We Have a Deal!
Jean Gaspard had the most chips in play and took the most money with $161,175. Billy "Patrolman35" Kopp took second place and $123,837. Ken "Bama" Christopher took third place and $111,097.
Christopher came into the second day with a very short stack of 13,000 chips. Because he was so short, two of his friends opted to leave the tournament and fly back to New York, not thinking that Christopher would come back from such a deficit. After a few hours of play into Day 2, Christopher contacted his friends and let them know that he was able to grind his way back up and make it into the money. His friends then told him that if he made the final table, they'd come back down and support him from the rail. At the end of the day, Christopher found himself at the final table and his friends stood true to their word by catching an early flight the next day to give Christopher all the support they could.
Kopp was the chip leader of the tournament from Day 1 and never seemed to look back. Although he was overtaken at times during the past couple days, Kopp's stack always seemed to be climbing. With solid play and never really having to show down a hand, Kopp successfully maneuvered his way to have the second most chips when play got down to three handed. He took second place money and his largest cash to date.
Gaspard was deemed the overall winner and the three players elected not to play it out for the championship ring and the $10,000 WSOP Main Event seat. Gaspard will take home these as he is crowned the champion of the 2009 Harrah's New Orleans WSOP Circuit Main Event!
Coming into the final table, Gaspard was the chip leader and the most active player at the table. He never seemed to lose a pot and no one could put a dent in his stack. It was much deserving that after holding nearly half of the chips in play when things got down to three-handed action that Gaspard would be declared the winner.
Congratulations to all the winners and especially to Jean Gaspard, the 2009 Harrah's New Orleans WSOP Circuit Champion!
We'll see you ever so soon live from the Rio in Las Vegas for the WSOP!