Tournament Details

A historic showdown of seasoned veterans versus relative newcomers sets the stage for the World Poker Tour’s L.A. Poker Classic finale. The Commerce Casino, known for having the largest card room available, seated a record breaking 791 entrants. All but six of them have turned into spectators as poker stars like Chau Giang, JC Tran and Paul Wasicka appear for their curtain calls. Relative newcomers Jacob Fernandez, David Bach and Eric Hershler want to have breakout performances that will define them as hold’em headliners. Everyone at the felt wants to be the leading man and take home $2.4 million dollars and a World Poker Tour title!

Seat 1: Jacob Fernandez – 3,370,000
Seat 2: Chau Tu Giang – 1,370,000
Seat 3: Paul Wasicka – 3,390,000
Seat 4: JC Tran – 3,470,000
Seat 5: David Bach - 2,070,000
Seat 6: Eric Hershler - 2,160,000

This final table is grueling! None of the players are yielding easily and rocking rookie David Bach’s stack has been reduced to rubble while first timer Eric Hershler’s methodical approach occasionally grinds the table to a halt. With the blind levels 80,000 and 160,000 Paul “Kwickfish” Wasicka throws away 9h-6h and JC Tran tosses his 8c-5s just before David Bach makes his move, shoving 205,000 all in with Ac-2c. But there’s trouble right next door since Eric Hershler is looking down at 2s-2d, taking away some of David’s potential outs. Eric limps in and so does the rest of the field, Jacob with Ad-5d and Chau with Jd-7h. The flop of 4s-Ah-10h pairs Jacob and David, but the board check around and the turn reveals the 2h. Eric pushes all in for 1,680,000 with his trips and Jacob and Chau get out of the way. The 3d on the river smashes David’s shot at the goliath pot and sends him downstream with $257, 425 and a 6th place finish.

Jacob Fernandez doesn’t play his 5c-4s but Chau Giang moves all in with a 960,000 bet on his 8c-4c. Kwickfish pitches his Ks-3d into the muck and JC Tran decides to play hard ball, calling to Chau, “Game on, Chau?” Chau responds, “On! The game is on!” Then JC moves all in over the top of Chau with a Ac-Js. JC then tells Chau, “You and me, baby!” And Eric Hershler, with 6h-6c, jovially asks, “Am I part of the plan?” Some challenging banter is exchanged between the two, but Eric folds, deciding not to strike out with the small pair. The flop, Qc-4d-9c, gives Chau a pair and a flush draw! The turn of 3s is no help, but the river, often unlucky for JC, clinches it for him with a winning As! Chau Giang hits the showers with $341,710 and the 5th place slot.

Chip leader JC Tran is the first to act, holding a wired pair, 3s-3c. He casts out his net with a raise to 600,000 and Eric Hershler, making an unusually swift decision, folds his 9d-6h. Jacob decides to throw his Jd-8d back and Paul “Kwickfish” Wasicka is the only one to take the bait, jumping over the top of the table skipper with a 1,820,000 bet on his As-7c. The two anglers stand shoulder to shoulder, each hoping for cards that might turn the tide of the game. Incredibly, the whale of a flop, Kd-3d-Kc, gives JC Tran an almost unsinkable full boat! The 6c on the turn and the river 10c are no life preservers for Paul Wasicka who takes home a 4th place catch of $455,615.

The blinds climb to 200,000/400,000 and with antes of 50,000 the fortunes shift around the table till Jacob Fernandez makes an outlandish bluff while holding Js-2c! He moves all in with 7,440,000, hoping to sweep the large pot out from under Tran and Hershler. Tran dumps his Kc-7d and Eric Hershler, peering down at two pristine bullets, As-Ah, makes the call. Jacob throws his hands up; unable to believe his bad timing and Eric looking on in disbelief can not contain himself as the flop of 2s-Ac-8c hits the board! The 5d on the turn and 2h on the river allow Eric to clean up with his full house and Jacob Fernandez finishes in 3rd place for $670,490.

Eric Hershler limps in on the button with Jd-6d. JC Tran puts him on a weak hand and since he’s holding Ac-7s he raises the bet to 1,100,000 which Eric calls. The dangerous flop is Jc-6c-Ad, giving JC top pair, but Eric two pair! JC believes his aces are the best hand and bets 1,200,000 on them. After serious consideration and some award worthy acting, Eric goes all in, raising to 7,560, 000. Tran calls and both players move to their feet, the tension crackling through the air. The turn of 4d eliminates one of JC’s outs as the 7d would give Eric a flush. The river card of 9h brings a crushing defeat for JC Tran, whose $1, 177,000 and 2nd place finish leaves him dejected. Ever the professional, JC is poignantly polite - congratulating the amazing amateur, Eric Hershler, who concludes his first ever tournament with a World Poker Tour title and $2,429,970 richer!