No flood can keep a good casino down. The waters of the Ohio River have subsided and the Horseshoe Southern Indiana is back in action. As you enter the property, things look like business as usual.
But inside the casino is a different story. Painters and construction workers have been tirelessly repairing the flood damage sustained during April’s flooding.
The water reached around three feet at the base of the escalators leading to the casino entrance.
One of the security staff pointed out that a door had been left open and a beaver was found swimming in the corridor. No word on whether it was a Total Rewards cardholder.
Water aside, poker was the order of the day as the final table of the Horseshoe Poker Classic was held May 22. The 132-player field was whittled to 14 players who convened in the World Series of Poker-themed poker room to vie for a first-place prize of $25,000.
The event paid 13 spots, but a deal was brokered so that 14th place would win money as well. After that it took only an hour to bring the final table to nine.
Ben Hunt of Bloomington, Ind., who finished eighth, is a journalism student who found his way to the final table with a little luck.
“On Saturday I satellited in,” Hunt said. “I busted in the noon tournament with a two-outer, queens vs. 10-7. It was sick.”
After drowning his sorrows, Hunt found his way into that evening’s 7 p.m. satellite and eventually earning a seat in the main event.
“(I) just grinded all day. I had no chips the entire time, but made my way to the final table. I was pretty lucky.”
Going into the final four, it was chipleader Thomas Luce, followed by Terry Jacobs of Pine Top, Ky., in second, Neal Harding of Florida in third and Delmos Moore on the short stack.
Harding, who had played strong most of the afternoon, finished fourth, followed by Moore. In the end it was Luce defeating Jacobs, earning $24,230 and a seat to the World Series of Poker Main Event.
— Don Lawson is the Ante Up Ambassador for Kentuckiana. He’s a part-time journalist and avid poker player. He can be reached at anteupdon@gmail.com.
Horsehoe Poker Classic
Horseshoe Southern Indiana
May 14-22
Event 1 • $180 NLHE
Players: 212 • Prize Pool: $48,500
1. Howard Bass, Louisville, $8,003
2. Carl Martin, Shepherdsville, KY, $4,870
3. David Hayes, Evansville, IN, $4,870
4. Irving Franklin, Louisville, $4,870
5. John Armstrong, B. Green, KY, $4,870
6. Mark Bell, Louisville, $4,870
7. Kevin Craft, Louisville, $4,870
8. Steven Napper, Fairdale, KY, $1,697
9. Paul Johnson, Louisville, $1,212
Event 2 • $200 NLHE
Players: 169 • $31,286
1. Kenneth Ware, Georgetown, KY, $3,452
2. Gary Dunn, Lexington, KY, $3,452
3. Duane Schade, Louisville, $3,452
4. Jonathan Cary, Frankfort, KY, $3,452
5. John Utley, Morganfield, KY, $3,452
6. Christopher Holmes, Paris, KY, $3,452
7. Bryan Hughes, Louisville, $3,452
8. Samuel Morris, Clarkson, KY, $1,110
9. Danny Bailey, Louisville, $1,079
Event 3 • $135 NLHE
Players: 132 • Prize Pool: $15,785
1. David Cupps, Bedford, IN, $5,209
2. William Coyle, Indianapolis, $2,604
3. Frank Shaw, Jeffersonville, IN, $1,381
4. M. Radmanesh, Somerset, KY, $1,104
5. Patricia Till, Avon, IN, $789
6. Danny Flynn, Bedford, IN, $749
7. Shannon Shepherd, Grnwd., IN, $710
8. James Boice, Springfield, TN, $670
9. Chris Weaver, Louisville, $631
Event 4 • $135 NLHE
Players: 73 • Prize Pool: $8,059
1. James Helton, Austin, IN, $3,062
2. Matt Chinn, Jeffersonville, IN, $1,531
3. Lowell Lowry, Scottsburg, IN, $1,128
4. Barry Morrow, Lagrange, KY, $805
5. Randell Harrod, Nashville, $644
6. Gary Holland, Lexington, KY, $483
7. Erika Leary, Indianapolis, $402
Event 5 • $135 NLHE
Players: 212 • Prize Pool: $26,261
1. Michael Wolfe, Indianapolis, $8,666
2. Ryan Johnson, Whiteland, IN, $4,201
3. Kevin Thornsberry, Mt. Wash., KY, $2,100
4. Ervin Tormos, Loveland, OH, $1,510
5. Bruce Thompson, Indianapolis, $1,378
6. Thomas Hester, Louisville, $1,247
7. Charles Martin, Clarksville, IN, $1,050
8. Benjamin Hunt, Bloomington, IN, $919
9. Janet Milakis, Indianapolis, $656
Event 6 • $135 NLHE
Players: 42 • Prize Pool: $5,000
1. Leon Harris, Louisville, $1,500
2. Charles Capozolo, L’burg, IN, $1,166
3. Kyle Hinnerichs, Percy, IL, $1,166
4. Cheryl Denzik, LaGrange, KY, $1,166
Event 7 • $135 NLHE
Players: 40 • Prize Pool: $3,738
1. John Wooldridge, $1,269
2. Allen Kron, $1,269
3. Jerry Cornett, $300
4. Patricia Till, $300
5. Andrew Murray, $300
6. Thomas Luce, $300
Event 8 • $200 NLHE
Players: 34 • Prize Pool: $5,096
1. Jason Epley, Louisville, $1,950
2. Mary Lemmons, Evansville, IN, $1,048
3. Brian Miller, Fairdale, KY, $1,048
4. John Utley, Morganfield, KY, $1,048
Event 9 • $200 NLHE
Players: 143 • Prize Pool: $26,242
1. Darwin Holsapple, Monroe, TN, $8,659
2. Peter Moossy, Georgetown, KY, $4,329
3. Brian McKain, Scottsburg, IN, $2,230
4. Paul Johnson, Louisville, $1,705
5. Carl Moles, Church Hill, TN, $1,312
6. Barry Thompson, Zionsville, IN, $1,220
7. Timothy Garrett, Louisville, $1,089
8. Daniel Bell, Lagrange, KY, $1,036
9. Ricky Stinson, Henderson, KY, $1,010
$700 Main Event
Players: $132 • Prize Pool: $89,628
1. Thomas Luce, Tipton IN, $25,000
2. Terry Jacobs, Pine Top, KY, $19,365
3. Delmos Moore, Freedom IN, $7,842
4. Neal Harding, Miramar Bch., FL, $6,273
5. Randall Cox, Springfield, KY, $4,481
6. Matt Chinn, Jeffersonville, IN, $4,257
7. Kenton New, Cincinnati, $4,033
8. Ben Hunt, Bloomington, IN, $3,809
9. Ron Stewart, Bloomington, IN, $3,585
