2008 39th Annual World Series of Poker
World Championship H.O.R.S.E. (Event 45)
Date:
Wednesday, June 25, 2008 to Sunday, June 29, 2008
Buy-In:
$50,000
Prize Pool:
$7,104,000
Entrants:
148
Mon, 30 Jun 2008 05:24:19
Congratulations to Scotty Nguyen, 2008 $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. Champion.
It took over 13 hours, 314 hands, and countless bottles of beer for Scotty Nguyen to vanquish his seven distinguished opponents at this $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. final table. An elated Nguyen bearhugged Layne Flack, kissed his wife, and even embraced WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack in the moments after his victory.
Some would say that Nguyen experienced one of the greatest "blow-ups" of all time at last year's Main Event, where he had the chip lead with 12 players to go, yet ultimately finished 11th. Coming back a year later to win arguably the most prestigious tournament in poker has got to put some of those demons to rest for the now five-time bracelet winner.
"The $50K H.O.R.S.E. event is the best all around player...#1 in the world. Nobody can walk up to me and say, Scotty, you're second, baby" said Nguyen in his post-game interview.
Nguyen also had kind words for runner-up Michael DeMichele. "He's a great up and coming young player. Everyone told me to watch out for him."
When Jeffrey Pollack presented an emotional Nguyen with the Chip Reese Memorial Trophy, Nguyen thanked his friends, his fans, and especially his wife for their support.
"This feels so good, baby. This is it!" he exclaimed with a smile.
Mon, 30 Jun 2008 05:08:22
Scotty Nguyen Wins Event #45, $50,000 H.O.R.S.E.; Michael DeMichele Eliminated in 2nd Place ($1,243,200)
Hand #314 - Scotty Nguyen
Hold'em:
Michael DeMichele had the button in Seat 7 and he raised. Nguyen took his time while stacking chips from a previous hand. At one pointed he said "it's gonne be all over baby." He eventually raised and DeMichele called all in.
The crowd was on it's feet as the players showed:
Nguyen: 
DeMichele: 
The two exchanged pleasantries and shook hands. DeMichele seemed resigned to his fate before the community cards ever hit the felt. The flop came 
and both players paired their ace. The crowd was relatively silent as the flop came down. There was a lengthy delay but eventually the 
hit the turn. DeMichele was down to his final card or Scotty Nguyen would be the champion. The crowd came alive and began to cheer. The 
hit the river and the crowd went wild. Nguyen and DeMichele smiled as they had an inaudible conversation.
Michael DeMichele was our 2nd place finisher and will leave with $1,243,200.
Scotty Nguyen gave Michael DeMichele a well-deserved congratulations. He then hugged some members of his gallery which included Layne Flack, Daniel Negreanu and Tex Barch before making his way over to his wife to show her some affection.
Scotty Nguyen is our champion and will leave with $1,989,120, a coveted WSOP bracelet and the David "Chip" Reese memorial trophy.
Mon, 30 Jun 2008 05:00:05
Game Change: Hold'em
Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:59:53
Hand #313 - Michael DeMichele
Stud-8:
Scotty Nguyen had the bring-in with the 
, Michael DeMichele completed with the 
, Nguyen folded and DeMichele won the pot.
Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:59:20
Hand #312 - Scotty Nguyen
Stud-8:
Scotty Nguyen: (X) (X) 
(X)
Michael DeMichele: (X) (X) 
(X)
Michael DeMichele brought it in and Scotty Nguyen completed. DeMichele raised and Nguyen called. Nguyen bet on fourth street and DeMichele called. DeMichele led out on fifth and sixth streets and Nguyen called on both. When DeMichele bet the river, Nguyen raised. DeMichele took over two minutes before finally calling. Scotty showed (
) (
) (
) for two pair. DeMichele mucked and Nguyen scooped the pot.
Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:58:12
30 to Tie...
30 hands, that is, away from tying the number of hands played during last year's 50k H.O.R.S.E. tournament -- 341.
Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:56:54
Hand #311 - Michael DeMichele
Stud-8:
Scotty Nguyen brought it in with the , Michael DeMichele completed with the 
, Nguyen laid it down and DeMichele won the pot.
Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:56:30
Hand #310 - Michael DeMichele
Stud-8:
Scotty Nguyen brought it in showing the 
. Michael DeMichele completed with the exposed. Nguyen folded and DeMichele took the pot.
Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:56:18
Hand #309 - Scotty Nguyen
Stud-8:
Michael DeMichele had the bring-in with the 
, Scotty Nguyen completed with the showing, DeMichele folded and Nguyen won the pot.
Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:52:09
Hand #308 - Michael DeMichele
Stud-8:
Scotty Nguyen brought it in showing the 
. Michael DeMichele completed with the up. Nguyen folded and DeMichele won the pot.
Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:50:00
Hand #307 - Scotty Nguyen and Michael DeMichele Split the Pot
Stud-8:
Michael DeMichele (X-X) 
(X)
Scotty Nguyen (X-X) (?) 
(X)
DeMichele brought it in and Nguyen called. Both players checked fourth street. DeMichele led out on fifth, Nguyen raised and DeMichele called. On sixth Nguyen checked, DeMichele bet and Nguyen called. Nguyen checked seventh in the dark, DeMichele bet, and Nguyen called.
DeMichele showed 
for a pair of threes and a seven low. Nguyen showed a pair of sevens for high and they split the pot.
Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:48:52
Um, Is Erick Still Around?
As the money and the bracelet were brought out on the table the floor made an interesting discovery under the rail where Erick Lindgren was sitting. They found a single 5,000 chip that Lindgren overlooked when he played his final hand. Now, Erick wasn't able to fully cover the last raise Scotty Nguyen made in his knockout hand, but if he'd had enough chips to match Scotty's raise...well, anyone who knows the story of former World Champion Jack Strauss and his "chip and a chair" story would get an eerie feeling.
That said, Scotty DID have Erick covered, and when the extra chip was discovered it was merely added to the mass of Scotty's stack.
Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:48:38
Hand #306 - Scotty Nguyen
Stud-8:
Scotty Nguyen brought it in showing the . Michael DeMichele folded and Nguyen won the pot.
Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:47:48
Game Change: Stud-8
Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:47:36
Hand #305 - Scotty Nguyen
Stud:
Scotty Nguyen brought it in with the 
, Michael DeMichele completed, Nguyen raised and DeMichele gave it up.
Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:46:27
Hand #304 - Scotty Nguyen
Stud:
Michael DeMichele brought it in with the 
up and Scotty Nguyen completed showing the . DeMichele folded and Nguyen won the pot.
Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:44:16
Updated Chip Counts
As we begin heads-up play here's the players current chip counts:
Scotty Nguyen: 12,140,000
Michael DeMichele: 2,660,000
Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:43:16
Action Resumes
The money and the bracelet are on the table and play has recommenced.
Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:42:00
By the Numbers
Scotty Nguyen will begin the heads up match with a little better than a 4.5-1 chip advantage over opponent Michael DeMichele.
Now that he's heads up, DeMichele is guaranteed at least $1,243,200 in prize money -- that's over $800,000 more than he's made in his young live tournament career.
Should Scotty Nguyen win here tonight, he'll have secured his 5th World Series of Poker bracelet and would join five-timers Allen Cunningham, Ted Forrest, Stu Ungar, Phil Ivey, Berry Johnston, Chris 'Jesus' Ferguson and Gary Berland.
Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:38:13
Action Paused
The clock has been paused while the table is prepared for heads up play between Scotty Nguyen and Michael DeMichele.
Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:36:51
Erick Lindgren Eliminated in 3rd Place ($781,440)
Hand #303
Stud:
Erick Lindgren (X-X) 
(X)
Scotty Nguyen (X-X) 
(X)
Michael DeMichele had the bring-in with the , Lindgren completed, Nguyen raised, DeMichele folded and Lindgren called. Nguyen bet out on fourth and Lindgren called. Lindgren made the high board on fifth and led out, Nguyen raised, and Lindgren called all in for 575,000.
Lindgren turned over for a pair of eights, while Nguyen showed a pair of nines. The crowd was on their feet as the seventh street cards came down. Nguyen caught the 
, but Lindgren got the and could not improve. He was eliminated in 3rd place to an ovation from the audience and will take home $781,440 for his finish.
