Luck of the Draw Wins $625,000
Johnny Chan of Houston drew to a pair of nines on the last card Thursday to beat fellow Texan Frank Henderson and win the $625,000 first prize in the 18th annual World Series of Poker.
Chan’s nines topped a pair of fours for Henderson, who had put in all of his $300,000 in chips in the showdown hand that climaxed the four-day unlimited Hold ‘Em event at Binion’s Horseshoe Club.
“It feels like a miracle,” said Chan, 29, who outlasted 151 other poker professionals for the win.
Henderson put in all of his chips several times and won hands before losing the deciding hand.
In the final hand, Chan held an ace and nine of clubs while Henderson had a pair of fours. The first four common cards turned over did neither player any good and it was down to the final card.
Chan needed either an ace or a nine on the final card turned over by the dealer to win--and he got the nine.
“I had him until the last card,” said Henderson, who won $250,000 for second place.
More to Read
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
