Mike Simon Wins World Poker Challenge
Heading into the final table of the World Poker Challenge at the Reno Hilton Mike Simon held a slight chip lead over established poker professional Barry Greenstein. Despite his lead in chips many, including myself felt that it was Greenstein who would ultimately prevail. Many, including myself were proved wrong yesterday, when Mike Simon after more than ten hours of play walked away with the $1,052,890 first prize and the $25,000 entry into the World Poker Tour Championship at the Bellagio next month.
As I previously mentioned, I felt that Greenstein would roll through this final table and land a nice payday. He was second in chips and had more final table experience that the other five players combined. This turned out to be very shortsighted as Greenstein was out in 6th place in less than ten hands. The pivotal hand for Greenstein was versus eventual winner Simon when they both flopped trip eights and Simon’s Ace kicker allowed him to double up. For his play Greenstein received $85,370.
The fifth place finisher was Jonas Norman who had qualified in a $6.40 satellite. He went out on the 94th hand of the day when Jason Stern defeated his pair of queens when he caught two pair on the river. Norman earned $113,830 for his finish, which is a pretty good return on investment.
Several hands later Mike Simon and Greg Mueller faced off. Simon had K-Q and Mueller had A-8. Mueller moved all-in preflop and was called by Simon who eventually made two pair and put Mueller out of the tournament. For his 4th place finish Mueller was given $142,285.
Action at this point of the tournament was fast and Tom Schneider moved all-in with K-3 and was called by Jason Stern in the big blind who was holding A-2. Stern made the wheel and eliminated Schneider who finished in third place and took home $256,115.
This left Jason Stern and Mike Simon heads-up, but despite the high blind levels, the action was by no means fast and furious. It took fifty hands and many lead changes before a winner was determined. In the end Simon bested Stern who pocketed $529,300 for his play.
World Poker Challenge Final Results
1. Mike Simon…………$1,052,890
2. Jason Stern………..$529,300
3. Tom Schneider…….$256,115
4. Greg Mueller………..$142,285
5. Jonas Norman………$113,830
6. Barry Greenstein……$85,370
Article by Bob Yausie