Another Le Sibling Takes It Down
The final event of the 2008 Winnin' o' the Green series was a $97+$3+$20 buy-in Player Appreciation tournament. The Bike added $15,000 and a $10,000 Legends of Poker WPT Main Event seat. Even though it was Easter Sunday, the field included 297 players, all of whom had played at least one event from the WOG series. The prize pool included $43,809 and the $10K LOP seat.
The final table was set at 11:30pm and the action was in full swing. On hand #4 a three-way pot developed with Lea Kozar all-in with pocket 9s. The board was Q-7-7-2-J and Pech Chin showed K-J for two pair Jacks & 7s. Lea mucked her smaller two pair and Alan Daniels mucked his cards face down. Pech took down the pot and Lea Kozar finished in 10th place and collected $670.
On the very next hand (#5) Artur Darbinyan raised from middle position and was reraised all-in by Reggie Casasola. Artur called and showed A-Q to Reggie's pocket 4s. The board came A-9-3-7-5 and Reggie exits his 2nd final table in this series in 9th place and earned $810.
On hand #14 Alan Daniels was all-in with pocket 4s against David Carl's K-J. The board was Q-10-8-5-9 and David hits his King high straight and eliminates Alan Daniels in 8th place. Alan, a telecommunications specialist and one-time 'Live at the Bike' regular, earned $1,075 for a single night's work.
Hand #19 had Julie Le, sister of seat 7's Allan Le and poker pro Nam Le, all-in with a Q-7 but up against a dominating Q-9 held by Robert Cramer. The flop was Q-7-5 and Julie takes a big lead by hitting her 7 kicker. The turn 8 increased Julie's lead but the river 9 paired up Robert's kicker and his bigger two pair won the pot. Julie Le finished in 7th place and earned $1,345. It was noted that Robert Cramer just eliminated the cutest girl in the whole tournament and for that he must pay the price. I think everyone paid the price because now there were 6 grumpy poker players all having to stare at each other for the rest of the final table.
The final hand and elimination of the event was #22. Artur Darbinyan was all-in with his short stack against Pech Chin. Artur showed a 9-5 and Pech had the lead with Ac-4c. The flop was A-Kc-Jc and Artur was way behind and drawing lean. The turn was an offsuit Queen and Artur was drawing to 3 pseudo-outs (an offsuit 10 for the chop). The river was the 8c giving Pech the flush and eliminating Artur Darbinyan in 6th place for $1,885.
A chip count deal was evaluated and after some discussion on the $10K Legends of Poker seat, all players agreed. Allan Le, who entered the final table with the chip lead, finished with the chip lead and earned the title, lots of cash, a 2008 WOG trophy, and an entry into the 2008 Legends of Poker WPT Championship Event in October 2008.
-- Jay 'Bugsy' Siegel
BIOGRAPHY
Allan 'Sweet Cheeks' Le, youngest brother of poker pro Nam Le, won his first tournament besting a field of almost 300 players and maintained the chip lead during the last several tables of play. Allan has been playing poker for 3 years and has been taught by his older brother Nam and the rest of his poker playing family. Allan's sister was also at the final table and earned a 7th place finish. One of Allan's brothers (15 kids in the Le family) won an earlier event at the WOG. Many of his siblings were on the rail supporting him throughout the final table. Allan plays on-line cash games and splits between PLO and No Limit Hold'em. Allan is a student in Long Beach, CA and enjoys playing live tournaments. Next stop for Allan is Bellagio Five Diamond series in Las Vegas.
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