Chinese Poker

$1,500 Buy-in
Entries: 62
Total Prize Money: $93,000

1995 Winner: John Tsagaris

1996 Champion: Gregory Grivas

• The Winners.
• The Showdown.
• The Final Table.
• The Final Hand.
• Special Notes.

1. Gregory Grivas                    $37,200
Carlsbad, California
2. Charles Burris                    $21,390
Lewisville, Texas
3. Tom Sheehy                        $11,160
Homewood, Alabama
4. Bruno Micchiardi                   $6,510
Torino, Italy
5. Tyler Wong                         $5,115
Nacogdoches, Texas
5. Dick Djoa                          $5,115
Amsterdam, Netherlands
7. Jeff Mervis                        $3,720
Century City, California
8. Thai Thanh                         $2,790
Silver Springs, Maryland

. While Greg has seen his share of final-table finishes in events throughout California, this is his first visit to the World Series of Poker finals. For his victory in the $1,500 buy-in Chinese Poker event Greg received $37,200 and the coveted custom-designed, Binion's 14-karat gold bracelet.

. Forty-nine-year old Charles Burris, who is in the oil business in Texas, suggested the World Series of Poker should award a silver bracelet to the runner-up. Although he has captured a number of titles in lowball, seven-card stud and limit hold'em events at several California tournaments, this is his second "bride's maid" finish at the World Series of Poker. Charles was also the runner-up in the 1992 Razz championship.

. "Major" Tom Sheehy, a 49-year-old police detective from Homeward, Alabama learned his Chinese Poker skills in the jungles of Vietnam 30 years ago. This is the first final-table finish for Tom, who along with about 20 of his poker buddies from Alabama, is making only his second visit to the World Series of Poker.

. Bruno Micchiardi, a 54-year-old retiree from Torino, Italy, does the majority of his poker playing at Club Victoria in England. He previously has finished in the money at tournaments there and in France.

. Dick Djoa became the first player from the Netherlands to finish in the money at a World Series of Poker event when he tied Tyler Wong for fifth place.

. The players at the final table were eliminated in accordance with their starting chip position. Tom Sheehy out-lasted Bruno Micchiardi and was himself eliminated shortly thereafter.

. Heads-up play was a see-saw battle between Grivas and Burris that lasted for about an hour-and-a-half. Gregory started with a $53,000 to $43,000 chip advantage. Charles managed to win enough hands to reverse that chip position before Grivas started his rush to the title.

. When the pay-offs went to $3,000 a point, Gregory held about a seven-to-two chip advantage and then proceeded to win several hands in a row to capture the championship.

. A block-buster four-eights in the back was the title clincher for Grivas.

Super Satellites begin at 7:40 p.m. daily. The buy-in is $220 with $200 re-buys.

©1996, Binion's Horseshoe. Some portions ©1996, ConJelCo. All Rights Reserved.