Daniel Alaei wins Doyle Brunson Five Diamond Classic

Daniel Alaei wins Doyle Brunson Five Diamond Classic

Monday, 21 December 2009

Two-time WSOP bracelet winner Daniel Alaei can add a WPT title to his CV after claiming the Doyle Brunson Five Diamond Classic at the Bellagio over the weekend. The Californian worked his way through a top draw final table comprising six professionals and two previous WPT title-holders.

After a fairly cagey start to the final table Steve O’Dwyer became the first player eliminated 47 hands in. He pushed with A6 but couldn’t beat Scotty Nguyen’s Jacks. It had been a controversial few days for Nguyen but there was to be no fairytale finale. The 1998 World Champion hit the rail in fifth place after his pocket nines couldn’t overturn Faraz Jaka’s Kings. Shawn Buchanan was the next to go. His all in shove with K8 couldn’t beat Daniel Alaei’s Ace King. Faraz Jaka then bowed out in third, his A6 beaten by Alaei’s pocket kings.


Josh Arieh went into heads up play with an almost two to one chip advantage but the momentum shifted after just two hands when Alaei doubled up with Queens against Arieh’s Ace King. Arieh’s tournament looked in severe strife shortly after when his A7 ran into Alaei’s AQ. A seven on the turn gave Arieh fresh hope and brought the chips counts level.


The tournament was over a few hands later though when all the chips went in on an unlikely looking 10-5-2 board. Arieh revealed pocket sevens but Alaei was in front with 10-8. There were to be no miracles on the turn and river leaving Alaei to celebrate a $1.428m victory. Arieh had to settle for $952,290 for his runners up finish.


The final tables positions and payouts were as follows:


1. Daniel Alaei $1,428,430
2. Josh Arieh $952,290
3. Faraz Jaka $571,374
4. Shawn Buchanan $333,302
5. Scotty Nguyen $249,976
6. Steve O’Dwyer $202,362



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