Event 13 Recap

$350 + $50 Seniors No Limit Hold'em

A friendly final table was capped by two players with experience in the spotlight and in the end it's Mike Kessler (Spotsylvania, VA) who wins the Seniors tournament and the $14,259 first prize. Kessler defeated Gary Brudner (University Park, FL) who was looking for his second Seniors title, but instead walked away with $7,842 as runner-up.

"This was really enjoyable," said Kessler, who finished 17th in the 2005 WSOP Main Event. "Whatever squabble takes place, like you have in any tournament, it's resolved quickly and doesn't escalate," he said while complimenting a "respectful group of experienced players."

Brudner (2010 Summer Open Senior Champ) wasn't the only former Senior champion in the field as James Boyd (Martinsburg, WV - 2010 Spring Open Champ) was in the running, but ultimately finished in 13th place ($813).

The 2nd place finish for Brudner was bitter-sweet. "I really wanted to win," he said, adding, "I had great hands all day, but in the end I didn't get them.

The 18 players who returned for Day 2 were all in the money and guaranteed at least $713 of the $49,000 total buy-in. Dom Pelli (Stamford, CT) who had the chip lead after Day 1 finished 4th ($3,802).

140 players started the tournament including WSOP Bracelet holders Mike "Little Man" Sica (New Brunswick, NJ) and Chris Reslock (Atlantic City, NJ), but neither player survived to make the money.

In the end it was Kessler who overcame a short stack with 5 players left. "I got back from dinner break and told the table I'd like to at least finish my sandwich."

Kessler did more than that as he downed an Italian sub and the rest of the field.