BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, DECEMBER 1ST 2005- St. Kitts has made history by hosting the first ever under water poker tournament during the just concluded Caribbean Poker Classic at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort and Royal Beach Casino.
Juha Helppi was awarded the Caribbean Poker Classic Extreme Poker Bracelet, which is made from authentic Caribbean seashells and beads, at the InterPoker.com awards ceremony on November 29th .
According to the Rolling Good Times On Line website, Helppi risked life and limb and made poker history, as he emerged from the briny deep off the coast of St. Kitts, the first InterPoker.com Extreme Poker Champion, having outwitted his opponents at 30 feet below sea level in the first ever underwater poker tournament.
Helppi made short work of his competitors, including seasoned tournament professionals Phil Laak and Kenna James, as well as Internet qualifier Louise H. from Denmark and InterPoker.com spokesperson Peter Marcus.
Snorkeling above, a host of tournament spectators silently watched the tournament, among them WSOP Champions Kathy Liebert and Todd Whiteles; and InterPoker representatives Mike de Halpert and Kristen Makin. Also supporting her boyfriend "The Unabomber" Phil Laak was WSOP Ladies Night Champion Jennifer Tilly. Situated next to a spectacular Caribbean reef, the tournament was also visited by several colorful fish and a curious (and potentially dangerous) stingray.
"I've been present at some of the most electric moments in poker history, but this one tops them all," said InterPoker spokesperson Peter Marcus in the article.
"After Juha's amazing performance today, I challenge anyone to argue that poker is not a sport, and that Extreme Underwater Poker should not be admitted into the Olympic games."
In one of the most dramatic moments of the tournament, Helppi eliminated both Laak and Kenna simultaneously, calling both of their all-in bets, sending the Unabomber and the Cowboy floating back to land.
Eventually, only Peter Marcus and Juha Helppi remained. Marcus drew K-J offsuit, and Helppi 2-9 offsuit. Running dangerously low on air both went all in, and the flop turned up Q-9-2, giving Helppi a pair of deuces. The Turn gave Helppi two pair with a nine, and the River supplied a King, eliminating Marcus and sending Juha Helppi into the record books as the first Extreme Poker Champion.
Despite a good-natured feud between Helppi, James and Laak, mutual respect prevailed as the contestants left the water. "Although I went out with one of the worst beats in the history of undersea poker, I congratulate Juha on becoming the first Extreme Poker champ," said Phil Laak.
"I honestly thought that when his mask filled with water that I could take advantage of his broken concentration, but in the end he drew great hole cards and bet very wisely, and I give him credit for that."
"Juha is one of the best poker players the Caribbean Sea has ever seen. Even though it hurts to lose in a historic tournament such as this, I'm glad Juha was able to claim the bracelet and become the first InterPoker Extreme Poker champ," said Kenna James.
Also feeling the sting of elimination (possibly from jellyfish) was Louise H., who despite the loss was thrilled to take part in the first underwater poker tournament. "It seems like just yesterday I was at home in Denmark, and then all of a sudden I find myself at the ocean floor playing poker against Phil Laak and Kenna James, said Louise. "It was a very fun, and very surreal, experience that I will never forget."
Juha Helppi was awarded the Caribbean Poker Classic Extreme Poker Bracelet, which is made from authentic Caribbean seashells and beads, at the InterPoker.com awards ceremony on November 29th.
"Without a doubt, this was one of the most challenging tournaments in which I have ever competed," said Helppi.
"Not only are Phil and Kenna two of the best poker players I have ever faced, I also had to overcome obstacles such as water leaking into my mask and staying away from the stingray. I feel like I truly earned this victory."
The underwater event at the Caribbean Poker Classic took nearly three months to plan and organise. The poker table was submerged using weighted anchors attached to the table's underside and traditional chips and waterproof cards were used during play.
CryptoLogic VP of Poker Software Development Andy Goetsch acted as tournament director and dealer, and all players spent the entire morning training for the event, courtesy of the diving experts at Kenneth's Dive Center at St. Kitts.
The underwater poker tournament marks the first of many Extreme Poker events, aimed to test the limits of even the most seasoned tournament players, and will be held in exotic locations such as mountaintops, desert plains and arctic wastelands. InterPoker.com is currently accepting suggestions from players and supporters for where and when the next Extreme Poker event should be held.
