DUCKS IN A ROW

When he picked up the bracelet, the grin took years off his lined face. All that time, all that scuffling, now he held in his hand what he'd dreamt about for so long. He was a champion.

The feeling at this moment could never be taken away from him.

Nor could there be any way of knowing if it would ever happen again.

ROWING FOR DOLLARS

After dumping Phil Hellmuth and Mickey Appelman over the side, there were only two left to drown before the rest got in the money.

Erik Seidel was one. David Rabbi showed no ecumenical mercy when he caught a flush with his 8 2. Erik didn't have either a better high nor low and Seidel'd away in 20th.

A frustrated Larry Colt nearly turned the gun on himself, when Vince Oliver showed him A 2. The board was 9 9 2 5 2. In 19th and last out of the money, Larry went looking for Curly and Moe to slap around.

EVERYONE IN THE BOAT

The beat goes on for Jeff Pierce. With A A against J 5 off, Mike Pietsch was drawing dead to two Jacks. That's what he got. And Jeff Pierce'd 12th place.

Dan Heimiller was drawing pretty thin against Al Boston. Dan wasn't high enough with K K. There was nothing common about Boston's A A. The best hand stood up and so did Dan Heimiller in 11th.

Bill Gempel is one of the hottest players in the known universe. For once, however, his card didn't come. He needed a low for a split, and another chance at the Final Table. When the board paired twice, John Cernuto's A A sent the Bill to Jack for payment. Gempel was 10th.

THE CREW

Las Vegans take on the world:

Seat 1	Alan Boston	$15,500	Las Vegas
Seat 2	J.C. Pearson	18,500	Las Vegas
Seat 3	Mike Pietsch	35,000	Dallas TX
Seat 4	Miami John Cernuto	57,000	Las Vegas
Seat 5	David Rabbi	20,000	Las Vegas
Seat 6	James Van Alstyne	59,000	Las Vegas
Seat 7	Danny Newman	11,500	Birmingham ENG
Seat 8	Morris Kessler	65,000	Las Vegas
Seat 9	Paul Rowe	51,500	Las Vegas

Prize Money

1st	$133,200
2nd	66,600
3rd	33,300
4th	19,980
5th	14,985
6th	11,655
7th	8,325
8th	6,660
9th	5,328

Al Boston didn't bring beans to the Final Table. So when he was forced all-in by the blinds, Mike Pietsch fuzzed him. When a deuce came on the flop, Al's shot for a low was counterfeited. His pair of 2's was high carded by Mike's 2's with an Ace. Must be the Babe Ruth curse. Al finished in 9th.

Danny Newman didn't want to show his old hand when Paul Rowe made 10's full of 7's. Danny said, "If I had been the first one out, I'd have crawled out of the room."

In his first WSOP Final Table, Danny moved up one notch from his ninth place money at the start. He said he "strutted out" as "proud" as he could be in 8th.

David Rabbi lost his parents during last year's World Series. Before the Final Table started, he kissed his parents picture that he keeps in his pocket.

Rabbi caught top pair on the flop, but Paul Rowe rivered trips. No low came and David was out in 7th.

J.C. Pearson has always been a good sport about living in the shadow of his more famous brother, Puggy. With no chips left, Paul Rowe made J.C. his third straight victim when Paul made a pair of 5's on the turn. J.C. ascended to 6th.

No low came for Mike Pietsch, and James Van Alstyne's A Q caught a Broadway straight. Pietsch thought this was the pits and headed over to Jack for some jack in 5th.

The Las Vegans had done it! They had vanquished the world. Now with only the four left, they had a resident's meeting and decided to pocket some of the stranger's loot. They played for the rest and, of course, the bracelet.

After the deal, John Cernuto's chips went straight into the dumpster. The straight belonged to James Van Alstyne who caught perfect, perfect with a 4 5. A six on the flop, a 7 on the turn and the dreaded 3 on the river sent "Miami" John over to McClelland Jack in 4th.

Morris Kessler had to be convinced to do the deal. It turned out best for him. He locked up a little extra cash. He still couldn't finish higher than his wife Phyllis did a few days ago, though.

James Van Alstyne collected his third scalp in a row when his K J was duped on the board by a K J. Morris had a terrific tournament but didn't feel very cat like as he left in 3rd.

At the beginning of the heads up play, James Van Alstyne had a $168,000 to $165,000 chip lead on Paul Rowe. But this wasn't to be his day.

Rowe went on a rush at the perfect time, and sent Van Alstyne directly to the felt.

On the last hand, Van Alstyne led to the river with a pair of sixes, but a 9 last card caught a 9 in Paul Rowe's hand.

When Paul Rowe picked up the bracelet, the grin took years off his lined face. All that time, all that scuffling, now he held in his hand what he'd dreamt about for so long. He was a champion.

$3,000 Omaha Hi/Lo 8 or Better
111 Entries - $333,000 Prize Pool

1.	Paul Rowe	Las Vegas	$133,200
2.	James Van Alstyne	Las Vegas	66,600
3.	Morris Kessler	Las Vegas	33,300
4.	Miami John Cernuto	Las Vegas	19,980
5.	Mike Pietsch	Dallas TX	14,985
6.	J.C. Pearson	Las Vegas	11,655
7.	David Rabbi	Las Vegas	8,325
8.	Danny Newman	Birmingham ENG	6,660
9.	Alan Boston	Las Vegas	5,328
10.	Bill Gempel	Lansing MI	3,996
11.	Dan Heimiller	Las Vegas	3,996
12.	Jeff Pierce	Las Vegas	3,996
13.	Vince Oliver	Manhattan Beach CA	3,663
14.	Kevin Song	Hacienda Heights CA	3,663
15.	Jack Rose	Las Vegas	3,663
16.	Paul Sherr	Phoenix AZ	3,330
17.	Perry Green	Anchorage AK	3,330
18.	Linda Ryke Drucker	Las Vegas	3,330

(Patty Hughes and Rudy Lotief)

The No-Limit Super Satellites start each evening at 8:40 PM in the Satellite area. The Entry Fee is $220 for $200 in Tournament chips and there are unlimited $200 re-buys during the first hour, if you have less than $200 in Tournament chips. You may also make a single or double add-on at the end of the re-buy period. Blinds start at $5/$10 and increase every 20 minutes. Available monies will be converted into non-negotiable, non-transferable, non-refundable seats in the $10,000 World Championship event, with at least $5,000 in cash and $500 Lammers being divided among the final table players.

WSOP SUPER SATELLITE #19 Tuesday 5 May 1998

IF YOU KNEW SUSIE...

In an earlier edition of these reports, we discussed how much money it can take to win a Super Satellite.

By his own admission, Louis Asmo is stuck $8,000 in the Supers without a win. He won a seat, but it was in a one table $10,000 satellite.

Tonight, 173 players bought 162 rebuys bringing the prize pool to, $67,000.

The following were the rewards for making the final table:

1st	A $10,000 Seat and $290	$10,290
2nd	A $10,000 Seat and $290	10,290
3rd	A $10,000 Seat and $290	10,290
4th	A $10,000 Seat and $290	10,290
5th	A $10,000 Seat and $290	10,290
6th	A $10,000 Seat and $290	10,290
7th	5 Lammers and $300	2,800
8th	3 Lammers and $120	1,620
9th	1 Lammer and $340	840

Some of the "names" who competed were:

Catherine Brown
Danny Newman
Blair Rodman
Marsha Waggoner
John Juanda
Alex Brenes
Dewey Weum
Paul Rowe
Mike Laing
Luis Santoni
Don Barton
Brent Carter
Layne Flack
Mel Judah
Dan Heimiller
Ron Stanley
Kathy Kohlberg
Louis Asmo
O'Neil Longson
Randy Holland
Tony Ma

None of these esteemed players made the final table.

O'Neil Longson lost to Pete Haugan's Kings and finished 14th. He didn't show his hand.

Phyllis Meyers says she is playing "the best poker of my life" but can't get into the money. She lost most of her chips to Susie Isaacs when she tried to buy the blinds with A 9. Susie called all-in with A J. Phyllis was high carded.

With a few chips left, Phyllis thought she had a chance when she picked up two Kings. Her stack didn't scare Jack Green, so he called with A 4 off and caught the Ace. Phyllis left unhappily in 13th.

Two previous winners met head to head next. Frank Landen threw his hand away when Jack Green showed him A Q, with an Ace on board. Frankly my dear, Landen was 12th.

Paul Kroh pitched his hand when Kevin McBride displayed three 8's. Paul couldn't Kroh about being 11th.

Vic Kramer won over $100,000 in the first event of this year's WSOP. That didn't frighten Kevin McBride because Vic didn't have many chips. Kevin called Vic's all-in with A 9 and cracked Kramer's Q Q. What's Kramer going to do after Seinfeld folds? Vic was 10th, one out of the money.

The Final Table:

Seat 1	Matt Lefkowitz	$5,500	Brookline MA
Seat 2	Susie Isaacs	6,500	Las Vegas
Seat 3	Michael Konik	9,500	Los Angeles CA
Seat 4	Kevin McBride	10,000	Boca Raton FL
Seat 5	Dolph Arnold	4,500	Houston TX
Seat 6	Marc Durand	6,500	Las Vegas
Seat 7	Dana Ronaco	8,500	Bakersfield CA
Seat 8	Pete Haugan	10,500	Florence SD
Seat 9	Jack Green	6,000	Las Vegas

Marc Durand was all-in for the big blind with K 8. He couldn't put Matt Lefkowitz on eights, but that's what he had. No King came and Durand Durand went went 9th 9th.

Dolph Arnold has a lot of fun at a poker table, win or lose. His humor was tested by Michael Konic, when Dolph called "straight" and turned over nut nothing. Konic had two pair. Arnold went to pick up his bread in 8th.

Kevin McBride would have done himself a favor if he hadn't looked at his hands at the Final Table. Starting out with $10,000, with only three to eliminate, he was close to a lock. But losing with a pair of Kings can have a shrinking effect on your stack.

When Kevin went all-in with A 9, it wasn't enough to stop Jack Green from calling with pocket 8's. An 8 on the river only added to the overkill. McBride's loss in 7th was met by a loud cheer by the other six players, five of whom got their first ticket to the Big Dance.

The winners for Super Satellite #19 were:

Matt Lefkowitz
Michael Konik
Dana Ronaco
Pete Haugan
Jack Green for the second time

and the Georgia Peach - Susie Isaacs

(Becky Kerber, Barbara Lotief and Terry Vanderlip)

Single Table Satellites are run continuously 21 hours every day (8:00 AM until 5:00 AM) and usually last around 90 minutes. There are featured Satellites each day for the next day's event, as well as other Satellites depending on demand. Single Table Satellites for the $10,000 Main event and for the next no-limit Holdem event are spread frequently. Binion's charges $10 per player in a Satellite.

For the $320 buy-in No Limit Holdem Satellites, ten Players start with $1,200 each in chips. The blinds start at $10/$25, increase every 15 minutes, and the winner gets six $500 Lammers plus $100 in cash.

For the $1,010 buy-in Single Table $10,000 Satellites, ten players start with $4,000 each in chips. The blinds start at $25/50 and increase every 20 minutes. The winner gets a non-transferrable seat in the Championship Event.

The Temperature sign atop Binion's Horseshoe read 76 degrees at 3:00 PM on Tuesday afternoon. Partly cloudy, sunny skies in the morning, had become overcast by 3:00 PM, and there was a steady rain falling at 8:00 PM. The wind was out of the SW at 15mph, gusting to 25mph most of the day.

He started things off on the first hand, when he got a phone call (?) on his cellular phone, just as it was his turn to act, in early position. He told the caller (?) that he couldn't talk, because he was about to raise the pot. He raised, and everyone folded.

The blinds would increase to $1500/3000, after the break, and Miami John would have the big blind.

Paul Rowe asked Miami John if he would like to play another hand before the break, so as not to drag out his pending elimination. Miami John replied "No, I need the break to re-think my strategy."

Danny Newman was all-in, and Paul Rowe and Mike Pietsch were betting at each other, which was not a good omen for Danny. Jack said, "Paul bets, Mike calls, and Danny Newman is headed for Valet Parking." This turns out to be pretty accurate, because Danny exited, without showing his hand.

The extra betting levels added to this year's WSOP Events, and the longer duration of levels at the Final Table, "promised increased playability and a higher expected return for the skilled player."

If "skilled player" equates to well known "world class player", then the the higher expected return for the skilled player has not been happening.

Except for a few scattered exceptions, the 1998 WSOP has been dominated by lesser lights and relatively unknown players.

	1998	1997	CUM DIFF
Event #1	$2000 Holdem	5:32	2:36	+ 2:56
Event #2	$1500 Razz	4:37	4:02	3:31
Event #3	$1500 Omaha	3:00	3:59	2:32
Event #4	$1500 Stud	2:39	3:58	1:13
Event #5	$1500 PL Omaha	5:06	3:41	2:38
Event #6	$1500 Stud Hi/Lo 8	3:51	3:08	3:21
Event #7	$2000 NL Holdem	1:59	3:22	1:58
Event #8	$2000 Omaha Hi/Lo 8	3:49	3:28	2:19
Event #9	$2000 PL Holdem	4:12	3:11	3:20
Event #10	$2500 Stud	3:12	4:10	4:18
Event #11	$2500 PL Omaha	3:21	3:45	3:55
Event #12	$2500 Stud Hi/Lo 8	5:31	4:12	5:14
Event #13	$3000 Holdem	5:08	4:26	5:56
Event #14	$3000 Omaha Hi/Lo 8	3:08	4:26	4:38

First 14 Events: $6,265,000 (1998) vs $6,518,000 (1997)

There probably was a four way Deal today. The chip count at the time was Rowe 133K, Kessler 81.5K, Van Alstyne 62K and Cernuto 56.5K

Event #1	$2000 Holdem	Deal Unlikely
Event #2	$1500 Razz	Deal Unlikely
Event #3	$1500 Omaha	Deal Probable
Event #4	$1500 7 Stud	Deal Probable
Event #5	$1500 PL Omaha	Deal Probable
Event #6	$1500 Stud Hi/LO 8	Deal Probable
Event #7	$2000 NL Holdem	Deal Unlikely
Event #8	$2000 Omaha Hi/Lo 8	Deal Probable
Event #9	$2000 PL Holdem	Deal Unlikely
Event #10	$2500 7 Stud	Deal Probable
Event #11	$2500 PL Omaha	Deal Unlikely
Event #12	$2500 Stud Hi/Lo 8	Deal Probable
Event #13	$3000 Limit Holdem	Deal Unlikely
Event #14	$3000 Omaha Hi/Lo *	Deal Probable

Formal, official Deals at the WSOP are done in private, under the supervision and guidance of Jack McClelland, WSOP Tournament Co-ordinator. Deals represent a reallocation, or split of the announced remaining prize pool, that is agreeable to all remaining players. All remaining players do not have to participate in an official Deal, as long as all remaining players give their consent.

All pay outs by Binion's, and the tax reporting will reflect the Deal allocation, but press releases and official WSOP earnings reflect the scheduled, announced pay outs.

Jack McClelland tries to immediately squelch any "Deal talking" in the Final Table area, and will stop the playing clock and allow a "Deal break" at any time.

A normal Deal will probably allocate the bulk of the remaining prize pool equally (or unequally, relative to chip count, perceived ability, bargaining skills etc.) between the remaining participants, with a small portion (perhaps 10 % or so) and the Title going to the eventual winner. Some deals may earmark some of the un allocated portion to the eventual second or third place finisher, in addition to the allocation for the first place money.

Binion's attempts to prevent private Deals, which are unenforceable and may present tax complications, by the participants. Binion's probably would prefer a Deal free environment all together, but recognizes that a top heavy pay out structure is conducive to Deals, and has arrived at the current procedure as the best solution.

Any player abusing employees or other players, either verbally or physically (swearing, throwing cards, etc.) or disrupting the tournament will be penalized. The following will be the MINIMUM penalty imposed:

FIRST OFFENSE - 20 minutes away from the table. (Blinds and/or antes to be forfeited)
SECOND OFFENSE - 40 minutes away from the table.
THIRD OFFENSE - Disqualification

The WSOP Floorpeople will be strictly enforcing the rules, with zero tolerance. Every player starts each Event with a clean slate as far as penalties are concerned.

SCOREBOARD

Unknown	20 Minutes
Barry Shulman	20 Minutes
Ray Dehkharghani	20 Minutes
Unknown	20 Minutes
Unknown	20 Minutes
Unknown	20 Minutes
Phil Tanner	20 Minutes
Unknown	20 Minutes
Thi Thi Tran	20 Minutes
Phil Tanner	20 Minutes

Jack McClelland is assisted by Steve Morrow and Jeff Vanderlip as Assistant Tournament Coordinators.

The 1998 WSOP continues the two-day format that was inaugurated last year, for most of the tournaments. Also, all two-day events start one level lower than in past years, and each level at the Final Table has been lengthened from 60 minutes to 80 minutes. Limit Holdem and Omaha events have two new levels of betting. First day play continues until the field is reduced to the Final Table, and Final Table play begins at 4:00 PM on the second day.

In addition to the money and a gold bracelet, each winner of a 1998 WSOP Event will get free rooms at next year's WSOP. If you win more than one Event, you can roll subsequent hotel accommodations over to later years.

Shift Supervisors Jimmy Stefan, John Buchanan, Tony Shelton and Cathy Wood run the Poker room where the lower limit games are played.

Games being spread on 30 April:

2 - 1/4/8 Holdem	2 - 10/20 Omaha 8
2 - 4/8 Holdem	2 - 15/30 Holdem
1 - 4/8 Omaha Hi	2 - 20/40 Holdem
1 - 1/5 7Stud	1 - 20/40 Omaha 8
1 - 4/8 Omaha 8	2 - 30/60 Holdem
2 - 10/20 Holdem	1 - 20/40 ROE
1 - 10/20 Omaha Hi

Shift Supervisors John "Scoff" Sheffield, Kathy Hudson and Marshall Kassoff run the higher limit games on the south end of the Tournament Pavilion.

Games being spread on 30 April:

1 - 5/5/10 PL Omaha/PL Holdem	2 - 50/100 7Stud 8
3 - 5/5/10 PL Holdem	1 - 10/25 PL OmahaPL
1 - 25/25 PL Holdem	1 - 75/150 Holdem
1 - 25/50 PL Holdem	1 - 75/150 7Stud 8
1 - 25/50 PL Omaha	1 - 50/100 Razz
1 - 50/100 7Stud	1 - 200/400 HORSE
1 - 50/100 Holdem	1 - 100/200/400 2 to 7
1 - 100/200 Omaha	1 - 150/300
2 - 50/100 Omaha 8	1 - 150/300 ROE
1 - 10/10 NL Holdem	1 - 600/1200 HOE

Updated Through 8:00 PM Tuesday 5 MAY 1988

1.	Brent Carter
2.	Randy Holland
3.	Gary Lent
4.	Hieu Ma
5.	Milt Meyers
6.	Marsha Waggoner
7.	Michael Pancer
8.	Bob Walker
9.	David Tagg
10.	Steve Kaufman
11.	Barbara Enright
12.	Steve Rydel
13.	Joe Baumgartner
14.	R. London
15.	Paul Hoenke
16.	Allen Cunningham
17.	John Bonetti
18.	Frank Hernandez
19.	R.W. Miller
20.	Men "The Master" Nguyen
21.	Casey Kastle
22.	J.C. Pearson
23.	John Morgan
24.	Jim Bechtel
25.	Peter Vilandos
26.	Bill Lester
27.	Cliff Davis
28.	Debbie Burkhead
29.	James Brown
30.	Jack Green
31.	Peter Brehm
32.	Don Barton
33.	John Richman
34.	Luis Santoni
35.	Jack Fox
36.	Flan "Irish Mike" Pilkington
37.	Chris "Jesus" Ferguson
38.	O'Neil Longson
39.	Thor Hansen
40.	Frank Landen
41.	Greg Turk
42.	John Gledhill
43.	Ralph Hoots
44.	David Rubin
45.	Justin Westmoreland
46.	John Juanda
47.	"Super" Mario Esquerra
48.	Jim Bayton
49.	Doug Segers
50.	John Spadaveccia
51.	Greg Alston
52.	Jan Lundberg
53.	"Miami" John Cernuto
54.	John Heaney
55.	Don Holt
56.	John Gordon
57.	Kent Hori
58.	Fariborz Azima
59.	Hans "Tuna" Lund
60.	Bob Karp
61.	Erik Seidel
62.	David Welch
63.	Rick Young
64.	Asher Derei
65.	Charles Watkins
66.	Paul Honas
67.	Paul Ladanyi
68.	Blair Rodman
69.	Huck Seed
70.	LA Hung
71.	Frank Wong
72.	Bill Gazes
73.	Tony Lantz
74.	Brian Kruger
75.	Bob Loar
76.	Jim Karambinis
77.	Howard Lederer
78.	Robert Perry
79.	Larry Satterwhite
80.	Andy Lin
81.	Chris Tsiprailidis
82.	Louis Asmo
83.	Lucy Rokach
84.	Scott Gray
85.	Kevin Song
86.	Nhut Tran
87.	Lee Watkinson
88.	Roy Flowerday
89.	"Amazon" Erik Alps
90.	William Strother
91.	H.R. Smith
92.	Mark Rose
93.	Mark Napolitano
94.	Amarillo "Slim" Preston
95.	"Q" Knopow
96.	Richard Harroch
97.	Gary Haubelt
98.	Bruce Yamron
99.	Gus Echeverri

Alphabetized:

"Amazon" Erik Alps
Greg Alston
Derei Asher
Louis Asmo
Don Barton
Joe Baumgartner
Jim Bayton
Jim Bechtel
John Bonetti
Peter Brehm
Jim Brown
Debbie Burkhead
Brent Carter
"Miami" John Cernuto
Allen Cunningham
Cliff Davis
Gus Echeverri
Barbara Enright
Super Mario Esquerra
Azima Fariborz
Chris "Jesus" Ferguson
Roy Flowerday
Jack Fox
Bill Gazes
John Gledhill
John Gordon
Scott Gray
Jack Green
Thor Hansen
Richard Harroch
Gary Haubelt
John Heaney
Frank Hernandez
Paul Hoenke
Randy Holland
Don Holt
Paul Honas
Ralph Hoots
Kent Hori
LA Hung
Casey Kastle
Steve Kaufman
"Q" Knopow
John Juanda
Jim Karambinis
Bob Karp
Brian Kruger
Paul Ladanyi
Frank Landen
Tony Lantz
Howard Lederer
Gary Lent
Bill Lester
Andy Lin
Bob Loar
R. London
O'Neil Longson
Hans "Tuna" Lund
Jan Lundberg
Hieu Ma
Milt Meyers
R.W. Miller
John Morgan
Mark Napolitano
Men Nguyen
Michael Pancer
J.C. Pearson
Robert Perry
Flan "Irish Mike" Pilkington
Amarillo "Slim" Preston
John Richman
Blair Rodman
Lucy Rokach
Mark Rose
David Rubin
Steve Rydel
Luis Santoni
Larry Satterwhite
Huck Seed
Erik Seidel
Doug Segers
H.R. Smith
Kevin Song
John Spadaveccia
William Strother
David Tagg
Nhut Tran
Chris Tsiprailidis
Greg Turk
Peter Vilandos
Marsha Waggoner
Bob Walker
Charles Watkins
Lee Watkinson
David Welch
Justin Westmoreland
Frank Wong
Bruce Yamron
Rick Young

Ending "14 years of drought and frustration," Paul Rowe fought to victory in the $3,000 Omaha High-Low Split event for his first World Series title and with it a gold winner's bracelet. The 53 year-old family and marriage counselor, a regular in the Horseshoe Poker Room, had been trying to win since 1984 when "I was chip leader in the Championship event but wound up finishing one out of the money - tenth." Three days ago he took fifth in the $2,500 Omaha Pot Limit event.

"This was a gruelling tournament for me ... for five straight hours yesterday I was short stacked, making it a miserable afternoon. I thought once again that 'this isn't my tournament,'" Rowe said. But a few big hands turned it around, and at the final table, heads-up against James Van Alstyne, "in the last hour I had a card rush no human could withstand. It was a rush that was almost scary for me."

Rowe, comfortable throughout the final table, took just 51 minutes to defeat Van Alstyne, scooping key pots with quad sevens and a full house. He was finally victorious with a modest pair of nines, caught on the river to trump his opponent's pair of sixes.

For Van Alstyne, 3l, a Stanford graduate and former electrical engineer who has played poker professionally for six years, this runner-up finish was his best ever in a tournament. "I was glad to lose to Paul," he said. "He's a good player and a nice guy. I'm definitely pleased - to come in second in a field of 111 players isn't bad. I enjoyed it. Jack McClelland always runs such a good tournament."

Third place went to Morris Kessler, 74, a lifelong gambler who has now cashed twice at this WSOP while his wife, Phyllis, finished third in the $2,500 Seven Card Stud event four days ago. "I was pretty satisfied with the result," said Kessler, who has played at the World Series for some ten years. With an unusual plug for poker's therapeutic value, he observed that "when I play cards I feel no pain, but as soon as I get home the aches and pains begin." Kessler was eliminated with A-4-4-5 by Van Alstyne's Q-J-7-3 with a board of K-J-2/5-J.

Poker's most illustrious former air traffic controller, John Cernuto, finished fourth after a string of acrobatic all-in survival acts including a full house scooper. He exited cruelly, holding Ah-K-Jh-3 with a flop of Kh-9h-6. Van Alstyne, holding A-10-5-4, caught runner-runner 7-3 for a scooping straight. "It's the luck of the draw," mused Cernuto, 54, holder of two WSOP titles in 16 money-finishes since 1989. "I was pretty happy with my run in this tournament until the last few hands."

Fifth place went to Mike Pietsch, a 52 year-old civil engineer who has been to every World Series, played in about ten, and had never before cashed. "I felt like I got drawn out on twice," Pietsch said. "So, I'm not happy. But that's the way the cards turn." Pietsch said he is a "very part-time poker player. It's always interesting and fun for me to come to the World Series." He was knocked out when Van Alstyne made an ace-high straight.

J.C.Pearson, 65, a former milkman and poker professional for 30 years who holds one WSOP title, finished sixth, his l2th cash since 1986. "They're hard on you," he said of his opponents. "But it's been a real good tournament." Missing a straight, he was eliminated by Rowe's pair of fives.

Seventh place went to David Rabbi, 42, a poker instructor and professional for 17 years who, after trying at 11 previous World Series, has now cashed twice this year. "I feel I should have been there before," he said. "I'm playing more aggressively, and I'll be there again - count on it." Rabbi, all-in with aces and a low and straight draw, lost when Rowe caught a third nine on the river.

British pro and antique dealer Danny Newman,42, finished eighth when he was all in with low cards but lost to a board that gave Rowe a high full house. "No comment," said Newman, the shortest stack.

Out ninth was Alan Boston, whose 6th money finish brought his WSOP earnings to $123,836. His deuces with a king lost to Pietsch's deuces with an ace.

The Final Table
Card by Card and Bet by Bet
1998 WSOP Event #14: $3,000 Omaha High/Low 8 or better
111 Entries, $333,000 Total Prize Pool and chips in play

Seat 1	Alan Boston	15,500	[AB]
Seat 2	J.C. Pearson	18,500	[JC]
Seat 3	Mike Pietsch	35,000	[MP]
Seat 4	Miami John Cernuto	57,000	[MJ]
Seat 5	David Rabbi	20,000	[DR]
Seat 6	James Van Alstyne	59,000	[VA]
Seat 7	Danny Newman	11,500	[DN]
Seat 8	Morris Kessler	65,000	[MK]
Seat 9	Paul Rowe	51,500	[PR]

d = dealer
F: = Flop
T: = Turn
R: = River

First action reported in a betting round, normally means the first player that put money into the pot in that betting round. A check is usually not reported as the first action in a betting round. Folds are not always reported. If there are four players at the beginning of a betting round, and it's reported that one player bets and is called by one other player, then the remaining two players folded.

*** 4:04 PM Tuesday 5 May 1998

*** 6 minutes remaining at 1,000/2,000 Blinds - 2,000/4,000 Limits

1. d MJ - AB raises and all fold.
2. d DR - AB raises, JC and DN call. F: 3c 2h Td. AB bets, JC raises and AB calls. T: 6d. JC bets and AB calls. R: 7d. JC bets and AB calls. JC shows As 2d Qh 5d and AB mucks.
3. d VA - VA raises and all fold.
4. d DN - AB raises 2,500 all-in with Qc Tc 8h 4h, JC re-raises with As 8s 2h Kh and VA calls with 3d 4c 5s 6s. F: 5d 9c Jh. JC bets and VA calls. T: Ac. JC bets and VA calls. R: 8c. VA bets and JC calls. JC and VA split the side pot. VA and AB split the main pot.

   *** At 4:12 PM Limits increase to 3,000/6,000 with 1,500/3,000 Blinds.

5. d MK - MP raises with Ah 9h 2d Qs and AB calls all-in with 2c 9c 8d Qd. Board: 2h Kh 5c 4c Js. MK scoops.

   *** Alan Boston finishes 9th at 4:15 PM.

6. d PR - MK raises and all fold.
7. d PR - VA raises and all fold.
8. d JC - PR raises and all fold.
9. d MP - DN, PR and JC limp, MP raises, DN re-raises 500 all-in and is called by PR, JC and MP. F: 7c Js Qs. PR bets and MP calls. T: Td. PR bets, MP raises and PR calls. R: 7h. PR bets and MP folds. PR shows Tc Th Qh 9c and DN mucks.

   *** Danny Newman finishes 8th at 4:22 PM.

10. d MJ - MJ raises and all fold.
11. d DR - PR, VA and MK limp. F: Kh Td 8d. PR bets and MK calls. T: 8h. MK bets and PR calls. R: As. MK bets and PR calls. MK scoops with 8c Ac 9c Jd. PR shows Kd Qh Jd 2h.
12. d VA - MJ raises and is called by DR and PR. F: 9d 5h 4s. DR bets and is called by PR and MJ. T: Jc. DR bets 5,500 all-in and is called by PR and MJ. R: 9s. Both check. PR has 9c Kd Ts Th, DR has 3d 5s Jh Ad, and MJ mucks. PR scoops.

    *** David Rabbi finishes 7th at 4:28 PM.

13. d MK - MP raises and all fold.
14. d PR - MK raises and all fold.
15. d JC - Folded to MJ in the big blind.
16. d MP - PR raises and VA calls. F: 8s 7s 6d. Both check. T: Ac. VA bets and PR calls. R: 5h. PR bets and VA calls. PR shows 3s 4d 9d 9s and VA mucks.
17. d MJ - Folded to MK in the big blind.
18. d VA - JC raises and is called by MK and VA. F: Tc Ad 7d. JC bets and all call. T: 2c. JC bets and all call. R: Kd. PR bets and all fold. PR shows 4d 8d 6h As.
19. d MK - MJ raises and is called by PR and JC. F: Qd Jh 7h. MJ bets, PR raises, JC calls 500 all-in and MJ calls. T: 5s. Both check. R: 3h. MJ bets and PR folds. JC wins 1/4 of main pot with 4d 5d Ah 2s. MJ wins 3/4 with Ad Ac 8h 2d.
20. d PR - VA raises and all fold.
21. d JC - PR raises with Ac Ah 2c Qs and MJ calls with As 3h 3c Ks. F: 5h 6c Ad. MJ bets and PR calls. T: 2h. MJ bets and PR calls. R: 6d. MJ bets and PR calls. Split pot.
22. d MP - MP raises with As 6s 3s 4h and MJ calls with Ad 4d 3c Jd. F: 7h 5h 6h. MP bets, MJ raises and MP calls 2,500 all-in. T: 7s. R: 5c. Split pot.
23. d MJ - MJ raises and MK calls. F: 2d 7s 6d. Both check. T: 2s. MK bets and MJ folds.

    *** Approximate chip count

    PR 160,000
    MK 75,000
    MJ 50,000
    VA 35,000
    MP 15,000
    JC 3,500

24. d VA - VA raises and all fold.
25. d MK - PR raises with 4c 6c 5d Qs and JC calls 500 all-in with 2d 3h Jc Qc. Board: 9h 5c Kc 3d 9s. PR scoops.

    *** J.C. Pearson finishes 6th at 4:48 PM.

26. d PR - MK raises and all fold.
27. d PR - Folded to MJ in the big blind.
28. d MP - PR raises and is called by MP and VA. F: 8c Js Th. MP bets 2,500 all-in and both call. T: 7c. Both check. R: Kd. VA bets and PR folds. MP has Ah 2h 7d Js and VA scoops with Ad Qs 2c 6c.

    *** Mike Pietsch finishes 5th at 4:52 PM.

29. d MJ - MJ raises and all fold.

    *** Deal break from 4:54 PM until 5:08 PM. MK was lone hold out from making a deal, and MK reluctantly agrees to a deal after they returned to the table.

    Chip count

    PR 133,000
    MK 81,500
    VA 62,000
    MJ 56,500

30. d VA - MJ and PR limp. F: 2c 9c Kh. MJ bets and PR folds.
31. d MK - MK raises and all fold.
32. d PR - PR raises and all fold.
33. d MJ - VA raises and MK calls. F: 5d 6c 3d. VA bets and MK calls. T: Jd. Both check. R: 4d. VA bets and MK folds.
34. d VA - MJ raises and is called by MK and PR. F: 8s Kh 5s. MK bets and all call. T: Qd. All check. R: 3s. PR bets and all call. PR wins low with 4d Jd Ad 2s, MJ wins high with Kc Ks 2h 7h and MK mucks.
35. d MK - Folded to MJ in the big blind.
36. d PR - Folded to VA in the big blind.
37. d MJ - PR raises and all fold.
38. d VA - MJ raises, MK calls, PR re-raises, MJ calls, MK re-raises and all call. F: Kd 9h 5h. All check. T: Kh. PR bets and all fold.
39. d MK - Folded to MJ in the big blind.
40. d PR - MJ limps, VA raises and MJ calls. F: 6c 8s 9d. VA bets and MJ folds.
41. d MJ - PR raises and all fold.
42. d VA - MJ raises with 2d 3h Kc Kh and VA calls with 8d Jc 2s 3s. F: 8h 9h 7d. MJ bets and VA calls. T: Qd. MJ bets and VA calls. R: Td. VA bets and MJ calls. VA scoops.
43. d MK - VA raises and is called by PR and MJ. F: 9s 2c 3c. All check. T: 4c. PR bets and all fold. PR shows As 5c 3s 9h. VA shows K K.
44. d PR - MK raises with 3s 4c 4s 5s and VA calls with Ad 9d As Kc. F: 2h Kd 3d. MK bets, VA raises and MK calls. T: 2d. VA bets and MK calls. R: 7d. VA bets and MK calls. Split pot.
45. d MJ - PR raises with Ac As 3c 9h and MK calls with 3s 4s 6c 7d. F: 9d 6h 2d. PR bets and MK calls. T: 5h. MK bets and PR calls. R: Js. MK bets and PR calls. Split pot.
46. d VA - VA raises and PR calls. F: Ks 3s 3d. VA bets and PR folds.
47. d MK - PR raises and all fold.
48. d PR - MK raises with As Js 5c 6s. and MJ calls with Ac 3h 3c 5d. F: 3s Td Qd. Both check. T: 5h. MJ bets, MK raises, MJ re-raises 1,000 all-in and MK calls. R: 2d. Split pot.
49. d MJ - VA and MK limp. F: Ah Jc 6c. VA bets and MK calls. T: Th. VA bets and MK calls. R: 6d. VA bets and MK folds. MK shows 8c Kc 2h 3s.
50. d VA - VA raises, MK re-raises, PR and VA call. F: Kh Ac Jh. MK bets PR raises, VA calls, MK re-raises and all call. T: 3c. MK bets and VA calls. R: 4d. MK bets and VA calls. MK has As Ad 8d 9c and VA has 8h 6c 3d 6h. Split pot.
51. d MK - VA raises with 5s 6c 4s 8h and MJ calls with Td 4d As Ks. F: 4h 3c Jc. VA bets and MJ calls. T: 9s. Both check. R: 7c. VA bets and MJ calls. VA scoops.
52. d PR - MJ calls 1,000 all-in with 8s 4h Td Qd and is heads-up with VA who has 6d 6s Kd Jd. Board: 5d Kc Ah 2h 9c. Split pot.
53. d MJ - VA raises and all fold.
54. d VA - MJ calls 2,500 all-in with Js Qc 2h 4d and is heads-up with PR who has 3h Jh Ks 9c. Board: As 6d 8s 8d 3c. Split pot.

    *** Break from 5:43 PM until 6:43 PM. VA wins the $500 chip race off. Limits increase to 4,000/8,000 with 2,000/4,000 blinds.

55. d MK - MJ is all-in for 3,000 in the big blind with 5s Kd 7d 9h and is called by PR with 9s 9c 8h 7h. Board: 3d Td Qs 4d Qd. MJ scoops.
56. d PR - PR raises and VA calls. They check down a Board of Qc Qs 2s 6c Jh. PR shows Js Kd 8c 9d and VA mucks.
57. d MJ - Folded to MK in the big blind.
58. d VA - VA raises and all fold.
59. d MK - MJ is all-in for 4,000 in the big blind with 5h 6s 5c 3h. MK raises with As Ad Jc Ac and PR calls with 7d Td 9c Ts. They check down a Board of 3s Kh 4s 5d 4d. MK scoops side pot and MJ scoops the main pot.
60. d PR - MJ raises with Ah Jh 3d Ks and VA calls with Qh 5h Ts 4c. MJ bets 4,000 all-in in the dark. F: Kh 9h 6d. VA calls. T: 7s. R: 3s. VA scoops.

    *** Miami John Cernuto finishes 4th at 6:02 PM.

61. d PR - PR raises and all call. F: Tc 3s 7d. PR bets and MK calls. T: Qc. Both check. R: Jd. MK bets and PR folds. PR shows 2h 5h Ad 9s.
62. d VA - VA raises and all call. F: Jh Ah Th. VA bets and PR calls. T: Js. Both check. R: Jd. PR bets and VA calls. PR shows Ad Jc Qs 6c and VA mucks.
63. d MK - Folded to VA in the big blind.
64. d PR - PR raises with Kh TD 3s 5s and MK calls with Qh Tc 8c 9s. They check down a Board of 2c 6c 3h 5h 2s. PR scoops.
65. d VA - VA raises and PR calls. F: As 9h Ts. VA bets and PR folds.
66. d MK - PR raises and all fold.
67. d PR - All limp. F: Ad 6s 4d. All check. T: 5c. All check. R: Kd. VA bets with Qd Jd Qh 9c and PR calls with 2s 7s 7h 6d. Split pot.
68. d VA - MK raises and PR calls. F: 2c 3d Kh. PR bets and MK calls. T: 9c. PR bets and MK folds. PR shows 2d 6d Kc 9s.
69. d MK - PR and VA limp. F: 4h 9s Jc. VA bets and PR folds.
70. d PR - PR raises and all call. F: 9h 4c 3s. PR bets, VA raises and PR calls. T: 6s. Both check. R: 7c. VA bets with Ad 5d Td Tc and PR calls with 6c Kc As Jd. VA scoops.

    Approximate Chip count

    PR 160,000
    VA 160,000
    MK 15,000

71. d VA - VA raises with 3h 5d Ts Qs, MK re-raises with As 5s 2d Td, VA re-raises and MK calls 1,000 all-in. Board: Kd Jc Qh Ad 3d. MK scoops.
72. d MK - Folded to VA in the big blind.
73. d PR - VA limps, MK raises and VA calls. F: Ad Tc 9s. Both check. T: Jh. VA bets and MK folds.
74. d VA - Folded to PR in the big blind.
75. d MK - MK raises and VA calls. F: 8h 4s 3d. MK bets and VA folds.
76. d PR - PR raises and MK calls. F: Qs Kh 8d. PR bets and MK folds.
77. d VA - MK and PR limp. F: 9s 6s Ks. PR bets and MK folds.
78. d MK - MK raises with Ah 4h 4s 5c and VA calls with Js 3d Qd 7h. F: Jh Kd 2c. VA bets and MK calls. T: 5d. VA bets and MK calls 6,000 all-in. R: Jc. VA scoops.

    *** Morris Kessler finishes 3rd at 6:21 PM.

    Chip count

    VA 168,000
    PR 165,000

79. d VA - VA raises and PR calls. F: Qs Ts Th. PR bets and VA calls. T: 5c. PR bets and VA calls. R: 9h. PR bets and VA folds.
80. d PR - Both limp. F: 2c Kh Ah. VA bets and PR calls. T: 6s. VA bets and PR folds.
81. d VA - VA limps, PR raises and VA folds.
82. d PR - PR limps, VA raises and PR calls. F: 3s 3c Kc. VA bets and PR calls. T: 2d. PR bets and VA folds.
83. d VA - VA raises and PR calls. F: 9d 8s 7s. VA bets, PR raises and VA calls. T: Qd. PR bets and VA calls. R: Td. Both check. PR shows 9s 9h Qs Js and VA mucks.
84. d PR - Both limp. F: 2c 4c Jh. Both check. T: Qc. VA bets and PR folds.
85. d VA - VA raises and PR calls. F: 5h 8d Qh. VA bets and PR calls. T: 8s. PR bets and VA folds.
86. d PR - PR raises and VA folds.
87. d VA - VA raises with 3h 4h 6c Kc and PR calls with 5h 8c Js Qc. F: 6d 9d Kd. Both check. T: 7h. Both check. R: 2h. VA bets and PR calls. Split pot.
88. d PR - PR raises and VA calls. F: Th 9d 7d. PR bets and VA calls. T: 7c. PR bets and VA calls. R: Qh. VA bets, PR raises and VA calls. PR shows 7s 7h Ah 5c and VA mucks.

    *** Approximate Chip count

    PR: 270,000
    VA 65,000

89. d VA - VA raises, PR re-raises and VA calls. F: 9c Qd 7d. VA bets and PR calls. T: 2s. VA bets and PR calls. R: Js. VA bets and PR folds.
90. d PR - Both limp. F: Ah Tc 6d. PR bets and VA folds. PR shows 6 6.
91. d VA - VA limps with 6h 7s 3c Jc, PR raises with Tc 6c As 2d and VA calls. F: 3s 4h Th. PR bets and VA calls. T: 2c. PR bets and VA calls, R: 8h. Both check. PR scoops.
92. d PR - Both limp. F: 4h 2d Jc. Both check. T: 9h. VA bets and PR calls. R: Js. VA bets and PR calls. PR shows Ac 9c 4d 8c and VA mucks.
93. d VA - VA raises and PR calls. F: 5h 6h 7d. VA bets and PR folds. PR shows A A A.
94. d PR - PR raises with Tc Jc 9d 5h and VA calls with Kc Ks 6c Td. F: 8h 2h 8d. Both check. T: Jh. Both check. R: As. Both check. VA scoops.
95. d VA - VA raises with As 2h 9h 2d and PR calls with Ah 4h 4c Js. F: 7h 8h Kh. VA bets, PR raises and VA calls. T: 5h. PR bets, VA raises and PR calls. R: 4d. VA bets and PR calls. Split pot.
96. d PR - PR limps, VA raises and PR calls. F: 3s 8d 2d. VA bets and PR folds.
97. d VA - Both limp. F: 5h 9s Jh. PR bets and VA folds.
98. d PR - PR shows 9 9 9 and folds.
99. d VA - VA raises and PR folds.
100. d PR - PR folds.
101. d VA - VA raises with Ah 3c Qh 5s and PR calls with 4s 4c 9s 8h. F: Qd 8s 6s. VA bets and PR calls. T: 4d. VA bets and PR calls. R: Qs. VA bets and PR calls. Split Pot.
102. d PR - PR raises with Ad 4s 6c Jd and VA calls with 9c 8d 3h 4h. F: 8c 7h Tc. VA bets and PR calls. T: 6s. VA bets and PR calls. R: Ts. VA bets and PR calls. Split pot.
103. d VA - Both limp. F: 3s Qh Tc. VA bets and PR calls. T: 8h. Both check. R: Ac. PR bets and VA calls. PR shows 2s 4h 9s Th and VA mucks.
104. d PR - PR limps, VA raises and PR calls. F: 5d 6h 6d. VA bets and PR calls. T: 2c. VA bets and PR folds.
105. d VA - VA limps, PR raises and VA calls. F: Qc 5s 9c. VA bets and PR calls. T: Jh. VA bets and PR folds.
106. d PR - Both limp. F: 7h Jc 6s. PR bets and VA calls. T 2c. Both check. R: Kh. VA bets and PR calls. VA shows Kc Jh Td 8s and PR mucks.
107. d VA - Both limp. F: 8d 9c 9d. VA bets and PR calls. T: Kd. Both check. R: 4d. Both check. PR shows As 8c 2h Jh and VA mucks.
108. d PR - PR limps, VA raises and PR calls. F: Kd 2c 8c. PR bets and VA calls. T: Jh. PR bets and VA folds.
109. d VA - VA raises with Ad 6c As Tc and PR calls with 2d 4d 5c 7d. F: 8d 3s 5s. VA bets and PR calls. T: 5d. VA bets and PR calls. R: Ts. VA bets and PR calls. PR scoops.
110. d PR - PR folds.
111. d VA - VA raises with Ah 5h 4c 9h and PR calls with Qs Qh 6s Kd. F: 6h 2c Ts. VA bets and PR calls. T: Td. Both check. R: 7c. VA bets and PR calls. Split pot.
112. d PR - PR raises with As 8s 7d Ks and VA calls with 4s 6d 9d Ac. F: 5h 8c Jd. PR bets and VA calls. T: Tc. Both check. R: Ah. Both check. Split pot.
113. d VA - Both limp. F: Jd 6s 2d. VA bets and PR folds.
114. d PR - Both limp and check down a Board of 8h 3c Jc 7c 5d. VA shows 9s 9d Qh 4s and PR mucks.
115. d VA - Both limp and check down a Board of 9c 3c Jd Kc 7d. PR shows Kh Qs 4h 8d and VA mucks.
116. d PR - PR raises and VA calls. F: 7h Ah 7s. PR bets and VA folds.
117. d VA - VA raises, PR shows 3 3 3 and folds.
118. d PR - Both limp. F: 8s Ad 9d. PR bets and VA folds.

     *** Approximate Chip count

     PR 290,000
     VA 45,000

119. d VA - VA raises with Ad 9d 2h Kh and PR calls with Ah Th Tc 3d. F: 7h 5d 9h. VA bets, PR raises, VA re-raises and PR calls. T: 7s. Both check. R: 3s. VA bets and PR calls. Split pot.
120. d PR - PR raises and VA folds.
121. d VA - VA raises and PR calls. F: 8d Kd 8s, Both check. T: 2d. PR bets and VA folds. PR shows 2s 2c.
122. d PR - PR limps, VA raises and PR calls. F: Ac 9d Js. VA bets and PR folds.
123. d VA - Both limp. F: Jd Jh 4s. PR bets and VA folds.
124. d PR - PR raises and VA folds. PR shows A 2.
125. d VA - VA raises and PR calls. F: Tc 4d 3h. VA bets, PR raises and VA calls. T: Qh. PR bets and VA calls. R: 3s. PR bets and VA folds. PR shows 4 4. VA has 6,000 left.
126. d PR - PR raises with Jh 8h Kd 9d and VA calls 2,000 all-in with 5d 6d Kh Qd. Board: 4h 6h 3c Tc 9c. PR scoops.

     *** James Van Alstyne finishes second and Paul Rowe wins the $3,000 Limit Omaha High/Low 8 or better Championship at 7:12 PM.