One hundred seventy-nine players bought into this year's Circuit event here at Harrah's. Some three days later, all of the chips are stacked in front of just one man. That man, Brent "Astrolux85" Roberts, has just knocked off Phillip Reed, sealing the deal and capturing the title of Champion here in Atlantic City.
Roberts bested some of the best names in poker this week, coming out on top against some serious competition. Among the amateurs in the field were a number of big-name pros, including Bill Gazes, Dan Shak, Al Krux, Doug "Rico" Carli, Brett "Gank" Jungblut, and defending champion John Racener.
The battle was hard-fought today as well, with fierce action in the early going. Roberts came into the day with the chip lead, but he was overtaken by Kyle Bowker on a few short occasions. Roberts battled back hard though, and when the dust settled at the end of the day, he was the only man left standing with chips.
For his efforts this week, Brent Roberts will take home $280,940, a beautiful diamond-studded gold ring, and a $10,000 entry into the 2009 WSOP Main Event. Congratulations to Brent Roberts, the 2008 World Series of Poker Circuit Harrah's Atlantic City champion!
Phillip Reed has the button, and he opens for a raise to 90,000. Brent Roberts makes the call.
The flop reveals . Brent checks, and Phillip considers carefully before continuing out with a bet of 120,000. With a cocktail waitress serving him a drink during the hand, Brent reraises to 340,000 before giving the young lady a tip. After a moment, Phillip announces, "All in," and before he can even get the words out of his mouth, Brent insta-calls.
Showdown:
Reed:
Roberts:
With his tournament life on the line, Phillip Reed is looking for a ten to make a straight or running cards to improve. The turn brings the , and the on the river spells the end. With that, Phillip Reed becomes our second place finisher. He will take home $147,407 for his efforts, though he seems disappointed to miss out on the gold ring.
Phillip Reed called the big blind and Brent Roberts checked his option. The flop came and Brent checked to Phillip who bet 30,000. Brent popped it up to 90,000 total and Phillip called, leading to the on the turn. Both players checked and hit the river.
Brent deliberated for a moment before betting 240,000. Phillip called, but threw his hand into the muck when Brent flipped over for the flush.
After the hand, Brent Roberts was up to 2,230,000 while Phillip Reed slipped to 1,350,000.
Kyle Bowker limped in on the button and Phillip Reed checked his option. The flop came and Phillip checked to Kyle who bet 50,000.
Phillip announced all in and Kyle had a decision to make for all of his chips. He did in fact call, but had a defeated look on his face when Phillip turned over for the flush. Kyle showed and was left drawing to runner-runner. The and filled out the board, and that spelled the end of Kyle Bowker for this event.
For his work over the last three days, Bowker will take home $86,710.
From the button, Phillip Reed opened with an 85,000-chip raise. Next to act was Kyle Bowker in the small blind, and he reraised to 220,000. Brent Roberts folded, and Reed asked Bowker how much he had left. When he learned the answer, he announced, "I'm all in."
Without much hesitation, Bowker uncapped his cards and flipped them into the muck, sending nearly a quarter of his chips over to Reed.
Brent Roberts raised to 75,000 on the button and Kyle Bowker called out of the big blind. The flop came and Bowker checked to Roberts who bet 85,000. Bowker called and both players checked the turn card. The river came the and Bowker checked again to Roberts who bet 195,000.
Bowker called, but saw Roberts table for the backdoor two pair to win the pot and retake the chip lead.