Jesper Hougaard Takes Title in $1,500 NLHE Event at World Series of Poker 2008
2,447 players took to the felt in yet another $1,500 No Limit Hold'em Tournament at the 2008 World Series of Poker. This one marked the 36th event of the series and wasn't nearly as pro-heavy as some of the bigger buy-in events were. Nearly 200 players made some moolah in the tournament including Poker Stars' own Luca Pagano (149th), Dag Mikkelsen (128th place), JC Tran (84th place), and Freddy Deeb (80th place).
Of course, the final table was not without name players. John Shipley and Aaron Kanter were sitting in the thick of the action as the final table got underway. Shipley, a former EPT London champion (2004), was the first elimination from the final table. The resident of Solihull, West Midlands (UK) earned $56,783 for his efforts.
Kanter, who made the final table of the 2005 World Series of Poker Main Event, made it all the way to three-handed play. Kanter had the best of it going into the match-up. His pocket queens faced Denmark's Jesper Hougaard's K,J. They held until the river spiked a king and the Californian took the long walk to the rail, six figures richer.
Hougaard, who first became inspired to play more poker when he saw fellow countryman Gus Hansen do so well on the World Poker Tour, is a former table tennis player and coach. The 24 year old entered into heads-up play, despite ko'ing Kanter with a disadvantage. Until the dinner break, his opponent, Cody Slaubaugh, a 23 year old online pro from North Dakota who has cashed in no less than three events prior to this one at the 2008 WSOP, was putting the smack down on Hougaard.
Dinner must've hit the spot because Hougaard came back a new man and a new player. He was aggressive and went all-in without fear. The tactics worked and he found himself with a chip advantage as the final hand was played. Hougaard put Slaubaugh all-in with his Qs,Qd. Slaubaugh called with Ad,10h and hoped for some help from the board.
Some came, but a little too late: Qh,8d,2c,5h,Ah.
Hougaard took the bracelet back to Denmark, along with $610,304 in prize money.
These are the final results:
1) Jesper Hougaard - $610,304 2) Cody Slaubaugh - $389,128 3) Aaron Kanter - $258,862 4) Danny Wong - $217,110 5) Doug Middleton - $177,028 6) Justin Wald - $140,286 7) Rick Solis - $106,884 8) Owen Crowe - $81,833 9) John Shipley - $56,782
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