Poker Tournament Results

New England Poker Classic

Anthony Snyder

Tournament Report

Anthony 'The Greek Jr' Snyder topped a strong field in the $1000 No- Limit Hold'em event at the 2005 New England Poker Classic. Anthony, son of the late 'Jimmy the Greek,' scratched, from a short stack position, to victory over tough competition especially from the second and third place winners, Curt Kohlberg of Weston, CT, and Owen Crowe of Nova Scotia. His efforts were rewarded with a first place prize of $97,875. The game began at 2 PM and, after an hour of play, there were still 10 players left at the final table. John Zehr, West Hartford, CT, felt pretty confident when he called Owen's AJ all-in with pocket 9's. However, he found himself in tenth position when an A appeared on the river. Sal Accardi, Howard Beach, NY, found himself all-in at least four times before he called Tho Tong Tran's all-in. Sal had AK and Tho showed pocket 7's. When the board came 86223, Sal was left with $1000 in chips. With the blinds at $1500- $3000 with a $500 ante, Sal was soon out in ninth when his 9's lost to Tho's 10's. The next five players were gone in the next half hour. Cory Ward from Titusville, FL, was hoping his A9 would give him life but Jeff Albert's AQ was the winner. Niman Krenkre, Belmont, MA, was also pitted against Jeff who had pocket Q's; Niman had to settle for seventh position with 7's. Tho Tong Tran from Dracut, MA, had started the day as the short stack. His sixth place was a testament to his perseverance. However, when he ventured all-in with pocket 6's, he was confronted with Owen's pocket A's. This time around the A's won. Jeff Albert, Canton, MA, tried to sneak through with KQ but Owen called his all-in with his pocket 6's. The board of 874J5 gave Owen the straight and put Jeff into fifth position. John Pito from Wallingford, CT, thought his AJ would hold up against Curt's J10. A flop of 378 and a J on the turn gave him hope but, when a 9 came on the river, John took home $19,575. The three finalists struggled through two hours of play before the issue was finally decided. Owen had a sizable chip lead at one point, but his advantage slowly eroded and he found himself all-in with 103 versus Anthony's 46. After a 8910 flop, he felt pretty good but 4's on the turn and river relegated him to third position and winnings of $29,725. Curt, who credits his poker play to 'the world's greatest coach, Bob Ciaffone,' hung in gamely but once again 4's were kind to Anthony in the final hand. Curt's reward for his effort was $53,650. Anthony will return to Leonia, NJ, with a trophy, jacket and first place money. Reported by Jeffrey A Toth for Foxwoods Resort Casino