Celebrities : 2005 World Series of Poker - Final Tournament Report

Now that the 2005 World Series of Poker has finished, we can
tell you what took place in Events #23 through #45. But most
importantly we can announce what happened in the Main Event
and who won the $7,500,000 top prize and became the 2005
champion.

Event #23 "Seven Card Stud" had a happy Jan Sorensen from
Denmark ready to take home $293,275 and a bracelet for
winning this tournament. Event #24 "No Limit Hold'Em" was
won by the very serious, solid playing Farzad Bonyadi who
earned $594,960 for the effort. In Event #25 "Pot-Limit
Hold'Em", Johnny Chan won his 10th WSOP bracelet breaking a
3-way tie with him, Doyle Brunson and Phil Hellmuth Jr.,
setting a record in the process. Johnny picked up a hefty
$303,025 as well. Actress Jennifer Tilly turned heads again
by winning Event #26 "Ladies No-Limit Hold'Em". She actually
dominated final table play against top women poker players
in the world to win $158,335 and a bracelet you can't buy in
a store anywhere. Expect no less from the girlfriend of Phil
"Unabomber" Laak. Phil Ivey overcame a determined Robert
Williamson III to win Event #27 "Pot Limit Omaha with
Rebuys" earning his 5th gold WSOP bracelet and $630,685. Dan
Schmiech won $404,585 by winning against actor Gabe Kaplan
in the Event #28 "Limit Hold'em" tournament. Event #29 "No
Limit Hold'Em" has Lawrence Gosney as this years champion
pocketing $483,195 for the win. Now Event #30 "Seven Card
Razz" is actually a little tough to understand and play, but
O'Neil Longson proved he could do it and took home $125,690
as proof.

The 3-way tie Johnny Chan broke earlier became a tie again
as Doyle Brunson won the Event #31 "No-limit Hold'Em (Short
Handed 6/table)" tournament earning his 10th WSOP bracelet
and $367,800 once again showing how his legendary reputation
was earned. Event #32 "Omaha High-Low Split" was won by
David Chiu taking home his 4th bracelet and $347,410. Andre
Boyer, a poker analyst for TV station Le Réseau des Sports
in Quebec won Event #33 "No Limit Hold'Em" who's skill was
rewarded with a $682,810 payday. Event #34 "Seniors No Limit
Hold'Em" has a new champion who's name is Paul McKinney.
Paul, who is 80 years old, can relax in the sun after
depositing $202,725 in his bank account. Rafi Amit won Event
#35 "Pot Limit Omaha" and $511,835 after becoming victorious
in a heads up battle with Vinny Vinh.

A dominate Todd Witteles won Event #36 "Limit Hold'em"
knocking out opponents left and right to take home the

bracelet and $347,385. Event #37 "No Limit Hold'Em with
Rebuys" was won by Jon Heneghan taking home $611,015 in the
process. Event #38 was a super satellite tournament for
seats to the Main Event, so no prize pool or list of winners
was produced. Event #39 "No Limit 2 to 7 Draw Lowball with
Rebuys" had David Grey as the champion who was heralded with
$365,135. Event #40 was also a super satellite like #38 so
there is nothing to report unfortunately. When it came time
for raising money for charity, the media and celebrities in
Event #41 showed up at the tables. Randy Bowman of the media
won $10,000 for the Noblesville Boys and Girls Club.

Event #42 is the WSOP Main Event, the big tournament where
millionaires are born. This year the first place prize was
$7,500,000 and every person who made the final table became
a millionaire guaranteed. 5,619 entrants competed in the
tournament making it the largest in WSOP history. In fact it
was so large that it had to be spread out over 9 days. 2004
champion Greg Raymer made it up to 25th place before
elimination, receiving $304,680 for his efforts. But it was
Joseph Hachem who became champion for this year, pocketing
the $7.5 million and a beautiful diamond bracelet that can
only be earned by winning the Main Event.

For those who were busted out of the Main Event, they found
additional tournaments for play in Events #43, #44 and #45
which were 1 day events. Ron Kirk beat out players like Erik
Seidel and Marcel Luske to take home $321,520 for winning
the Event #43 "No Limit Hold'Em" tournament. Event #44 "No
Limit Hold'Em" was won by John Pires who received $220,935
for his victory. And the Event #45 "No Limit Hold'Em" winner
was Willie Tann who happily received his bracelet and
$188,335 for 1 day's work! Not bad at all.

Individuals came from across the planet to play in this
tournament series. New records were set for attendance, for
money won in the WSOP and probably the number of headaches
Harrah's had in setting up and running an event of this
magnitude. But in the end everyone from the players, the
event champions, the media and the staff of Harrah's should
be congratulated for creating something to be enjoyed and
talked about for years to come.

About the Author

Tom Howze is a webmaster for 9 sites that relate to 2005 World Series of Poker and World Poker Tour events, updates and information.


Written by: Tom Howze