Sport-poker commentator Norman Chad falls short of WSOP bracelet, places sixth

Sports writer and poker commentator Norman Chad, after briefly flirting with winning a World Series of Poker bracelet, placed sixth in an event Sunday at the Rio.

Chad placed sixth in the $2,500 buy-in Omaha/Seven Card Stud Hi-Low 8 or Better, earning $36,093. He is a syndicated sports columnist who serves as the color commentator on ESPN’s telecasts of the World Series of Poker’s Main Event.

Oleksii Kovalchuk won the event and earned $228,014. The 22-year old of Kiev, Ukraine, earned his second career World Series of Poker bracelet. He won the $2,500 No-Limit Hold'em Six Handed event last year, earning him $689,739.

Chad often plays is several World Series of Poker events each year. He has now cashed three times with Sunday being his best career finish.

The event’s original starting field of 393 had been cut to 22 when play began Sunday and Chad was third in chips.

After reaching the final table, Chad tweeted out to his followers; “I just made a World Series of Poker final table. This is my second proudest moment (behind passing drivers test when I was 16).”

Chad took the chip lead at one point during final table play, but several beats had his chip stack diminished considerably by the dinner break. He was eliminated quickly after the play resumed.

Chad made light of his play several times on Twitter, telling followers; “Nevada Gaming Commission announced investigation into WSOP Event 42 in wake of suspicious results that indicate I finished in the money.”

His ESPN broadcast partner, Lon McEachern, told his Twitter followers; “6th place finish for @NormanChad !! Very proud of my broadcast partner. Well done sir.”