Alexander Matt, Heartland Poker Tour Champion

Alexander Matt won the Heartland Poker Tour title for the second time in his career. Soon to be two-time HPT champion found himself in the heads-up for all the marbles with his friend Kou Vang.

The marathon final table in Prairie Meadows Race Track Casino Hotel was eventually concluded when Vang pushed all in with his Ace-Queen and failed to win a coinflip against Alexander’s pocket Sevens as neither the flop, turn nor the river produced any Aces or Queens. Kou Vang claimed the prize of $42,691 for his efforts while his friend Alexendar won the title and took $69,043 home.

Travis Remmert, who came to the final table the chip leader, lost everything in just a few hands of the three-handed play. Travis, from the Cedar Rapids Iowa, must settle with the prize of $26,083 for the third place finish. In his own words, it is the friendly environment and the fun at the tables of the HPT that keep Travis coming back to play these events.

It was when the final table was down to four when the things really got slow, as there were no eliminations for four full hours. Eventually it was Michael Hahn who relinquished his seat and the shot at the title didn't manage to keep his place in the fantastic four when his Ace-Queen failed to hold up against Vang’s King-Queen. After he was eliminated, Michael said that he will invest a part of the $19,179 prize in the new canoe.

Quang “Steve” Pham fell victim of the runner - up Kou Vong, who scooped the pot after Steve made call with a third pair after missing the flush draw so the real estate investor took $14,320 prize for his efforts.

Richard Fitzgerald had the smallest stack when the play begun but he did good and claimed the sixth place, winning $11,763 in the process. Richard was enchanted with the HPT structure, designed by Daniel Negreanu.

At his first final table, Roger Bennet from Kirksville Missouri, took 7th place and he owes it to advice of the past HPT champions, tour regulars Craig “The Legend” Casino and Terry Ring. He claimed a prize of $10,357 and it was a very decent first-time final table appearance.

Paul McCaffrey , property manager, was hoping to improve on his fourth place finish last month in Las Vegas, but he will have to look for another opportunity to do so. His eight-place exit was good for $9,078, which is still plenty and will go a long way in helping him treat his children to a great Christmas.

The first timer at the HPT Jonathan Hanner, an air force vet, was also the first one to leave the final table. His great run came to an end in ninth place, which was good for $7,672.

Congrats to Alexander Matt, Heartland Poker Tour champion.