Knipple Negotiates Chop for Trophy, Lion's Share of Money
It took some cajoling, but Patrick Knipple was able to convince his final three opponents to agree to a deal that sent the majority of the prize pool his way, as well as the coveted Run It Up trophy in the $125 Six-Max Ante-Only event. Per the terms of the agreement, Knipple banked $1,200 while Mark Mantis, Joe Madden, and Joe Imhoff got $975 apiece.
Knipple and Mantis were co-leaders when the final table of seven convened, and play progressed very slowly for the most part as the structure was featured mostly very small jumps in the ante size. After Aussie Daniel Levy went bust in fifth, a four-handed battle commenced where nobody went bust for hours.
Finally, Knipple took command when he won a big pot off Mantis, who opened to 9,000 first to act with antes at 5,000. Knipple called on the button and the two saw a 
flop. Mantis fired out 10,000 and Knipple made it 25,000 to go. Mantis called, and both players checked the 
. Mantis bet 25,000 on the 
river and was immediately called. He showed 
for a missed straight, and Knipple had 
.
That pot gave Knipple nearly half of the chips in play and the leverage in deal negotiations. Although Imhoff and Madden were more than eager to take the $975, Mantis took more convincing. Ultimately, he somewhat reluctantly agreed to the terms and both he and Knipple hopped right into the series-ending turbo event.