Reversal of Fortune:
Chris Wong stages dramatic comeback victory at final table,
wins WSOPC Lake Tahoe limit hold'em championship and $24,960
A great story and a spellbinding final table share common qualities- such as a compelling cast of characters, mystery, excitement, and various subplots. Event #2 at the World Series of Poker Circuit at Lake Tahoe had all of these attributes, and more. The final table featured two remarkable comebacks and one of the most riveting heads-up matches in recent tournament memory. No one in the large crowd assembled at Harveys Casino and Resort on this cool Friday night could possibly have foreseen that a relatively uninspiring and routine finale would ultimately turn into a duel for the ages.
Indeed, poker tournaments are comprised of various stages. There is the preliminary stage, generally regarded as the most difficult, which is simply to make it to the final table. Then, the next stage is prevailing over a full table of skilled opponents while acquiring more chips. The final stage is the poker's ultimate adrenal rush- defeating the last challenger in heads-up play and winning the tournament. The sweet taste of victory is even more thrilling when a player rises out of the ashes of near-defeat to capture victory.
The limit hold'em tournament started with 156 entries. Day One resulted in the elimination of 147 players. Places 10 through 18 received prize money ranging from $755 up to $1,060. The nine finalists returned on Day Two, with Chris Wong from Sacramento holding a commanding 3 to 1 chip lead over his closest rival. The final table was played in front of the Hard Rock Cafe on the second floor at Harveys Lake Tahoe, which is where our story now begins.
Players were eliminated as follows:
9th Place- Dan Rosner was one of six players grouped together in second-place, with over 20K in chips at the start. Unfortunately, absolutely nothing went right during his all-too-brief 22-minute stay in the finale. Rosner, a trial attorney from Philadelphia, had his motion to stay at the final table denied. He received a settlement of $1,515 for 9th place.
8th Place- A few hands later, Robert Schorr suffered a similar fate. Schorr had been second-lowest in chips coming into Day Two and finished on par as the 8th-place finisher. Remarkably, this was Schorr's second major poker tournament- and he has made it to the final table both times. Schorr, a Canadian-born insurance adjuster collected a premium of $2,270.
7th Place- Albert Sands, a professional online poker player from Atlanta, was disconnected from the final table and became the 7th-place finisher. Sands has cashed in many online tournaments and also finished second at a major poker tournament in Biloxi, MS a few years ago. Sands earned $3,025 in prize money.
6th Place- Gary Smith, who was the shortest-stack from the start, moved up three places on the money ladder. He was eliminated next when he moved his last chip into the pot with both a straight and flush draw- but missed both. Smith, a contractor from Windsor, CA who made it to the final table at a major tournament held in Reno earlier this year, collected $3,785 for 6th place.
5th Place- When play became five-handed, Chris Wong still held the chip lead, although his 3 to 1 chip advantage had been diminished to roughly 3 to 2. Tony Le hoped to make things more interesting by doubling up against Wong, but missed his straight draw. Le's A-7 failed to connect with the final board which showed K-Q-10-4-6 and he lost his remaining chips. Le, a Vietnamese-born casino supervisor from Reno, sevened out and took $4,540 for 5th place.
4th Place- Dan Schmiech, a 44-year-old professional poker player from Houston, went out next. Schmiech was 'all in' pre-flop with A-8 against Chris Wong's 4-4. Wong flopped a set of fours, but the board showed 4-5-6 giving Schmiech hope with a straight draw. Two successive blanks on the turn and river ended any chance of a comeback, and Schmiech hit the rail in 4th place. Schmiech, who plays poker regularly in Tunica, MS and has cashed at the Mid-America Poker Classic, took $6,055 as the 4th place finisher.
Wong had regained a decisive 4 to 1 chip advantage when play became three-handed, leading many observers to speculate it would be a short night and a relatively effortless wire-to-wire victory for Mr. Wong. Then, a remarkable thing happened. In a stunning reversal of fortune, Dinh Quang Le went from rags to riches, steamrolling the final table in a 30-minute poker display that left his two opponents and a standing-room only crowd shaking their heads in disbelief. Quang Le was down to just 12K in chips (down by over 10 to 1 to the chip leader) and caught fire at the perfect moment in a poker tournament.
Quang Le made a number of pre-flop raises, which went uncalled. Then, he dragged two big pots and was suddenly on the verge of seizing the chip lead. He confiscated the chip lead away from Wong a few hands later, leaving Wong and James Jewett (who was third in chips) to wonder to themselves when the mad rush of cards might come to an end. The answer was for the time being- it wouldn't.
3rd Place- Three handed play was a nightmare for Chris Wong. He played the final table perfectly, nurturing his stack size and never stepping out of line while his opponents, usually in desperation, were forced to commit precious chips with marginal hands. But nothing can stop a good poker player like Quang Le, when on a rush. Wong watched his chips slowly evaporate, while Quang Le was busy building a giant chip fortress. James Jewett looked as though he might be the only player left to stop the 'Quang Le express,' but he ultimately ran out of steam. After losing a few key hands, Jewett was down to his final 24K and made his last stand with Q-10. Quang Le had A-2 and was delighted to see the flop come K-2-2. The set of deuces held up and Jewett- a real estate developer from Boise, ID- was condemned to a 3rd-place finish.
James Jewett collected $7,565.
The heads-up duel between Quang Le and Chris Wong began with Quang Le holding a 4 to 1 chip advantage. It was an 'all-Sacramento' finale, as both players live in California's capital city. Whispers that once voiced anticipation Wong might run away with the tournament were now speaking Quang Le's name, instead. Indeed, he had Wong down to the felt a few times, but on each occasion, Wong managed to pick up a lifesaving hand causing many to wonder if a momentum shift was in the cards.
When the winds of change come, they often blow cold- especially in the Sierra Nevada. Quang Le found this out the hard way, as the same momentous winds that propelled him into a big chip lead suddenly shifted. He was about to be blown off the mountaintop with several strong gusts. Wong won two big pots and was back to even in chips. Then, Quang Le made a big hand and regained his chip advantage. That would be Quang Le's last triumph. Wong went on a tear and completely dominated the final 20 minutes of the 75-minute heads-up duel.
With limits escalating to 8K-16K, three key hands was all it took to bust either player. Wong won two significant showdowns -- once with two pair and the other by calling down Quang Le's bluff with ace-high. Ultimately, on the final hand of the night, it was an ace-high that was a dagger to Quang Le's heart. Quang Le was down to just 28K and raised pre-flop with K-10. Wong wasn't about to fold his hand, holding A-8. After the flop Quang Le's last chip went into the pot and the final board showed 9-4-3-J-3, no pair for either player. Wong's ace played. A new poker champion was crowned.
Runner up, Dinh Quang Le demonstrated his impressive tournament skills, by coming back from near-elimination when play was three-handed to gaining the chip lead late in the finale. He was, in essence, one hand away from winning on several occasions. Quang Le never altered his aggressive style of play and one could make a convincing case that he certainly deserved to win. But in the end, the tailor from Sacramento was trimmed away and ended up in second place. He sewed up $13,770 in prize money.
The winner, Chris Wong was born in Hong Kong. He arrived in the United States at the age of 14 (Note: Wong is Lake Tahoe's second foreign-born winner in as many days. Yesterday's champion was born in Italy). Wong worked successfully as a food and beverage consultant for several large hotels and retired recently to play poker full time. The 44-year-old poker pro has previously won tournaments in California, as well as online.
When asked about what he was thinking when Quang Le nearly stole the tournament away, Wong remained methodical and composed. 'When something like that happens, when the cards don't go your way, there's not really much you can do about it,' Wong said afterward. 'I just go on and play my game, try to make the right decisions, and I accept the results. Fortunately, I had some luck my way in the end, too. I guess in the end, it all evens out.'
Report by Nolan Dalla- World Series of Poker Media Director
World Series of Poker Circuit Director- Ken Lambert
World Series of Poker Tournament Director- John Grooms
Harveys Poker Room Manager- Vince Contaxis
Harrah's Full Service Games Manager -- Steve Schorr
Harrah's Lake Tahoe/Harvey's Lake Tahoe - WSOP Circuit Event Event 2
In Seat number 5 weighing in at, oh, wrong sport. Another diverse group of players have found their way to the final table of the $500 Limit Hold 'em event. Starting exactly on time, the button falls upon seat number 5, Chris Wong. Chris also is starting this second day as the chip leader of these nine men. And quite a commanding lead he has. He has 69,000 with everyone else starting with 26,000 or less. The blinds start today at 1500 big blind and 1000 small blind.
The field started with 156 players yesterday. After 12 hours of exhausting play, it was left to these nine to determine a winner. After a good nights rest, (right!) they all look in good shape for the competition.
The first really big battle proved deadly for Dan Rosner. He started with 26,000 in chips, but dwindled enough in previous play to have to bet on his JK of clubs as he butted heads with James Jewett. With the chips all in for Dan, James showed an A8h. The flopped came T89 with two hearts. At this point Dan stands up because he could feel the grim reaper tappin' him on the shoulder. Sure enough, the 5h hit the board followed by a T and Dan was flushed away. He picked $1515, 9th place and tripled his buy in. Being a trial attorney has helped Dan manage a great poker face I bet. He loves the game and says it is his favorite hobby.
Coming two hands later, another heads up fracas ensues. This time the all in players were Dan Schmiech and Robert Schorr. Dan held a suited JT and Robert had an AQ off suit. The hand confirmed Robert's worst fears and he had to leave the table with a take of $2270 and 8th. Robert is a catastrophe adjuster by day and plays poker at night to relax. He absolutely loves the game and hopes for its continued popularity.
The third player eliminated is Albert Sands. He took a chance at tripling up and failed to come through. Finding himself on the rail, he held a toasty $3025 for his two days work and can be very proud of his 7th place finish. Albert is an Internet poker player and feels the Internet makes it viable now for more people to be professionals without traveling all year.
Gary Smith is the button and teetering on the edge of disaster, and possibly looking for a 6th place win. He has 3,000 in chips and is waiting, waiting, waiting for that perfect all in hand. With 6 players, the game is short handed. Gary has possibilities. Gary scoots 2/3 of his stack in for the required $2000 big blind. Tony takes it to $4,000 and Gary calls it with his remaining 1000 chip. Bad news. Tony has Ah Jh and Gary holds a puny 9d 6s. They are live cards, but, not for long. The flop comes 4sQsQc with the turn being the 7s. Any spade will do. But, any spade did not. The river brought a 4d making it the final hand for Gary. The Ace plays for Tony. Gary does manage to add $3785 to his bankroll and is ready to play another day. Gary ended his day with a very respectable 6th place and left 5 men to seek out the champ. After an hour of play, the chip count looks like this. Chris with 74,500, Dan 55,000, Tony 49,000, Dinh 35,500 and James with 19,500. The game continues, with a much more balanced chip spread. After a few hands, Chris topped his stack to over 100,000 and remains a very strong chip leader.
The break is over and everyone is settling into their seats for the next go round. The blinds are now 3K and 6K. James Jewett's stack is looking pretty unassuming at this point. He is down to 13K. Who among you can connect with James and his position? I know I can. It is just a sickly place to be at this point in the game. Stranger things have happened, so, James, good luck to you. As soon as I typed this, James got head up and all in with Tony. James has AJ and Tony A4. The hand plays out with a board of 756T7 and takes James to a 26,000-chip count and doubles him up.
I moved into the ring with the players now, because I can. It is exciting to watch their faces as they contemplate each play. I see no excruciating faces like the ones Gus Hanson makes, but, nonetheless, they do make faces. As soon as I get comfortable in my seat, Tony goes all in and Dinh gives him a call. Dinh held the 4 and T of clubs while Tony had Ace of spades and 7d. The Flop arrives presenting each player a look at KQT. Tony must be begging for a Jack at this point, but the turns comes a 4 and is followed by a little ole 3. The 4 is the fulcrum card for Tony and he makes his way to the podium to collect his 5th place win of $4540.
James has been picking up an Ace over and over again and has started to create quite a nice little stack for himself now. He has built himself up to 33K making good use of the Aces in a shorthanded game. Chris Wong has his chips stacked so high, I am not really certain how he can see around them. Cant wait to see what happens if someone accidentally bumps the table.
Dan Schmiech from Houston Texas was slowing getting blinded out. He makes a move and the chip leader follows suit. Chris shows a decent pair of pocket fours and Dan shows his As 8h. Right off the bat, the flop brings a 456. The set has been made and the only hope for Dan now is to catch a 7 for the straight. The big cards fall with an Ace and Jack rounding off the board and a loss for Dan. He smiles and walks away with a cool $6055.
Chris is being the heavy at this phase. It is incumbent upon him to cripple or eliminate one or both of the remaining players. Chris is so powerful as he holds close to 200K chips. James is down to about 23K and Dinh is hanging solid with about 60K. Chris is hammering them with constant raises and is slowly moving their stack over to his blind by blind. Even when he is the big blind the small blind acquiesces.
James is on the button and gives it a go by making a raise. Chris just comes right over the top making it 3 bets to go. James calls. Flop comes As Js 9s. Chris bets 3K and James tags along. Chris is relentless. After the turn of 5d, he tosses 6K in again and solicits a call form James. After the river card of Td Chris checks and James makes a bet for 6K at him. Chris sits still and relinquishes his cards sight unseen. James shows a powerful 2 pair with AT. I thought I smelled a bluff.
That last hand slowed Chris down a lot. After many hands of folding, Chris and James are at it again. Raise and call preflop. Bet and call on the flop of AJ8. The turn brings a K and Chris bets 6K. James calls. On the river of Jd, Chris checks to James. James felt it best to follow right along. He turns over QQ and Chris confirms the win for James by showing him his A9.
Blinds have increased to a looming 4K and 8K. James will have to get busy now. And he does. He takes down a nice pot nearly doubling up. Seeing that this is limit, this could be a long haul now. Chris has changed from aggression to patience. James and Dinh have been the only ones playing for quite a while now. James just tucked a great win under his belt and exchanges chip counts with Dinh. Dinh is now in a world of hurt with only 23K while James is sitting much happier with 60K. James then takes another 20K off Chris and increased his count by 33%.
That last hand absolutely crippled Dinh and he has to move all in now. Being the big blind and Chris raising preflop gave him no choice but to get it all in by raising Chris. Chris is under the microscope now. Was he bluffing? Well, heck yeah he was. He tosses his cards and doesn't call Dinh. The dealer ships a huge pot to Dinh. He has now regained some safety for a while. The aggressor now changes and Dinh starts to make huge moves by stealing blinds and raising from the small blind. After another 30 minutes of play, the complexion of the game has changed. The new chip leader is Dinh Le. He has appropriated tons of chips. It is obvious that Chris is NOT a happy camper.
Many hands later, with the chips just moving around the table like musical chairs, the action starts to heat up. At 8pm Chris is down to a life threatening 23K. He has just melted down over the past hour. Dinh Le is all over this game now holding over 200K in chips.
The two short stacks are at it. It is 24K and all in for James. He holds Q h9s with Chris an A 3. Flop is an amazing 4c 9h 9d. James is ecstatic. Nothing came to help Chris and he now sits with just enough chips to make a couple rounds of blinds. It is imperative that he wins something in order to stay alive.
James and Chris again with Chris all in. James has JJ and Chris 99. The flop is all puppy feet and Chris has the only club. A King on turn with a Tc on the river to double Chris back into the game.
The final hand for James is here. He has to move on it now, as he is the bb. It is between Dinh and James this time. Dinh with A2 and James with QT. Here comes the clincher! flop, 22K. James is finished unless he hits runner runner for a straight. Not in the stars tonight. James finishes a very proud 3rd place with a bank of $7565.
Heads up. 8:10pm No need to go into all these hands for you. Ill give you the rundown on the final hand of the night when it occurs. Just imagine now, the chips going back and forth. Can you see it? OK. . Two huge hands and Chris is equal with Dinh. It is literally anyone's game now. Wait; there is discussion at the table. Looks like something is going on with a possible chop chop situation. The agreement is made to split 1st and 2nd place and now they play for the WSOP Circuit Ring. First pays $24,960 and 2nd pays $13770. Fast forward 50 minutes and we have the winner. Chris Wong took every chip back from Dinh and managed to pull off the win in style. Dinh holds a KT and Chris turns over an A8. The board decides the outcome of the game with a 349J3 and its over.
Chris is originally from Hong Kong and immigrated to the States at age 14. He has many wins and final tables from casinos all over California. He says he will most definitely play more tournaments this week. Chris loves the game of poker because it is challenging and fun. It is like golf in his mind as you can go out and make money playing.
Everyone played another good game. Congratulations Gentlemen.
Sharla Lehrmann | 
