Smith Wins Event 44 To Take Home First WSOP Bracelet

Finally, 2006 World Poker Tour Player of the Year, Gavin Smith, has taken home his first World Series of Poker Bracelet. After Event 44, Smith can take himself off the “best without a bracelet” list.

He turned pro in 1998. That year, Gavin played in his first poker tournaments during the World Poker Finals at Foxwoods and he made two final tables.

Over the course of his career, Smith has over $5.3 million in career earnings including the more than $268,000 for first-place in this event. However, before this weekend, a bracelet victory always seemed to elude him.

Smith came into the final table in a virtual tie for the chip lead and went on a bit of a ride from the big stack to the short stack over the course of the final table.

In the end, Smith out-lasted Danny Hannawa who was making his first WSOP cash. Despite his apparent inexperience, Hannawa proved to be quite the adversary for Smith.