Aaron Steury Wins $1,500 H.O.R.S.E Championship ($289,283)
After three days of grueling completion which saw 963 runners attempt to navigate the mine field that is mixed game play, we have crowned a new $1,500 H.O.R.S.E champion at the 2011 World Series of Poker. Aaron Steury has captured his first gold bracelet, along with a prize of $289,283 for his triumph, and while every WSOP championship is well deserved, this one holds a special meaning for the victor simply because of the sheer difficulty of claiming the title. The 24-year old Steury, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, defeated 35-year old Honolulu native Michael Chow in a spirited heads-up duel to earn the crowning achievement of every poker player’s career.
With decorated professional players sprinkled throughout every table, each proficient in the five poker disciplines which comprise this event, Steury had to prove his mettle time and time again against the best in the business. World class players like Eli Elezra, Layne Flack, David Bach and Victor Ramdin all made deep runs but eventually fell short in their quest for gold and glory. Ramdin reached our final table but was eliminated in ninth place.
Steury bested eight other competitors during the mentally demanding final table marathon which lasted for more than five hours. To achieve this feat, Steury had to exhibit a mastery of Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo Split Eight or Better, Razz, Seven Card Stud, and Stud Eight or Better during three intense days of poker action. He will take home $289,283 for the win and his name will forever be etched in poker's stored history books.