Event 6: Runner-Up - Skinner

$1000 + 90 No Limit Hold'em

Troy Skinner (Safford, AZ)

$26,728

With both players holding over 100 BB each beginning heads up play, this looked like a heads up match that could go deep into the night.  It was only three hands into the heads-up play before we would be crowning a champion.  With blinds at 6k/12k/2k Troy was first to act on the button and raised to 30k.  Matranca called from the big blind and we went to a flop of Kh Kc 8c.  Matranca checked-called Skinner's 40k bet on the flop, and the turn came out the 3d.  The players went check-check, and it was to the all important river, which brought the 4c.  Seemingly from left field Matranca shipped all in and was called by Skinner.  Skinner table As 5s, and Matranca thought he had lost the hand at first thought.  Martin had Ac 7h, and the kicker would play giving him the win, and the $48,595 first place.