2009 World Series of Poker

Day 3 completed

Posted 06-05-2009 19:43 GMT-12

Congratulations to Ken Aldridge, Winner of Event #9 ($428,259)!

It was an epic heads-up match between Ken Aldridge and Carman Cavella. Aldridge had Cavella on the ropes at one point, 5.6 million chips to 0.9 million chips. But Aldridge's attempt to go for the jugular and close out the match results in back-to-back double-ups for Cavella, prolonging the match.

In the end, however, Aldridge showed more aggression than Cavella and that was the difference in the heads-up match. Cavella seemed willing to take only one stab at a pot; if Aldridge called then Cavella gave up. As a result once the blinds got huge it only took Aldridge a few pots to build a huge chip lead.

For his efforts, Ken Aldridge's name will be added to the pantheon of WSOP gold bracelet winners. He also gets $428,259 in prize money. Not a bad day at all.

Congratulations Ken Aldridge, and good night from the Amazon Room at the Rio.

Carman Cavella Eliminated in 2nd Place ($ 264,814)

Cavella had been ground down to a short stack once more and needed to make a move to get back in it. He found a hand to go with and he had a willing customer in Aldridge with . It was bad timing for though Cavella as he had .

The flop gave some hope of a chop when it came but the turn and river meant the played as a kicker and after a three hour heads up battle Cavella had succumbed to his opponent.

Aldridge Building....

Slowly, maybe, Ken Aldridge is taking out the legs of Carman Cavella. Aldridge limped into the pot from the small blind, then called Cavella's raise of an extra 200,000. On a flop, Cavella bet 250,000 and again Aldridge called. Cavella shut down when the turn came , allowing Aldridge to take down the pot by firing out a bet.

Teach Takes Another

A limp from Aldridge before Cavello raises 200,000 more and a call to see a flop. Cavello leads out for 300,000 and Aldridge calls before the turn came . Cavello slows to a check and Aldridge takes the pot away with a 400,000 bet.

More Chips for Aldridge

Well, blinds are big now. So even small pots will hopefully create some chip movement. Carman Cavella opened with a raise to 250,000 that Ken Aldridge called. It was a flop of for the two combatants, with Aldridge checking to Cavella. Cavella bet 300,000 but quickly mucked his hand when Aldridge raised to 700,000.

Play Resumes

Cards are back in the air.

Updated Chip Counts

Ken Aldridge - 3,800,000
Carman Cavella - 2,850,000

Players on a 20 Minute Break

Time for a quick read through a heads-up strategy book.

Ken Aldridge

Aldridge limps in from button before Cavella bumps it up another 175,000. Aldridge calls to see a flop and then calls a 275,000 bet from Cavella. They both checked the turn before the river came . They both checked and Aldridge took the pot with .