Allyn Jaffrey-Shulman Ends Dire Streak With WSOP Event #29

Allyn Jaffrey-Shulman has finally scored a World Series of Poker (WSOP) victory for women after a terrible recent run at the Las Vegas festival.

The former criminal defence lawyer picked up $603,713 for taking down the $1,000 buy-in Seniors No-Limit Hold’em event #29 for the first female victory in an open event since Vanessa Selbst secured the $1,500 buy-in Pot-Limit Omaha event #19 back in 2008.

That streak lasted saw an incredible 249 straight male gold bracelet winners – excluding the Ladies World Championship – before solicitor, writer and consultant Jaffrey-Shulman outlasted 4,127 rivals to claim her first WSOP victory.

Champion Made to Work Hard

Vegas-based Jaffrey-Shulman – who had to battle back from a 5 to 1 chip deficit during her heads-up clash with 2009 main event third place finisher Dennis Phillips – headed an exceptional final table that also included players such as two-time bracelet winner Hoyt Corkins (fourth for $199,023).

What is even more amazing, though, is Jaffrey-Shulman’s victory – after several deep runs, cashes and final table spots – follows on from her husband Barry Shulman taking eighth in the $1,500 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em event #19 and stepson Jeff finishing in third at the $5,000 buy-in Limit Hold’em event #20 to ensure that, for the first time ever, three members of the same family made final table appearances at the same series.

The seniors event was extended into a fourth day to accommodate the final four, with Jaffrey-Shulman starting as the short stack. However, she was in no mood to give up and battled hard throughout, scoring a few well-timed double-ups and even hit a runner-runner straight at one point during her heads-up with Illinois’ Phillips to regain the momentum at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino’s Amazon Room.

Hoyt Corkins Out in Fourth

Alabama’s Corkins was the first player to hit the rail on Day 4 in fourth place for $199,023, when losing out to Bob Phelps, of Ohio.

Action folded to small blind Corkins and he shoved all-in for about 1.4 million. Big blind Phelps took a few moments but made the call to put the two-time WSOP champ at risk.

Corkins showed A♦ 2♥ to be behind the 8♠ 8♣ of Phelps and in serious need of some help. However, the 10♠ 8♥ 6♥ flop handed Phelps trip eights, leaving Corkins needing runner-runner hearts to take down the pot or runner-runner straight cards for the chop. But the Q♣ turn confirmed Corkins’ exit, even before the meaningless 7♥ came on the river.

Bob Phelps Exits in Third

Phelps was the next elimination in third place for $270,727. Jaffrey-Shulman, on the button, raised to one million, only for small blind Phelps to shove for about 3.5 million. Big blind Phillips folded, while Jaffrey-Shulman swiftly called to reveal Q♥ Q♣ and find herself up against Phelps’ 6♥ 6♠.

The J♦ 8♦ 4♠ flop kept Jaffrey-Shulman in front, while the 2♦ turn and 5♠ river changed nothing as Phelps hit the rail in third place.

Jaffrey-Shulman actually started her 70-minute heads-up encounter with Phillips holding a 9,570,000 to 2,820,000-chip lead, although that all changed quickly enough.

Runner-Up Finish for Dennis Phillips

However, as with all events, the final hand had to arrive. Both players were happy with their starting hands so we see them all-in pro-flop, with Phillips holding the A♦ 6♥ to find himself dominated by Jaffrey-Shulman’s A♣ 10♦.

The Q♣ 10♠ 2♥ flop handed Jaffrey-Shulman a massive lead with her tens, while the 5♥ turn and J♥ river only served to confirm her as champion – although it was so tight that an official chip count was required. In the end, though, Phillips pocketed $372,895 for his runner-up spot.