Clarke’s Royal Flush Generates Buzz

It wasn’t hard to find the excitement in the room.

“Royal Flush!” a player screamed near the back of the Horseshoe tournament room. “I have a Royal Flush!”

“Congratulations,” a tournament director jokingly announced over the public address system. “The Main Event is over.”

The comment drew laughter from multiple tables in the room, and by the time PokerNews arrived at table #552 in the Orange section, the betting action was over.

But all the players at the table were smiling, laughing and taking photos of the board, which showed 7♣3♦10♣Q♣K♣. Also showing were David Clarke’s A♣J♣.

“Runner-runner Royal Flush!” David Clarke explained with a wide smile.

According to multiple players, including Clarke, at the table, Clarke’s opponent flopped a set with 10♥10♦. The chips moved in after the flop, Clarke said.

Clarke was short stacked before the hand began, and the flop provided the action with his opponent’s top set against Clarke’s nut flush draw. Clarke needed a club, but he hit the jackpot with Q♣ on the turn and K♣ on the river for poker’s highest hand.

The win also allowed Clarke to double up before the next break.