Tom Schneider Takes Home Number Two

Coming into the 2007 World Series of Poker, Tom Schneider was worried about being respected. That is once concern he will never have again. Schenider won his second WSOP bracelet of the year, making it the seventh year in a row that at least one player has won multiple bracelets. Bill Chen and Jeff Madsen each won two last year. Schneider defeated second-place finisher Hoyt Verner to take home the top prize of $147,713 from the $668,000 prize pool. The final nine players of the original 668 entered the final day of the $1,000 seven-card stud eight-or-better event as follows: Tom Schneider ($275,000), Miguel De La Cruz ($253,000) Scotty Nguyen ($203,000), Saundra Taylor ($202,000), Hoyt Verner ($129,000), Tommy Hang ($110,000) Woody Deck ($110,000), and Tony Ma ($60,000).

Players fell quickly, and the tournament was down to heads-up play in just three hours. The battle for the bracelet began with Verner holding a slight chip lead, with the count $670,000 to $620,000. Early in the match, Verner put some distance between himself and Schneider, but it was clear Schneider would not be denied. He played fearless aggressive poker, and in the end he eliminated Verner on this hand: Schneider had the bring-in with the 4 and Verner completed with the A. Schneider called and fourth street brought him the 2. Verner check-called with the Q. On fifth street Verner was dealt the 7 and he led out. Schneider raised with the K and Verner reraised, putting himself all in. Schneider made the call and tabled (K-2) 4 2 K while Verner showed (7-X) A Q 7. Neither player improved further, and that gave Schneider the pot and the tournament.

Hoyt Verner earned $82,064 for his second-place finish. The victory gives Schneider two bracelets in three 2007 final table appearances. He won his first bracelet in Omaha/$1,000 seven-card stud eight-or-better, taking home $214,247 in the process. He also took fourth in event No. 16, $2,500 H.O.R.S.E., for an additional $54,769. This victory will put Schneider in place to challenge for the WSOP player of the year award.