2007 WSOP Event #30 – Hoyt Corkins Wins $2,500 Six-Handed No-Limit Hold’em

Hoyt Corkins is one of the most recognizable players on the tournament circuit, courtesy of his trademark black shirt, black cowboy hat, and quiet, respectful demeanor at the table.  Yet, despite many, many strong finishes in major events, he had only won one World Series of Poker bracelet, and that was back in 1992.  He finally came through in 2007, however, winning the $2,500 six-handed no-limit hold’em event in dominant fashion. 

He was rarely without the chip lead after Day 1, and was the big stack for the entire duration of the final table.  Alan Sass began the final table close to Corkins in chips, but Corkins took over $700,000 in chips from him on the eleventh hand of the final table, leaving no doubt as to who was going to win.  After that hand, Corkins had as many chips as the other four competitors (James Pittman was already gone) combined. 

Corkins did hit a small bump in the road on hands 44 and 45, doubling-up both Sass and Terrence Chan, but he had so many chips that it was like being bitten by a mosquito.  Sure, it’s irritating, but the itching eventually subsides and it’s only a matter of time before you squash the annoying bug. 

Corkins cruised into the heads-up match with Chan, and while Chan put up a good fight, he never even got to within a million chips of the champ.  Ok, Corkins did have to come from behind on the final hand, but nobody is perfect. 

Final Table Standings  

1. Hoyt Corkins -- $515,065
2. Terrence Chan -- $287,345
3. William Lin -- $196,758
4. Alan Sass -- $132,471
5. Kelly Van de Mheen -- $96,431
6. James Pittman -- $63,118