Hansen storms to victory in London All Star Challenge

‘I beat out some really tough players and it feels good. I can’t help but think I won the first WPT and now I’ve won the first European Poker Masters. So it feels good.’

Gus Hansen, Full Tilt

Fifty London hosted the inaugural event of the European Poker Masters, The Full Tilt London All Star Challenge. Extravagant chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows set the scene for what became an unforgettable tournament.

The prestigious venue was a fitting location as the poker worlds elite came to play for the illustrious title of London All Star Challenge Champion. With over 30 WSOP bracelets between them, the players took their seats in what has been considered the best line up in European Poker History. Phil Ivey, Chris Ferguson, Jennifer Harman, Tony G, John Juanda and Eric Seidel were among the players vying for a place at the final table.

‘It was a challenge. It was a very tough game with a lot of great players’

                                   Barny Boatman, Hendon Mob

The opening day took some big name casualties including Full Tilt pros Mike Matusow, Allen Cunningham and the 2006 WSOP PL Hold’em Champion, John Gale. As time went on nerves grew as players began to edge nearer to the prize money. Ex-England and West Ham striker, Teddy Sheringham finishing an impressive 12^th in what was an incredibly tough field that included arguable the most feared player in the world, Phil Ivey.

Finally after 12 hours the All Star line up was whittled down to the final 8, Peter Gould getting knocked out on the bubble by fellow Englishman Marc Goodwin. The man from Birmingham took his seat at the final table as chip leader, little consolation as he sat down in between Phil Ivey and Gus Hansen. 5 time WSOP bracelet winner to his right and a 4 time WPT title holder to his left. Action was tight as players took their time to ease into the game, no one wanting to be the first out the door.

Having breezed into the final table, Phil Ivey never looked in danger of an early exit. However, after being re-raised All In by Gus Hansen’s A 10 suited Ivey was left short stacked and shortly after decided to make a stand with his Q 10 off suit. His Danish rival called with Q 8. Ivey went into the flop 75% favourite and appeared destined to double up until the flop revealed an 8, leaving the young champion in 7^th position. 

The hand of the tournament came during the gripping heads-up battle between Marc Goodwin and Gus Hansen. Goodwin raised pre flop from the big blind with A 8, only to be called by Hansen’s 5 4 of diamonds (small suited connectors being his trade mark hand). The flop came down 5 5 8, trips versus two pair. Both players heart rates slowed down, both believing they had the better hand. Goodwin checked, trying to set a trap for the Dane who, knowing he was ahead casually tapped the felt. Fourth Street revealed a second 8, giving both players a full house. Commentators James Hartigan and Chris ‘Jesus’ Ferguson saw a disaster unfolding before them and quickly quoted ‘All the chips are going in here’.

Not a single sign of emotion came across either player as they checked to the river, an irrelevant 4. After a few seconds of silence Marc reached out and placed $40,000 over the line, only to be re-raised another $60,000. After a brief moment of quiet reflection, Marc announced ‘All In’, a move which surprised no one but the Great Dane himself. Hansen sat back in his chair, sipped some water and played out the hand over and over in his head, occasionally muttering something inaudible to himself. Could he really have the higher Full House? What are the odds? With the pot being $336,000 it seemed impossible for him to fold. But he did, a move that astounded everyone, including his opponent who later claimed it to be ‘the best play of the year’.

The four time WPT title holder showed us why he is considered one of the best players in the world today as he fought back from behind to take the title of the 2006 London All Star Champion and the £53,600 1^st prize. 

The final standings

1.       Gus Hansen £53,600

2.       Marc Goodwin £26,800

3.       Melissa Hayden £13,400

4.       Jeff Buffenbarger £10,720

5.       Willie Tann £9,380

6.       Nathan Lee £8,040

7.       Phil Ivey £6,700

8.       Charalambos Xanthos £5,360

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FullTiltPoker.com

'London All-Star Challenge'

9-11th September 2006

£2,000 NLHE Event