Poker amateur Rodel Tuazon from Iowa has emerged $1 Million richer following his winner-takes-all triumph in the Mansion Poker Dome Challenge.
Tuazon outlasted five tough competitors in the battle for the Mansion Poker Dome's first prize, proving himself the best man on the day in the most innovative and sophisticated twist on televised Texas Hold'em yet.
Less than 24-hours after taking down the pot of his life, Tuazon, a 40 year old mortgage clerk from downtown Des Moines, swapped his previous day's 'best man' role for that of 'groom'. Tuazon made his second 'winning hand' in as many days, walking fiancée Manisone Douglas down the aisle -- a fitting finale to a perfect Vegas weekend for Poker's newest millionaire.
On Saturday March 17, when the six final qualifiers entered the Poker Dome, "part game show, part gladiators arena", they knew the drill well, having already waded their way through two previous six-handed qualifying rounds to make the cut. This time around, the players were painfully aware that the all-ins and fold-em decisions would be better, the competition generally tougher, and the atmosphere more intense.
Almost a year in the making, a one-in-six shot at the $1,000,000 prize, and the spotlight game of Mansion Speed Poker affording players a mere 15 seconds to act, the series always promised an edge-of-your seat climax, and it didn't disappoint. For the players, the stakes were high and heart-rates soared accordingly.
The field consisted of two pro players:
• 28 year-old Rob Sherwood from Manchester in the U.K.
• 58 year-old Dennis Waterman from Sedona, Arizona
and four amateurs, including Tuazon and three other 'regular guys'
of varying experience:
• 35 year-old Andrew Rogers from Montgomery, Minnesota - Poker
tournament host
• 36 year-old Jerry Schrader from Woodbridge, Virginia - Locksmith
• 29 year-old Ben Ludwig from Collegeville, Pennsylvania - Investment
broker
Schrader's hopes were dashed early in the piece. On a Flop of 9s-Ad-Ks, Schrader made his move with Ah-6h, but Waterman had him trapped with As-Jc. No luck came on the turn or the river, and Schrader knew he would be back at work on Monday.
Waterman dominated play for much of the day, also taking out fifth placed Rogers, while also significantly crippling Ludwig's chipstack before fellow pro player Sherwood finished the job for him.
Down to three-handed play and the well-credentialed pro Waterman was calling all the shots. Sherwood, the only non-U.S. player to reach the final, had done a fine job of playing short stacked for much of the event, but was eventually eliminated on hand 121 when his Qd-6d ran into Tuazon's Ad-6h.
Heads-up saw amateur Tuazon skillfully rise to the challenge, teaching a few new tricks to eventual runner-up Waterman, whose 20 year Poker career had him enter the field as clear odds on favorite.
The million-dollar question of just who would be crowned Mansion Poker's king of the cards was about to be answered.
In a fabulous David and Goliath turn of fate, Tuazon, who got hooked on Poker less than three years ago, showed his strength when it counted. Waterman had him out chipped 198,000 to 102,000, but after a few hands, Tuazon had managed to scrape up the chip lead, edging ahead with 153,000 versus 147,000.
On the final hand, Waterman opened the betting with a raise, and Tuazon looked down, and found 9h-9c. Tuazon re-raised all in, and Waterman had a tough decision. Waterman took his maximum time, but ultimately decided to call with 10s- 7s. The flop held a 9. Tuazon had flopped a set. The flop also held a Jack, meaning Waterman actually had live outs for the win (any 8). The turn was a six, and the river was a four and we had our winner.
After a titanic struggle, the 40 year-old Tuazon was crowned the Mansion Poker Dome Champion, pocketing the winner-takes-all $1,000,000 purse, and watched by a prime time national audience across the United States on a leading regional sports network.