The World Series of Poker at the Rio resort and casino is coming soon, meaning the conclusion of the WSOP Circuit events that have been circling the United States for nearly a year since Jamie Gold's Queen-Nine offsuit took down the tens of Paul Wasicka for the twelve million dollar first prize at the Main Event.

Full Tilt pro and very tall gentleman Phil Gordon managed to take the chip lead into the final table of this $5,000 buy in event that paid $516,000 and as always a WSOP circuit ring with a freeroll into the aforementioned WSOP Main Event. Unfortunately, it wasn't one of the original Tiltboy's day finishing 4th, as Lou Esposito took down the ring and first prize after outlasting Clint Schaefer heads-up.

Once again from the Tourney Blog, here's a recap of Lou's final few hands before sliding on that WSOP Circuit Champion ring:

Gordon would follow Longoria out about twenty hands later. He pushed all-in from the small blind with an A,10. Clint Schafer had him dominated with the A,Q. The board brought NaDa for either player, and Phil left the event he shoulda won in fourth place with $116,697.

Schafer had the chip lead after sending Gordon to the rail. He had 1,565,000. However, Lou Esposito was breathing down his neck with 1,475,000. Bringing up the rear was David Fox with 445,000. Fox, a 30 year old poker pro from Coram, NY who hopes to use his poker earnings to finance and direct movies, headed out the door a few hands after Gordon did.

The 2006 East Coast Poker Champ, who also made it to seventh place at the WSOP Circuit event this year in Atlantic City, moved all-in with pocket sevens only to find himself up against Esposito's pocket rockets. The board had 6,2,4,5,4. Esposito held and Fox got $133,736 for his third place finish.

The knockout put Esposito in prime position to take down the title. He had an almost 2-to-1 lead over Baton Rouge resident, Schafer. Schafer, a 37 year old manager of a building supply company, has made a final table four years running in a New Orleans-based tournament. He's also father of five girls, ranging in age from 9 to 16 years old.

Schaefer did his family proud. He sure didn't make things easy for Esposito. The two battled heads-up for several hours. They swapped the chip lead back and forth. Finally, on hand one hundred and fifty, Clint called. Esposito raised 200k. The flop camed down 4s,6d,8c. Esposito led out with a 280k bet. Schaefer moved all-in. Esposito called and flipped up K,6 offsuit. Schaefer had 7,6o. He'd need help from the turn and river to stay in the match. Unfortunately, none came.

Esposito finished in first, winning over half a million dollars, a 2007 WSOP Main Event seat and the WSOP Circuit ring.