Cantu Picks Up His First WSOP Bracelet for this 2009 Series

Gambling News - June 29, 2009 - Written by Bonnie

After three long exhausting days of play, including 8 hours at the final table, event 48 of the 2009 WSOP has a new champion by the name of Brandon Cantu. The Pot Limit Omaha Hi/Lo 8 or Better tournament brought out over 761 players with a low buy in of $1,500. Among those players were some of the well known poker names such as Allen Cunningham, Roland De Wolfe, Kathy Liebert and Phil Watkinson. In the final stages of the tournament, it was Lee Watkinson and Brandon Cantu that would go the final round in the heads up match.

Mid way through day two of the event, Cantu managed to gain chip lead posistion and hold it throughout the day. Starting the final table would put a different spin on things as Cantu surrendered his chip lead, at one point to both Jacqmin and Watkinson. Jacqmin would not stick around long to enjoy it as Watkinson would send him packing leaving the final go round for himself and Cantu. Cantu continued the match with what got to be up to a 6-1 disadvantage, but Cantu still was holding on by a string. Cantu would eventually have the cards land in his favor as he aggressively climbed his was back in to the chip leader position. Only one more time would that position be in jeopardy to Watkinson, but Cantu seems to find a way to push Watkinson back down to size. The final play of the game awarded Watkinson the second position as he was sent packing with Cantu's trip fours.

Cantu showed amazing determination in this tournament and it can be said that he displayed one of the most exciting come backs we have seen in quite some time. Cantu collected his first WSOP gold bracelet of the series, making it his second career bracelet. His efforts in this tournament not only got him the title, but he also collects a nice pay check in the amount of $230,000. Not bad for a couple days work at a game he has proved to be a master at.