Congratulations to Andrew Cimpan, Champion of the 2009 L.A. Poker Classic Main Event ($1,686,260)
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At the end of an epic battle that took a full five previous days of poker, and ten-and-a-half hours and more than 300 hands tonight alone, Andrew Cimpan emerged victorious from a field of 696 runners. His reward is a bracelet, a trophy, an entry into the $25,000 WPT season finale at the Bellagio -- oh, and $1,661,260 in prize money.
"We witnessed one of the most amazing final tables in the history of the tour tonight, I can tell you that," said WPT host Mike Sexton before the presentation of the trophy to Cimpan.
Binh Nguyen was brought back on the set to a huge round of applause from the gallery. Both he and Cimpan played their hearts out at this final table; luck was just not on Nguyen's side today. Sexton talked with both at the end of a long night.
"We all know what heartbreak you suffered at this poker table tonight," Sexton said to Nguyen. Nguyen thanked Sexton for his sympathy. He explained that this was his first WPT event ever and had absolutely no expectations whatsoever. A second-place finish is not bad at all.
Cimpan, for his part, was short-stacked since the start of Day 5. "You have to feel pretty good right now," Sexton told Cimpan.
Cimpan just nodded his head. "Yeah, I feel pretty good."
"You don't have to get too excited about it," replied Sexton. "It's only $1.6 million."
"It hasn't hit me yet," Cimpan conceded.
After the ceremonial end-of-the-tournament toast that is a signature of the World Poker Tour, the television production -- and the night -- was finally at an end.
Be sure to join us late next week for coverage of an event that has quickly become a perennial favorite for poker fans across the world -- the NBC Heads-Up Invitational from Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. Until next time, may all your cards be live and your pots be monsters!