WSOP: Tony Veckey Wins Final $1,500 No Limit Hold’em Bracelet

Diana Cox | July 2, 2009 at 12:49 am

Tony Veckey wins the $1,500 No Limit Hold 'em (Event 54), his first ever WSOP event.

The winner of the final$1,500 No Limit Hold ‘em tournament of the 2009 World Series of Poker is Tony Veckey. Veckey outlasted 2,817 other players over three days to take home his first WSOP bracelet and the top prize of $673,276.

The software engineer was playing in his first ever WSOP event and was just looking to make a minimum cash. “I came out this year because I liked the photos of all the money you see on TV,” Veckey said. “I’ve been playing for a couple of years now.” In 2010 Veckey will make his debut in the Main Event.

It came down to a heads-up battle betweenVeckey and Jason Wheeler. On a board of 7 Q [10d] 8 Veckey moved all-in with 9 J. Wheeler called and flipped over A Q. The Q fell on the river giving Wheeler a set but it was not enough to beat Veckey’s straight. Wheeler earned $418,122 for his efforts.

Three hours into the final table all nine players were still seated at the felt. The bubble broke when Miha Remicof Slovenia shoved his stack into the middle from the button with J 9. Andrew Malottmade the call and flipped over pocket fives. Remic was unable to connect on a board of 2 2 A 6 3 and went to the cash cage to collect $81,970, his first WSOP cash.

About 30 minutes later Frenchman David Jaouiwas sent to the rail when he moved all-in pre-flop for 650,000 from middle position holding A 9. Sergey Konkinmade the call and felted pocket Queens. Jaoui was able to hit a pair on the flop of K 4 9 but never found the Ace he was looking for when the board finished 8 6. He made his second cash of the 2009 WSOP for $87,855.

Ten minutes after busting Jaoui, Konkin sent Christopher DeMaci to the rail in seventh. DeMaci pushed all-in for 525,000 from the small blind and Konkin made the call from the big blind. Konkin showed Q J, DeMaci turned over Q 5 and the board ran out 5 J 4 4 K, giving Konkin top two pair. DeMaci earned his third WSOP career cash for $98,993.

It was not the prettiest of days for Chris Bonita, he spent most of the day on a roller-coaster and was eliminated in fifth place for his fourth WSOP cash. After a flop of 3 9 8 Bonita check-called a bet by Wheeler for 210,000. After the turn brought the J Bonita check-raised all-in after Wheeler bet 425,000. Wheeler showed 7 [10s] and Bonita turned over 5 6. The 5 fell on the river and sent Bonita away with $147,131 but no bracelet.

Less than ten minutes later Malott followed Bonita to the cash cage to collect $195,213. Malott raised from under the gun to 115,000, Joe Chaplin re-raised to 500,000 and Malott moved all-in. Chaplin showed A J, Malott flipped over K K and the board ran out Q A 4 2 9c]. After being the loudest player at the table the entire day Malott made a quiet exit.

Konkin was eliminated in fourth place and earned $195,213. After being crippled by Veckey, Konklin was forced all-in on the big blind. Veckey, Chaplin and Wheeler checked down a board of 4 A 3 2 J. Veckey won with A [10c], Konkin mucked his hand and left to an applause from the crowd for a game well played.

Chaplin was sent packing in third when he raised to 200,000 from the button and was called by Wheeler and Veckey from the blinds. Veckey led out for 450,000 on a flop of 8 9 6, Wheeler called and Chaplin moved all-in for 1.6 million. Veckey folded, Wheeler called and showed Q 2 and Chaplin turned over 7 8. The Q fell on the turn giving Wheeler a pair and the river brought the K. Chaplain was sent away $279,029 richer and two places shy of his first bracelet.

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