PartyPoker World Open IV: Channing Runner-Up
badbeat pockets another 100k...
By Simon Hopper 7th May 2008
Neil Channing fought through a world-class 72 runner field to finish second in the PartyPoker World Open last weekend.
The $8,000 buy-in event, eventually won by Marty Smith, featured a strong final table that included Manchester GUKPT winner Marc Goodwin, Andy “The Spider” Ward, Dixie Dean and Ryan Fronda.
On-fire Channing motored into a chip lead late in the day when he limped in the SB with 10 5 and Goodwin checked K5 in the BB. The board came 10 10 10 (!) which was checked, the turn bringing a K and making Mr.Cool a full house. All the money went into the middle and Neil’s flopped quads took down a massive pot.
The table whittled away until just Smith (with 405,000) stood in the way of another major title for Channing (with 995,000).
But Smith, the 2007 Irish Open Champion, fought back against the ’08 Champ to draw level. The Irishman continued to grind until badbeat limped with 99, Smith came over the top with QQ and Neil pushed all-in. Insta-call from Smith and a board of no help ended the tournament.
PV’s Channing said: “I believed during the final table that if I didn’t win this I would be disappointed and I am. That said, it would have been a bit ridiculous if I managed to take down this title as well…”
Still, a $100,000 pay-day may help him get over his disappointment.
The tournament also featured names such as Mike Sexton, Dave Ulliott, Juha Helppi, Jon Kalmar, Thomas Bihl, Surinder Sunar and John Tabatabai.
After taking down the Irish Open and leading Great Britain to victory in the Nations Cup already in 2008, the ‘badbeat’ tag surely won’t last much longer…
07/05/08
Neil Channing at the Irish Open 2008, picture courtesy of Blonde Poker