Saturday, June 20, 2009

By Isaac Kuhlman

Las Vegas, NV--Richard Austin won event #35 of the 2009 World Series of Poker ($5,000 buy-in Pot-Limit Omaha) on a three-way final hand where he got about as lucky as anyone in the WSOP so far this year. Austin had the chip lead going into the hand, and he was holding Qh - Js - 8c - 5c. It was nothing spectacular. His opponents both held higher pairs (Sorrel Mizzi: As - Ah - 5d - 3d; Cliff Josephy: Ad - Kh - Ks - 8d).

The flop came Kc - 9d - 3c. It gave Austin some hope. He now had an inside straight draw and a flush draw. However, Josephy now had a King set. The turn came out 8s. To those new to Omaha, the players only get to use two cards from their hand, so no one's position improved.

Then came the river. All the competitors were in for everything at this point, and the gold bracelet was on the line if Austin got lucky. He did. The river was 7c, and it gave Austin a King-high, club flush. Whether he felt bad about the literal abuse of the system in the hand, or he just doesn't like commenting on poker, Austin refused to talk to the media after the event. He also refused to participate in the award ceremony for the winner. He is the first player of the year to refuse such an honor.

Either way, Austin got his bracelet and ran. According to the WSOP, this is his only cash, only final table, and only win in the WSOP. He garnered $409,484 for his victory.