TUNICA, MS – Larry Hicks, a former member of the state of Illinois House of Representatives, outlasted 179 opponents to take down Event #13 of the 2009-2010 World Series of Poker Circuit Events at Harrah’s Tunica.
Hicks was among a strong final group of ten players which included 2009 World Series of Poker Event #28 bracelet winner, Mike Eise and the winner of the 2009-2010 Harrah’s Tunica Seniors Circuit Event, Rogers Patterson.
Entering the final table, Hicks was the chip leader, but with Eisen and Patterson with the final table experience, it appeared anyone could take down this tournament.
And by starting the final table with 10 players, it was no easy task for Hicks to come out victorious.
The chip counts of the final ten players were as follows:
|
Name |
Hometown |
Seat |
Chip Count |
|
Mickey Jason Munlin |
Pontotoc, MS |
1 |
199,000 |
|
Steve Pionk |
Hernando, MS |
2 |
52,000 |
|
Nathan Foust |
Cullman, AL |
3 |
158,000 |
|
Rogers Patterson |
Bryant, AR |
4 |
195,000 |
|
Alvin Laser |
Houston, TX |
5 |
209,000 |
|
Mike Eise |
St. Louis, MO |
6 |
170,000 |
|
David Taylor |
Magnolia, AR |
7 |
236,000 |
|
Michael Warren |
Tullahoma, TN |
8 |
156,000 |
|
David Clough |
Murphysboro, IL |
9 |
122,000 |
|
Larry Hicks |
Mt. Vernon, IL |
10 |
302,000 |
Ninth Place
After the elimination of Mickey Jason Munlin in tenth place, Rogers Patterson moved all-in with A-Q after a flop and got a call from Mike Eise who flopped a set with . Blanks hit on the turn and river, sending the Seniors Event champion out in 9th. Patterson collected $1,095.
Eighth Place
Steve Pionk was eliminated after running pocket kings into Alvin Laser’s pocket aces. The jack-high board was no help to Pionk resulting in a $1,292 eighth place finish.
Seventh Place
Eise moved his remaining stack all-in with and got a call from David Taylor, who turned over pocket jacks. The sans spade A-7-5-9-8 board ended Eise’s tournament run. He collected $1,593.
Since winning his first WSOP gold bracelet and the nearly $640,000 first place prize, Eise says that he has since been playing a lot of poker and working on his St. Louis-based poker radio show, "All-In Poker Radio" on www.tapthefelt.com.
"Life’s been great," said Eise of the past six months since he won the bracelet.
"I was laid off from my job but I haven’t looked back. I play poker all the time now, have cashed in the WPT and WSOP and am working on my show."
Sixth Place
Michael Warrren moved all-in on the button with and got a call from David Clough. Clough turned over pocket kings. Warren was unable to improve on the board and was escorted to the payout table to collect $2,387 for sixth.
Fifth Place
After an over hour-long five-way stalemate, the remaining players struck a deal. Details were not disclosed but the five played on for the Circuit Event ring. Soon after play resumed, Nathan Foust was eliminated after his K-8 suited failed to improve against Larry Hicks pocket 2’s. Fifth officially paid $3,181.
Fourth Place
David Taylor was the fourth place finisher. Taylor is a business owner from Magnolia, AR. He officially earned $3,975.
Third Place
David Clough was eliminated in third place after moving all-in with on a king-high flop. Hicks made the call, turning over pocket aces. Clough bricked the turn and river, sending him to the payout table. The official third place prize was $5,567
Second Place
Heads-up action was between Hicks and Laser with Hicks holding a monstrous chip lead over his opponent.
In the final hand, Hicks was all-in with A-10 off vs. Laser’s 9-10 offsuit. The jack-high flop followed by a turn and river was the end of the tournament. Laser officially earned $7,883 for second place.
Laser is a 64-year old attorney from Houston, TX who has practiced law in Little Rock, AR for over 30 years. This was his first major tournament cash.
Hicks is a retired U.S. Army helicopter pilot who completed a number of tours of duty during the Vietnam War. In the early 80’s, he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives, a seat he held for 12 years.
Hicks went into the private sector after his career in politics. He began playing poker ten years ago. The 62-year old was delighted by the most recent highlight of his storied life.
"I’m overjoyed to have finally won an event," said Hicks.
"It’s one of those goals that you set out to accomplish and when you finally do it’s a wonderful feeling."
Still to come are 7 more events and single-day non-ring $125, $230 and $340 buy-in events which begin at 4 pm and 7pm. The WSOP Circuit at Harrah’s Tunica runs through February 10th.