The World Poker Tour (WPT) L.A. Poker Classic hit the halfway point last night and with three days down and three to go, Virginia’s Tuan Phan leads the remaining field of 54 players. Phan was the first player to eclipse the million chip mark and with 1.14 million bagged and tagged, he is still the only player in seven-figures. His lead is fairly comfortable, too, as the next closest competitor, Jason Somerville, is almost 300,000 chips behind.
Tuan Phan does not have much of a live tournament resume. In fact, it would be hard for him to do more than put his name at the top of a piece of paper. The one and only result he has on his publicly recorded history, though, is an impressive one: a gold ring win this past December at the World Series of Poker Circuit – Atlantic City Main Event for $188,190. That resume just acquired another entry, as surviving to Day 4 has put him into the money and assured him at least a $21,080 payday.
Speaking of paydays, the winner of the WPT L.A. Poker Classic will win $1,370,240, a product of the 549 runners ponying up $9,600 (plus a $400 tournament fee) to create a $5,270,400 prize pool. The top 8 finishers will all receive six-figure paychecks, while the top 54 overall will cash. With 54 players left at the close of Day 3, everyone remaining will have a profitable tournament. Here is a look at the payouts for the televised final table:
1. $1,370,240
2. $806,370
3. $521,770
4. $355,750
5. $252,980
6. $202,910
When players finally make the money in a big poker tournament, they usually feel at least some debt of gratitude to the infamous “bubble boy,” the one who was eliminated in the final spot before the cash payouts. To the surprise of many, the “bubble boy” on Sunday was not some anonymous guy who slunk away quietly after surrendering his chips, but none other than the great Phil Ivey, who returned to poker late last year after a self-imposed hiatus for much of 2011. He was doing fine, not great, but fine, until very late in the night when he doubled-up A.J. Jejelowo to the tune of 115,000, taking about a 60% hit to his stack. That put Ivey on the ropes with just 14 big blinds left. A few minutes later, he opened the pre-flop betting with an all-in holding pocket Sixes. Unfortunately for him, Dave Baker had pocket Kings and the better hand won.
There will be no tears shed from the rest of players, though, as they are all now at least $21,080 richer and one of, if not the, toughest players in the world is heading for a different game. Play will resume at the WPT L.A. Poker Classic at noon PST Monday as the players continue to advance toward the final table.
World Poker Tour L.A. Poker Classic – End of Day 3 Chip Leaders
1. Tuan Phan – 1,140,000
2. Jason Somerville – 860,000
3. Joe Tehan – 831,500
4. Casey Stewart – 791,000
5. Larry Greenberg – 707,000
6. Noah Schwartz – 678,000
7. Larry Lipman – 571,000
8. Tom Marchese – 535,000
9. Badih Bounahra – 469,500
