Michael J. Morusty Wins WSOP Circuit Event and $39,731 Top Prize
If ever there was a poker tournament where two champions deserved to be crowned, it was the $560 buy in No Limit Hold'em event which recently completed at Caesars Atlantic City. Two players Michael J. Morusty (Ithaca, NY) and Luis Nargentino (Queens, NY) dominated the competition from start to finish. They ultimately ended up together in a showdown in what some observers described as a duel that was as foreseeable as it was inevitable. After 23 hours of combined play over two consecutive days, the two New Yorkers faced off for the WSOP Circuit title.Coming out on top was the elder amateur player Morusty, who was ecstatic following his first major tournament victory, after several near-misses. He is a 54 year old union plumber who plays poker recreationally. However, Morusty has done quite well as a part-timer. He was the runner up in a tournament held recently in Las Vegas. Morusty also finished fourth in the 2009 Seniors World Championship which took place at last year's WSOP. He pocketed over $100,000 for that finish. But this experience was all the sweeter by virtue of the sweet taste of victory. Morusty officially collected a cash prize totaling $39,731 plus his first gold ring, which is the ultimate token of achievement presented to all tournament champions who win WSOP Circuit events around the country.
This was the second of 12 WSOP Circuit events on this year's Caesars Atlantic City schedule. The tournament attracted 256 entrants. After most of the field was eliminated on day one, which clocked in at 14 hours, three tables of survivors returned on day two and played another lengthy session, lasting another 11 hours. The top 27 finishers collected prize money from a $124,160 prize pool. Among those who finished in the money were two former WSOP gold bracelet winners, Chris Reslock (2007 $5,000 buy in Seven Card Stud cahmpion), an Atlantic City local who finished 20th, and Michael "Little Man" Sica (2003 $3,000 buy in No Limit Hold'em), who came in 24th.
Final table play began on a Friday evening inside the Palladium Arena at Caesars. Dapper dressed Micheal J. Morusty, adorned in a blue suit and tie with a black fedora, arrived at the finale with a slight chip lead over rival Luis Nargentino. The remaining seven players were outchipped by more than 2 to 1 by the two big stacks.
The final hand of the tournament can be seen here: http://www.twitvid.com/ED96F
Michael J. Morusty, a union plumber from Ithaca, NY was the champion. This marked his first major tournament victory following a number of notable high finishes. Morusty was not only the best-dressed poker player in the $560 buy in No Limit Hold'em tournament, he was also the most skilled and most fortunate player over the two day duration. Morusty won a well-deserved victory at Caesars Atlantic City and earned a hearty round of applause from the large crowd, as he tipped his trademark fedora in gratitude.
An interview with the new poker champion, Michael J. Morusty can be seen here: http://www.twitvid.com/C66E9
The WSOP Circuit at Caesars Atlantic City continues through March 14. This year's schedule includes 12 gold ring events, along with multiple second-chance tournaments, single table and mega satellites, plus cash games going around the clock inside the Caesars Poker Room. This marks the fifth straight year that Caesars Atlantic City has been a part of the WSOP Circuit. This is the seventh WSOP Circuit stop of the 2009-2010 season following previous tournaments held in Chicago, Southern Indiana, Lake Tahoe, Harrah's Atlantic City, Tunica, and Council Bluffs.
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by Nolan Dalla
posted by AllStars at 8:49 AM
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