The World Poker Open Championship is not one of the most high profile tournaments in the world, but it is significant enough to attract some attention. And the WPOC attracted extra attention this year since 2003 World Series of Poker Main Event champion Chris Moneymaker jumped out to a huge chip lead heading into the final table.
Out of the 2.5 million chips that were in play, Moneymaker held over 1 million of them with fellow poker pro Chad Brown sitting well behind him in second with 433,000 chips. Due to his large lead, many people were discussing the possibility of Moneymaker grabbing his first tournament win since taking the WSOP Main Event title back in ’03.
But 25 year-old player Jeremy Gaubert was able to make a big comeback and eventually bounce Chris Moneymaker from the tournament when Gaubert rivered a flush. Moneymaker finished 3rd in the event and took home $60,110 for his efforts.
With Moneymaker gone, heads-up play came down to Gaubert (1.5 million chips) and Steve Hammontree (1 million chips). The two played for about 75 minutes before Gaubert’s pocket aces held up as Hammontree got no help from the board when trying to improve his T-8 hand.
With the World Poker Open Championship title, Jeremy Gaubert earned his first big tournament victory along with $192,953; Hammontree earned $109,440 for taking second place. Last year’s WPOC champion was noted female player Clonie Gowen who won $183,000; she did not return to defend her title in 2009.
Chris Moneymaker’s 3rd place finish in this tournament marked the biggest cash for him since he earned $200,000 for placing 2nd in the WPT Shooting Star event. Since that cash, Moneymaker’s career had steadily declined with him failing to garner any more significant tournament finishes until the recent 3rd place showing at the WPOC.
Tags: Live Tourney, News, Winner
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