Full Tilt $25K Heads-up World Championship, Day 2: Ashton Griffin Captures Title

May 25 2009, Mickey Doft

The final four players returned to the Full Tilt $25K Heads-up World Championship on Sunday to play down to a champion, and when the final battle was over and the smoke had cleared, Ashton “theASHMAN103” Griffin was the winner. A first-place payday of $551,250 was at stake as the last four players — David Benefield, Jim “WinnerFish” Kilarjian, Ashton “theASHMAN103” Griffin, and Blair “yogiblair” Anderson — returned at 4:00 ET to begin a new round of heads-up duels, each man armed with 5,000 in starting chips. Each of the four players had defeated four opponents to make it to this point and was guaranteed at least $165,375. Their victories on the road to the Final Four were as follows:

David Benefield victories: Rafe Furst, DarkHorse19, DjAdi, IvanLendL

Jim “WinnerFish” Kilarjian victories: PureCash25, Steven “stevesbets” Jacobs, Mirttinur, Rob “Vaga_Lion” Akery

Ashton “theASHMAN103” Griffin victories: GrindMode, Isaac “luvtheWNBA” Haxton, David Singer, Past

Blair “yogiblair” Anderson victories: Negrodamus2, Scott Montgomery, dingepling, Alex “Kadabra” Keating

The Final Four

Ashton “theASHMAN103” Griffin Defeats Blair “yogiblair” Anderson

Griffin put himself in position notch the victory at 40/80. Holding a 5-to-1 chip lead over his rival, Griffin looked to advance to the championship match with against Anderson’s . But Griffin’s Kojak couldn’t improve as the board rolled out and Anderson doubled up. Anderson’s comeback was short-lived, however. He made a stand with , but ran into Griffin’s . The board fell and Blair “yogiblair” Anderson was out in fourth place for $165,375.

David Benefield Defeats Jim “WinnerFish” Kilarjian

At the 60/120 level, Kilarjian held the lead and was looking to close out the match. Benefield raised to 260 and Kilarjian called, leading to the flop. Kilarjian check-raised from 275 to 790, but was met with a reraise from Benefield to 1,475. Kilarjian called and shoved on the turn card with the bigger stack. Benefield insta-called with , miles ahead of Kilarjian’s . The river fell the as Benefield took over the chip lead. He took it down at 80/160. Preflop, Benefield opened with a min-raise to 320, which Kilarjian called. The flop came and Kilarjian check-raised all in for 2,066. Benefield called and tabled for the overpair to Kilarjian’s top pair with . The turn and river brought no help to Kilarjian, out in third place for $165,375.

Championship

Ashton “theASHMAN103” Griffin Defeats David Benefield

Benefield grabbed the early lead in the match-up, but then suffered a big hit at 25/50. He min-raised to 100 and Griffin called, bringing out the flop. Griffin checked it to Benefield, who bet 125, and Griffin countered with a check-raise to 510. Benefield then popped it to 1,275, only to see Griffin move all in for 4,080. Benefield called with and found himself behind Griffin’s . The turn and river fell and as Griffin doubled up to take a commanding lead.

The match ended later in the same level. Griffin raised to 100 and Benefield called. The flop came and Benefield led out 125. Griffin came along to see the hit the turn. Benefield bet 325 and Griffin reraised all in. Benefield called all in for his last 930 with , but was in deep trouble against Griffin’s . The on the river brought the tournament to a close. David Benefield finished as the runner-up, pocketing $315,000 for his efforts. Ashton “theASHMAN103” Griffin was the winner of the $25k Heads-up World Championship, good for $551,250.

Final Results:

1. Ashton “theASHMAN103” Griffin - $551,250
2. David Benefield - $315,000
3. Jim “WinnerFish” Kilarjian - $165,375
4. Blair “yogiblair” Anderson - $165,375
5. Past - $94,500
6. Alex “Kadabra” Keating - $94,500
7. IvanLendL - $94,500
8. Rob “Vaga_Lion” Akery – $94,500

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