"MrSmokey1" Takes Down His Second Major Poker Title

Published on November 3rd, 2008 11:43 am EST

Steve "MrSmokey1" Billirakis dominated the World Series of Poker Circuit event at the Horseshoe Hammond this past weekend, taking down the first place prize of $200k+ in convincing fashion. The performance of Billirakis in this tournament was made even more impressive by the fact that he led the entire way - he was chipleader after Day 1, chipleader after Day 2 and eventually won the entire tournament. A dominant performance from a top young player.

"MrSmokey1" received $208,885 for finishing in first place, as well as a seat in the 2009 WSOP main event, $2k in travel cash and a WSOPC championship ring.

The final table had a few familiar names, including "MrSmokey1", Dustin "Neverwin" Woolf and Jason "TheMasterJ33" DeWitt. Woolf fell victim to a QQ vs KK hand early on at the final table and was eventually eliminated in ninth place for $21,677. DeWitt was eliminated in eighth place after his A-Q offsuit was unable to beat the pocket Queens of "MrSmokey1".

After a flurry of eliminations, Thomas Koral and Steve Billirakis were left to battle for the title.

In the final hand of the tournament, Koral raised pre-flop with pocket Nines. Billirakis pushed with A-8 offsuit and Koral called.

The flop came J-4-8 diamonds, giving Billirakis a number of additional outs to win the hand (he held the Ace of diamonds). The turn brought the Queen of diamonds, leaving Koral dead and giving Billirakis the victory. The river was the nine of spades, giving Koral a meaningless set.

Koral received $126,120 for his second place finish in the event.

This is the second major "live" poker title for Billirakis. He famously captured a WSOP bracelet in 2007, taking down over $530k when he won the $5k Mixed Hold'em event. At the time he was the youngest player ever to win a World Series of Poker bracelet (this distinction was later taken over by Annette "Annette_15" Obrestad when she took down the 2007 WSOPE main event).

With this victory, "MrSmokey1" now has well over one million dollars in "live" tournament cashes. Billirakis is scary good and only 22 years old - I'm positive that "MrSmokey1" will take down many more major tournaments in the future.

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Filed Under: Tournament Results