Touted as ‘Just like the WSOP, but just better value’, the Gutshot Series of Poker’s £500 Main Event does exactly what it says on the tin and is undoubtedly one of, if not the best structured event in the poker calender.With 90 minute levels and a 20k starting stack, 120 players were more than willing to jam-pack the controversial Clerkenwell establishment and forgive the oppressive conditions to participate in this 3 day marathon, the likes of Ash Hussain, Nik Persaud and Walsall GUKPT victor Jerome Bradpiece all happy to take their seats.
Also present were the Hit Squad, who, except for Jim Kerrigan, were out in full force. Whilst James Akenhead, Praz Bansi and the Chatthas would stumble at early hurdles, Karl ‘Praying Mantis’ Mahrenholz would quickly build a monster stack and head into a final table that looked like such:
Seat 1: Tony Phillips -- 824,500
Seat 2: Jamie Lillywhite -- 51,000
Seat 3; Karl Mahrenholz -- 334,000
Seat 4: Andy Spyrou -- 216,000
Seat 5: Mohammed Ali -- 213,000
Seat 6: Wilson Chan -- 172,500
Seat 7: Jerome Bradpiece --125,000
Seat 8: Manuel Ferreira -- 57,500
Seat 9: Gaetan Villard -- 405,500
Although shortest in chips, defending champion Jamie Lillywhite survived 3 places before dropping in 6th for £2,400, his Pocket Jacks being cruelly outdrawn by Karl’s A-5 when another Ace hit the Flop.
Early pace-setter Wilson Chan would be the next to drop, his Tens feeling the wrath of monster chip leader Tony Phillips who was quickly approaching the 1.5 million mark. Moments later, Gaetan Villard followed Wilson to the rail, Karl finishing off the youngster with A-J vs. A-7, a 7 hitting the Flop, but a Rivered Jack sealing the deal.3 soon turned to 2 when Karl’s (right) A-Q ran into Tony’s A-K, leaving a Phillips/Ali heads-up battle. However, with Tony steamrolling the tournament for the final two days, he inevitabley and deservedly took the title when his K-J vs. T-9s Flopped a Jack, Turned a King, avoided a Rivered Queen and earned him a cool £18,000 for a commanding victory.
Ali went home with £12,000, but the day belonged to Tony Phillips, a dealer/player at the Gutshot with plenty of fans on the rail. His aggressive, unrelenting style was avid throughout and he rarely looked like faltering.
Well done to Tony, but a big thumbs up to the Gutshot who proved that you don’t need to spend thousands to play a high quality No Limit Hold’Em Freezeout. Let’s hope they’re still around next year to repeat what truly is one of Europe’s finest events.