Palumbo Tops WPT Venice

Palumbo Tops WPT Venice

Tuesday, 2 April 2013

172 players may have started but after four days of action sent pros and amateurs hurtling towards the rail, Rocco Palumbo was left standing as the WPT Venice champion.

The Italian claimed his first Tour title after beating Marcello Montagner in a tough final battle. Indeed, throughout the finale it looked as though Montagner would walk away with the WPT Venice Trophy after eliminating the first player: Erion Islamay. Having lost the majority of his chips to Mike Sexton, Islamay found himself in trouble when he moved all-in with A-6 and Montagner was able to make an easy call with pocket tens.


After breaking the stalemate and snatching the chip lead it looked as though Montagner was in a strong position to claim the winner’s trophy and $180,097 top prize. However, as Xia Lin, Roberto Begni and Sexton hit the rail it was Palumbo who asserted his dominance. Indeed, after taking the lead just before the heads-up finale, Palumbo finally brought the hammer down on his opponent with Jc 8s.


After raising from the button, Palumbo was able to call the three-bet from Montagner and watch as the Jd Ts 8c flop gave him two pair. A brief betting exchange took place before the 4d on the turn prompted a cascade of chips to flood into the middle of the table.


Although Montagner was behind with pocket nines he still had outs. However, as the 3s fell on the river it was Rocco Palumbo who became the new WPT Venice champion.


1st Rocco Palumbo $180,097
2nd Marcello Montagner $108,316
3rd Mike Sexton $69,723
4th Roberto Begni $51,585
5th Xia Lin $38,721
6th Erion Islamay $31,002


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Tags: WPT Venice, Rocco Palumbo, Mike Sexton