2009 WSOP: Britain's Got Bracelets

News / Dave Allan / 17 June 2009 / Leave a comment

We're in the second half the World Series of Poker right now and things have certainly taken a turn for the better for British poker players in Las Vegas. After a dry spell, early on in the festival, the British are now running riot with cashes, final tables and even a few bracelets!

JP Kelly started the "gold rush" for the UK by winning the $1,500 Pot Limit Hold'em event. The $194,434 pay day and WSOP title clearly put Kelly in a confident mood. The youngster, from Aylesbury, then went on to buy in to the $2,500 Pot Limit Omaha event and cashed there as well! Kelly had to settle for 34th that time and $6,056 for his efforts.

Bracelet number two, for Britain, came via Roland De Wolfe. De Wolfe adds the $5,000 Pot Limit Omaha Hi/Lo bracelet to his extensive collection of titles which include WPT and EPT crowns.

Following the two bracelet successes, British players have seen several near misses in the latest events. Only yesterday European Poker Tour supremo, John Duthie, finished as the runner up in the $10,000 World Championship Heads-Up event. Duthie appeared to have found some of the old magic at The Rio before falling at the last hurdle to Leo Wolpert. $386,636 will ease the pains for most poker players but it was clear that Duthie would've swapped every last dollar to get his hands on the prized bracelet.

The $2,500 Pot Limit Omaha event was littered with European, British and Canadian players but none of them could overcome the mighty JC Tran from America. Challenges came from Hendon Mobster, Ross Boatman (4th for $66,936), Canada's Stephen Ladowsky (11th for $17,488) and the UK's Jeff Kimber (2nd from $145,656). None of those could match Tran, though, who walked away $235,685 richer for his victory.

The $1,500 H.O.R.S.E event has just concluded with American James Van Alstyne taking the spoils and a $247,033 pay day. France's Fabrice Soulier was the highest European finisher, in 7th place, winning $31,657. Further down the list was Sports Illustrated Swimsuit star, Vanessa Rousso, continuing her recent good form by cashing in 19th place for $5,906.

There is no doubt, though, that the last seven days have belonged to the UK. The British have waited for two years to see a bracelet success and they're now celebrating two in quick succession.

Still to come at the WSOP is the conclusion of the $10,000 World Championship Limit Hold'em event ,which sees Jennier Harman, Mario Ho and Chad Brown all in contention in the closing stages, and the final of the $2,000 No Limit Hold'em event with Finnish star Mika Paasonen battling for the chip lead.

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