6/7/10 – Internet high stakes player Tom ‘durrr’ Dwan has missed out on his latest attempt to win a World Series of Poker 2010 victor’s bracelet, finishing the $1 500 buy-in NLHE competition as runner up to New Zealand software designer turned poker hero Simon Watt.
Mike Matusow confirmed strong rumours that Dwan stood to win millions in a series of high value prop bets with leading players had he won the event. Marching into a post-game news interview with the triumphant young New Zealander, ‘The Mouth” asked Watt: "How does it feel to be every high stakes gambler's hero?"
With plenty of other event opportunities to make good his bracelet boast, Dwan did not seem too discomfited by his runner-up status, and the second placing $381,885 paycheck.
It is believed that as much as $8 to $10 million in bets could be riding on Dwan’s ability to win a bracelet; Dwan reportedly offered 3.25 to 1 odds with a minimum bet of $5,000 that he'd win a bracelet, and rumour has it that Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu, Howard Lederer, Eli Elezra and Mike Matusow are all holding a piece of this action.
But the day belonged to the young New Zealand player who managed to beat Dwan convincingly.
"It was amazing to play in this atmosphere and playing durrrr heads up for the title? It doesn't get any better than that," a grinning Watt told reporters. "My parents were not too keen on me playing poker, especially my mum, so hopefully this will help," said Watt, who bested a field of 2 563 to win and takes home $614 248….and the thanks of a slew of pros who were holding their collective breath as Dwan came within touching distance of the main prize.
The Watt vs. Dwan heads up saw the New Zealander holding a significant chip lead at 8,560,000 against Dwan’s 2,985,000 after third placed David Randall was eliminated.