With his win here today, Lee Watkinson makes a strong case for recognition as the world's best tournament Omaha player. He now has career earnings of over $1 million dollars in Omaha and ranks first atop the all-time WSOP Omaha money list.
Watkinson was patient throughout the day, picking all the right spots to get his money into the middle. Lee collected $180,600 AUD in prize money for his win and another Omaha trophy to add to his already impressive resume.
Final Standings:
1st: Lee Watkinson - $180,600
2nd: Tom 'Durrrr' Dwan - $103,200
3rd: Van Marcus - $61,920
4th: Mike Sexton - $51,600
5th: Mark Kassis - $41,280
6th: Michael 'Sticky' Guttman - $30,960
7th: Lenny Barshack - $20,640
8th: Jamie Pickering - $15,480
9th: Max Pescatori - $10,320
Congratulations to Lee and all of the finalists on a job well done.
Lee Watkinson opened the action with a raise to 12,000 from the button and Tom Dwan re-raised to 36,000. Watkinson made the call and we saw a flop of .
Dwan led out with a bet of 32,500 and Watkinson announced a raise of the pot, Dwan said he was all in and Watkinson announced a call as the cards were shown:
Dwan:
Watkinson:
Dwan held the lead with a set of kings but Watkinson had plenty of outs with his straight draws. The turn brought the to give Watkinson even more out with his flush draw, and the on the river completed his flush to take down the title!
A great tournament by Ton Dwan, playing a dominant final table but falling just short to finish in 2nd place for AU$103,200 in prize money.
Lee Watkinson and Tom Dwan are both experienced Omaha players, and with their current deep, evenly-matched chip stacks, this should be an enthralling heads up battle.
The three players limped in and took a flop of . Van Marcus was happy enough with this flop to throw the last of his 12,000 chips into the middle. Lee Watkinson folded but Tom Dwan insta-called.
Marcus:
Dwan:
Marcus held top two pair but Dwan had flopped the straight to hold the lead. The turn and river bricked and we lose Van Marcus who battled hard with his short stack through most of the final table to eventually finish 3rd for AU$61,920 in prize money.
Despite having a massive chip disadvantage, Van Marcus was just overheard to comment to the other players "You won't want to chip me up boys! If you double me up four times then we're back in business!"
The crowd has been brought to life here inside the Crown Poker Room after 4th and 5th place were decided within five minutes of each other. The most recent final table casualty was poker ambassador Mike Sexton who was eliminated by tournament chip leader Lee Watkinson.
Watkinson opened the pot with a pot-sized raise from the button and Sexton made the call from the big blind. The flop came down and Sexton led out with a 20,000 bet. Watkinson responded with a raise, putting Sexton to a decision for all of his chips. As Sexton considered his decision, Van Marcus, an invested bystander, chided, "Don't worry about the money, Mike . . . You've got millions!"
Sexton eventually made the call, tabling . Watkinson revealed for top pair and an open-ended straight draw.
"I need a diamond," said Sexton, before the dealer completed the board. The final two community cards brought running sevens, giving Watkinson the winning full house. Sexton's 4th place finish earned him $51,600 AUD in prize money.
Mark Kassis was left with only 14,000 chips after folding his way through much of the evening. He found a hand to push with and Lee Watkinson made the call.
Kassis:
Watkinson:
The board ran out to give Watkinson a full house and eliminate Mark Kassis after a great tournament in 5th place for a pay day of $41,280.
Tonight's final table has been running for close to six hours now and we've only seen four eliminations in that time! Players (and some reporters..!) are starting to feel the strain of the long day, and you get the feeling that the way these guys are playing we've still got a long way to go!