Allen Cunningham Wins 2008 WSOPC Caesars Event and $500,000.

WSOP Bracelet Winner Takes Down Ben Fineman Heads Up.

Heading into Thursday’s final table at the WSOP Circuit Event @ Caesars, Allen Cunningham had a very positive outlook regarding his chances at taking down 1st place. Even though he started with just around $300,000 in chips and a bleak 7th place chip position, he still felt like his vast tournament experience and calm demeanor would be able to win out.

Enter chip leader Ben Fineman. This young man had just won event #2 of the WSOP Circuit @ Caesars just 10 days ago, and was now sitting at the final table with not only a huge chip lead, but a big boost of confidence from the 2 previous days of hanging and knocking out many of poker’s elite. His $800,000 chip stack grew and grew throughout the final table, calmly picking his spots and making great calls with some huge hands.

He would sit and outlast tournament pros Ralph Perry and Doug Lee, and even watch online persona Justin “ZeeJustin” Bonomo make quick exits. Fineman knew the only person he really wanted - and NEEDED - to stay out of the way of was Allen Cunningham. Unfortunately for Fineman, Allen would stay the course and eventually go to battle heads-up against the “other” final table favorite.

Cunningham would start heads-up play down 4-to-1 in chips, but would miraculously mount a comeback for the ages. After picking up a few small pots here and there, Allen Cunningham would hit a much-needed pair on the flop that held against the smaller pair of his opponent Ben Fineman. That hand doubled Allen’s chip stack and would help catapult the momentum in his favor. After Cunning eventually took the outright chip lead later on in the match, his opponent Fineman would make his final stand during the following hand (courtesy of BluffMedia.com):

“Fineman raised to $80,000 and Cunningham called from the big blind. The flop came Kc Qc Qd and both players checked to see the turn. The Tc on the turn seduced Cunningham into a $100,000 bet. After thinking it over Fineman raised to $400,000 and Cunningham moved all-in. Fineman went into the tank again and finally made the call showing As Jd for a straight while Cunningham turned over 4c 5c for a flush. The river was an inconsequential 4s and Cunningham was champion. “

Allen Cunningham (pictured in the above screenshot after the live broadcast of the event) can now add a World Series of Poker Circuit Event ring to his already-extensive list of WSOP hardware he already holds. Oh yea, he also walked away with $500,000….

Here are the final results and payouts:

1. Allen Cunningham - $499,069
2. Ben Fineman - $257,585
3. Kelly Samson - $128,792
4. Moto Mobuchi - $112,69
5. Justin Bonomo - $96,594
6. Blair Hinkle - $80,495
7. Thomas Hover - $64,396
8. Ralph Perry - $48,297
9. Doug Lee - $32,198

ZOMG PokerStars has a $1.5 Million Guaranteed EVERY Sunday now! Qualify for as little as $2! How can you NOT click?