World Poker Finals “Taken Over” by Nick Schulman

n what was a dominating performance Friday, Nick Schulman led the final television table wire-to-wire to win the 2005 World Poker Tour (WPT) World Poker Finals at the Foxwoods Resort and Casino Friday night. Schulman, a renowned internet player who goes by the screen name “Takeover,” met little resistance from the other five finalists on his way to the title and $2,142,000.

Schulman began the television table with more than twice the number of chips of his nearest competitor, Anthony Licastro. As a matter of fact, with $3,502,000 in chips, he had almost half the total chips on the table ($7,834,000). Throughout the 89 hands it took to crown him champion, Schulman had nary a challenge the entire night.

He didn’t get involved in much of the action for the first forty-five minutes, but when he did, did so in style, knocking out Lyle Berman in 5th place. Berman moved all-in with A-J, but Schulman cut him off with A-K.

Then, less than an hour later, Schulman came alive again with K-K when Allen Cunningham moved all-in with J-10. Cunningham was shown the rail in 4th place. At this point, Schulman had about $6,000,000 in chips, more than 75% of the total chips in the tournament. Unless he ran into very bad luck or donkeyed it up, Schulman was going to take the title.

It took about an hour and half for Schulman to claim his next victim, Bill Gazes. Once again, the victim moved all-in ahead of Schulman. It was pretty much assumed that when Schulman called, he had something, as he had been playing strong hands the entire final table. Sure enough, Gazes had K-8 and Schulman had A-Q. An Ace fell on the flop and Gazes was out in 3rd.

It only took four hands for Schulman to eliminate Tony Licastro and win the World Poker Finals Main Event. This time, the money didn’t get in before the flop. Schulman limped pre-flop and Licastro checked. On the As-Ks-8d flop, Schulman bet $120,000, Licastro raised to $300,000, and Schulman called. The turn was the 2s, which put a flush on the board. Both men immediately went all-in, Schulman with a 9s-6s and a flush, Licastro with 8h-2d and two pair. The 5s sealed Licastro’s fate and Schulman won the championship.

Originally published November 21, 2005