Poker President Thomas Thang Wins $193,251 At Unibet Open Valencia 2010

The president of the Danish Poker Federation, Thomas Thang has just won the Unibet Open Valencia 2010, after defeating a field of 361 players over four days to take down the title and collect the €138,080 ($193,251) first place prize.
Mostly known as a cash game specialist, Thang has only recently started cashing in at tournaments after winning the €300 NLHE Turbo side event at the EPT Vilamoura a few weeks ago for €5,631.
Now with a $193,251 win and a title under his belt Thomas Thang couldn’t be more delighted and commenting after his victory in Spain, said:
“I’m feeling great. There’s always a bit of luck involved, but in the end the best players win.”
After Day 1A and 1B of the €1,650 buy-in tournament were completed only 94 players made it through to Day 2 with the final table of ten then being set by the end of the day’s play.
Starting out in 6th position, Thang proceeded to dominate the table and by the time he eliminated Belgian Atanas Gueorguiev in 4th (€43,320) he held an almost insurmountable lead.
Andreas Hofmann then eliminated Spain’s Jose Diez in 3rd (€59,560) to set up the heads-up battle but the disparity in chips meant that some all-in action was never going to be far behind.
A few hands later Thomas Thang was dealt pocket 8’s and shoved preflop only to be called by his German opponent’s Ac-10h. A flop of 2h-4h-5h gave Hofmann hope of a double through, but a 6s and a Kc on the turn and river sealed his fate and Andreas Hofmann had to content himself with a runner-up finish worth €89.350.
In the meantime, Thang was crowned the Unibet Open Valencia 2010 Champion and earned €138,080 for his hard fought efforts. Commenting on his famous victory the Danish Poker Federation President Thomas Thang said:
“It’s bit weird. It was my goal from the beginning, and now it’s achieved. But it feels good. I didn’t get involved in too much trouble. I just tried to keep the pots small.”