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Schneider wins third WSOP bracelet, $258,96010 June 2013“Comeback” isn't a word normally associated with a three-time gold bracelet winner. However, the $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. event at the World Series of Poker represented a comeback for sorts for Tom Schneider, one of poker's most well-rounded cash game and tournament professionals. The 2007 WSOP Player of the Year, Schneider won two gold bracelets that year, but had to wait , waited six years to get his third victory at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Schneider collected $258,960 for first place. The poker pro and businessman from Scottsdale, Ariz., triumphed in a tournament long associated with his skill set – which combines the finesse of limit poker with multiple poker games. Schneider's comeback was just as much an emotional one as anything related to finances and WSOP glory. While winning the gold bracelet always carries the mark of distinction, Schneider's victory meant a bit more than his other high points in poker. Like many players who are on the higher rather than lower side of a half century, Schneider has watched the game he loves change significantly. The players are younger. The games are tougher. And, with each tournament, every bust out, and each passing year, the creeping doubts had to linger just a little larger. Coming into this year's series, Schneider last WSOP final table was back in 2008. One had to wonder if Schneider still had what it took to return to the pinnacle of prestige in poker. Well, he does. "It's nice to know I can still play. There are a lot of good players now. The events are tougher than they've ever been. It's just nice to get some validation that I can still play with these younger kids." Not only did Schneider win his third gold bracelet, he did so against a stacked field. The last two tables included Owais Ahmed, Rep Porter, Frankie O'Dell, Dan Heimiller, David Singer, David Bach, James Mackey, and Dan Kelly – not to mention several other talented past non-winners. This was Schneider's fourth cash at this series, so far. The first person to congratulate Schneider was wife Julie, herself quite a tournament player. In fact, Julie Schneider took eighth place in an event earlier at this series. They are one of the few husband-wife duos to make final tables the same year at the WSOP, a record shared by Max and Maria Stern and Harry and Jerri Thomas. Aside from poker, Schneider is an investor and chief Financial Officer for Loudmouth Golf, which is the maker of pants and shorts, mostly with shocking color schemes. In fact, Schneider was decked out in one of his favorite pair of shorts at the final table. Schneider is also an aspiring musician and songwriter. He's written several songs, a few of which have been recorded in studio. One – a tribute to the victims of the tragedy at Sandy Hook is available online at Tom Schneider Music. Owais Ahmed, from Anaheim, Calif., finished as runner-up for $159,950. This was Ahmed's second final table appearance at this series. He took fourth place earlier in the $2,500 Stud Hi-Low/Omaha Hi-Low event. He is the fifth player of the summer to make multiple final tables. Ahmed is a poker commentator and analyst for Live at the Bike, which is the poker simulcast from the Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles. Viatscheslav Ortynskiy was third for $108, 701. Other final table finishers included Rep Porter (fourth), Frankie O'Dell (fifth), Scott Bohlman (sixth), Eddit Blumenthal (seventh) and Mark Klecan (eighth). The tournament drew 862 players, with the top 96 players finishing in the money. Other notable players who cashed included: Dan Heimiller (10th), David Singer (11th), David Bach (12th), James Mackey (14th), Dan Kelly (16th), John Spadavecchia (21st), Farzad Rouhani (22nd), Jonathan Aguiar (23rd), Randy Ohel (33rd), David Chiu (35th), Alex Kravchenko (41st), Matthew Waxman (82nd), and Andy Bloch (87th). Tournament summary modified from a report by WSOP Media Director Nolan Dalla, reprinted by permission. |