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Le Shoots the Last Star, and Comes in First
The Bay 101 Shooting Stars tournament came to its conclusion with the
crowning of a new star. All six players at the final table were tough
competitors, a mix of old and young at the tournament. The first place
finisher would take away $1,172, 800 and the coveted title of World Poker
Tour Champion. The unique five day tournament is a chance for unknown
players to break out into the big poker scene. Not only does it offer all
the traditional catches of poker tournaments, the special bounty it offers
on one player at each of the beginning tables makes for some cut throat
competition, some added tension, and the chance for players to win some
bonus money.
Coming in to the final table, Nam Le, cousin of tow time World Poker Tour
champion Tuan Le, was the chip leader. Chad Brown was in last place, an was
not able to build his pile back up. He was eliminated when Ravi Udayakumar
made the two pair against him, but because of his ability in getting to the
final table, Brown left with $200,000.
Next up to go out was Fabrice Soulier. Soulier was coming off a disastrous
week at the L.A. Poker classic. He had been the chip leader going into the
third day of the tournament, but late in the day ended up being eliminated
in 46th place, in a tournament that only awards prizes to the top 45. This
week was destined to be better for Soulier, as he was already guaranteed at
least 6th going in. Brown’s elimination meant he could finish no lower than
5th. This turned out to be the case, as Soulier was bounced out of the
Shooting Stars final table when his pocket deuces were beat by David
William’s straight. Soulier took home $240,000 for his fifth place finish.
Williams himself was next to fall, taken out of the tournament by Nam Le.
Williams was the final bounty left of the tournament, and Le collected the
$5,000 bounty for taking him out. Williams received $280,000 for his fourth
place finish.
Danny Smith was the player with the smallest stack of the final three. He
doubled up, but was on the losing end of a coin flip. Smith got all of his
chips in the middle, with pocket sixes, up against Ravi Udayakumar’s K-Q.
The flop turned up a queen and Smith was eliminated, with $340,000 for third
place.
The final two was now established, one would walk away the champion.
Udayakumar was the local favorite, and held double the amount of chips that
Nam Le had going into heads up play. I t only took Le ten minutes to not
only take the chip lead, but also the tournament. As the runner-up,
Udayakumar took home $629,500.
Le is now the new World Poker Tour Champion, and is $1,172,800 richer for
his spectacular play. He also won a $25,000 entry into the World Poker Tour
Championship.
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