Loni Harwood Takes Out WSOP National Championship

She has gained a reputation over the last few years as one of the best female poker players in the world.

However, that does not do Loni Harwood full justice, especially following her latest live poker tournament performance.

The American won the World Series of Poker (WSOP) National Championship on the weekend, beating a total field of 122 players to take home a respectable US$341,599.

Although the final table was set on Day 2 of the three-day event, two of those players – Jonathan Abla and Seth Berger – were eliminated before the second day of play officially ended.

That meant just seven players turned out for the third and final day of play, but it proved to be one of the most competitive days in the event.

Paul Mattioda was the first player to be eliminated on Day 3, after he was eliminated by the eventual winner.

Harwood called Mattioda’s all-in with Ace Jack of Clubs, which held on the board to beat his Queen Jack to put the event down to six.

Sixth place went to one of the most famous faces in poker today, Daniel Negreanu. The first ever WSOP Asia Pacific Main Event winner was eliminated by Alex Masek after he hit a straight on the river, which put an end to Negreanu’s time in the WSOP National Championship.

Vincent Moscati was knocked out of the event in fifth place when he moved all-in pre flop with Seven Six of Clubs before he was called by Harwood and her King Nine of Hearts. Harwood went further in the lead when she hit a pair of Nines on the flop and won the hand after Moscati was unable to win on the turn and river.

Harwood struck again just two hands later when she eliminated Brad St. Vincent out of the National Championship.

St. Vincent went all-in pre flop with Jack Ten off suit and was called by Harwood, who was ahead with King Jack. Harwood hit a King on the flop before hitting another King on the river to put the nail in the coffin for St. Vincent.

Masek then claimed his second final day scalp when he eliminated Darryll Fish in third place. It came when Fish went all-in with King Nine of Hearts and was called by Masek who was just in front with Ace Jack off suit.

Masek went further in front when another Ace came on the flop, but Fish only needed a Ten to make a straight as a Queen was also shown on the flop. The Ten did not come, however, and he was knocked out of the event.

Fish’s elimination left Masek and Harwood in heads-up play, with Masek having held a slight chip lead when play began.

Harwood quickly got the chip lead, however, and did not relinquish it as she eventually reigned victorious.

In the last had of the event, Harwood went all-in pre flop with Pocket Threes and was called by Masek, who had outs with Ace Seven off suit. Both players hit on the flop but Harwood was still in front.

The Five of Clubs on the turn kept Harwood in front but gave Masek a nut flush draw. He was unable to hit it on the river, though, as theSix of Spades did not improve his hand and he was eliminated from the event in second place while Harwood was crowned the winner of the WSOP National Championship.

It is the second WSOP Gold Bracelet Harwood has won; she won her first in an event at the 2013 World Series.