The inaugural Gulf Coast Poker Championship brought the World Poker Tour to the Beau Rivage Hotel and Casino in Biloxi, Massachusetts from September 6, 2007 – September 9, 2007. The total pool prize of $4,607,500 came from 256 entries who each paid $9,700 + $300 to buy-in to the tournament. This 4-day event saw 27 payouts and witnessed a stunning showdown on the final day.

Final game got under way with the following seating arrangements and chip count:

• Captain Tom Franklin in Seat 1 with 1,040,000 chips
• William “The Stunning One” Edler in Seat 2 with 1,005,000 chips
• John Davidson in Seat 3 with 1,011,000 chips
• David Robbins in Seat 4 with 727,000 chips
• Tim Frazin in Seat 5 with 499,000 chips
• Hank Sitton in Seat 6 with 846,000 chips

When the final six players were poised to begin the game, blinds were 12k – 24k with a 3k ante. The crowd was in a riotous mood throughout the game, which saw Franklin exit first with winnings of $116,814. Frazin was next to hit the rails with prize money of $140, 177. Davidson was shown the door in fourth place, earning $163,540 for his efforts. In third place was Sitton who went home with prize winnings of $216,768.

That left Robbins and Edler facing off at heads up action. The self proclaimed “Happiest Married Man in Poker”, Edler proved an awesome challenge to Robbins when he made the call and showed his winning hand of A hearts 9 spades. Robbins was holding Q diamonds 7 diamonds; and Jack hearts on the turn and Ace diamonds on the river didn’t help his cause. He conceded defeat and collected $411,185 in prize money as the runner-up. Edler became the Gulf Coast Poker Champion, clinching the title with $747,615 as the top prize.

At 44, Edler holds 1 World Series of Poker bracelet, which he won in 2007. Born on February 11, 1964 in Evanston, Illinois, Edler graduated with a law degree from the University of California-Berkeley. He switched to poker when he was invited to play with poker legend, Lee Jones. Edler was hired by the Casino San Pablo in San Francisco as a poker prop and progressed to poker room manger. He’s now a professional poker player based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Edler is a firm family man, having recently purchased a home in his wife’s native country, Columbia. His total live tournament winnings, as at end 2008 exceeds $3.3 million.

-- Reinu C.