ACOP Main Event: Jung Denied History at hands of Gabriel Le Jossec

Going into the final table yesterday, it seemed like Sunny Jung was destined to make the history by going back to back in the ACOP Main Event. Not only did he make the final nine, he was coming in the chip leader and everything was seemingly going his way. If there wasn’t for stubbornness of Gabriel Le Jossec, Jung could have made it. But as it turned out, Lady Luck would not follow him through all the way.

Players started with rather deep stacks for a final table, as the average stack was around 80 big blinds, and this was nearly a guarantee of a long day ahead. Despite of this, first two exits came about quickly, as Tore Lukashaugen and Raiden Kan vacated their seats after just half an hour of play. They earned $88,000 and $100,000 respectively for their efforts.

But if anyone dared think this would be an indication of things to come, they would make a big mistake. Next elimination didn’t take place until four hours later as chips were moving back and forth but everyone was still able to keep some sort of a stack in front of them.

Even if it was a long road to get there, eventually people started busting out. Joseph Cheong was the first to bust in the second contingent of railed players. Cheong was sent to the cashout cage in 7th, as his flopped top pair was no match for Jung’s pocket Aces. For his efforts, he earned $140,000. Decent chunk of that amount was immediately reinvested.

Still 7 handed in the ACOP main event final table. And yet all I can think about is not missing the juicy highroller going on next to me

— Joseph Cheong (subiime) November 8, 2014

Konstantin Pogodin would go next. Just like Cheong, he ran his top pair into pocket Aces, but this time the beneficiary was Ami Barer. Pogodin was eliminated in sixth place, banking $175,000.

Vladimir Troyanovskiy would soon follow his fellow countryman to the rail. Russian found himself in a great spot with pocket Queens against pocket Tens of Jung, but a Ten on the flop gave Jung decisive lead that would see Troyanovskiy vacate his seat. His efforts still brought him $210,000.

Once the play got to four-handed, things slowed down once again. Jang was holding a substantial chip lead when Troyanovskiy left and it seemed like it was his tournament to lose. And it was. Things started going downhill for him, as he doubled up Zuo Wang twice and Gabriel Le Jossec once.

Jung recovered successfully however, as he took all the chips from Ami Barer in two hands – first one seriously crippling Barer and second one sending him to the rail. Fourth place finish and the prize of $260,000 for the Canadian. Zuo Wang, who has been the short stack for the most of the final table, came a long way but he would go no further than third ($330,850) and the potential history-making heads up match could commence.

Sunny Jung, looking for back to back victories, started the final confrontation holding about 2 to 1 chip advantage and he was in a great spot to seal the deal. However, Le Jossec first doubled up in a cooler spot where both players made two pair and then proceeded to put the pressure on Jung until it was all over.

Another cooler would see all the chips in play go to the player from the UK. With the flop reading 56q players entered a raising war that would see them eventually go all in. Jung turned over q6 for the top two pair, but it was no good against the flopped set of Fives for Le Jossec. Turn and river brought no changes and it was curtains for Sunny Jung.

Korean player was inches away from doing a truly fantastic feat and win back to back titles, but was denied with one foot through the door already. Going one and two back to back is admirable, of course, but just doesn’t have the same sound to it as winning back to back does. Jung received $550,000 for his runner-up finish.

To the victor go the spoils. Gabriel Le Jossec maintained his composure throughout the final table, successfully overcame the chip deficit in the heads-up (even if he had to get a little lucky to do it) and proceeded to finish what he has started.

His victory brought him $812,000, SLYDE wrist watch worth nearly $8,000 and a major poker title that he can be truly proud of.

As for Jung, maybe he can go one-two-one?