Steven Loube's Las Vegas Vacation Turns into a WSOP Gold Bracelet

Steven Loube's friend talked him into playing the three-day World Series of Poker Event #47 Pot Limit Omaha Hi/Low Split 8 or Better. That’s what friends are for, to take you down roads you might not otherwise ever discover. Loube had to make it through 977 runners to take down the first place prize of $267,345.

The WSOP captured what Loube had to say about it:

“This is too much work,” Loube kept repeating after the three-day mental marathon finally concluded late Thursday night. Mentally and physically exhausted, Loube’s first order of business after becoming poker’s newest champion — to sleep.

“I couldn’t sleep last night. I couldn’t sleep two nights ago. I’ve had about two hours of sleep the entire tournament,” Loube said. “I was nervous because I thought I could (win it).”

There could be a celebration going on when Loube gets some rest and realizes the $1,500 buy-in tournament had a net prize pool of $1,320,300 with 117 players taking home money and he reigned as champion.

This tournament was Steven Loube's first WSOP tournament and his final battle for the bracelet was waged against Timothy Finne who was no stranger to tournament poker or the WSOP. Loube held a 3-to-1 chip lead over Finne when heads-up play began.

The last hand found Finne limping from the button and Loube raising the pot to 180,000, which Finne called.

The board brought the and Loube bet 360,000. Finne countered by announcing he was raising all-in. Loube made the insta-call.

Finne:
Loube:

Finne had top pair, with outs, and turned two pair when the rolled off. Loube yelled for a heart and the dealer obliged and turned off the river . Timothy Finne went home with second place and $165,486.

Steven Loube would have to go through the ordeal of picture taking, screaming fans and friends congratulating him, and an interview with Lynn Gilmartin before he could finally step back and head for some well earned rest. We feel bad for you Steven and with that, we'd like to congratulate you on kicking butt in your very first WSOP tournament and claiming a gold bracelet and $267,345 at the end of the race.

Lynn Gilmartin talked to Loube after his win:

Final Table Results

Find the tournament report at PokerNews.com.

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