WPT on FSN L.A. Poker Classic Part II: The Ones to Watch Challenge
The World Poker Tour Season XI on Fox Sports Network continued on Sunday with the second new episode of the L.A. Poker Classic, a $10,000 Main Event that drew 517 entries to the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles in February.
In our recap of Part I, we brought you our famed final table fashion report, the elimination of Toby Lewis and a look at the most annoying man in poker: Michael “Squeaky” Winnett. We also introduced you to high-stakes cash-game specialist Danny Fuhs, who won his first gold bracelet at the 2013 World Series of Poker this past week.
Here’s how things stacked up at the top of the broadcast:
WPT Season XI L.A. Poker Classic Final Table
| Seat | Player | Chips |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paul Volpe | 2,215,000 (36 BBs) |
| 2 | Paul Klann | 4,055,000 (67 BBs) |
| 3 | Danny Fuhs | 5,370,000 (89 BBs) |
| 4 | David Fong | 2,220,000 (37 BBs) |
| 5 | Jesse Yaginuma | 1,645,000 (27 BBs) |
| 6 | -empty- | - |
The Competitive Edge: With the blinds at 50,000/100,000, action folded to David Fong in the small blind and he moved all in for 2.1 million holding the K♠J♠. Jesse Yaginuma looked down at the A♠8♠ in the big and decided it was go time for his 1.435 million. Yaginuma’s rail, which included Shannon Shorr, cheered for their man after he made what Mike Sexton called “a very nice hand.”
According to the PokerNews Odds Calculator, Yaginuma had a 58.50% chance of surviving the hand, which meant Fong would win 40.93% of the time. Yaginuma’s odds went up to 77.88% when the flop came down 7♠6♦4♥, and then went up even more to 86.36% when the Q♦ turn. Fong needed either a jack or king to steal the pot, which would only happen 13.64% of the time, and fortunately for Yaginuma, who was a local at the Commerce Casino, this wasn’t one of those times, as the harmless 2♣ peeled off.
Yaginuma’s friends and family went wild on the rail as their man doubled to 2.945 million. Meanwhile, Fong was left with just 665,000.
“I’ve always liked the competitive edge in poker,” Yaginuma said in a feature after the hand. “Trying to outsmart somebody, trying to pick out weakness, and trying to pick out when people think I’m weak and kind of playing back at them in turn.”
Revenge: In the next hand of the broadcast, Fong moved all in for 650,000 from the button holding A♠8♦ and Yaginuma called with the A♥5♠ in the big blind. Fong was a huge favorite to double, but he couldn’t help but laugh when the flop came down J♦3♣2♣ took away the likelihood of a chop and gave Yaginuma a straight draw. The 6♥ turn failed to do it and so did the K♦ river. Just like that, Fong doubled back through Yaginuma.
Old School vs. New School: In the latest installment of Ones to Watch, the new school members of the group (AP Phahurat, Jason Koon, Amanda Musumeci, Brian Hastings and Jason Somerville) were pitted against the old school members (Dan O’Brien, Lauren Kling, Matt Affleck, Maria Ho and Dylan Hortin) in a challenge. We’d tell you more but why not just let you watch it:
There’s Always a Sweat: Fuhs picked up the A♣K♥ on the cutoff and raised to 200,000. Fong, who won his way into the LAPC in a $1,000 satellite, then looked down at the Q♠Q♦, shoved his last 1.205 million and Fuhs snap-called. It was a race, and it looked as if Fong was going to win it when the harmless 2♥4♠8♠ flop fell.
“Ace or king of spades for a sweat,” Fuhs said before the dealer obliged and turned the K♠. Just like that, Fuhs took the lead, though Fong could still win with either a spade or queen on the river. Fong was smiling, but it faded when the 5♥ blanked on the river. Fong composed himself long enough to shake hands with the remaining four players and then took his leave in fifth place for $236,650.
“It was fun. I got lucky and now I got unlucky,” Fong said when asked by WPT sideline reporter Matt Savage what it was like to make the final table of his first-ever WPT event.
Easy Come, Easy Go: In what would be the last hand of the broadcast, Jesse Yaginuma opened for 200,000 with Q♠Q♥ and Danny Fuhs once again picked up big slick with the A♦K♠ and three-bet to 485,000. Action folded back around to Yaginuma, and he took his time before moving all in for 1.34 million. Fuhs snap-called and was in the exact same situation he was against Fong. Unfortunately for Fuhs, things wouldn’t work out in his favor this time as the board ran out J♦3♣6♣7♥4♥ and Yaginuma doubled to 3.86 million.
“David Fong at the bar says, ‘Why couldn’t my queens stand up?’ Mike Sexton commented from the booth.
Tune in Next Week: The conclusion of the L.A. Poker Classic is set to air on Sunday, June 23 on FSN, so be sure to check your local listings. If by chance you miss it, check back next week for the latest recap of all the action here on PokerNews.
Who will be the next player to add his name to this prestigious list of champions?
Past WPT L.A. Poker Classic Champions
| Season | Player | Entrants | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gus Hansen | 136 | $532,490 |
| 2 | Antonio Esfandiari | 382 | $1,399,135 |
| 3 | Michael Mizrachi | 538 | $1,859,909 |
| 4 | Alan Goehring | 692 | $2,391,550 |
| 5 | Eric Hershler | 791 | $2,429,970 |
| 6 | Phil Ivey | 665 | $1,596,100 |
| 7 | Cornel Andrew Cimpan | 696 | $1,686,760 |
| 8 | Andras Koroknai | 745 | $1,788,001 |
| 9 | Greg Brooks | 681 | $1,654,120 |
| 10 | Sean Jazayeri | 549 | $1,370,240 |
| 11 | ??? | 517 | $1,004,090 |
*Pictures courtesy of World Poker Tour.
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