$1 673 770 poker payday for Sir Watts

07/19/2008

The excitement index revved up by the recently concluded World Series of Poker in Las Vegas was maintained this week by the launch of Season 7 of the World Poker Tour at the Bellagio, generating a huge win for Internet poker ace Mike "SirWatts" Watson in the $15 000 buy-in Bellagio Cup IV.

The tournament attracted 446 runners with designs on a $6 489 300 prize pool, and a money bubble that extended right down to position 94.

The final table saw six formidable poker players seated around the table, including 2008 WSOP bracelet winners David Benyamine and John Phan in the chip lead positions, followed by Ralph Perry, Gabe Thaler and online poker hotshots Luke Staudenmeier and Mike "SirWatts" Watson.

In the end, it was Sir Watts and David Benyamine facing off in the heads up after three handed play ended with the elimination of the begoggled Staudenmeier.

Benyamine had a considerable chip lead of $3.28 million going into the heads up and it looked like a long evening ahead, but Watson showed great spirit in hammering away until he took the game.

For the win, Mike 'Sir Watts' Watson collected a very significant $1 673 770 in prize money, along with WPT jewelry and plenty of respect. Benyamine's considerable consolation second prize of $840 295 was a great return on his buy-in investment of $15 000 and a useful addition to this highly respected player's online and land poker career winnings.