Just thirteen players remain from the original field of 687 as the World Poker Tour (WPT) Legends of Poker Main Event moves into its penultimate day. Day 3 moved along swiftly; the plan was to play through Level 24 or until there were eighteen players remaining, whichever was sooner – we can see how quickly the field was whittled down from the 67 who began the day. Going into Day 4, it is 77-year old William Vo who is enjoying a dominating lead over the field with 4.125 million chips. His closest competitor, Upeshka De Silva, is a million and a half chips behind.
Vo, clearly a veteran player, is very much a local, small stakes rounder. He has live tournament results on TheHendonMob.com dating back to the year 2000, most of which are in low three-figure buy-in tournaments in the Los Angeles area. He has one World Series of Poker cash and one WPT cash: a 31st place finish in this very tournament in 2011. Overall, Vo has won just bout $400,000 in live poker tournaments.
According to the WPT.com live updates, Vo sounds like the kind of character that poker television producers would love. Not only is he older than most players you will find in major tournaments (the type of story viewers often enjoy), but after winning big pots, he says, “I love myself!”
Case in point, in what looks like it may have been the largest pot of the day (it was up to that point), Upeshka De Silva raised pre-flop to 44,000, Todd Peterson called, and Vo raised it up to 150,000. Both opponents called to bring on a flop of 4♥-3♠-2♥. Peterson and De Silva checked to Vo, who bet 400,000. De Silva folded, but Peterson called. It was a 500,000 chip check-call for Peterson when the K♦ was dealt on the turn and both players checked the river 8♠. Vo revealed two black Jacks and that was apparently enough, as Peterson folded. Of course, Vo yelled, “I love myself!” before complimenting Peterson on his poker abilities and scooping a 2.3 million chip pot.
Frankly, this guy sounds awesome. I know we aren’t always thrilled with boisterous displays at the poker table, but hell, Vo celebrated while a floor person was coloring him up after the hand. Just look at the picture on WPT.com – that’s a man who is having one fantastic time in life right now. I want him to tell me stories in my living room.
Today should be a short one at the Bike, since the field will be cut from thirteen to six before timeout is taken.
2016 World Poker Tour Legends of Poker Main Event – Day 3 Chip Counts
1. William Vo – 4,125,000
2. Upeshka De Silva – 2,665,000
3. Pat Lyons – 2,035,000
4. Benjamin Zamani – 2,000,000
5. Barry Shulman – 1,865,000
6. Jeremy Kottler – 1,820,000
7. David Pham – 1,365,000
8. Ray Qartomy – 1,110,000
9. Gary Sewell – 1,010,000
10. Garrett Greer – 800,000
11. Will Givens – 605,000
12. Rafael Ferreira de Oliveira – 580,000
13. Todd Peterson – 570,000
