Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008

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Final table set for Premier League III

By Arthur Crowson

The action over at the Premier League III has been fast and furious for the last two days, but the final table is set at last.

J.C. Tran, Peter Eastgate, Juha Helppi and Annette Obrestad all had victories in the last four heats of the prelims of the Premier League. After all the points had been tabulated from the last four heats it was clear that Tran, Eastgate, Helppi and Dwan had all qualified for the final table.

Meanwhile, Obrestad would be forced to play Roland De Wolfe heads-up for one of the two remaining spots at the final table, while Tony G was heads-up against Vicky Coren.

The men came up big this time around, meaning neither Coren nor Obrestad will be making an appearance at the final table.

The final table is scheduled to get started today, but before it does, here's an exclusive look at each of the players heading into the final table and what they've accomplished at Premier League III thus far.

J.C. Tran

J.C. Tran:  45 Points ($450,000 chips)

A newcomer to the Premier League, J.C. Tran has been, without a doubt, the best player in the series. Taking a total of 45 points out of an available 60, Tran essentially ran the tables. He pulled off three first-place finishes in his first showing at the Premier League, and must be considered the favorite to win this event.

Although he's not as loud and flashy as Phil Hellmuth or Roland De Wolfe, Tran has put together some of the most impressive tournament results in the last couple of years, with numerous WPT final tables and a WSOP bracelet to his name.

Peter Eastgate

Peter Eastgate: 39 Points ($390,000 chips)

Recent 2008 WSOP Champion Peter Eastgate is certainly living up to his freshly minted nickname of "Peter the Great." With respect to Tran, Eastgate has been the best player at the Premier League III and his aggressive play combined with his calm attitude look to give Eastgate even more cash for the '08-'09 season of poker.

Eastgate is looking to become the first Main Event champion to win the Premier League, and considering his large stack of chips, you've got to like his chances of making history.

Juha Helppi

Juha Helppi: 34 points ($340,000 chips)

Although Finnish player Juha Helppi isn't quite as well-known outside of the Premier League as J.C. Tran and Peter Eastgate, it's worth noting that Helppi is the only remaining player who's actually won a Premier League title.

Helppi broke out of a rut with his strong play in this year's Premier League, so it may be a case of a player hitting his stride at the perfect time. Third in chips, Helppi has certainly given himself a great chance to be the first player to win two Premier League titles.

Tom Dwan

Tom Dwan: 26 points ($260,000 chips)

Scary good. That's the way Tom Dwan is usually referred to in the poker world. Perhaps better known as "durrrr," Dwan regularly crushes the highest-stakes poker games in existence, so he won't blink an eye playing at a table where over $500,000 is on the line.

This is the first time Dwan has played in the Premier League, and by all accounts it's been a very successful tournament for the young player. Dwan came up huge in the seventh heat of Premier League III and thus secured himself a spot at the final table (even though he was tied points-wise with Tony G).

Tony G

Tony G: 26 points ($260,000 chips)

Tony G has been a regular at the Premier League, but he has yet to take one down. Last year The G came painfully close, eventually finishing third right behind Roland De Wolfe and eventual winner Andy Black.

This time around Tony has the chance to put that all behind him and finally secure the title. After an exciting heads-up match against Vicky Coren, Tony G is in prime position to carry that momentum forward into the final table and take down the $300,000 for first place.

Roland De Wolfe

Roland De Wolfe: 23 points ($230,000)

Rolande De Wolfe is the sole Englishman remaining, but will have his work cut out for him if he wants to do his country proud, as he is the short stack heading into the final table.

Last year De Wolfe came as close as you can get to winning it all, finishing second to Andy Black in a heartbreaking heads-up match. De Wolfe has had a mediocre Premier League for the most part, but perhaps the thrilling heads-up victory over Norwegian sensation Annette Obrestad will be enough to wake him up.

Related Articles:

• Eastgate gains speed at Premier League III
• Eastgate rebounds on Premier League III Day 3
• Tran goes 2-0 at Premier League III
• Tony G, J.C. Tran strike first at Premier League III

 

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