Jeff Madsen, a 21 year old film production student is fast becoming
one of the legends of the World Series of Poker, with wins totaling
$1.4 million and the record of the youngest player ever to win not
just one WSOP bracelet, but two!
Having carried off a bracelet and $660 948 earlier in the tournament
at event 22, and fought his way through 507 other players this week,
Madsen took on top players at a final table in event number 30, the
$5000 Short Handed (six player) No-Limit Hold 'Em tournament.
The five other men who faced Madsen promised a highly competitive
match for the first prize of $643 381:
Seat 1: California poker pro Tony Woods with a stack of 354K
Seat 2: England's Jonathan Gaskell, chip leader at 727K
Seat 3: Making his second 2006 final table appearance "Captain"
Tom Franklin, 365K
Seat 4: Noted professional poker player and Team Full Tilt member
Erick Lindgren, 448K
Seat 5: Another British poker player in Paul Foltyon, 438K
Seat 6: Youngest ever bracelet winner Jeff Madsen, short stacked at
201K
Madsen was not the only youngster at the table, being only a day younger
than the UK's Jon Gaskell. Along with Foltyon and Lindgren, the table
had a decidedly "youth league" look, so much so that Tom
"Captain" Franklin joked that he felt as if he was playing
against his sons, an amusing aside much appreciated by the spectators.
The first fifty or so hands passed without incident, but late in the
second level of the day, with the blinds at 8K - 16K with a 2K ante,
Brit Paul Foltyon was the first to be eliminated in an exchange with
countryman Gaskell and collected his $83 402 pay packet. In subsequent
plays Lindgren built up momentum and chips, pretty much dominating
the game, eventually giving Gaskell his marching orders and $119 145
fifth place payday at hand 83.
Some twenty hands later, Lindgren eliminated the next player when
he caught Woods out and sent him packing with the fourth place consolation
of $150 123.
"Captain" Franklin was next to go, pocketing $214 461 in
third place on hand 110. The elder statesman of the table had battled
along with the 30 year old Lindgren and the 21 year old Madsen playing
aggressively but couldn't gain on them. For the disappointed pro it
was his second final table at this year's World Series to end in third
place.
The remaining heads up confrontation saw Lindgren at a significant
chip advantage (1.6 million) over the youthful Madsen (900 000)
By hand 159 the two determined players were still going at it hammer
and tongs, with the chip lead fluid, but 12 hands later, at number
171 the moment of truth had arrived when Lindgren raised from the
button to 65K and was called by Madsen. The Q-K-2d flop brought a
bet from the younger player that would put Lindgren all in if he called
and, after going into the tank for some time, he decided it was time
to make his move and called. Lindgren had missed the board but had
a draw with an A-J of diamonds; Madsen, meanwhile, had hit the board
once again with his Q-9. The five of diamonds provided some more excitement
for the gallery surrounding the final table but the blank three on
the river ended the tournament with a new double bracelet winner at
this year's World Series with the crowning of newcomer Jeff Madsen
as champion.
The young man has harvested $1.4 million on his three final tables
at this WSOP, and has also positioned himself as a serious contender
in the 2006 WSOP Player of the Year race.