WPT Legends of Poker 2011 Won By Will Failla

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Will “The Thrill” Failla has just won the 2011 WPT Legends of Poker at the Bicycle Casino in California, after overcoming a field of 757 players to lift the trophy, and collect the $758,085 first place prize.

As the $3,700 WPT final table of six got underway , US pro Failla was out in front but saw his lead slip after a couple of big hands, including one in which he flopped trip queens to Jeff Vertes’s full house.

However, before long Will Failla had launched his comeback by eliminating short-stack Owais Ahmed in 6th spot ($77,100), whose 15bb shove from the small blind with Js-7s was called by Failla in the big blind with Ac-5h.

Two hours later and Adam Aronson reduced to just 8bb, went all-in from the button with pocket sixes but unfortunately for him ran into Jeff Vertes’ Ad-Ah. The 8h-6h-3s gave Aronson plenty of hope, but the 7h-9h turn and river made a flush for his opponent and so Aronson Departed in 5th place for $102,800.

Joshua Pollock then hit the rail 30 minutes later when he was all-in holding Jd-7d for the flush draw on a Ad-Kc-4d flop with Ken Aldridge holding As-7h. With a diamond failing to materialise, though,  Pollock found himself out in 4th, but richer to the tune of $128,500.

Three and a half hours of three-handed play then ensued until Failla with A-J shoved over the top of Jeff Vertes’ three-bet, who made the call with his A-Q. The A-J-T-9-A board was unkind to Vertes, though, who subsequently finished 3rd for $186,400.
 
As heads-up play got underway, Failla held the chip lead with a 13.075m stack to Ken Aldridge’s 10.65m. However, after Aldridge nudged ahead, he suddenly came unstuck after being dealt Ad-As to his opponent’s 8h-6h. Failla called Aldridge’s pre-flop raise and check-called his bet on a Jc-5d-2h flop, with the 9h on the turn then sealing Aldridge’s fate, who then doubled his opponent-up.

Three hands later and it was all over for Ken Aldridge who with 6-4 felt compelled to call Failla’s all-in move with J-6. The board proceeded to run out K-K-7-Q-9 to relegate Ken “Teach” Aldridge to a runner-up spot worth $365,800.

In the meantime, Will Failla collected the trophy, $758,085 in prize money, as well as a $25.000 ticket for the end of season WPT World Championship at the Bellagio. With his latest victory, Failla has now taken his live career earnings to an impressive $2,748,932.