Black Belt Blog: Warren Wooldridge Finishes Third in Event #54

At 12pm on July 2, Warren Wooldridge activated his stopwatch in order to keep track of the blind levels amid the vastness of the Pavilion Room. It wasn't until 105 hours later that he realised he'd left it running, by which point he was $288,946 richer having finished third in his final bracelet event before the Main Event.

The tournament was Event 54's $1,000 No Limit Hold'em Freezeout, and Warren had managed to evade the continual landmines of a 4,756-thick field to reach the final table, his second to date after he finished third in a $1,500 Limit Event back in 2006. This year, Warren had endured a torrid run of bad luck, but it all came together in this event as he found himself within touching distance of bracelet-gold.

Heading into the final, he lay sixth in chips with 1,030,000, after starting the previous day with just 15 big blinds. Standing in the way of a fourth sounding of 'God Save the Queen' was a tough lineup that included Russian pro Maxim Lykov and respected online player Harald Olsen of Norway. Lykov had been chip leader for most of Day 3, and indeed carried that honour over into the final table with 3,875,000.

After the final table introductions revealed Warren's true age - "44-year old Black Belt Poker CEO" - the starting whistle sounded and cards were dealt. Apart from an uncontested three-bet and a small pot where he defended to a raise in the big blind, Warren kept a relatively low profile early doors, and watched contently as the rest of the table eliminated each other. Before he knew it there were seven left with a guaranteed payday of $90,604.

Warren, however, would soon be in the thick of the action himself. With the departures of Douglas Mackinnon and Stanislav Alekhin bringing us to five-handed play, the action folded around to Warren in the cut-off who moved all in for just under 20 big blinds with pocket jacks. Lykov called in the big blind with Ac-6c, but failed to improve on a king-high board to award Warren a much-needed double-up.

Soon after, Warren turned assassin himself when Olsen open-shoved the small blind with Qd-9h. Warren made the call from the big blind As-Jc, and proceeded to survive a a Tc-3d-7s-Td-5d board to bring us to four. A few hands later, Lykov caught Ren Ho Zhang bluffing a river with ten-high and we were left with three.

After a couple of levels of back and forth action (which also included a double-up for Dror Michaelo), Warren played his final hand of the tournament, getting it all in with Ac-Jd against the Ad-9d of Lykov. The 9h-7h-Td flop put the Russian in front, and despite roars for an eight, the 6d turn and 2s river were both blanks and Warren was out.

"I'm gutted that I didn't win the bracelet having come so close," he commented in the aftermath. "I ran good, but that final hand really hurt as it would have put me in a great position. However, I'm pleased with how I played, and will likely feel better in the morning - third place is still a great achievement and the money will certainly come in handy. I've always come to Vegas with my dad, but it was tricky this year as I was doing work for Black Belt Poker. This one was for him."

A Blue Belt on Black Belt Poker, Warren performed incredibly throughout the four days, showing the patience of a chess master and a never-say-die attitude that would make Rocky look like a wimp. If his luck could have held one more time, he would have possessed half the chips in play and be playing heads-up for the bracelet. As it happens, it was Maxim Lykov who became the recipient of the camera's flash, capturing the coveted jewellery and the $648,880 first prize.

Warren was well supported throughout, with the rail boasting the entire Black Belt Poker team including Neil Channing, Richard Ashby and Nik Persaud. His arms were folded when the board was dealt, and he left with his head bowed, but come a good night's sleep, the $288,946 he'll be taking back across the Atlantic will undoubtedly offer a comforting and consolatory cushion.

Besides, $2,752 an hour isn't too bad a rate.

1st Maxim Lykov -- $648,880
2nd Dror Michaelo -- $401,296
3rd Warren Wooldridge -- $288,946
4th Ren Ho Zhang -- $213,539
5th Harald Olsen -- $159,134
6th Stanislav Alehkin -- $119,598
7th Douglas Mackinnon -- $90,604
8th Joshua Evans -- $69,230
9th Sebastien Roy -- $53,333

See our Vegas page for all the news, articles, pictures and live updates, including coverage of the team in the upcoming $10,000 Main Event.