WPT Brunson Classics peaks

12/25/2007

Widely regarded as one of the planet's most prestigious and high-value poker tournaments, the $15 400 buy-in World Poker Tour Doyle Brunson Classic, concluded last week at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, with New York poker ace Eugene Katchalov beating a field of 664 players to clinch a first prize paycheck of over $2.48 million from a prize-pool that totalled $9.6 million.

Last year's entry field of 583, and that of 555 in 2005 were easily exceeded by this year's record turnout, despite the paucity of online sponsorships, curtailed by US legislation since last October, according to Bellagio's poker boss, Doug Dalton. Internet poker sites used to send significant numbers of sponsored players to major land tourneys before the legislation, with some 40 percent of the 2005 entry field coming from this source.

Bellagio organisers did some restructuring to maintain interest and the size of the entry field, conducting six super satellites, instead of the usual two. They also placed tournament action directly on the casino floor, rather than hiding it away in a seperate venue.

The six-player final table was, at only 53 hands the shortest in World Poker's six seasons. The final three surviving players were eventual winner Katchalov, Ted Kearly of Michigan who finished second after a brief heads up to collect $1.25 million, and the UK pro David "Devilfish" Ulliott who took home $645 000 for his third place finish.

Katchalov's first prize includes a $25 000 seat in the April 2008 World Poker Tour Championship at the Bellagio.

Bellagio poker chief Dalton was impressed by the new champion's professional and low-profile conduct: "Just like any sport that's televised, you hope that the champion is going to be the kind of player who can be a mentor to other players, someone who people who follow poker can look up to," Dalton said. "Particularly those of us who are in the poker industry, you always hope that person is going to represent the industry well."