All Hail King David

Team Bodog led by David Williams plunges into the money at the WSOP

July 11, 2006

By Bodog Nation Contributing Writers

As evidenced by the photo of David Williams at the winning table of the Seven-Card Stud event the action at this year's WSOP is intense. Team Bodog is not only doing a fantastic job with several players placing in the money in various preliminary events, but they're having a blast while they do it.

King David Wins Event No. 10

Team Bodog pro David Williams, the 26-year-old Texan who rocketed into stardom two years ago with his memorable runner-up finish at the 2004 World Series of Poker, has captured his first bracelet in poker's showcase event. Williams bested a field of 478 players to take the top prize in Event No. 10 of the 2006 World Series of Poker, the $1,500 Seven-Card Stud tournament. He earned $163,118 for the win.

“This is the greatest day of my life,” Williams said. “I came so close to winning a bracelet in 2004 in the Main Event, and I've been thinking about this moment ever since. It's even better than I expected.”

“David continues to prove he's one of the best poker players in the world, and I'm sure this is just the first of many more WSOP bracelets he'll win over his career," said Calvin Ayre, Bodog.com's Founder. “To have a title this early in this year's WSOP is exciting for all members of Team Bodog, and we're anticipating many more victories.”

On his way to victory, Williams faced a final table filled with some of poker's most decorated and seasoned tournament pros, including poker legend Johnny Chan, who was gunning for his 11th WSOP bracelet, and “Miami” John Cernuto, a three-time WSOP winner. Also among the final eight were Jack Duncan, a 2002 world champion in Pot Limit Omaha, and John Hoang, an experienced tournament ace.

Williams, though, quickly took command at the final table with aggressive play against the veterans, gaining the chip lead early and never looking back. He eventually found himself heads-up against Hoang for the title with a sizable chip advantage, and after a little more than two-and-a-half hours of heads-up play, Hoang was severely shortstacked and forced to go all-in on 5th street with an ace high. Williams, with just a pair of fours, called and the small pair proved to be all he needed for the win and career first bracelet.

Williams has now won a total of $3,670,823 in three WSOP appearances, earning him the distinction of being the youngest player on the World Series of Poker's “Top Ten” All-Time Money List. Williams ranks seventh on the list just behind poker greats Phil Hellmuth and T.J. Cloutier. Fellow Team Bodog member Josh Arieh, who has won two WSOP bracelets, is ninth on the list with $3,188,590 in earnings.

With his Seven-Card Stud win, numerous final table appearances in Texas Hold'em events and a first-place finish in H.O.R.S.E. this past May at the World Series of Poker Circuit in Las Vegas, Williams has established himself as one of the top all-around poker players in the world. In just the past two years, the Team Bodog phenom has earned more than $5 million in tournament winnings.

Michael Berra Cashes in Event No. 13

Berra (aka _TheFinisher_ on Bodog Poker) made it late into day two of the $2,000 No-Limit Holdem event.

Berra began day two with just $3450 in chips and was desperately looking to double up early. After only a couple hands in, he managed to get two callers on an all in push with AQ – a queen came down on the turn to give him top pair and the pot.

After taking a couple hits and sitting at around $20,000 Berra was dealt another AQ. Under the gun he pushed all-in and got a call from Mike Matusow who was holding AK. A king came on the flop like a kick in the minerals. With no help on the turn or river Berra was eliminated in 29th place. Surviving longer than a large majority of the 1290 that started the event gave him a $14,835 payout.

Team Bodog WSOP Qualifier wins $100K

Louise Francoeur (online name: PokerBabe) who scored a WSOP preliminary event seat through Bodog has now also won Bodog's weekly $100K Guranteed Tournament!

Originally from Montreal, Canada, Louise is no stranger to tournament poker. Having played poker for the past 10 years and tournament poker for two, Francouer’s first major tournament was the 2004 WPT Borgata Open, where she was seated at a table with poker pros Josh Arieh, Phil Ivey and Mike Matusow.

Louise placed in the money at the WPT PS Caribbean Adventure last January and came in 12th at the 2006 WPT Borgata Winter Open, which is where she earned the nickname, “Red Widow”. An experienced player, Louise feels her chances of winning a bracelet at the 2006 WSOP are good.

“I’m due,” Louise says. “I have always won my entries into these events and I’m definitely due.”

As the first woman to win the Bodog $100K Guaranteed Tournment, Louise has more than proven that she will be a force to be reckoned with at this year's WSOP.

PHOTO: David Williams stands up as he waits to find out that his pair of fours earned him his first WSOP bracelet. (Bodog Nation photo).