Hinkle Claims SHRO Title

Hinkle Claims SHRO Title

Thursday, 29 August 2013

Blair Hinkle finished the final table of the Seminole Hard Rock Open the same way he started it: on top. After entering the final six with the chip lead ahead of Justin Bonomo, Hinkle was able to maintain his advantage and finally dispatch his closest rival throughout, Bonomo, heads-up.

The day started as many as expected with Greg Lehn heading for the rail first. Having entered the finale with the shortest stack it took just 14 hands for the American grinder to put his life on the line with Kd Jd. Able to make the call was Bonomo with Ad Qs and after the six-high board offered no help for Lehn he was forced to exit the table to collect his $378,138 consolation prize.

As the match wore on it became the Bonomo and Hinkle show as the two players managed to swerve any tough spots and choose their moments to pounce as the field slowly whittled itself down.

Indeed, by the time just one player, Mukul Pahuja, stood in their way it took six hands for the match to move into its heads-up stage. Thanks to scooping Pahuja's chips Bonomo was able to close the gap on Hinkle and despite starting with a slight disadvantage he was able to battle his opponent for 167 hands.

During the extended heads-up encounter both Hinkle and Bonomo enjoyed the chip lead but when it finally mattered it was Hinkle who managed claim all the chips. With the board showing Qd 9s 5c Jc a check-raise all-in from Bonomo prompted a quick call from Hinkle holding Ks Th. At this point there was no way back for Bonomo and as he revealed his Qs 8c the inconsequential river simply delayed the handshake between the two players before the winner's trophy was passed to Blair Hinkle.

Seminole Hard Rock Open Positions and Payouts:
1st Blair Hinkle - $1,745,245
2nd Justin Bonomo - $1,163,500
3rd Mukul Pahuja - $872,625
4th Ray Qartomy - $639,925
5th Samuel Guilabert - $494,490
6th Greg Lehn - $378,138



Tags: Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open, Blair Hinkle, Justin Bonomo, Mukul Pahuja