Last to First: Eddie Smurzynski Makes Stunning Final Table Comeback in Event #9

For the last time tonight, here is Nolan Dalla with his official recap of Event #9 from Harrah's St. Louis:

When the final ten players took seats at the final table, the two lowest-stacked players were Eddie Smurzynski and Michael E. Smith. No one could have conceived that these same two players would end up playing for the coveted gold ring and bragging rights as the latest WSOP Circuit champion, some seven hours later.

But that’s exactly what happened.

Smurzynski staged what was undoubtedly the most surprising comeback of any player thus far at this year’s Harrah’s St. Louis series. He began final table play down by more than 5 to 1 versus the chip leader. But Smurzynski never panicked. He played a steady game and gradually built up his stack to the point where he was in contention.

By the time play was three-handed, Smurzynski was still behind in third place. But he had proven his ability to survive disadvantages and when the cards began to turn his way, Smurzynski was in the perfect position to be the beneficiary.

Smurzynski ended up with this first WSOP Circuit title and a gold ring, which is the token of achievement awarded to all winner’s of events on the national tournament series. He was also presented with a nice payout totaling $27,212 in prizes money.

WSOP Circuit Harrah’s St. Louis Ring Event #9 No Limit Hold’em

Buy-in	Entrants	Prize Pool
$300+$55	425	$123,675

Place	Player	Hometown	Prize
1	Edward Smurzynski	Midlothian, IL	$27,212
2	Michael Smith	Magnolia, MS	$16,814
3	Stewart Yancik	Blue Springs, MO	$12,286
4	Gary Catens	St. Louis, MO	$9,122
5	Jason Ratcliff	Wright City, MO	$6,879
6	Ahmad Raghebi	St. Louis, MO	$5,265
7	Ryan Gentry	La Jolla, CA	$4,089
8	Scot Brady	Evansville, IN	$3,220
9	William Corvaia	Keokuk, IA	$2,572