Bodog Poker Pro Josh Arieh looking strong at the EPT in 13th place.
Josh Arieh is currently making his debut appearance at the European Poker Tour Grand Finale and with $60,575 in chips he’s looking stong in 13th place out of the current field of 159.
The EPT Grand Finale is a $13,000 buy-in event and Arieh has been finding that the Europeans seem to play a little bit more.. well cruelly than their American counterparts. Watch Josh Arieh interviewed and find out what it’s like for him to play in this atmosphere.
Today is Day two of the tournament which runs from Wednesday, Mar. 28 - Monday, Apr. 2.
And for those on the other side of the pond the WPT World Championship is coming up and you can qualify in a Bodog WPT qualifier today.
J.C Tran took first prize at the World Poker Challenge in Reno. (Photo Courtesy aceben @flickr.com)
Twice already this year J.C. Tran has fought his way to a televised final table on the World Poker Tour only to come up short of the title, finishing second at the L.A. Poker Classic on March 1 and settling for sixth at the World Poker Open in Tunica on January 25. Seated among the final six yet again in a WPT event - this time the World Poker Challenge in Reno - the third time proved to be the charm for Tran as the 30-year-old conquered a challenging table of champions last night to capture the title and first prize winnings of $683,473 and a $25,000 seat in the WPT World Championship at the Bellagio in April.
With his win, Tran solidifies his status as the most dominating poker player on the tour this year and passes the current point leader Joe Pelton in the Season 5 WPT Player of the Year race. The Player of the Year will be announced after the WPT World Championship, which is the last tournament of the season.
Tran secured his first ever WPT title on the fourth hand of heads-up play against Juan Carlos Alvarado of McAllen, Texas. Alvarado moved all in pre-flop, with Tran calling and showing pocket tens that held up against Alvarado’s A6, sending the 21-year-old Alvarado home with a second place prize of $366,798. During the winner toast, the runner-up finisher expressed his praise to Tran, saying, “I have a tremendous amount of respect for JC. He deserves this.”
Rounding out the final six were two-time WSOP bracelet winner, David “the Dragon” Pham, winning $182,260, followed by another two-time bracelet winner, Mark Seif, winning $159,478. John Hom went out in fifth taking home $136,695, and young tournament ace Danny Wong finished in sixth with a $113,913 prize.
The WPT World Championship is just weeks away and the WSOP is barely two months away. Don’t miss out on your chance to make a televised final table this year. Head over to the Bodog Poker Room for some online poker action and check the poker tournament schedule for the online WPT or WSOP qualifiers with the right time and buy-in for you.