To become a legend, you must first fend off a long line of renowned poker legends, and that's exactly what amateur player Joe Pelton did when he became the WPT's Legends of Poker Champion.
With 466 poker fanatics battling it out for a piece of the $4,520,200 pie, winning this Event was always going to be a struggle, legend of poker or not. Looking around the room, any player's eyes would have widened in fear at the intimidating sight of the incredible talent that swamped the cardroom; TJ Cloutier, Michael Mizrachi, Jennifer Harman, Roland De Wolfe, Paul Wasicka, Erik Seidel, Barry Greenstein, Juan Carlos Mortensen, Dan Harrington, Phil Laak, Phil Hellmuth, Victor Ramdin were just some of the long list of familiar faces who were braced for battle.
And, not surprisingly, several familiar faces made it to the latter stages. Whilst Jennifer Leigh, Vanessa Rousso, Erick Lindgren, Tuan Le, Huck Seed and John Juanda (left) all received a return on their $10,000 investment for reaching the final 50 (the latter of those earning $88,730 for his 8th place finish), the final table saw the likes of Hoyt Corkins and Scotty Nguyen crossing swords with four lesser known players.
But, as we all know in poker, anyone can win, and that's exactly what happened as business analyst and recreational player, Joe Pelton, outlasted a tough final table to take the trophy and an eye-watering cheque for $1,577,170 (not to mention the $25,000 seat at the WPT Championship).
However, it wasn't easy, as agressive pro Hoyt Corkins (right) made the final three, understandably making him a clear fave to take top honours. But, as so often happens in this game, David defeated Goliath when Pelton's J-T outdrew Corkins' Pocket Threes, an emphatic Jack on the flop sealing the deal.
Even after that victory, Pelton still had a hill to climb with Frankie O'Dell holding a 5.7 to 3.6 million chip advantage. But it wasn't long before all the chips flew in and Pelton received that much needed double-up. With a raising war on a Q-Q-4 flop, O'Dell, who held J-4 of hearts made a flush on the River, but it wasn't enough to defeat Pelton's Q-T, which filled up from the two consecutive tens that hit the board.
And 30 minutes later it was all over. With the blinds being rather meaty, a preflop all-in was inevitable, but it was Pelton who rose triumphant as his A-7 suited saw off O'Dell's 6-6, an Ace on the flop and that's all she wrote.
So, business analyst, Joe Pelton (left), who has been playing for three years, becomes the latest rags to riches story with his 2nd biggest win being a paltry in comparision $11,000 from the 2005 World Series.
A big well done to that man!
[Ed Note: To view the results of this comp, please click here]