and RS calls after the 8c turn card. SU bets 220,000 and RS folds after the Kd on the river. R shows a 9 and SU shows Q T.

    **** Break at 12:28 PM. Cards back in air at 12:45 PM.

    **** Levels increase to $2,000 ante with $10,000/20,000 blimds.

  37. sb SU - SU raises 30,000 and PB folds.

  38. sb PB - MJ raises 50,000 and all fold.

  39. sb BW - SU raises 50,000 and JS calls. JS bets 80,000 and SU folds after the Kh Qc Js flop. SU shows 5 5 and JS shows a K.

  40. sb JS - SU raises 50,000 and all fold.

  41. sb MJ - All fold to RS in bb.

  42. sb RS - RS raises 50,000 and SU calls. Both check the Qh 8c 8d flop. SU bets 60,000 and RS calls after the 5d on the turn. RS bets 120,000 and SU calls after the Kd river card. RS shows 7 7 and SU wins with K Q.

  43. sb SU - MJ raises 60,000 and PB calls 50,000 all-in. MJ shows A Q and PB shows Q J. Board: 6s 7h 9h 3d 5d. MJ wins.

    **** Peter Bao finishes 6th at 12:57 PM.

  44. no sb - JS raises 60,000 and all fold after RS raises 350,000.

  45. sb BW - RS raises 50,000 and all fold.

  46. sb JS - SU raises 50,000 and JS calls. SU bets 100,000 and JS folds after the Qs Jh 3c flop.

  47. sb MJ - BW raises 110,000 all-in and all fold.

  48. ab RS - BW raises 150,000 all-in and all fold.

  49. sb SU - SU limps and then folds after BW raises 190,000 all-in.

  50. sb BW - RS raises 50,000 and all fold.

  51. sb JS - SU raises 40,000 and all fold.

  52. sb MJ - SU raises 50,000 and JS calls. After the Jc Jh 7c flop, JS bets 120,000 and then folds when SU raises 300,000.

    **** Approx chip count: SU 1700K BW 200K JS 450K MJ 150K RS 650K

  53. sb RS - All fold to SU in bb.

  54. sb SU - JS raises 50,000 and SU calls. SU bets 60,000 and JS folds after the Ah 4c 2h flop.

  55. sb BW - RS raises 40,000 and all fold.

  56. sb JS - SU raises 50,000 and all fold.

  57. sb MJ - SU raises 50,000 and then calls after MJ raises 59,000 all-in. MJ shows As Ah and SU shows Js Ts . MJ wins after the board shows Ac Jh 5h 9 X.

  58. sb RS - JS raises 60,000 and SU calls. Both check the Qh 5c 3d flop and the Jh on the turn. SU bets 30,000 and JS folds after the 4h river card.

  59. sb SU - JS raises 210,000 all-in and all fold.

  60. sb BW - MJ raises 40,000 and all fold.

  61. sb JS - RS raises 50,000 and all fold.

  62. sb MJ - SU raises 50,000 and all fold.

  63. sb RS - MJ limps and all fold after RS raises 70,000.

    **** Approx chip count: SU 2000K BW 170K JS 150K MJ 250K RS 550K

  64. sb SU - MJ raises 40,000 and all fold.

  65. sb BW - RS raises 40,000 and SU calls. Both check all the way through the river. Board: Ah 9d 7h 4d Th - SU shows Q Q and RS wins with A T.

  66. sb JS - RS raises 40,000, SU calls, JS raises 140,000 all-in and SU folds after RS raises 400,000 all-in. RS shows K K and JS shows T T. JS wins after the board come down 7s 6h 3c Td 5h.

  67. sb MJ - SU raises 40,000 and calls after BW raises 40,000 all-in. SU shows 8d 9h and BW shows J J. BW wins after the board comes down Jd 6h 4d 7s Q.

  68. sb RS - RS raises 50,000 and SU folds.

  69. sb SU - RS raises 40,000 and all fold.

  70. sb BW - SU raises 40,000 and all fold.

  71. sb JS - All fold to MJ in bb.

    **** Approx chip count: SU 1750K BW 250K JS 600K MJ 250K RS 300K

  72. sb MJ - All fold to RS in bb.

  73. sb RS - All fold to SU in bb.

  74. sb SU - MJ raises 40,000 and all fold.

  75. sb BW - SU raises 40,000 and all fold.

  76. sb JS - SU raises 40,000 and all fold.

  77. sb MJ - SU raises 40,000 and MJ calls. SU bets 250,000 and MJ folds after the Ad 8d 4c flop.

  78. sb RS - All fold to SU in bb.

  79. sb SU - RS raises 40,000 and SU calls. RS bets 60,000 and SU calls after the Ac 7d 3h flop. SU bets 80,000 and RS folds after the As on the turn.

  80. sb BW - BW raises 190,000 all-in and JS folds.

  81. sb JS - JS raises 40,000 and MJ calls. JS bets 510,000 all-in and MJ folds after the Kc 8s 7s flop.

  82. sb MJ - SU raises 40,000 and all fold.

  83. sb RS - All fold to SU in bb.

  84. sb SU - SU limps and then calls after BW raises 124,000 all-in. SU shows Ad 7c and BW shows Ac 7h. Board: Qs 9s Jh 3s 2. Split pot.

  85. sb BW - RS raises 50,000 and all fold.

  86. sb JS - JS raises 30,000 and MJ folds.

  87. sb MJ - SU raises 30,000 and then calls after MJ raises 27,000 all-in. MJ shows Ac Jh and SU shows A Q. Split pot after a Kh Qc Js T 9 board.

  88. sb RS - JS raises 50,000 and all fold.

    **** Approx chip count: SU 2015K BW 140K JS 450K MJ 90K RS 425K

  89. sb SU - SU raises 40,000 and BW folds.

  90. sb BW - MJ raises 77,000 all-in and BW calls. MJ shows Th Ts and BW shows Kh 9d. MJ wins after a Jd 6d 7s 2d 9h board comes.

  91. sb JS - BW raises 10,000 all-in and MJ calls. BW shows QS Ts and MJ shows 2s 2h. Board: 6h Jc 9d 4c 7d. MJ wins the hand.

    **** Bob Walker finishes 5th at 2:17 PM.

  92. sb MJ - JS raises 40,000 and all fold.

  93. sb RS - MJ raises 40,000 and all fold. MJ shows Ad Kd.

  94. sb SU - RS raises 40,000 and JS calls. After the Tc 7c 2d flop, JS bets 80,000 and then calls when RS raises 100,000 all-in. JS shows As Ah and RS shows Jh 8d. JS wins the hand after the 2h and Ac come on the turn and the river.

    **** Ron Stanley finishes 4th at 2:23 PM

    **** Break, and I move inside in hopes of getting better view of play on indoor large screen monitors.

    **** Cards back in the air at 2:41 PM.

  95. sb JS - JS raises 50,000 and MJ folds.

  96. sb MJ - MJ and SU limp and check the As 8h Kd flop and the 2h on the turn. MJ bets 30,000 and SU folds after the 8c on the river.

  97. sb SU - MJ raises 40,000 and SU calls. Both check the Jh 3h Td flop. SU bets 80,000 and then calls MJ's 162,000 all-in raise after the 2c on the turn. MJ shows T 9 and SU shows Q J. SU wins the hand after the Kc comes on the river.

    **** Mel Judah finishes 3rd at 2:46 PM.

    **** Approx chip count: SU 2300K JS 820K

  98. sb and button JS - JS raises 50,000 and SU calls. Both check the Qd 9s 2h flop. SU bets 120,000 and JS folds after the Qs turn card.

  99. sb SU - SU folds on the button.

  100. sb JS - JS and SU limp and see the Kd Qs 2c flop. JS bets 60,000 and SU folds.

  101. sb SU - SU raises 40,000 and JS calls. SU bets 100,000 and JS folds after the Ks 9s 4d flop.

  102. sb JS - both limp and see the Ah 5s Ks flop. JS bets 50,000 and SU folds.

  103. sb SU - SU raises 40,000 and JS calls. The flop is Ac 5d 3h. JS bets 120,000, SU raises 800,000 and JS calls 630,000 all-in. SU shows Ah 4c and JS shows As 8c. The turn is the 3d and the 2s on the river makes a wheel for SU. SU wins the hand.

    John Strzemp finishes 2nd and Stu Ungar wins the 1997 WSOP $10,000 No-Limit Holdem Final Event World Championship at 3:02 PM.

Post-Mortem by Tom Sims

The 1997 WSOP is now history, and while I am generally satisfied with my role in Conjelco's coverage of this annual classic, I think I could have done better.

As I have related previously, I was a reluctant participant, and it took numerous invitations by Chuck Weinstock before I relented and consented, much against my better judgment. I really didn't need the hassle of what turned out to be an unrealistic commitment on my part. Also, as I now realize, I violated an old maxim of mine: I put the "em-PHAW-sis" on the wrong "syl-LABBLE", by focusing on recording the play-by-play data and getting it on the net the next day. I only did the Daily Report narrative because of Chuck's urging, had little time nor mind-frame to do it justice, and relied on the coded, hard to read, play-by-play data to provide most of the meat of my reportorial efforts. This was a big mistake. Making the play-by-play data a public record was my prime motivation, but I should have highlighted more of the color and important hands at the daily Final Tables, and done the tedious transcribing of play-by-play data at my leisure, after the WSOP. If I ever undertake another Poker reportorial assignment, I will skip the hand-by-hand data (I've made my contribution!), or do it on a "to follow at my leisure" basis, and devote a lot more time and effort to what's going on.

My WSOP "insider" experience will be treasured by me forever. I really enjoyed my day in the sun. It was ego-building to be at the center of the action, and to be given "Time of Day" treatment by Poker legends and Poker VIP's, many of whom weren't aware of my existence three weeks ago, and won't be again three weeks from now. This illustrates one of my many character flaws, which is "hero worship".

I almost quit before I got started. Binion's really didn't understand (or appreciate) my role in the over-all WSOP scheme of things, and basically told me that I could play in the Press tournament, not to abuse the food comps, and to please not get in the way. I guess they get a lot of Press freeloaders every year, and I was being regarded as such. I immediately rejected what I considered to be 2nd class Press privileges, and offered to happily forget the whole thing, and continue with my worry and commitment free retired existence. My bluff (well, actually it wasn't a bluff) wasn't called, and I was promised 1st class treatment and 1st class access to the daily Final Tables. They delivered what they promised, and it turned out that I had Final Table reporting duties that precluded my playing in the Press Tournament, and I didn't have enough spare time to make much use of my Press food comping perks. I was not promised, and did not receive any preferential access to the Final Table of the Main Event.

My first day on the job at Event #1, I received what I perceived as a polite but cool reception from the Binion's WSOP cadre. Jack McClelland later told me that they thought I was some kind of crazy person to take on an almost round the clock, uncompensated commitment to do something that had never been done before. Don Larrimore, a crusty professional journalist, who edits Binion's glossy WSOP brochure and wrote the Daily Report handouts, wasn't quite so subtle. He rebuffed my attempt to introduce myself, and went out of his way to ignore my existence for the first couple of days.

At some point on the second or third day, after they saw that I wasn't going to disappear, things changed and I was accepted as a part of the Final Table Team. Jack M. began mentioning my Internet reporting in his opening spiel, and always asked the Final Table participants to cooperate with me. Also, I think I provided some valuable insights and information to Jack during tournament. Don Larrimore began using my knowledge and data as resource information, and we became good friends. I gave both Jack and Don a 1996 BARGE chip, and Jack reciprocated with a WSOP Final Table Jacket for me and one for Georgia (who sat in the Press stands a couple of days). That puts a pretty high value on 1996 BARGE chips for any collectors who are keeping score!

You'd have to know Don L. to really appreciate him. He is a perfectionist, hardly ever smiles, and is very opinionated. One day he launched into a diatribe about one of his un favorite people (he has many) to Jack M. and me in which "scumbag" was the kindest appellation he used. Jack M. and I replied as in one voice "Don't hold back, Don. How do you really feel about _________ ?"

Darryl Phillips had introduced me to Jack McClelland a few months ago at the Mirage, and we had said hello a couple of times since, but my main contact with Jack and with Steve Morrow over the years, has been when they have firmly told me, during a tournament they were directing, to "stand further back from the tables". I have been a professional Poker Tournament spectator for a long time, and although I'm pretty adept at being at the right place at the right time, I still get hollered at occasionally.

My thanks to Georgia for putting up with me during the WSOP (and all of the rest of the time too).

Many, many thanks to Conjelco and Binion's for their continuing coverage of the WSOP on the Internet.

I thank Chuck Weinstock for being a valued friend, collaborator and supporter. Chuck was always there when I needed him, printed everything I submitted, as I wrote it, and during a time of controversy and discouragement, urged me to report the facts, forget about legal ramifications and let the chips fall as they may. Chuck is one of the Giver's and Sharer's in life, and a real asset to the Poker World IMHO.

My WSOP buddy was CARDPLAYER's Linda Johnson. Linda shares my love for Poker, and having her around to share confidences, rumors and ideas with, was a major plus. Congrats Linda on your gold bracelet!

All of the Binion's crew were very nice to me. Jim and Susan Albrecht, Jack McClelland, Don Larrimore, Steve Morrow, Lynne Loomis, Patti Hughes, Rudy and Barbara Lotief, Becky Kerber, the staff on the WSOP desk and everyone else.

I needed, sought and received Email support and advice from several respected members of the rec.gambling community during the WSOP. What a great bunch of people we have in our Internet Poker World!

A special thanks to Andy Bloch who volunteered to be the "Sweatee" for my WSOP Main Event Project, and played well before exiting.

Thanks to all the rec.gamblers and TARGETeers who said hello, and especially to Steve Brecher, Andy Bloch, Chris and Mark Ferguson, Cathy Burns, Paul Pudaite, Gretchen Hower, and Keith Bronson who let me eat and hang around with them. Also to Keith Fichtemaier, Bill Turner, JP Massar, Ed Hill, Jeff Siegal, Danny Agresta, Ed Fernandez, Ed Wolf, Rob Fagen, Ken Kubey, Kevin Garrett, David Aaronson, Jay Johnson, Mike Zimmers, Dave Miles, Kim Scheinberg, John Kullman, Scott Byron and some that I'm forgetting, that I spent time with. It was nice to meet Ramsey, even if he does talk funny :-).

I spent some quality time with Ken Adams, Poker player and Washington DC attorney who has done a WSOP Main Event Final Table article for CARDPLAYER the last few years. This was Ken's fourth year to record play-by-play data for the last day's play, which makes him a pioneer in this field. Ken records all the data in a pre-prepared notebook with his own coding system and with a schematic for each hand. Ken is willing to share his data with the Poker World, but hasn't found the time to put it into shareable form.

I acquainted and reacquainted myself, and spent some time, with several members of the fourth estate. These included Nolan Dalla, Lou Krieger, Robert Feiger and Marryanne Gubermann who hope to have the first issue of POKER MAGAZINE out in July, the German film crew that was doing a WSOP documentary for the European market, Denny Axel, Susie Isaacs, Larry Grossman, Jon Wetzel and his amazing camera, Darryl Phillips, Charles Coveney who was sweating over the live TV feeds, and many others.

Stat: I averaged 3.7 hours of sleep per 24 hours on the days that I recorded and transcribed Final Table play-by-play data.

I was feeling a bit down the last few days of the WSOP. I was disappointed that Binion's had reneged so readily on their "Andy Bloch Sweating" commitment, and because my access turned out to be so poor for the last day's Final Table. I also was feeling bad for Andy and Chris Ferguson and Ron Stanley, who I had been rooting for, and who had done so well, but fell short of their potential and expectations. The whole circus like, anti-spectator environment of the final day didn't help any either.

My down feeling was erased and permanently removed when Chuck Weinstock ignited an unexpected Email bombing of yours truly. At the conclusion of the last Daily Report, Chuck included my Email address, and encouraged readers to thank me for my WSOP efforts. I had received almost a hundred Thank-You Emails before Chuck made his solicitation, and the total is now over 2,000 and climbing. What an upper for me. Mind boggling. Out of sight. This overwhelming show of appreciation, from all around the world was/is greatly appreciated.

Stu Ungar, "The Comeback Kid", Wins Third World Series Title by Ken Adams.

Playing with supreme confidence, Stu ("The Kid") Ungar captured his third World Series championship, along with $1,000,000 in prize money and the coveted gold bracelet. Only Johnny Moss shares the distinction of winning three titles.

Ungar had not been to the winner's circle in any major tournament since his back-to-back World Series wins in 1980 and 1981; nonetheless he was widely viewed as the favorite after the first day of play. The tournament began with 312 entries, nearly half of whom were eliminated on Day 1, including [# to be inserted] former champions. Ungar began Day 2 in seventh place with $47,175 in tournament chips. Of the twenty-seven players who survived the second day's play, Ungar was second to Ron Stanley, a popular Las Vegas poker pro who led the field with $401,500 compared with Ungar's $232,000.

Throughout Day 3, Ungar played aggressively, attacking the blinds more often than any two other players. While others played cautiously, and avoided risking their chips without a premium hand, Ungar did not hesitate to call or raise with non-premium cards when he was confident his opponent had even less.

Ungar's "reads" of his opponents were unerring. A good example was the hand on which Ungar busted David Roepke. Roepke opened the pot for $35,000 with a suited K-10. Ungar called with a suited K-Q. The flop came 7-6-2 off suit. Roepke moved all in (for approximately $47,000). Confident that Roepke did not have an ace or a pair, Ungar called. The turn and river helped neither player, and Roepke was eliminated. "No other player at the table would have called in that spot", Ungar said later.

The key hand for Ungar on Day 3 came late in the afternoon, with Ron Stanley leading the field. Ungar, in second place with about $650,000 in chips, raised before the flop from the small blind with J-8 off suit! Chris Bjorin folded the big blind. The only caller was George Gerds (description), who was down to $125,000 and needing to win a pot. Gerds held a suited K-J. The flop came J-8-6 off suit. Ungar bet $30,000 and Gerds came over the top with a $60,000 raise. Ungar, holding two pair, re-raised Gerds all in. Fourth and fifth street helped neither player. Gerds was eliminated in 11th place, and Ungar took the lead for the first time in the tournament. He never lost it.

The last six players gathered at the final table on Day 4, on an outdoor stage erected on Fremont Street just outside the Horseshoe, near the site where Johnny Moss and Nick "the Greek" Dandalos fought their famous five-month poker duel in 1949 -- the match that gave birth to the World Series of Poker. When tournament director Jack McClellan instructed the dealer to "shuffle up and deal", the chip count was as follows:
Stu Ungar$1,066,000
Ron Stanley$694,000
Bob Walker$611,000
Mel Judah$301,000
John Strzemp$245,000
Peter Bao$204,000
Unlike last year's tournament, in which few chips were risked during the first hour, the action was fast and furious from the first round. The chip leaders did not hesitate to take each other on. On the sixth hand dealt, Stu Ungar bet $30,000 after the flop, in the big blind. Ron Stanley called in the small blind. Both players checked on the turn. When the river brought a queen, Stanley checked. Ungar bet $55,000. Stanley raised $85,000 more, and Ungar folded.

Three hands later Mel Judah, a tournament professional from London who won this year's seven card stud title, and finished third in the seven card high-low split event, opened the pot for $35,000 with A-J. John Strzemp called from the big blind with the 9-7 of clubs. The flop came A-J-8 with two clubs. Strzemp moved all in with a flush draw and an inside straight draw.. Judah called, bringing the total pot to $535,000. The 3 of clubs fell on the turn, followed by an offsuit 10 on the river, and John Stzremp, the President of Treasure Island Hotel and Casino playing in his first World Series, narrowly avoided elimination.

Three rounds later Stu Ungar fought another heads-up battle with Ron Stanley. Stanley opened the pot for $40,000 and Ungar called with A-Q off suit, as did John Strzemp in the big blind. The flop came A-K-6. All three players checked. When the 7 of clubs fell on the turn, Stanley bet $45,000, Ungar called and Strzemp folded. Fifth street brought the 3 of diamonds. Stanley checked and folded when Ungar bet $100,000.

A few minutes later, Ungar suffered his only sizable loss of the day. He opened the pot for $35,000 in late position holding an ace with no kicker. Strzemp called in the big blind, with the K-10 of spades. Both players checked after the flop, which came A-K-4 with two clubs and one spade. When the 8 of spades fell on fourth street, Strzemp bet $45,000. Ungar called. The river brought the 7 of spades. Strzemp bet $70,000 and Ungar called again, losing to Strzemp's flush.

After Ron Stanley stole the blinds a few times, he moved within $200,000 of Ungar. A few hands later, the two chip leaders fought another heads-up duel in the blinds. With Ungar in the big blind, Stanley limped in and Ungar checked. The flop came A-9-6 with two spades. Previously, each time Ungar had flopped top pair with an ace, he had checked on the flop and bet on the turn. This time he checked behind Stanley, suggesting that he might have an ace again. An eight fell on fourth street. Stanley, holding a nine, bet $25,000 with second pair. Ungar raised $60,000 and Stanley called. The river card was a king. Stanley checked and folded when Ungar bet $225,000. Ungar brashly turned up his cards, showing Q-10 for queen high and no pair! As Stanley acknowledged after the tournament ended, he was hampered throughout the day by his table position -- immediately to Ungar's right. Only once each round (when Ungar was in the small blind and Stanley was on the button) was Stanley in position to act after Ungar. With Ungar playing very aggressively immediately behind him, it made it difficult for Stanley to take the initiative when he did not have a strong hand.

The next time they were in the blinds, Ungar raised $50,000 from the big blind, holding K-Q. Stanley called with pocket sevens. The flop came Q-8-8 (rainbow). Both players checked. Stanley checked again when the five of diamonds fell on the turn. Ungar bet $60,000 and Stanley called. When the six of diamonds came on fifth street, Stanley bet $120,000 representing a flush. Ungar called with two pair, and raked in another large pot, expanding his lead over Stanley and Strzemp.

On the next hand, Peter Bao raised all in before the flop, holding Q-J. John Strzemp called with A-Q. Neither hand improved, and Bao, a 26-year old computer science major at UNLV and a regular in the 20-40 holdem game at the Horseshoe, was the first to be eliminated. He took home $127,200 for his sixth place finish.

A few hands later, Ungar opened the pot for $60,000 and Strzemp called on the button. Ungar checked the flop, which showed J-J-7. Strzemp bet $120,000 and had to fold when Ungar came over the top with a $300,000 raise. After that hand, Ungar held a commanding lead with $1.8 million in chips. Ron Stanley was holding onto second place with $700,000 followed by Strzemp with $500,000. Bill Walker and Mel Judah trailed far behind, hoping to catch a hand before the antes and blinds ate away their short stacks.

One round later, Mel Judah found pocket aces in the small blind. When Ungar opened the pot for $60,000 Judah raised all in (a total of $120,000). Ungar called, holding Amarillo Slim's favorite hand of J-10 suited. The flop came A-J-5, and Judah raked a $260,000 pot.

Two rounds later, Ungar and Stanley fought another heads up duel. Ungar opened the pot for $60,000 and Stanley called on the button with pocket queens. Ungar, holding A-10, flopped top pair and checked to Stanley, who checked behind him. They checked on fourth and fifth street as well, and Ungar increased his lead over Stanley.

On the very next hand, Stanley dropped to third place when Strzemp caught a miracle ten on fourth street to overtake Stanley's pocket kings. Strzemp had moved all in before the flop with pocket tens, and appeared to be headed for the rail when Stanley showed his kings. To add to Stanley's pain, Mel Judah disclosed that he had folded a ten, leaving only one card in the deck for Strzemp to draw. For the second time Strzemp drew out on his opponent to avoid elimination, going "from valet parking up to second place," in the words of Jack McClellan.

Bill Walker, who had won his seat in a $200-entry super satellite, was the next player to move all in, holding A-7. Ungar called, and showed the same hand. Four spades came, but neither player held a spade, and Walker lived to fight another time. Four hands later Mel Judah moved all in before the flop with A-J. Ungar called holding a suited A-Q. When the flop came K-Q-J it looked like Judah would be eliminated, but a ten fell on the river, giving Judah a tie.

Three hands later, Judah moved all in again before the flop, with pocket tens. Walker called with K-9. Walker could do no better than a pair of nines, and Judah doubled his chip holding at Walker's expense, leaving Walker with the proverbial "chip and a chair". Walker's final chip went in on the next hand. He was eliminated when his suited Q-10 failed to overtake Judah's pocket deuces. Walker, a professional poker player from Las Vegas, won $161,120 for his fifth place finish.

Three hands later Ron Stanley opened the pot for $60,000 with J-8 (the same hand with which Ungar had eliminated George Gerds the previous day). Strzemp smooth called in the big blind, concealing his pocket aces. The flop came K-7-2 and Strzemp bet $80,000. Stanley moved all in with an $88,000 raise. Strzemp called. His aces held up, and a disappointed Ron Stanley finished fourth, collecting $212,000.

The end came swiftly. Three hands after Stanley was eliminated, Mel Judah opened the pot for $60,000 with 10-9. Ungar called from the small blind with Q-J. The flop came J-10-3, and both players checked. A deuce fell on the turn. When Ungar bet $80,000, Judah moved all in. Ungar called. Fifth street helped neither hand, and Mel Judah took third place and $371,000 in prize money.

With only two players remaining, security guards piled on the table the winner's prize -- $1,000,000 in cash and the coveted championship gold bracelet. When play resumed, John Strzemp had about $600,000 in chips, to Ungar's $2.5 million. Stu Ungar is considered one of the best heads-up players of all time. His skill, plus his commanding chip advantage, led him to victory only five hands later. On the 100th deal of the final day's play, Ungar raised $40,000 before the flop with A-4 off suit. Strzemp called with A-8. The flop came A-5-3 off suit. Strzemp bet $120,000 and Ungar set him all in with an $800,000 raise. Strzemp called, making the total pot $1,194,000. The board paired with another 3 on fourth street, giving Ungar two chances to win (with a four or deuce on the river) and five chances to tie (with a nine or higher). Fifth street brought a deuce, giving "The Comeback Kid" a straight and his third world championship.

Ken Adams
Washington, DC
May 1997

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