Football
Andrew Feldman, ESPN.com 19y

Sproul makes his second final table in 8 weeks

Through eight weeks of qualifying tournaments, only one player has made the final table twice. That honor is held by Dave Sproul, a 41-year-old from Stoughton, Wisconsin.

Having already earned his seat in the Final Tournament with a third-place finish in week six, Sproul faced minimal pressure when it came to the week-eight qualifier. There was nothing to lose, but all the experience to gain. Sproul, who proved he belonged in the final by defeating the field of 4,441, anxiously awaits his chance to earn the World Series of Poker seat.

"[If I made it to the WSOP], it would be awesome. It would be fun to compete, to see how the big boys do it. I'd be scared and nervous, but it would be fun to play with those guys."

It wasn't all fun at the beginning of the qualifying tournament. Sproul had a tough time getting things together: cards weren't falling and his chip stack was dwindling. He needed to get out of the downward spiral.

"It was a struggle. I was trying everything I could to get some chips. I just started raising [other players out] and was getting lucky."

Sproul prides himself on his patient play, but it was a lack of patience Sunday that propelled him to the top of the pack.

Looking at a pair of fours in the hole and a below average stack, Sproul faced his Degree All-In Moment. He was called by two players and feared he was in some trouble. About 10 seconds later, that all changed. The flop brought the other two fours and all chambers were empty. Sproul's quad fours would not be beat and were enough to propel him back into the mix.

It was smooth sailing from there. As he built up his chip stack, Sproul made some calls he would not usually make and some hands just fell into place.

Sproul brought a tremendous chip lead, which he'd built up during the final table, into heads-up play. There, Sproul faced eagles123 and was getting the cards and the luck. On the final hand, Sproul held pocket kings and raised the minimum pre-flop. Holding a ten of hearts and a two of hearts, eagles123 made the call.

The flop came queen, ten, two; which brought no hearts, but two pair for eagles123. Still sitting on his kings, Sproul thought he was set until eagles123 went all-in. Needing a king, a queen, or two runners to make a straight, Sproul was in trouble. But a jack on the turn and an ace on the river gave him the nut straight and the victory.

"I didn't expect to win...I just enjoy playing. I had some time on my hands and gave it a try."

After it was over, Sproul figured it was time well spent.

Is it your time? Enter the Degree All In Poker Challenge and see if you can be the one to finally stop Sproul's run.

Andrew Feldman is the ESPN.com Poker Club's Tournament Director. To contact Andrew, please email andrew.j.feldman@espn3.com

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