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A dominate Todd Witteles won Event #36 "Limit Hold'em" knocking out opponents left and right to take home bracelet and $347,385. Event #37 "No Limit Hold'Em with Rebuys" was won by Jon Heneghan taking home $611,015 in process. Event #38 was a super satellite tournament for seats to Main Event, so no prize pool or list of winners was produced. Event #39 "No Limit 2 to 7 Draw Lowball with Rebuys" had David Grey as champion who was heralded with $365,135. Event #40 was also a super satellite like #38 so there is nothing to report unfortunately. When it came time for raising money for charity, media and celebrities in Event #41 showed up at tables. Randy Bowman of media won $10,000 for Noblesville Boys and Girls Club.
Event #42 is WSOP Main Event, big tournament where millionaires are born. This year first place prize was $7,500,000 and every person who made final table became a millionaire guaranteed. 5,619 entrants competed in tournament making it largest in WSOP history. In fact it was so large that it had to be spread out over 9 days. 2004 champion Greg Raymer made it up to 25th place before elimination, receiving $304,680 for his efforts. But it was Joseph Hachem who became champion for this year, pocketing $7.5 million and a beautiful diamond bracelet that can only be earned by winning Main Event.
For those who were busted out of Main Event, they found additional tournaments for play in Events #43, #44 and #45 which were 1 day events. Ron Kirk beat out players like Erik Seidel and Marcel Luske to take home $321,520 for winning Event #43 "No Limit Hold'Em" tournament. Event #44 "No Limit Hold'Em" was won by John Pires who received $220,935 for his victory. And Event #45 "No Limit Hold'Em" winner was Willie Tann who happily received his bracelet and $188,335 for 1 day's work! Not bad at all.
Individuals came from across planet to play in this tournament series. New records were set for attendance, for money won in WSOP and probably number of headaches Harrah's had in setting up and running an event of this magnitude. But in end everyone from players, event champions, media and staff of Harrah's should be congratulated for creating something to be enjoyed and talked about for years to come.
Tom Howze is a webmaster for 9 sites that relate to 2005 World Series of Poker and World Poker Tour events, updates and information.