2007 WSOP Event 52 - No Limit Holdem w/Rebuys $1,000

  There is an old proverb that states if somebody is going to kill the King, they better get it right the first time. That is probably not the correct wording, but the sentiment comes through loud and clear: if you go for the throat, make sure you don't miss. If you leave your opponent still kicking, he may kick you someplace you sensitive. In the world of poker Michael Graves probably doesn't rate as a King. Before winning his first bracelet at Event 52 he probably would have rated no higher than a vassal, maybe a squire on a good day. With his bracelet few would argue that he now qualifies as a knight in the sport. Had Theo Tran not missed an opportunity to assassinate the hopes Graves had for a championship, Michael would still be one of the countless wannabes that populate the sport.  At the start of heads up play Theo Tran had a stack of chips that was a little better than half the size of the one that was in front of Michael Graves.  Early play favored Tran who started cutting into the lead that Graves had. In the first couple hands Theo had managed to take over 400,000 disks from his opponent. As the momentum was swinging in his direction, Tran was given the opportunity to double up through his floundering opponent.  In a pot where Tran was all in both players had managed a pair of fives, with the better kicker belonging to Theo. The fickle nature of a deck ended Theo Tran's hopes of taking the chip lead. The turn and river were not helpful and negated his superior kicker. The pot was chopped up between the two, and Graves maintained his chip lead.  Theo Tran was eliminated on the next hand and Michael Graves walked away with the bracelet in this Holdem event. Long live the King of Event 52.PlacePlayerPrize1Michael Graves$742,1212Theo Tran$387,1933Shawn Luman$224,2494Shawn Hattem$161,3305Chad Batista$129,0646Kris Tate$112,9317Issac Haxton$96,7988Arnold Spee$80,6659Thierry Cazals$72,599