It took all of 12 hands of heads-up play of the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event for Darvin Moon to retake the chip lead from young gun Joe Cada, at least temporarily. A total of $8.5 million is up for grabs for the first place finisher.
In the first 11 hands, Moon earned five, while his rival, Cada, emerged victorious in six. In the deciding hand thus far, Cada made it 2.5 million pre-flop and Moon called. The first three community cards came 6-5-J and Moon checked. Cada put in a continuation bet of 3.5 million before Moon made it 8.5 million. Cada called, with an enormous pot brewing, and the turn came queen. The action slowed down considerably, as both players checked to see a deuce hit the river. Moon lead out for 7.25 million and Cada called. Moon tabled Q-8 for top pair and scooped the pot. At the time, he had ballooned his stack to 101 million, ahead of Cada’s arsenal of 93 million. Cada later clawed back to reclaim the chip lead himself.
While standing in line to purchase food at the Rio’s Sports Grill this afternoon, Moon told Poker News Daily that he could not possibly panic being on the short stack. He revealed, “I’m not having a tree fall on me. I’m not getting shot at. What would I possibly panic about?” He then rolled up his left sleeve to reveal a major scar from an accident involving a falling free.
Motley Crue front man Vince Neil, fresh off holding a charity tournament last night, gave the shuffle up and deal command on Monday night. WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack told the assembled fans, “Ladies and Gentlemen! This is the night when we award the most coveted prize in poker.”
Congratulations for Joe! Not so many people thought that he would win.