Champions Invitational | 2009 WSOP Champions Invitational

Champions Invitational

Day 2 Completed

06-02-2009 01:16 UTC-7

Tom McEvoy Awarded Inaugural Binion Cup

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1983 WSOP Main Event winner Tom McEvoy took down one of the most ceremonious events in WSOP history by outlasting 19 other former champs to win the inaugural Champions Invitational. With every hand a veritable collision between former world champs, McEvoy rode a hot Day 2 to the win, for which he received the first-ever Binion Cup and a vintage, fully restored, 1970 Corvette Stingray convertible.

WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack and historic Binion family figure Jack Binion made the trophy presentation to a quiet but obviously pleased McEvoy. “This is the first time he handed me a trophy instead of money,” said McEvoy, referring to Binion, upon receiving the new Binion Cup.

Tags: Binion Cup Tom McEvoy

06-02-2009 01:00 UTC-7

McEvoy Eliminates Varkonyi, Wins Champions Invitational

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And in just one more hand... over. The hand began modestly enough, with a limped flop of {7-Clubs}

. Varkonyi bet 4,000 and McEvoy called.

The turn was a dangerous {6-Clubs}

. Varkonyi bet 8,000, McEvoy made it 16,000, Varkonyi pushed all in, and McEvoy quickly called. The hands:

Varkonyi: {J-Diamonds}

McEvoy:

Varkonyi seemed to have an open-ended straight flush draw but in reality had only one out -- the {4-Clubs}

. No miracle here, as the {K-Clubs}

fell instead and McEvoy wrapped up the title with the higher flush.

Tags: Robert Varkonyi Tom McEvoy

06-02-2009 00:53 UTC-7

Three for Varkonyi

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Tom McEvoy ran his streak of pots to six before Robert Varkonyi took down three in a row.

06-02-2009 00:47 UTC-7

McEvoy Regains Edge

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McEvoy took down four straight pots to again move out to a dominating lead. The biggest of the four began with McEvoy making a button raise to 5,000, with Varkonyi calling. The flop came {J-Spades}

, and Varkonyi made it 10,000. McEvoy quickly made it 20,000, and Varkonyi’s left leg quivered under the table as he weighed his options. Still, after only about 20 seconds, he tossed it away.

Tags: Tom McEvoy

06-02-2009 00:41 UTC-7

Another Varkonyi Pot

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Two hands later, McEvoy again made a button raise to 6,000, with Varkonyi reraising to 18,000. McEvoy called and the two saw a {6-Diamonds}

flop.

Varkonyi pushed all in and McEvoy quickly folded.

06-02-2009 00:39 UTC-7

Varkonyi Chips Up

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Tom McEvoy drew first blood in the heads-up duel for the title in the Champions Invitational, but Robert Varkonyi dragged the first significant pot. McEvoy raised to 6,000 from the button and Varkonyi called to see the flop, which came {5-Hearts}

. Varkonyi checked, and McEvoy did as well.

The turn brought the {7-Hearts}

and this time Varkonyi bet 12,000, which McEvoy called. Both players checked the {Q-Diamonds}

river, and when Varkonyi opened {10-?}

, McEvoy mucked.

Tags: Robert Varkonyi

06-02-2009 00:30 UTC-7

Official Chip Counts, Level 12 Begins

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Tom McEvoy -- 145,600
Robert Varkonyi -- 54,500

Level: 12

Blinds: 1,000/2,000

Ante: 300

06-02-2009 00:11 UTC-7

Harrington Busted in Third

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1995 Main Event champion Dan Harrington busted in third place after committing himself preflop with {9-Clubs}

, reraising over Tom McEvoy’s opening raise for about half of his remaining 32,000 or so chips. McEvoy called, then checked to Harrington after the {A-Spades}

flop. Harrington pushed in his remaining 15,700, and McEvoy considered it at lengthy before calling with {K-Diamonds}

for middle pair. McEvoy’s queens were good, as the turn and river came {8-Clubs}

and

to end Harrington’s night.

With the knockout, Level 11 drew to a close and McEvoy and Robert Varkonyi headed off for a 20-minute break. Official chip counts shortly.

Tags: Dan Harrington Tom McEvoy