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Bally's Tunica continues to deliver the real thing, with this event yielding $160,000 in prize money ($143,000 in final table money, $15,000 in semifinalist prizes, and $2000 in free-entry drawings). As usual, that's an awesome $25,000 more than the total of the 270 X $500 collected in entry fees.
The entry fee of $500 included two room nights, several free meals, and a shot at the eventual $65,000 first place prize.
The format is a hybrid, with the first two rounds being non-elimination or accumulative style. Starting twice with $1000 bankroll each time, the top 35 scores advanced into the semifinals. In this event, making the cut into the semifinals required a two-round total of $5710. Once in the semifinals, the format is normal table-advance style, with one player advancing from each table into the finals. One additional name is drawn straight into the finals.
Each round is 25 hands, with betting limits of $5 to $1000. The bankroll is $1000 in non-negotiable chips.
Finalists, in seat order were:
| Seat | Player | Bankroll | Bet | Cards | Value | Win/Loss | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand 23 | |||||||
| 1 | Martin | $1730.00 | $325.00 | 4 4 2 5 | 15 | +$325.00 | |
| 2 | ==> | Barshinger | $980.00 | $5.00 | Q 2 | 12 | +$5.00 |
| 3 | Cantrell | $500.00 | $500.00 | 3 7 7 | 17 | +$500.00 | |
| 4 | Birmingham | $1050.00 | $50.00 | 3 Q | 13 | +$50.00 | |
| 5 | Hensley | $900.00 | $200.00 | 6 8 | 14 | +$200.00 | |
| 6 | Johnson | $2055.00 | $30.00 | J 4 | 14 | +$30.00 | |
| 7 | Gentry | $1100.00 | $150.00 | Q Q | 20 | +$150.00 | |
| Dealer | Upcard 3 | 3 A J K | Bust | ||||
| Hand 24 | |||||||
| 1 | Martin | $2055.00 | $375.00 | 7 A 5 2 | 15 | -$375.00 | |
| 2 | Barshinger | $985.00 | $5.00 | A Q | BJ | +$7.50 | |
| 3 | ==> | Cantrell | $1000.00 | $500.00 | 3 4 3 K | 20 | +$500.00 |
| 4 | Birmingham | $1100.00 | $100.00 | 9 5 | 14 | -$100.00 | |
| 5 | Hensley | $1100.00 | * $1000.00 | 8 7 | 15 | -$1000.00 | |
| 6 | Johnson | $2085.00 | $50.00 | 3 6 Dbl 5 | 14 | -$100.00 | |
| 7 | Gentry | $1250.00 | $250.00 | 5 3 9 | 17 | $0.00 | |
| Dealer | Upcard 2 | 2 2 3 T | 17 | ||||
| Hand 25 | |||||||
| 1 | Martin | $1680.00 | $75.00 | 5 A | 16 | -$75.00 | |
| 2 | Barshinger | $992.50 | $990.00 | T K | 20 | -$990.00 | |
| 3 | Cantrell | $1500.00 | $750.00 | 4 3 | 7 | -$750.00 | |
| 4 | ==> | Birmingham | $1000.00 | $500.00 | T 4 | 14 | -$500.00 |
| 5 | Hensley | $100.00 | $100.00 | 3 9 | 12 | -$100.00 | |
| 6 | Johnson | $1985.00 | $5.00 | 4 4 | 8 | -$5.00 | |
| 7 | Gentry | $1250.00 | $1000.00 | 6 Q | 16 | -$1000.00 | |
| Dealer | Upcard A | A J | BJ | ||||
* Hensley lost $1000 on hand 24, but I'm not sure whether he bet $1000 and stood stiff, or bet $500 and doubled. Once again, the difficulties of recording every detail escape me.
Highlights: The dealer's blackjack on the final hand bailed out both Johnson and Martin, whose small bets left the door open wide for the other players. Most surprising to me was Martin's bet of $75, which locked him out of first, but still potentially could lead to a 6th place finish.
| Final Standings | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Final Bankroll | Place | Prize Money |
| Harley Martin | $1605.00 | 2nd | $25,000 |
| Jeff Barshinger | $2.50 | 6th | $7,000 |
| Alex Cantrell | $750.00 | 3rd | $18,000 |
| Randy Birmingham | $500.00 | 4th | $14,000 |
| Wilbur Hensley | $0.00 | 7th | $5,000 |
| Edward Johnson | $1980.00 | 1st | $65,000 |
| Bob Gentry | $250.00 | 5th | $9,000 |