Days, weeks, months, and years from now when reflecting back upon what happened at the 2011 World Series of Poker, the outcome of Event #33 will probably be remembered just as much for those who did not win, as the eventual champion who did win.
Consider the formidable lineup of stellar superstar poker talent which finished second, third, fourth, and fifth, respectively:
Second Place – 11-time gold bracelet winner and 1989 world champion, Phil Hellmuth, Jr
Third Place – Last year’s WSOP Main Event Championship runner up, John Racener
Fourth Place – Five-time gold bracelet winner and Seven-Card Stud specialist, Ted Forrest
Fifth Place – Former gold bracelet winner and high-stakes cash game pro, David Benyamine
So, who was the dragon slayer who brandished a dagger and slashed the proverbial necks of poker’s royalty?
The new champion’s name is Eric Rodawig.
Rodawig is a name not known to many poker players, or fans of the game. Yet, his name should be recognized, and after tonight -- will most certainly gain the attention of anyone who plays or follows Seven-Card Stud High-Low Split.
Rodawig is a pro/instructor at the poker training website Cardrunners. However, until this victory in the most recent World Series of Poker tournament in Las Vegas, Rodawig’s credentials had pretty much been purely academic. Now, with his first gold bracelet victory achieved, he can rightfully declare himself as the 2011 Seven-Card Stud High-Low Split World Champion. Maybe there is something to be gained from those poker training websites, after all.
Rodawig is a 26-year-old banker. He is originally from South Dakota. Rodawig graduated from Georgetown University. He now lives with his wife in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC.
This marked Rodawig’s third time to cash in the WSOP, and second in-the-money finish so far this year. He collected $442,183 for first place. Rodwawig also received the most coveted prize in the game, the WSOP gold bracelet.
To gain some perspective on Rodawig’s gold bracelet victory, consider the emotional devastation felt by virtually everyone around him who played deep in this tournament. No adversary felt more envious of Rodawig than the iconic player who finished second – Phil Hellmuth. Barely a week after his less-than-satisfying runner up finish to John Juanda in the Deuce-to-Seven Lowball championship, Hellmuth had a shot to redeem himself and win what would have been an unprecedented, record-smashing 12th career gold bracelet victory.
Instead, Hellmuth was a WSOP bridesmaid yet again, forced to witness the excruciating victory celebration of someone else from the cold, dark, lonely place that exists only within the perspectives of true poker champions for which there is no substitute for victory. With two second-place finishes at roughly the midway point of the series, Hellmuth’s only consolation in finishing second was the top spot in the current WSOP “Player of the Year” standings.
The third-place finisher too, endured his own private sense of bitter disappointment. Few poker players have won more money than John Racener within the past nine months. But until Racener achieves what has become an elusive moniker of “WSOP gold bracelet winner,” he remains grouped amidst the millions of wannabe's – although clearly in great position both in terms of talent and finance to eventually achieve his prize.
It’s hard to figure out how Ted Forrest was feeling after falling a few spots short of victory, in fourth place. The calm, coy, poker-faced legend is widely-regarded as one of the best Stud players ever to play the game. But his wait too, shall continue. It’s been seven years since Forrest achieved a victory at the WSOP. Now, his wait will last a little while longer.
Then, there’s David Benyamine, who won his first and only gold bracelet three years ago. He’s become something of an icon within the poker world, due largely to his regular appearances on several late night poker shows. He’s also known to be one of the planet’s best cash-game specialists. But Benyamine too has his pride and want to win. The bottom line is -- he didn’t. That hurts. Hence, Benyamine joined the procession in the pain parade, along with Hellmuth, Racener, and Forrest.
All this leaves Eric Rodawig all alone with the ultimate bragging rights for a poker player. He not only won his first WSOP gold bracelet, he did so in the most impression possible fashion. He beat the game’s very best and can now credibly say he belongs as a rightful member of the club.
In 2011, Rodawig was the best of the best.
For a comprehensive recap of Event #33, including the official report from this tournament, please return later to WSOP.com.