
2007-05-25 17:31:56
New Yorker Phil Gordon saw his huge chip lead fall away in the Bayou Poker Challenge as New York resident Lou Esposito claimed the $516,000 prize for first place.
Gordon had held a chip lead of 1,167,000 at the end of play on Day two, but was eventually eliminated in fourth position, missing out on the chance to secure a $10,000 seat at this year's World Series of Poker (WSOP) in the process.
Gordon was knocked out by Clint Schafer, who then went head to head with Esposito in a gruelling final encounter.
The six-hour long battle saw the lead seesaw between the two players, before Schafer eventually lost out. But a check worth over $266,000 should ensure that he remains happy with his week's work.
Earlier in the week a 57-year-old wheat farmer secured an unlikely triumph when he won a $500 buy-in side event at the New Orleans tournament.
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