[Grant]

The final six players at the World Poker Tour Championship clashed today in an effort to win the first prize of $3,760,165. The top three places all paid over one million dollars, but nobody wanted anything but first place.

Men “The Master” Nguyen came into the table as the short stack with only $1,490,000. On only the 16th hand of play, Nguyen moved all in with pocket tens but ran into the pocket queens of Claus Nielsen. Nguyen was not able to improve and was sent out in sixth place, earning $292,915.

James Van Alstyne came into the day as the chip leader. However, he was crippled when he doubled up Roland de Wolfe. He was then left with only $10,000 in chips and was eliminated on the next hand by Joe Bartholdi. Van Alstyne earned $439,375 for his fifth place finish.

It took twenty eight more hands for Claus Nielsen to get eliminated. Nielsen called Joe Bartholdi’s all in bet with a pair of queens, but it was no match for the flush of Bartholdi. Claus Nielsen finished the tournament in fourth place and earned $659,120.

The remaining three players battled until the pocket sixes of Roland de Wolfe ran into the pocket queens of Joe Bartholdi. Bartholdi flopped a set and sent de Wolfe to rail. Roland de Wolfe finished in third place and was awarded with $1,025,205.

When heads up play began, Joe Bartholdi held almost a three to one chip lead on David Matthew. Matthew, who qualified for $25 online, fought his way back to actually take over the chip lead for a few hands. However, Joe Bartholdi came back to capture the title when Matthew was unable to make a flush against Joe Bartholdi’s pair of fives. David Matthew earned $1,903,950 for his second place finish.

Joe Bartholdi captured the title at the World Poker Tour Championship and was rewarded with a first place prize of $3,760,165. The young poker pro from Las Vegas will also return to the Bellagio tomorrow to compete in the Battle of Champions.

Source: CardPlayer.com