Jordan Smith wins 2009 WSOP Event 36In poker most of what we hear about these days is about internet wiz-kids dropping out of college, hitting it big with poker and never looking back. This is because these are the hero stories, the ones we want to here. Rarely do we hear of kids who took their shot and missed nor do we hear of the ones humble enough to admit when they’re broke. Well for 27-year-old poker pro Jordan Smith (known online as scarface_79) his story is a little of both. After having great success in both live and online poker, Smith dropped out of college six years ago at age 21. He admits it was poor bankroll management and being caught up in the lifestyle that near caused him to meet his demise. This is all said and done now however, as last night he became the latest WSOP bracelet winner by taking down 2009 WSOP Event #36, $2,000 buy-in No Limit Hold’em.

“I was not sure if I was going to come to the WSOP,” Smith said. “I was pretty much broke. It has been a rough year or so. I was looking for backers and people turned me down. Now, I guess they are not too happy about that. … This definitely came at the right time. I usually get blessed when I need it the most. I guess I am very fortunate.”

To go with his first WSOP bracelet, Smith picked up $586,212 in top place prize money.

Two Woman Make 2009 WSOP Event 35 Final Table

Through the first 34 open events this year only one female reached a final table (Annie Duke). In this event there were 2 women at the final table, Laurence Grondin, from Montreal, and Almira Skripchenko, from Paris. Skripchenko exited in seventh place and it was Smith who did the dirty work. Grondin raised from late position and Smith made the call. Skripchenko then moved all-in from the small blind, Grondin got rid of her hand, and Smith called. Skripchenko’s pocket kings were well in front of the pocket fives of Smith, but a five on the flop spelled disaster for Skripchenko, who failed to catch a king on the turn or river to seal her elimination. The former European chess champion earned $78,664.

2009 WSOP Event 35 Final Table Results

1. Jordan Smith ($586,212)
2. Ken Lennaard ($360,439)
3. Laurence Grondin ($237,537)
4. Joe Morneau ($166,584)
5. Anthony Roux ($120,311)
6. Pat Atchison ($95,631)
7. Almira Skripchenko ($78,664)
8. Andrew Seden ($67,867)
9. Jonathan Plens ($61,081)