Event 23 - $2,000 No-Limit Hold'em | 2008 World Series of Poker

06-14-2008 16:56 UTC-7

Hand #42 - Brockington

[user46392]

Hinkle raises to 80,000 utg, and two seats down, small blind Brockington moves all in for 491,000.

Hinkle looks briefly irked, and then laughs. He folds.

06-14-2008 16:58 UTC-7

Hand #43 - O'Brien

[user4144]

O'Brien raises to 245,000 and takes down the blinds and antes.

06-14-2008 17:03 UTC-7

Steicke button-raises to 90,000. Small blind Hinkle folds, but big blind O'Brien reraises very nearly all in for 302,000 total - he actually leaves himself 1,000 behind. But Steicke calls and they throw O'Brien's last chip in anyway.

Steicke: {10-Spades}

O'Brien:

Board:

O'Brien doubles up to 637,000.

06-14-2008 17:06 UTC-7

Hand #45 - Hinkle

[user4144]

With just the fab four remaining, Steicke raises it up to 90,000 and Hinkle reraises to 220,000.

Back to Steicke, who duly makes the call.

{K-Hearts}

First to act, Steicke checks, as does Hinkle.

Turn = {3-Hearts}

Steicke checks again, but not Hinkle, this time betting for 200,000.

Steicke calls.

River = {2-Hearts}

A check from Steicke leads to a bet of 300,000 from Hinkle.

Steicke checks his cards, scratches his forehead and makes the call.

Hinkle shows {K-Clubs}

and Steicke mucks, much to the delight of the Hinkle fan base on the rail.

Tags: Blair Hinkle David Steicke

06-14-2008 17:10 UTC-7

Hand #46 - O'Brien

[user46392]

O'Brien makes it 90,000 from the button, and small blind Brockington calls.

{2-Clubs}

Brockington checks to O'Brien, who bets 110,000. With a slight incline of his head, Brockington lays it down.

06-14-2008 17:10 UTC-7

Hand #47 - Brockington

[user4144]

Brockington bursts into life, raising it 95,000 preflop. It's good enough to take it down.

06-14-2008 17:12 UTC-7

Hand #48 - O'Brien

[user46392]

It folds to Hinkle on the small blind, who just limps. Big blind O'Brien, however, raises to 100,000, forcing Hinkle to fold. O'Brien shows {A-Spades}

.

06-14-2008 17:13 UTC-7

Heavily Supported

[user4144]

As this final table lacks a 'big name' player and isn't being televised with under-the-table cameras, there is only a smattering of onlookers in the audience.

However, of those, it is Blair Hinkle who appears to be the most heavily supported, his fan base on the rail cheering his triumphs, sharing his woes and constantly getting behind their man.

Could this backing spur him on to victory?

Tags: Blair Hinkle

06-14-2008 17:18 UTC-7

Hand #49 - Steicke

[user4144]

Steicke kicks off the action this hand, making it 90,000 to play.

Play halts on Hinkle just one spot down, who requests a count.

Hinkle makes the call and the flop comes a potentially fun-filled...

{J-Spades}

Steicke folds his arms as he contemplates his next move. He checks.

Hinkle doesn't waste any time being pensive, putting Steicke to the test with a bet of 115,000. Steicke makes the call.

Turn = {3-Clubs}

The action is again on Steicke, who opts for a check. Hinkle checks behind.

River = {2-Spades}