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2003 World Series Of Poker
Sat - Sun April. 19-20, 2003
Event #5
No Limit Hold'em
$2,000 BUY-IN

Players: 407
Prize Pool: $757,020

2. Guy Calvert Australia 143,840
3. Bruce Van Horn Ada, OK 71,920
4. Juha Helppi Finland 45,420
5. Antonio Estfandiari San Jose, CA 34,060
6. Perry Regimbal Canada 26,500
7. Mike Sexton Henderson, NV 18,920
8. Steve Rogowski Lakewood, CO 15,140
9. Kathy Liebert Las Vegas, NV 12,160
10. "Syracuse Chris" Tsiprailidis Liverpool, NY 9,080
11. Erik Seidel Henderson, NV 9,080
12. Mike Vatan Orange, CA 9,080
13. Dan Barton Pahrump, NV 7,560
14. Jose Rasenkrantz Costa Rica 7,560
15. Lee Markholt Tacoma, WA 7,560
16. Brent Carter Oak Park, IL 6,060
17. John Spadavecchia Lighthouse Pt., FL 6,060
18. Richard Schwartz Las Vegas, NV 6,060
19. Hylton Socher Wynnewood, PA 4,540
20. Jeff Norman Encinitas, CA 4,540
21. Mel Wiener Los Angeles, CA 4,540
22. Nhut Tran Scottsdale, AZ 4,540
23. Mohammed Fathipour Tarzana, CA 4,540
24. SK Los Gatos, CA 4,540
25. Jeff Shulman Las Vegas, NV 4,540
26. Glenn Parker St. Catherines, Ont.4,540
27. Kenna James Anaheim, CA 4,540


"Minneapolis Jim" Meehan Wins $2,000
No-Limit Hold'em Event at 2003
World Series of Poker

Jim Meehan, a Las Vegas-based attorney by way of Minneapolis, steamrolled over a large field of 407 of the world's best poker players and took first place in the $2,000 buy-in Limit Holdem Event. In what was certainly the most exciting (and longest) final table at this year's World Series of Poker thus far, Meehan overcame several chip disadvantages and utilized an unorthodox style which essentially made it impossible for his opponents to predict when he had a decent hand. He also got a huge boost from the deck on at least two occasions when he faced elimination, evading eradication by catching a "miracle" spade flush on the river both times. Overall, it was a phenomenal final table to watch, which electrified the standing-room only crowd and had all the elements of a great drama.

No one in his right mind could have predicted "Minneapolis Jim's" win in this event -- given his status coming into the second day. Since play ended very late on Day One, players returned on the second day with a field of 14. It appeared that Minneapolis Jim would be among the first to exit, since he was down to just $21,000 in chips (compared to chip-leader Juha Helppi with a whopping $163,000). But Meehan played tough and survived. By 3 pm on Easter Sunday, he was sitting at the final table -- although he was still perilously low on chips.

One of the key hands of the tournament occurred when Juha Helppi, from Finland, eliminated Percy Regimbal. The two chip leaders went to war when Regimbal's 9-9 confronted Helppi's A-K suited. With Regimbal "all in," ace fell on the turn which then gave Helppi an enormous chip advantage over his three remaining opponents. In fact, whispers it the crowd suggested this final table might end in short measure, with Helppi holding over half the chips in play.

But No-Limit Texas Hold'm can be a cruel game. In what had to be one of the most incredible hours of final table play on record, Helppi not only lost his 5 to 1 chip advantage versus the other three players, he would finish no better than fourth.

Helppi played very aggressively with his big stack, too aggressively some might say. But he also took a horrible series of beats, particularly when heads-up against Minneapolis Jim. Helppi moved all-in with Q-Q, and by the time the raising war had broken out, Minneapolis Jim was pot-committed and had to call with K-J (king of spades). The flop came A-9-8, with two spades. A third spade fell on the turn. And, remarkably -- a fourth spade rescued Minneapolis Jim on the river. It was a stunning moment, which destroyed Helppi and turned Minneapolis Jim into a force at the final table. In fact, 30 minutes later, Minneapolis Jim had half the chips on the table.

After Dr. Bruce Van Horn was eliminated in third place, Minneapolis Jim faced Australian Guy Calvert in heads-up play. Minneapolis Jim, decked out in a cowboy hat, a sweater, with a Easter Sunday church program sticking out of his left front pocket, moved his chips aggressively and took a 4 to 1 chip advantage. However, for anyone thinking this final table would be over soon, they would best be advised to go catch a movie and come back later. In fact, they could have got in a double feature.

Head's up play between the two talented players lasted an astounding three hours -- virtually unheard of in heads-up no-limit play. Just when it appeared one player would make a move and gain the upper hand, the other player would become more aggressive and take pots with over-the-top raises.

Guy Calvert put on a final table "clinic." Opponent Meehan clearly won the majority of pots during heads-up play, but Calvert used a crafty and cunning strategic style to take back lost chips with selected aggression -- which caused Minneapolis Jim some serious difficulty. In fact, Calvert went from being down 4 to 1 to being one card away from the championship.

After a flop of Q-8-6, all spades, Calvert (with Q-6) called Minneapolis Jim's "all-in" raise. Meehan held K-8, including the nut-flush draw. A harmless deuce fell on the turn and Calvert was one card away from a gold bracelet. But in a stunning twist of misfortune, a devastating black spade fell -- darkening the night for Calvert and effectively turning Minneapolis Jim into the newest World Series of Poker champion.

The end came a short time later when Calvert was dealt J-J and was "all in" against Minneapolis Jim's K-K. The board failed to bring Calvert a much-needed jack, which meant Minneapolis Jim was victorious. Guy Calvert collected $143,840 for second place.

The winner, Minneapolis Jim Meehan is a colorful character with a great deal of style and heart. He and Calvert displayed a magnificent amount of class during the finale, at one point toasting the event with a duel order of Heineken's. After it was over, Calvert was disappointed but also could take great pride in knowing he played phenomenally. Meanwhile, it's obvious Minneapolis Jim caught a few hands along the way. But it goes to show that in the game of No-Limit Hold'em, you need more than just skill to win a poker tournament. Sometimes you need a little help from above. Happy Easter, Minneapolis Jim.

-- by Nolan Dalla



2003 World Series of Poker

Event 1 Event 2 Event 3 Event 4
Event 5 Event 6 Event 7 Event 8
Event 9 Event 10 Event 11 Event 12
Event 13 Event 14 Event 15 Event 16
Event 17 Event 18 Event 19 Event 20
Event 21 Event 22 Event 23 Event 24
Event 25 Event 26 Event 27 Event 28
Event 29 Event 30 Event 31 Event 32
Event 33 Event 34 Event 35 Event 36
Event 37 Day 1 Day 2 Day 3
Day 4 Final Table    

 

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