APP League Championship Recap!

Last night was our Finale! The game everyone was fighting for during the season to get to. The top 9 players played in the Championship Free Roll for $385 and a APP League Trophy. All 9 spots were paid and it was great competition all around. After eating awesome spaghetti made by Mrs. Allyson Turner, it was game time and here is how things went down as it was a short tournament for me personally but More on the cash game later.

Jason Courville focused on the game.

Jason Courville had worked a nice stack early in the tournament as everyone started with 15,000 in chips. By the third blind level Jason had a nice stack of about 24-28k but He got involved with the Defending champ and Chip-leader at the time Dustin Norris on a flop with all spades. Jason Flopped the 8 high flush but Dustin woke up with the Nut flush and 4bet shoved. Jason could not get off of his flush and called the all in to get shown the bad news and get knocked out for $50

Matt (Myself) was card dead for the majority of the tournament. He was sporting a short stack and was in the small blind with 4 other players to see a flop and blinds 200 400 8 5 off for $200 and the pot odds he decides to call. The flop came 10 9 7 and Matt decided this was good enough to shove his remaining 7k to steal the 2k pot but it was horrible timing as the BB Travis Calls with 10 7 for two pair and Barbara slow-played KK and also shoved all in with 250 over Matt's shove. Travis called and Barbara got runner runner AA to knock out Matt for $60 plus the $100 he earned for Most Final Tables.

Matt and Jason wait to get their card

After taking the tough loss to Barbara, Travis could not continue his dominance that he had throughout the season as he was yet again outdrawn when Travis was in Mid-late position with 99 and player in Early position raised to 1600 with blinds at 300 600 Hoang Called and Travis 3bet to 4800 to go. T.J. Hebert instantly shoved all in with 8750 and when it got back to Travis he made the call and the race was on. Unfortunately for Travis the A was in the window and 10 came on the turn. Travis couldn't spike the 9 and was out earning $85 plus the $200 he earned for Overall Points and Mixed Game Leader.

Later, Dustin Norris decided to take his chances with A10 as he caught T.J.'s hand in the cookie jar when he shoved with K9, but right behind Dustin, Tommy also shoved with KK and was looking good to triple up as Dustin Called his all in as well. the flop was QJ8 and Tommy was still in the lead, then the A fell and Dustin stole the lead and eventually racked in the chips as well Tommy had the lesser chips and earned $100 for his well fought battle as T.J. brought in $110 for his efforts as well! The defending Champ was knock going out without a fight.

Tommy eyes his opponents as Dustin stacks in chips. Nice smile by dealer Will.

Jimmy contemplating his next move

Jimmy Rogers was playing a very good game but got trapped by Hoang Ho. Hoang was playing mind games with the table the whole tournament and amassed a huge chip stack to help his arsenal. He checked the flop and turn, but the Turn made Hoang's Straight as Jimmy Flopped Top pair. After making a small bet on the river, Jimmy shoved all in and Hoang instantly called showing Jimmy he was beat. Jimmy earned $125 plus the $100 for most cashes for his efforts

Barbara's Chip stack was being diminished and she made a last effort all in with a suited King but could not connect as she was knocked out by Hoang finishing 3rd for $150. The only woman with enough balls to hang with the guys and she put on a great effort this year.

The final 2 in a battle for it all

As we got to heads up. Hoang had a 3.5:1 chip advantage on the defending champ Dustin and he only planned to take more. Hand after hand Hoang added pressure raising and reraising. Dustin got tired of this and shoved all in not looking at his whole cards and being only a portion of Hoang's stack he decided to call. Dustin's 5 3 os seemed to be in bad shape vs. Hoang's 76 suited when the flop paired Hoang and was all over cards but after the turn and river Dustin spiked the straight to double up and stay alive. That did not last long though as 8 hands later Dustin decides to take the same approach and shove in the dark again. This time, Hoang woke up with Pocket Jacks and there was no looking back as Dustin's 10 6 had no chance and completely blanked. Dustin won $185 as Hoang won $385 and the APP 2011 Trophy. Congratulations and it was a pleasure during another successful season!

2011 APP League Champ Hoang Ho