POKER NEWS

03 October 2008

John Juanda is the 2008 WSOPE Main Event Champion.
John Juanda is the 2008 WSOPE Main Event Champion.

It's been a fortnight London will never forget. Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey, Gus Hansen, Patrik Antonius, Daniel Negreanu – the very best players from around the world descended on the English capital in their bid to win the WSOPE gold. In the end it was John Juanda who took home the Championship event, winning £868,800 as well as the gold bracelet.

WSOPE Main Event Final Table: Juanda Fades the Flush to Take Big Chip Lead
WSOPE Main Event Final Table: Juanda Fades the Flush to Take Big Chip Lead

That might be the hand that seals it. Juanda's top pair held up against the flush draw of Alekhin to send him to a 10-1 chip lead.

WSOPE Main Event Final Table: The Battle Rages On....
WSOPE Main Event Final Table: The Battle Rages On....

Well, not exactly 'rages'... more plods along. Juanda has the chip lead now though following that monumental call an hour ago.

WSOPE Main Event Final Table:
WSOPE Main Event Final Table: "This is so sick. So sick. Alright, I call..."

We have ourselves a new chip leader, after John Juanda took the relentless agression on fifth street personally and called. It turned out to be a good call, his two pair far ahead of Alekhin's bluff-gone-wrong.

WSOPE Main Event Final Table: One card away from a champion....
WSOPE Main Event Final Table: One card away from a champion....

Russian poker pro Stanislav Alekhin was one card away from being the 2008 champion, but Juanda pulled out the magic river to keep his dreams alive.

WSOPE Main Event Final Table: Ale-King?
WSOPE Main Event Final Table: Ale-King?

The last hour has been dominated by the Russian youngster, and it looks like Juanda is becoming a little worried.

WSOPE Main Event Final Table: A Record is Broken
WSOPE Main Event Final Table: A Record is Broken

This final table is officially the one which has had the most hands dealt, as we head into hand 356.

WSOPE Main Event Final Table: I Feel Like Limit Tonight...
WSOPE Main Event Final Table: I Feel Like Limit Tonight...

It's all very cagey stuff - either that or the exertions of the last five days is catching up with the two players. Either way, it's become a very slow moving match-up with little in the way of drama since Juanda's last double-up.

WSOPE Main Event Final Table: Juanda's Turn!
WSOPE Main Event Final Table: Juanda's Turn!

John Juanda has doubled up with Ace-Ten against Jacks.

WSOPE Main Event Final Table: Alekhin doubles up!
WSOPE Main Event Final Table: Alekhin doubles up!

We're here, still. The rail has slowed down, Jack is wobbling and the caffeine is wearing off. In the meantime, Alekhin goes and doubles up. Woo hoo!