Live Reporting | 2008 World Series of Poker | Event 2 - $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em

Event 2 - $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em

Day 3 completed
Wed Jun 04 2008 05:42 PST | Posted by loganmark

Grant Hinkle - Champion

Congratulations to Grant Hinkle, Champion of Event #2 ($ 831,462)

We have our champion - Grant Hinkle has won Event #2.

"So Grant, is the ten-four suited your new favorite hand?" Norman Chad asked him after the tournament ended.

"Quad tens is," said Hinkle.

In his interview, Hinkle mentioned he had to reschedule his flight home fives times due to his consistent success in the tournament. "I"m supposed to be on a flight at 6:45 this morning, so I'm gonna have to reschedule that one too," he said.

His mother, Lynn Hinkle, learned of his son's success this morning at 10:30. She says she was on a Southwest Airlines flight by 11:30. "I'm coming out...I'm his mom...he can't stop me," she proudly declared.

Hinkle bested the largest field ever in non main event by outlasting 3,928 other competitors to take home the title. When asked about his decision to quit his job he said that was a decision he won't rush into. "I don't know yet...I need to talk it over with my wife and my family...we'll see," he said.

Whether Hinkle decides to turn pro or not, he has what many would do anything for - a coveted gold bracelet, and his very own place in the history books...oh and $831,462 to go with it.
Wed Jun 04 2008 04:48 PST | Posted by F-Train

James Akenhead - Runner Up

Grant Hinkle Wins Event #2 ($1,500 No-Limit Hold'em); James Akenhead Eliminated in 2nd Place ($520,219)

Hand #160 -

Grant Hinkle has the button in Seat 10. He raises to 350,000. Akenhead tries to pop it up again, this time by raising to 1.2 million. Hinkle moves all in and Akenhead quickly calls. Here it is! The moment we've been waiting for over the last two hours.

Akenhead is the one who is all in. The hands are opened:

Hinkle:
Akenhead:

Wow, a stone bluff from Hinkle and now he's in very rough shape. The shouting has begun from the gallery, who have all suddenly found that last reserve of energy to remain on their feet. Side bets are being made on what the flop will contain. Here it comes...

Pandemonium in the Milwaukee's Best Light All-In Lounge! Akenhead is dead to running cards. The crowd is absolutely floored. Akenhead cannot believe his misfortune. He knows he's on thin ice. And just to add insult to injury...

Hinkle makes quad tens! Akenhead is drawing dead. The meaningless river completes the hand. Akenhead is eliminated in second place and collects $520,219.

Grant Hinkle is the winner of Event #2. He earns $831,462 and a coveted gold bracelet for his triumph. The winning hand was the all-powerful .
Wed Jun 04 2008 04:39 PST | Posted by loganmark

Hand #159 - James Akenhead

James Akenhead has the button in seat 9 and he raises to 420,000. Grant Hinkle folds and James Akenhead wins the blinds and antes.
Wed Jun 04 2008 04:39 PST | Posted by loganmark

Updated Chip Counts

Grant Hinkle - 6,600,000
James Akenhead - 5,100,000
Wed Jun 04 2008 04:38 PST | Posted by F-Train

Hand #158 - Grant Hinkle

Grant Hinkle has the button in seat 10. He raises to 350,000. James Akenhead reraises to 1,100,000. Hinkle quickly moves all in. The crowd is on its feet -- hoping, praying, pleading for a call. But Akenhead folds, and everyone sits back down.
Wed Jun 04 2008 04:35 PST | Posted by loganmark

Hand #157 - Grant Hinkle

James Akenhead has the button in seat 9 and he limps into the pot. Grant Hinkle checks his option. The flop comes . Hinkle bets 200,000 and Akenhead calls. The hits the turn and Hinkle confidently pushes out 400,000. Akenhead folds and Grant Hinkle wins the pot.
Wed Jun 04 2008 04:33 PST | Posted by F-Train

Hand #156 - Grant Hinkle

Grant Hinkle has the button in seat 10. He again raises to 350,000. James Akenhead folds, allowing Hinkle to take down the blinds and the antes.

Nobody wants to lose. Perhaps just as accurately, nobody wants to win.
Wed Jun 04 2008 04:32 PST | Posted by loganmark

Hand #155 - James Akenhead

James Akenhead has the button in seat 9 and he raises to 420,000. Grant Hinkle folds and James Akenhead wins the blinds and antes.
Wed Jun 04 2008 04:31 PST | Posted by F-Train

Hand #154 - Grant Hinkle

Grant Hinkle has the button in seat 10. He completes and James Akenhead checks. It's another limped flop that comes . Grant bets 200,000 and again wins the pot. The Brits in the crowd are getting a little restless, trying to spur Londoner James Akenhead to the bracelet. Maybe we can get a case of Red Bull to the Milwaukee's Best Light All-In Lounge.