WSOP Bracelet Winner Profile: Herbert Tapscott
Herbet Tapscott pulled off the biggest upset so far at this year’s World Series of Poker when he triumphed at a table full of pros and bested Triple Crown winner Gavin Griffin heads-up in the $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo event.
Tapscott, a retired Air Force Veteran, had just over $50,000 in cashes to his name, not surprisingly most of which came in Omaha Hi-Lo, but now he can say that he has played with and beaten some of the best poker players on the planet.
The Birmingham, AL native will take home $264,400 for his victory and that money he says may change his plans for what events he is going to play.
“I may play in some of the bigger tournaments now,” said Tapscott. “I’ve played the Main Event twice before and made Day 2 once and was a dummy in it the other time, but I’m here for another 12 days and I might play some more tournaments now.”
Tapscott’s immediate rail wasn’t nearly as big as Griffin, but he had quite a cheering section at home. Immediately after his win, he asked if the media could wait while he went and called his family back home in Alabama. Tapscott is married with four children and several grandchildren
Name: Herbert Tapscott
Age: 71
Hometown: Hartselle, AL
Birthplace: Birmingham, AL
Occupation: Private pilot, Business Owner (Finance Company)
Lifetime Tournament Earnings: $317,329
Notable Poker Achievements: Won a 2009 WSOP Circuit Event at Harrah’s Tunica in the $550 No Limit Hold’em tournament
Memorable Quotes: On his expectations at the beginning of the tournament: In any tournament, my goal is always first to make the money and then to make the final table. The money is nice, but getting to the final table and winning the bracelet is what I was really after. That’s what everybody who plays is playing for.
On beating Gavin Griffin heads-up: The young kids are so aggressive and I’m pretty passive, but at the final table you know, I can get aggressive too. You know, not everybody can beat him. It just so happened that today was my day to beat him.
On his background: I left home when I was 17 years-old and joined the Air Force. As a matter of fact I was stationed in Montana and that’s where I learned how to play poker for four years. I got out, got married, had four kids, worked in finance for several years, bought my home in the mid ’80s, and I’ve been doing that ever since. I’m a private pilot and I like to do anything that anybody else can do and you know when you’re 71 years-old you’re body sometimes says no, but your mind keeps saying ‘Hey, lets do it.’”
Comments