2010 World Series of Poker

Day 3 completed

Posted 06-26-2010 23:34 GMT-8 by GeorgiaPeach

Congratulations to Gavin Smith, Event #44 Champion ($268,238)

Posted 06-26-2010 23:25 GMT-8 by Shamus

Gavin Smith - Event #44 Champion

A long-standing member of the "best-without-a-bracelet" club, Gavin Smith tonight leaves that club to join another one -- those who have crowned their poker careers with WSOP gold!

This tournament attracted an especially tough field of 507 entrants, and the final table proved tough as well, all of the way down to a lengthy heads-up match between Smith and Danny Hannawa. Despite ballooning limits, the pair battled for two hours through the alternating limit and no-limit rounds before Smith finally took the last of Hannawa's chips.

There's a celebratory mood here at the main feature stage, as Smith's many supporters -- among them Jeff Madsen, Jon Friedberg, Erick Lindgren, Chau Giang, Joe Sebok, Layne Flack, and Court Harrington -- have gathered to congratulate their friend and fellow competitor.

"It feels good," he said afterwards, employing an almost uncharacteristic seeming understatement. Smith has always maintained he didn't need the bracelet to validate his career, but he clearly recognizes this as a moment worth noting. When asked if he planned to party it up tonight, he said perhaps, but not too much -- there's another tournament to be played tomorrow!

Congratulations to Gavin Smith, Event #44 Champion! Thanks for following our coverage on PokerNews, and be sure to return in the coming days as we wind our way down to the Main Event.

Tags: Gavin Smith.

Gavin Smith, Event #44 Champion

Posted 06-26-2010 23:20 GMT-8 by Reporter

Danny Hannawa Eliminated in 2nd Place ($166,005)

Posted 06-26-2010 23:15 GMT-8 by Shamus

Danny Hannawa - 2nd place

Limit

Danny Hannawa raised from the button, Smith reraised, and Hannawa called with his remaining chips. The crowd stood noisily as the players tabled their cards:

Smith
Hannawa

The flop came , and a loud cheer went up at the sight of the ace. The turn brought the and an "ooooh" as Hannawa was still drawing live. But the river was the , and Smith has won!

Smith's huge crowd of supporters swarmed the stage to congratulate him, but Smith took a moment first to give Hannawa a big hug of congratulations.

It's all over! Smith is the Event #44 Champion!

Tags: Danny Hannawa, Gavin Smith.

Smith Cripples Hannawa

Posted 06-26-2010 23:13 GMT-8 by GeorgiaPeach

Danny Hannawa two bet from the button and Gavin Smith made the call.

Flop:

Smith check-raised Hannawa's bet. Hannawa called and the fell on the turn. Smith bet and Hannawa called and the river brought the .

Smith bet and Hannawa called. Smith tabled a pair of eights to take the pot and cripple Hannawa.

Tags: Gavin Smith, Danny Hannawa.

Pedal Down for Smith

Posted 06-26-2010 23:08 GMT-8 by Shamus

Limit

After that last big hand, Gavin Smith was up to 2.81 million to Danny Hannawa's 1 million.

Next Smith had the button, and raised (to 160,000), and Danny Hannawa called. The flop came , Hannawa checked, Smith bet (80,000), and Hannawa folded.

On the next hand, Hannawa gave Smith a walk.

Then, Smith limped from the button, and Hannawa checked. The flop came . Hannawa checked, Smith bet, and Hannawa folded.

After than sequence, Smith moved up over 3 million, and Hannawa to less than 800,000.

Tags: Danny Hannawa, Gavin Smith.

Smith Turns Queen for the Win

Posted 06-26-2010 23:07 GMT-8 by GeorgiaPeach

Limit

Gavin Smith two bet from the button and Danny Hannawa made the call.

The flop came down .

Hannawa check-called Smith's bet and the turn brought the . Again, Hannawa check-called Smith's bet. The fell on the river and once again, Hannawa check-called Smith.

Smith tabled for the win and his rail went wild.

Tags: Danny Hannawa, Gavin Smith.

Two Pair for Hannawa

Posted 06-26-2010 23:00 GMT-8 by GeorgiaPeach

Limit

From the button, Gavin Smith made it two bets. Danny Hannawa made the call and the flop brought the .

It was checked to Smith who tossed in a bet. Hannawa made the call and the fell on the turn.

Both players checked to the river. After they both checked once more, Hannawa tabled for two pair to take the pot.

Tags: Danny Hannawa, Gavin Smith.

Big Bets, Big Swings

Posted 06-26-2010 22:58 GMT-8 by Shamus

Limit

Gavin Smith won the first hand of the limit round, then came a hand in which he raised from the button and Danny Hannawa called. The flop came . Hannawa checked, Smith bet, and Hannawa called. The turn was the , and this time Hannawa check-folded to Smith's bet.

Just like that Hannawa is down to just over 1 million and Smith up to 2.7 million.

Tags: Danny Hannawa, Gavin Smith.

Take It to the Limit

Posted 06-26-2010 22:55 GMT-8 by GeorgiaPeach

We now move back over into limit hold'em, with the stakes now a whopping 40,000/80,000.

Gavin Smith -- 2.3 million
Danny Hannawa -- 1.51 million