Darryl Fish wins WPT Lucky Hearts Poker Open for $511,604

Proudly bearing the name ‘Fish’ might not seem like the most auspicious of titles for a poker player, but Florida pro Darryl Fish proved once again that he is far from being the weakest player in the big poker pond by taking down the WPT Lucky Hearts Poker Open for $511,604.

Speaking afterwards Fish told WPT reporters:

“It's a relief… I don't play for titles but it doesn't mean I don't appreciate it. I've spent a lot of years playing WPTs, so it feels really good. I'm going to feel good for the next couple of mornings.”

A field of 911 had assembled for the Season XVI five-day long biggie at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida – each paying $3500 in the hope of snagging a share of the $2,915,200 prizepool, with a cool $½million plus up top.

When day 4 of the action saw one of Germany’s high-roller kings - Rainer Kempe – hit the rails at the start of play it was anybody’s guess who would be returning for the official final table of six, but it looked like Ness Reilly was sure to be one of them – at or near the chip lead all day long…

She made it to the last six easily, as did the well-known face of Andy Frankenberger – already a member of the WPT Champions Club having won the 2010 Legends of Poker title, as well as two WSOP bracelets – although he would come in short-stacked for the final run to the trophy yesterday, all players guaranteed at least $104,784.

With the oldest player at the table, 68-year-old Alan Krockey busting out first, followed soon after by Brett Bader, it was down to Fish to dispose of the troublesome Reilly – and there was a certain irony in the hand that saw her leave in 4th, her pocket jacks – fishhooks – failing to snag their prey as Fish hit an ace to go with his A♦ 10♦. Her $182,249 payday was the second in a week, taking $29,586 for 8th spot in the WPTDeepStacks Hollywood event.

Frankenberger would fall next, Fish again winning a race to dash dreams of a second WPT crown, and so it came down to a 4-hour marathon heads-up match between Fish and Aleksandr Shevelev…

Just as the updates and live stream were preparing for a late, late night reporters had what they were waiting for –‘on the 209th hand of the final table, all the money went in with Fish holding the K♦ J♠ against Shevelev’s A♣ 10♥. The flop, turn, and river ran out Q♣ 9♦ 8♦ K♣ 10♦ and Fish secured the victory,’ they wrote - Shevelev earning $331,116 for his runner-up performance.

Final Table Results

*First-place prize includes a $15,000 seat into the season-ending WPT Tournament of Champions.