Event
#20
DAY FOUR REPORT
Remember the 1973 Belmont? That year,
the legendary racehorse Secretariat won
the final race of the Triple Crown by
an astonishing 31 lengths. News footage
of the race showed the stallion obliterating
the rest of the field as he breezed down
the stretch across the finish line at
Belmont Park. It was one of the most dominant
performances in the history of horseracing
� and is still discussed and idolized
by all sports fans some 30 years later.
It's
impossible to predict if poker historians
thirty years from now will look back on
the 2003 Jack Binion World Poker Open
with similar reverence. They should. In
one of the most dominant performances
ever recorded in any major poker tournament
past or present, David �Devil Fish� Ulliott
totally annihilated the field in this
year's event. There was no other way to
describe what happened. So dominant was
Ulliott's performance at the final table
championship event, that it's not an overstatement
to say the outcome was never seriously
in doubt.
Consider
the fact that Ulliott arrived at the table
with more than a 2-1 chip advantage over
his closest rival, Phil Ivey. Consider
the fact that Ulliott maintained a chip
lead at the final table in excess of $200,000
or more in chips from start to finish.
Consider the fact that Ulliott was never
once in serious jeopardy of losing any
significant part of his stack on any single
hand in the entire seven hour finale.
Finally, consider the fact that the man
who everyone calls the �Devil Fish� walked
away with $589,990 in prize money and
won the coveted title of �World Poker
Open Champion.� The facts speak for themselves.
The
Devil Fish clearly enjoyed some advantages
coming into the fourth and final day of
the tournament. First, he was the only
player to have made a final table in the
championship event previoulsy (he finished
fifth in 2002). Second, he was the only
player to have actually won an event at
the World Poker Open (he won the $1,000
buy-in Pot-Limit Omaha event in 2002).
Next, Devil Fish won a big nationally
televised event in England a few years
ago, and was accustomed to the bright
lights and pressures of television. Perhaps
most important, Devil Fish is arguably
the most feared no-limit tournament player
in the world. Anyone who seriously doubts
this last point, is invited to consider
the following evidence.
The
six finalists of the 2003 Jack Binion
World Poker Open were introduced as follows:
SEAT 1: David 'Devil
Fish' Ulliott -- Hull England (Chip Count:
613,000)
The
first question most people usually ask
'Devil Fish' is how he earned his unusual
nickname. Devil Fish started playing poker
many years ago, back in his native England.
His style of play was so aggressive, that
he quickly went from being the 'fish'
in the game to the 'Devil Fish' -- especially
as he improved and started winning big
money. After one particularly profitable
night playing in one of East London's
underground pot-limit games, an opponent
angrily called Ulliott the 'Devil Fish,'
for gobbling up every chip at the table.
The name stuck. Ulliott, age 48, was a
successful jeweler before becoming a professional
poker player. Since turning pro, he's
added many gold bracelets and watches
to his abounding jewelry collection. Ulliott
has numerous tournament victories -- both
in the United States and Europe. His biggest
wins have been at the World Series of
Poker for Pot-Limit Hold'em, the European
Seven-Card Stud Championship, and ten
other Pot-Limit Omaha titles - including
a win here at the World Poker Open in
2002. Ulliott noted that the main reason
he is here at the World Poker Open is
because of the great personal respect
he has for Jack Binion.
SEAT
2: Jeremy 'the Kid' Tinsley - Beaumont,
TX (Chip Count: 208,000)
Despite
his young age (25) 'the Kid' sure knows
how to play. He's been a professional
poker player most of his adult life. Jeremy
Tinsley's father taught his son how to
play poker at the age of six. He initially
went to Las Vegas when he became an adult,
and took a $3,000 bankroll to see if he
could make it as a pro. Only a year later,
Tinsley had close to $100,000 in cash
and was playing $40-80 limit on a daily
basis. Tinsley later went back to his
native Texas, where he now regularly plays
in local cash games in the Houston and
Beaumont area. Tinsley is engaged to be
married.
SEAT 3: Buddy Williams
- Lawton, OK (Chip Count: 162,000)
Buddy
Williams came into the final table as
the sentimental crowd favorite. He is
perhaps best known publicly for his role
in one of poker's most memorable moments,
which took place at the first Jack Binion
World Poker Open in 2000. Buddy was eager
to play in the tournament that year, and
talked his brother Ronnie into driving
him to the event. Buddy had been playing
poker for more than 30 years, and Ronnie
reluctantly agreed to travel from their
respective hometowns in Oklahoma to Tunica,
Mississippi to give it a shot in the poker
tournament. In a bizarre twist of fate,
Ronnie ended up winning a seat for the
main event in a super satellite, at a
cost of only $220. Ronnie Williams played
in the main event and, incredibly, won
the tournament! As Ronnie was being presented
with the prize money and gold and diamond
bracelet, he asked for his brother Buddy
to be at his side. There was not a dry
eye in the house that day, as everyone
watched the two brothers embrace and celebrate.
Buddy Williams is 60 years old. He has
worked as a successful real estate broker.
Although he has played in many poker tournaments
in his life, this marks his biggest achievement
to date. He finished 12th in the main
event in 2001.
SEAT
4: Phillip Ivey - Atlantic City, NJ (Chip
Count: 293,000)
Phil
Ivey, age 25, started playing poker in
Atlantic City, and within a short time
was playing against (and beating) the
best Seven Card Stud players in the world.
After getting restless with cash games
(too easy, perhaps?), Ivey turned his
attention to tournaments a few years ago
and since then, has been the player everyone
is talking about. He burst upon the tournament
poker scene in 2001 with his first World
Series of Poker title in Pot-Limit Omaha,
defeating the legendary 'Amarillo Slim'
Preston in a heads-up battle (up to that
point, Slim had never lost a heads-up
match in a WSOP match). In 2002, Ivey
rocked the poker world by winning a staggering
three WSOP bracelets (one of only three
players to win three events in a single
year). Afterward, the tournament director
remarked, 'Phil's walking on water. It's
not supposed to be this easy.'
SEAT
5: Johnny Donaldson - Monticello, AR (Chip
Count: 125,000)
If
ever there was a big underdog in a poker
tournament, it appeared to be Johnny Donaldson.
The 60-year-old building contractor from
Arkansas made his first tournament final
table ever. In fact, Donaldson started
playing poker in public cardrooms only
about a year ago. He came to this year's
World Poker Open and won his seat in a
super satellite (cost: $220). Donaldson
is married (his wife is a school teacher).
He also has two daughters who are attending
college. In his spare time, Donaldson
enjoys fishing and duck hunting.
SEAT
6: Tommy Grimes - Houston, TX (Chip Count:
194,000)
Tommy
Grimes has been around poker and gambling
circles most, if not all of his 57 years.
Born in Jackson, Mississippi, Grimes took
up poker at an early age. After earning
his degree in mathematics and a stint
in the Army, Grimes was a road gambler
for many years. He later moved to Texas,
where he now plays mostly in local home
games in the Houston area, when he's not
playing in Tunica and Las Vegas. Grimes
plays mostly in the biggest buy-in poker
tournaments and prefers to maintain a
low profile as a successful cash game
player. Grimes is married, has two children,
and four grandchildren.
Play
at the final table commenced with blinds
at $2K-$4K and antes at $1K. Early in
the finale, it looked as if Jeremy �the
Kid� Tinsley would pose the biggest challenge
to the chip leader. On the second hand
of play, Tinsley ripped $44K out of Devil
Fish's big stack and won a $100,000 pot.
Just two hands later, Tinsley tore another
$40K from Devil Fish when his 7-7 topped
the chip leader's 6-6. Tinsley momentarily
moved into second chip position, slightly
ahead of Phil Ivey. Was an upset in the
making?
Unfortunately
for Tinsley, that would be his summit.
He would climb no higher. On Hand #9,
Tinsley got into a heads-up confrontation
with Johnny Donaldson. Tinsley (with A-Q)
opened with a $30K raise and Donaldson
(with A-10) moved over the top all-in
for $79K more. Tinsley called the raise
and was thrilled to be at such an advantage.
However, the final board showed 10-9-4-J-7,
giving Donaldson a pair of tens. It was
a huge break for Donaldson, and a terrible
blow to Tinsley. One must wonder if the
outcome of this tournament might have
been different, had Tinsley's heavily-favored
A-Q over A-10 held up and won that critical
pot. We'll never know.
Next,
Johnny Donaldson built his stack up to
$345K on Hand #27. In a three-way pot
with Phil Ivey and Devil Fish, Donaldson
moved all-in after Ivey made a post-flop
bet of $40K. Both of the larger stacks
folded, which meant Donaldson was now
in second-chip position.
It
took slightly over two hours for the first
player to be eliminated. On Hand #49,
Tommy Grimes tried to steal the blinds
and antes with the K-5 of hearts. His
was re-raised by Devil Fish with 7-7.
Low on chips and desperate to catch a
break, Grimes reluctantly called the raise
hoping to double up. It didn't happen.
Devil Fish's pocket 7s held up, which
put Houstonian Tommy Grimes out in 6th
place with $53,445 in prize money.
Jeremy
Tinsley went out a short time later on
Hand #59. He went �card cold� at the worst
stage of the tournament and was unable
to regain any of his early momentum at
the final table. Tinsley finally moved
all-in on the big blind with 9-8 suited
against Buddy Williams' A-Q. Tinsley realized
he was an underdog to the two overcards
and hoped to catch at least a pair. Unfortunately,
the flop and turn quickly put two nails
in Tinsley's coffin, as the final board
showed A-K-6-A-7. Williams' trip aces
trounced Tinsley's no pair. Tinsley exited
the final table to applause from the audience
and was greeted immediately by several
members of his family. The young poker
pro from Beaumont, Texas can take great
pride in his 5th-place finish, which paid
$68,715. We have not seen the last of
Jeremy �the Kid� Tinsley.
Over
the next twenty hands, Devil Fish shifted
into overdrive. He attacked the blinds
and antes with a ceaseless barrage of
raises and re-raises specifically designed
to intimidate and confuse his opponents.
The tactic proved to be very effective.
Just about anytime Devil Fish made a pre-flop
raise, his opponents folded. Devil Fish
gradually increased his stack size from
$600K to over $900K.
As
play at the final table entered the fourth
hour, most observers began to speculate
which of the three remaining short-stacked
players might eventually confront the
Devil Fish. If so, could anyone beat Devil
Fish at this point? Williams, Ivey, and
Donaldson jousted for over an hour before
the next player finally went out on Hand
#102.
Buddy
Williams was down to just $95K in chips
and made his last stand of the night with
K-Q. Williams was a prohibitive favorite
over Devil Fish, who called the all-in
bet with K-7 (keep in mind he could afford
to call with weaker cards, given his mammoth
chip advantage). The flop was a nightmare
for Williams, when Devil Fish hit a 7.
The pair of 7s ended up winning the pot,
which meant Williams was out of the tournament.
As the 4th-place finisher was wheeled
away from the final table, the audience
rose to its feet in the ultimate tribute
to Williams. It was once again a reminder
that poker is such a wonderful game because
ALL people can play and compete on a level
playing field as equals � without regard
to age, sex, creed, color, or physical
disability.
Johnny
Donaldson was another great story in a
year of big stories at this year's tournament.
For just $220, Donaldson won his seat
in the main event by playing in a super
satellite. He clearly won the respect
of his peers throughout the four-day tournament,
and at the final table too -- with some
extraordinary moves and a care-free demeanor
that was impossible to read. Donaldson's
expression never once changed during his
five hour stay at the final table. He
remained cool, calm, and collected throughout
-- and showed no obvious signs that this
was his first final tale at a major poker
tournament. Donaldson tried to hang on
as long as possible given his dwindling
stack size, but with the blinds and antes
increasing gradually, he made the decision
to finally move all-in and take his chances
on doubling up on a hand. On Hand #143,
Donaldson went all-in with A-3 against
Devil Fish's Q-8. Donaldson was the favorite
before the flop and had to like his chances.
Then, disaster came for Donaldson. The
flop showed Q-10-7, giving Devil Fish
a pair of queens. Donaldson was drawing
to an ace, but missed on the final two
cards. Donaldson stood up from the final
table to another standing ovation from
the audience. He congratulated his two
opponents and showed a great deal of class
with a sincere smile. Johnny Donaldson,
the self-described down-home �country
boy� from Arkansas waved to the cheering
crowd and exited in 3rd place with $145,065.
The
end seemed to be a foregone conclusion.
Despite Phil Ivey's immense poker talent
and astonishing track record in tournaments,
there was only so much he could do to
challenge Devil Fish being at such an
immense chip disadvantage. Ivey was down
nearly 9-1 in chips on the final hand
of the night:
With
antes at $2K and blinds at $10K-$20K,
Phil Ivey was dealt K-8. Devil Fish was
dealt 6-5. Ivey made a small pre-flop
raise and Devil Fish called. The flop
came 8-7-3. Ivey had top pair with a solid
kicker and moved all-in. Devil Fish did
not hesitate to call with the outside
straight draw. Devil Fish had eight outs
to catch a 4 or 9 for the straight. Almost
as though it was predestined from the
poker gods, a four rained down to the
felt on the turn and made Devil Fish a
straight. David �Devil Fish� Ulliott would
be the 2003 World Poker Open Champion.
Phil Ivey would finish as the runner up.
Phil Ivey has a staggering amount of talent
for someone at such a young age. It's
frightening (especially for his opponents)
to think what he might accomplish in this
game over the next few decades. Based
on his dedication to poker coupled with
an intense desire to win, it's only a
matter of time before Phil Ivey's day
arrived, and he wins the World Poker Open
Championship. This year, he must settle
for second place, which paid $290,130.
The
night clearly belonged to the dynamic
poker pro from England. From start to
finish, the charismatic, crowd-pleasing
Devil Fish put on a display of poker dominance
that left just about everyone who watched
it dumbfounded. In sports terms, it was
like watching any of a number of recent
Super Bowl games where one team absolutely
rolls over the other and the game has
already been decided at halftime. More
fitting perhaps are the similarities between
Devil Fish's win at the 2003 World Poker
Open and Secretariat's wire-to-wire victory
30 years ago.
The
only �photo finish� in this event was
the final portrait of David �Devil Fish�
Ulliott raising his glass of champagne
in a heartfelt toast, as he collected
$589,990 in cash and the World Poker Open
championship.
-- by Nolan Dalla
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