Todd Brunson wins $5 million from Andy Beal
The biggest game in poker history enjoyed a renaissance last weekend as millionaire Andy Beal returned to Las Vegas.
For those of you that don't know, in the early 2000s Beal took on a team of professional poker players called 'The Corporation' which included Todd Brunson, Doyle Brunson, Jennifer Harman, Ted Forrest, Gus Hansen, Howard Lederer and Phil Ivey.
The matches were all heads-up Limit. Beal attempted to take the professionals out of their comfort zone by playing very early in the morning and raising the stakes beyond which has ever been seen in poker.
The Corporation ultimately won against Beal, but he also felted them several times in their battles. In the final matches in 2004, Beal lost $16 million to Phil Ivey. The whole story was documented in the excellent book The Professor, The Banker and the Suicide King.
Up at 7AM for the $5 million match
Beal promised to quit poker back then, but last weekend he was spotted playing heads-up Limit against Todd Brunson, while his father Doyle watched. It was played in Bobby's Room, which was private, but spectator Kyle Loman tweeted what he could see from just outside the room.
From what he could tell, they were playing with $50,000/$100,000 blinds,
This is the best I could get. Looks about even now at 5 million each pic.twitter.com/I1oA74Liym
— Kyle Loman (@Kloman22) January 24, 2015
In typical Beal fashion, he made Brunson get up at 7am to play him. After eight hours of play, Brunson is reported to have beaten the Banker for $5 million.
Up by 7 am!!! Watch out Andy beal and all u other bankers. I've arrived
— Todd Brunson (@ToddBrunson) January 22, 2015
As you can imagine, Brunson was in celebatory mood after the match:
We came to a nice steak house without a reservation. Big line. They asked if we were celebrating anything. I said yes I won 5 mil yesterday
— Todd Brunson (@ToddBrunson) January 26, 2015
Could we possibly see the extended return of Andy Beal and his epic battles? Will we see Phil Ivey queuing up to play him again? Let us know in the comments.
