An Observation

In 2008, Peter Eastgate from Odense, Denmark beat Ivan Demidov from Moscow, Russia heads-up to win the World Series of Poker's Main Event. Peter, born 12/13/1985 is one week younger than I am and won almost $9 million.

In the final hand, with the blinds at 500K/1M, Peter had a huge chip lead with over 120 million in chips. He limped in on the button with A-5 offsuit and Ivan checked with his 2-4 of hearts. Peter seemed a bit nervous but never gave off any sign of weakness. Ivan looked calm but with only 16 million I'd bet you his heart was thumping like crazy when the flop came down 2-K-3 with only one heart. With bottom pair and a back door flush draw, Ivan checked to Peter, who was watching him closely. Peter, with only a belly buster straight draw bet 1.25 million, almost a pitiful 1% of his stack but a devastating 9% for Ivan. After a very pregnant pause, Ivan calls, with only 14 million behind him and 4.8 million in the pot. The turn that rewrote record books was the 4 of clubs, giving Peter a straight and Ivan two pair. Peter's eyes dart around to the flop, Ivan, the dealer and then back to Ivan as the Russian checked to him. To bet or to check? What to do? Peter's face gives nothing away as he bets 2 million. Ivan stares blankly ahead, contemplating his response. If Peter has a pair of Kings, then Ivan has the best hand. I believe that was his thought process as he check-raised Peter to 6 million, a healthy 42% of his remaining stack, leaving him with 8 million behind. He is pot comitted and cannot fold now. Peter flat calls the raise, going to the river which will be meaningless unless it is a 2 or a 4, giving Ivan a full house. Instead it is a 7 and Peter has the best hand. Ivan has one last move if he hopes to win this pot and after a lengthy pause he says "Allright, I'm all in." Turning his head sideways slightly as if he expects a hard punch to the face. Peter quickly says "Call." and won the greatest prize in poker.

While this last hand was exciting to watch I noticed something odd about something Peter did when the hands were flipped over and the dealer pushed up the winning hand. Before the crowd exploded and Peter turned to embrace his friends, Peter stacked a few chips on top of his chip towers. Many Main Events were won after someone has pushed all-in either pre-flop or on the flop, so both parties are standing and sweating the last few cards. But Peter, after winning almost $9 million calmly restacked his chips before he was engulfed by his friends. It was a mannerism that struck me as odd at first but I come to realize that it explains a lot. Peter won the Main Event because he was calm, cool and collected. Every play he made was made after serious internal deliberation and every move was strategic and methodical. Peter Eastgate truly earned his bracelet, using his intelligence and his intuition to beat over 6500 other entrants. Some might only see a young man who won $9 million but I see a poker pro who has made his big score and is only destined for greater things.