Super Styczynski sweeps up WSOP 6 winner´s prize

World Series of Poker event number 6 - the $1,500 Limit Hold 'Em - saw a starting field of 910 poker enthusiasts, all with their eyes on the main prize of $280 715 this week.

Making an already exciting competition more interesting, the event also featured the first one-hour-delayed-transmission 'live' webcast when it reached the final table action, complete with hole-card camera shots. Apparently WSOP organisers Harrahs will be doing more of this at selected points of the tournament, surely generating more interest among the many poker fans in cyberspace throughout the world. The full list of tournaments scheduled for webcast is available at www.worldseriesofpoker.com.

When the final table convened Gary Styczynski held a significant chip lead of 817 000 over his nearest opponent on the nine man table, James Gorham (632 000) There were two eliminations, Dariush Imani and Pete O'Donnell, in the first hour of play, setting the scene for some intense and skilful play among the seven survivors of the first clashes. Not long after that it was an unlucky Michael Banks headed for the rail after running into a miracle straight held by Styczynski - now there were six.

The fast pace continued for just short of another hour, when it was James Holland's turn to head rail-wards after running afoul of Varouzhan Gumroyan. Two more players followed almost immediately; James Gorman in fifth place falling to the unstoppable Styczynski, who then went on in the next hand to eliminate Soheil Shamseddin in fourth place.

With the blinds up at 20K/40K Hansu Chu was next for the axe, and the first in the big money at $114 278, falling to Varouzhan Gumroyan and setting the scene for the heads up between Styczynski (1.375 million) and Gumroyan (1.325 million)

Styczynski went on the attack almost immediately and within 30 minutes had increased his chiplead to an intimidating 3.5 to 1. Gumroyan never gave up, and an hour later had managed to reduce the lead to almost even, motivating both players to use every trick in the poker book in an enthralling display of skill and boldness for the hour and a half. Styczynski proved hard to beat, however and after almost three hours of heads up play he took the bracelet and the $280,715 main prize in a hard fought and well deserved win.

His very worthy opponent had to be content with the second placing prize of $177 627.