The $10,000 Limit 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball Championship always attract a star-filled field of poker players. But despite the tough competition the same player has emerged victorious in this event two years in a row.
In 2014, Tuan Le bested 120 entries to win $355,324. Yesterday, he received $322,756 in prize money for overcoming a field of 109 players over three days of play. According to WSOP.com, he's the first player to repeat as champion in the same WSOP bracelet event since 2009.
Le, who now has two WSOP bracelets under his belt, topped a final table packed with three gold bracelet winners, Phil Galfond, Rep Porter and Calvin Anderson. His toughest opponent, however, was Max Casal who fought back from a big chip deficit to make it close to even at one point, before being eliminated in the sixth hour on the third and final day.
"This year's victory is like ten times as big as last year," Le said told WSOP reporters. "When you defend a title, that's a totally different ball game. It's a statement. Anyone can get a rush one time and win, but to do it again, makes a statement. For me, last year was about the money. This year was about the bracelet."
Back-to-back champion information:
Name: Tuan Le
Birthplace: Los Angeles, CA (USA)
Age: 37
Current Residence: Los Angeles, CA (USA)
Marital Status: Single
Children: 1
Profession: Poker Pro (Primarily Live Cash Games)
Number of WSOP Cashes: 10
Number of WSOP Final Table Appearances: 2
Number of WSOP Gold Bracelet Victories (with this tournament): 2
Best Previous WSOP Finish: 1st (2014)
Total WSOP Earnings: $795,569
Personal Facts: Plays high-stakes cash games daily at Commerce Casino in hometown of Los Angeles
