Team USA Wins World Cup of Poker

The United States contingent emerged victorious last week at the PokerStars World Cup of Poker IV at the Gran Casino in Barcelona, Spain.  The team of Greg Raymer, Randy Principe, Tyler Netter, Shaun Deeb and John Kenlan bested Iceland, Romania, and Canada at the final table to win $100,000 and the handsome crystal trophy. 

Eight teams made it to the finals in Barcelona, but only four made it to the final table.  With starting chip stacks of 25,000 and blinds at 50/100, there was a lot of play waiting for the competitors.  The World Cup of Poker is a team event, in which one player from each team plays at a time.  Substitutions can be made after every hour, and at least three substitutions are required.  At least four of the five team members must play.   

Not much happened during the first level, after which the initial substitutions were made.  Team USA started struggling in level two, however, as team captain Tyler Netter was forced to make tough laydown after tough laydown when his opponents hit strong hands.  Within the hour, Netter found himself as the short stack, needing to make a move.   

Cristian Dragomir of Romania raised pre-flop and Netter pushed all-in with Q-J.  Dragomir made a great call, having Netter dominated with Ks-Qs.  The flop was 9-5-2 and it looked like the U.S. would be the first team to hit the rail.  The 8s hit the turn, which did give Netter a gut-shot straight draw, but it also put two spades on the board, giving Dragomir a flush draw.  The U.S. had five outs.  But, considering you know who won the tournament, it is pretty obvious that one of those outs, the 10 of clubs, completed Netter’s straight on the river, doubling him up. 

Subs came in after that, including Greg Raymer for the States.  Dragomir was the one player who did not tag out.  It was a good thing he didn’t, too, as he won a big pot off of Iceland’s Halldor Sverrisson, putting that country on the ropes.   

At the next level, substitutions were made once again made, with the two notables being Daniel Negreanu for Canada and top internet pro Shaun Deeb for the U.S.  Like Iceland, Canada was scuffling, but their big star could not dig them out of the hole.  In Team Canada’s fateful hand, Deeb raised pre-flop with K-J, and was followed by an all-in from Negreanu with 7-7.  Deeb called and the raise was on.  And…it was pretty much over on the flop when Deeb hit a King to make the best pair. 

Deeb busted Iceland, as well.  He put Andri Bjorgvin all-in, Deeb with Q-J, Bjorgvin with A-9.  A Queen on the flop “iced” it for Deeb and the U.S. went into heads-up play with Romania with a 3-to-1 chip advantage. 

The United States rode its hot hand, keeping Deeb in the game to square off with Cristian Rajala.  Rajala doubled-up once, but team member Cristian Tardea faltered.  Eventually, he had to go all-in with any two cards and did so with J-8.  Deeb called with A-Q, Tardea got no help from the dealer, and that was that. 

Said 2004 World Series of Poker champ, Greg Raymer, “It’s been a lot of fun. I love this kind of environment. It’s not all about the money; it’s about five guys sacrificing personal goals for the whole team. I’ve really enjoyed it.”