L.A. Poker Classic -- Heads Up Championship Day 1Winner Will Receive $350,000 |
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The first three rounds of the $10,000 Heads-Up Championship at the L.A. Poker Classic is in the books. In most other heads-up tournaments, three wins would guarantee an in-the-money finish, but the popularity of Tournament Director Matt Savage's double shoot-out format forced officials to increase the size of the field from 64 to 128. The number actually reached 111, leaving 17 players with byes in the first round.
The general reaction from the players was positive. Although it took a while before everyone understood the concept, many appreciated the large starting stacks, slow blind structure, and loser's bracket that other high-profile events have lacked in the past.
Savage held the drawing for each matchup before play got under way, and many players cheered or joked when certain participants were drawn. James Mackey sat alone near the stage and awaited his opponent, hoping for an easy draw, or possibly even a bye. Instead, Mackey got NBC National Heads Up Champion Chris Ferguson. Not a problem for the young bracelet winner, who got through Ferguson, Mirage heads-up Champion David Singer, and Mark Seif before the night was through. Mackey will now have to win just one more match to make the money.
Here are the payouts:
1. $350,000
2. $190,000
3. $100,000
4. $75,000
5-6. $50,000
7-8. $35,000
9-12. $25,150
13-16. $20,000
Joining him with three straight victories were Alex Keating, Yevgeniy Timoshenko, Will "The Thrill" Failla, Steve Sung, Steve Billirakis, David Oppenheim, John Racener, and Vivek Rajkumar, among others.
Some players weren't so lucky and were eliminated from contention entirely. Players such as Nam Le, J.C. Tran, Matt Brady, Scott Montgomery, John Juanda, Ferguson, Gavin Griffin, Victor Ramdin, Eli Elezra, and Kenny Tran all failed to get anything going in the competition.
Play will continue Thursday at noon PST and will continue all day until the semi-finals are set. Join Card Player as we continue to bring you coverage of all your favorite poker professionals.
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