Play was aggressive from the beginning and after four days of gruelling poker it was down to the final table of the North American Poker Championship. John Juanda was tipped to win the title, as he was the player at the final table with the most experience. However the other players proved their worth and didn’t let the fact that one of the most famous names in poker was sitting amongst them. Juanda couldn’t utilise this to his advantage and managed only to finish 5th for $193,003 just in front of Canada’s Marc Karam who took home $150,114.

It got down to three when Jim Worth exited the tournament with AQ versus the AK of Jason Sagle. The board did not help Worth and he was sent the rail with $257,388.

John Lam was next out to leave it heads up when he out his chips in the middle with 10-5 against 10-8 and was a huge underdog. He couldn’t improve and took 3rd place at the North American Poker Championship with $352,541.

Heads up play began with Jason Sagle and Soren Turkewitsch fighting it out for the title. Many hands were played and the chips were passed back and forth as both players played with equal aggression and class. Turkewitsch, the amateur poker player who works primarily in an auto factory was playing just as good as Sagle, the pro.

The defining hand came when Turkewitsch pushed with A3 and Sagle took his time but decided to call with A9. The flop came 2-5-9 and Sagle looked ecstatic, but didn’t realise Turkewitsch made a straight draw. The turn was the 4 of diamonds. Sagle could see the title slipping away from him as it left him severely crippled.

Sagle couldn’t win any chips back and went out with A5 and 2nd place for $676,107.

Turkewitsch, the amateur who won into the event through a $90 sattelite won the title and $1,352,224 for his troubles.

--Steven Eddleston