Anthony Rivera wins WSOP $10,000 World Championship Mixed Event

June 8th, 2008

Anthony Rivera wins $10,000 World Championship Mixed Event

A new tournament, Event #8: $10k World Championship Mixed Event, made its debut at the 2008 World Series of Poker. 192 entrants contributed $10k each to create a prizepool of $1.8 million. This event featured 8 different poker variants, which changed on a rotating basis. The games included: Limit 2-to-7 Triple Draw, Limit Hold’em, Limit Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better, Razz, Seven-Card Stud, Seven-Card Stud-8 or Better, No-Limit Hold’em, and Pot-Limit Omaha.
During day 2, Gus Hansen, Tom Dwan aka Durrrr, and another player got into a discussion over Tom Dwan’s play in a PL Omaha hand.
Original post from World Series of Poker website:
“After a player raised the pot and Gus Hansen called, Tom “durrrr” Dwan thought for a while and then moved all in for 8,650 more. The original raiser made it 21,000 to go and Hansen called again. Three players took the flop, Dwan was all in. Flop: The third player in the hand checked to Gus who moved all in; the player called. Tom “durrrr” Dwan: Gus Hansen: Third player: Dwan flopped the straight and everyone at the table was baffled when they saw what he had shoved in with. The dealer then ran the turn and river, first the and then the . Hansen was able to use his 6-7-x-x for a seven-high straight to win the side pot, while Dwan collected the main pot with an eight-high straight. Hansen: “Durrrr, I know you’re the world’s best PLO player but… honestly, what is the point of pushing there?” Dwan: “Because I know you’re not folding now, but you’ll fold most flops and he (the other player) will shove most flops.” Hansen: “Let me tell you, this guy has no fold option whatsoever.” Third player: “What the heck were you doing?” Dwan: “I think my equity is good there.” Hansen: “Really?!?! You call that equity?” Dwan: “Yeah, I think I even shove there online. If it’s a PLO tournament online I shove.” Gus and the rest of the table looked confused as Dwan stacked his chips. Dwan: “There’s also only 16 minutes left in the day. That was a factor also. I don’t want to come back tomorrow with only 7,000 chips.” Even though the hand happened a few minutes ago, the players at the table are still trying to figure what exactly was the method to Dwan’s madness on that hand. Hansen is the most puzzled of all.”
After the bubble burst, the tournament was going as usual, with 2-7 triple draw starting out each round of mixed games. Greg Mueller was satisfied with this structure because he felt his edge was good at 2-7 triple draw. However, Tom Dwan strongly opposed starting with triple draw each round and openly said it was absurd. Dwan went as far as to confront the Tournament Director and state that he would make a post on Two-Plus-Two forums concerning this matter. After a lot of discussion between the players and the directors, a final decision was made. From that point on, a random game would be selected by drawing out cards every time a redraw occurred.
The final table narrowed down to 8 players, half of which, are already holding several bracelets: James Mackey, Matt Glantz, Mike DeMichele, Eli Elezra, Sammy Farha, Anthony Rivera, Jeff Madsen, and Tom Dwan.

Jeff Madsen Eliminated in 8th Place for $54,144
Jeff Madsen went all in with 9 10 suited in Limit Holdem. He was called by Matt Glantz and Sam Farha. The board of [K 6 2 5 8] gave Farha a pair of deuces and sent Madsen to the rail.

Tom Dwan Eliminated in 7th Place for $67,680

In Limit Holdem, Tom Dwan went all in on the button, and Anthony Rivera and Michael Demichele called behind. A board of [10 9 3 5] gave Rivera’s 2 3 a higher pair over Dwan’s 2 2.

Sam Farha Eliminated in 6th Place for $85,728

In Razz, Sam Farha would put his last chips on a hand which bricked into 4 5 6 Q K Q (Queen low). Eli Elezra’s 5 8 7 6 4 9 8 (Eight low) would finish off Farha.

Eli Elezra Eliminated in 5th Place for $108,288

In Stud-8, Eli Elezra would put his last chips on KK7. Unfortunately, Michael Demichele would be holding 333 and made a full house against Elezra’s unimproved kings.

Michael DeMichele Eliminated in 4th Place for $139,872

Michael DeMichele put his last chips into the pot during 2-7 Triple Draw. Rivera and Mackey both called and Rivera would show 8 7 6 4 2, eliminating DeMichele.

Matt Glantz Eliminated in 3rd Place for $184,992

Matt Glantz moved all in with 5 6 in No Limit Holdem. The board came [7 6 3 Q 3]. Mackey would call with J 7 and go heads up against Anthony Rivera.

James Mackey Eliminated in 2nd place for $297,792

The last hand would also finish in No Limit Holdem. Mackey raised it preflop, Rivera reraised, Mackey moved in, and Rivera quickly called with A K. Mackey showed A 9 but failed to connect with a board of [Q Q 2 4 5].

Anthony Rivera wins WSOP 2008 Event # 8 for $483,688