Daniel Strelitz topped a field of 521 runners over 6 days of play to win over a million dollars in the World Poker Tour L.A. Poker Classic $10,000 Main Event! The 27-year-old poker pro from California now has over $2.6 million in live tournament earnings!
"It's great, I'm so happy that my entire family and my in-laws were here. It's unbelievable, my Dad starting at the beginning of Day 2 he was there, and he saw every single hand that I played until now when I won. From Day 2! It's a six-day tournament! His dedication is unbelievable. I can't believe it, he's a crazy person, but I appreciate it so much," said Strelitz.
Strelitz might be the champion of the tournament but for the better part of the 6-handed final table on Thursday all eyes were on another man, Mike Sexton, who was looking to win the second WPT title of his career in the very same season. Sexton started the final table in 5th place and managed to hold on until the 78th hand of play...
Sexton moved all in with pocket kings and was called by Strelitz with Ace-Seven offsuit. The board delivered a full house for Strelitz and Sexton was out in 4th place for $300,690. Funnily enough it was the second time of the tournament that Sexton lost with pocket kings against Strelitz's Ace-Seven...
"It was very nice, and it's thrilling to get to a final table. And as you said, I could have gone out in fifth place, I could have gone out in sixth. Ironically, I had two kings twice against [Strelitz], he had ace-seven offsuit both times, and he beat me both times. That's pretty unusual, just shows you I think destiny is on his side," said Sexton after the hand. When asked if he was going to jump back into the WPT Commentator Booth, Sexton added, "No, I'm not going back to work. Tony [Dunst] can do it! I'm taking the night off, I'm going to the bar!"
1st: Daniel Strelitz - $1,001,110*
2nd: Simeon Naydenov - $672,190
3rd: Jared Griener - $431,340
4th: Mike Sexton - $300,690
5th: Jesse Martin - $230,380
6th: Richard Tuhrim - $191,490
* First-prize amount includes the winner's $15,
source: http://www.worldpokertour.com/event/main-tour-wpt-l-a-poker-classic-season-2016-2017/#eventTab2
But it was nice to see, that a poker pro with a lot of experience like Mike Sexton can win against the new generation of poker players with his nice 4th place!
