23-Year-Old Natasha Barbour Wins WSOP Circuit Tour Event at Horseshoe Council Bluff's
Natasha Barbour was a college student at the University of South Florida studying microbiology, but her heart was really in poker. She would even take her books with her into the casino, playing while studying. Then, a year ago, after doing well at the tables, she decided to drop out af school and pursue her real love.
Tonight she struck gold in the form of a gold-and-diamond championship ring when she joined a handful of women, perhaps seven or eight, ever to win a WSOP Circuit open tournament. Her victory, in event 10, $300 no-limit hold'em, was worth $12,444. The effervescent 23-year-old from Miami could barely contain her excitement and delight throughout the final table, her first ever as she follows the Circuit tournament trail. Her previous best tournament finish was a 30th in the Bayou Poker Challenge at Harrah's New Orleans.
Heads-up, Barbour enjoyed a lead of better than 3-1 over Dale Johnson. He quickly doubled up and drew about even when his pocket deuces beat her A-6 suited. But the crusher came a couple of hands later. She looked at pocket aces on the button/small blind and just limped. Johnson bit and moved in with Qc-3c and was down to 61,000 after losing the pot. On the next and final hand he pushed in with Ks-7h and she called with Jd-9d ("My favorite hand," she said.) The board came 10-4-5-9-Q to give her a winning pair of 9s, and the young lady became the newest member of a very elite group. Johnson, cashing $6,530 for second, is a 62-year-old truck driver from Columbus, Nebraska.
Tonight Natasha said she played a very steady game and was able to make big laydowns.
___________________
by Max Shapiro - WSOP Media Director
Tonight she struck gold in the form of a gold-and-diamond championship ring when she joined a handful of women, perhaps seven or eight, ever to win a WSOP Circuit open tournament. Her victory, in event 10, $300 no-limit hold'em, was worth $12,444. The effervescent 23-year-old from Miami could barely contain her excitement and delight throughout the final table, her first ever as she follows the Circuit tournament trail. Her previous best tournament finish was a 30th in the Bayou Poker Challenge at Harrah's New Orleans.
Heads-up, Barbour enjoyed a lead of better than 3-1 over Dale Johnson. He quickly doubled up and drew about even when his pocket deuces beat her A-6 suited. But the crusher came a couple of hands later. She looked at pocket aces on the button/small blind and just limped. Johnson bit and moved in with Qc-3c and was down to 61,000 after losing the pot. On the next and final hand he pushed in with Ks-7h and she called with Jd-9d ("My favorite hand," she said.) The board came 10-4-5-9-Q to give her a winning pair of 9s, and the young lady became the newest member of a very elite group. Johnson, cashing $6,530 for second, is a 62-year-old truck driver from Columbus, Nebraska.
Tonight Natasha said she played a very steady game and was able to make big laydowns.
___________________
by Max Shapiro - WSOP Media Director
posted by AllStars at 5:21 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home