James Dempsey Wins WPT Five Diamond 2011

UK pro James Dempsey has won the 2011 WPT Five Diamond, after overcoming a field of 413 players on his way to lifting the title, and collecting the $821,612 first place prize.
Sunday evening, the six seated final table got underway at the Bellagio amidst much anticipation. Taking their places at the table were some of the top pros in the world, including Vanessa Selbst, Vitor Coelho, Andrew Lichtenberger, November Niner Soi Nguyen, , last year’s Five Diamond winner Antonio Esfandiari and, of course, WSOP bracelet winner James Dempsey.
First to leave the arena was Antonio Esfandiari in 6th ($119,418), following a pre-flop race which saw his A-10 fall at the hands of James Dempsey’s A-4. Two hands later, he was joined on the rail by Vitor Coelho (5th for $159,224).
A few hands later, and Soi Nguyen (9-9) raised and was re-raised by Dempsey before Andrew Lichtenberger decided to push all-in over the top with pocket eights. Nguyen then made the call and Lichtenberger soon found himself out in 4th for $218,933.
Vanessa Selbst’s attempt at a double through then came a cropper after she was dealt Kc-9s and decided to four-bet Dempsey all-in. Unfortunately for her, the UK pro (A-9) was holding one of her cards and also hit his ace to eliminate her in 3rd for $338,351.
The heads-up phase of the competition began with both James Dempsey and Soi Nguyen fairly even in chips, but at one stage Dempsey sunk to a 13.4 million to 3.1 million disadvantage.
However, Dempsey managed to take the lead after doubling-ups twice before the defining hand was played. Nguyen was all-in pre-flop holding K-J to Dempsey’s K-Q, and despite Nguyen hitting his card on a J-9-6 flop, the 4-10 turn and river made Dempsey a straight to hand him his first-ever WPT title.
Soi Nguyen then received $517,478 for his runner-up finish, while James Dempsey was crowned the WPT champion and picked-up $796,112 plus a $25,500 WPT Championship Seat.
James Dempsey has now earned $1,573,215 from live tournaments, as well as a further $990,117 playing online under the screen name “Flushy.”