Here’s how the final six looked as play began:

Seat One: Doyle Brunson - 1,631,000
Seat Two: Lee Watkinson - 2,446,000
Set Three: Pete Lawson - 1,056,000
Seat Four: Tom Lee - 272,000
Seat Five: Joe Awada - 1,064,000
Seat Six: Grant Helling - 215,000

Awada found a pair of jacks and Tom Lee held a pair of nines. Lee pushed all in on a flop of K 8 7 and Awada called quickly. Lee never improved and left in 6th place with $99,150.

Watkinson raised to 60,000 with a pair of nines. Awada called with a pair of twos. Brunson found Qd Td and called. The flop was 9 8 7, and all three players checked, and the turn was a 7. A 2 fell on the river, giving Awada full house, but Watkinson’s full house was bigger. They both moved all in and Awada was out in 5th place with $132,000.

Grant Helling’s moved all-in with 8 9 off suit. Helling held a A 3 suited, Watkinson caught a 9 on the turn and Helling was out in 4th place, worth $170,175.

Watkinson called from the small blind with Q-6. Lawson raised from the big blind with J-6 suited and Watkinson called. The flop was 7 6 2 rainbow, Watkinson checked and Lawson bet 115,000. Watkinson raised to 300,000. Lawson then moved all-in for 910,000. Watkinson called and Lawson went home in 3rd place, with $272,665.

With Q 3 of clubs, Watkinson raised 120,000. Brunson called with Q 9 of hearts. The flop was Q-J-7. Brunson check raised Watkinson all-in and Watkinson called. The A on turn and 8 on the river were no help for Watkinson. He left in 2nd place with $578,375.

Doyle Brunson, took the title, earning $1,173,260 and a seat in the World Poker Tour World Championship.

- Thomas Hardy