Eric Wej. rallies to capture S2E9

Ingram - Eric Wej. overcame a 2:1 chip deficit to defeat Jason Tr. head's-up and claim Event 9 of this season's FNCPT. With the win, Eric received 13.04 points and advanced 6 spots in the standings landing in 5th place overall.

With the late additions of substitute Kyle H. and regular Matt Pe. (who previously canceled and then said he would play) the field was set at 19 players. However Jeff R. came down with the stomach flu and had to back out because of this [Warning: Link contains graphic content. Click at your own risk. ~Editor]. "This" reduced the field to 18 players however Matt Pe. failed to show up prior to the end of the first blind level and his chips were removed from play finalizing the field at 17.

S2E3 champ John M. was the evening's first elimination at the bronze table when he called sub Alan K's all-in short-stacked with top pair. Unfortunately Alan also had top pair and an ace kicker. 2009-2010 FNCPT Player of the Year Mike T. made a quiet early exit in 16th place followed by Kevin A. who came out on the losing end of a three-way all-in courtesy of Pat M. Jim O. was next, out 14th, when he made a move PF for 38.5k with "german virgins" with blinds at 5k/10k/1k. He was contested by Anita who revealed A-Q. Anita hit a queen on the flop and Jim was out. Nick was eliminated in 13th place when he filled his baby flush (missed his draw to a straight flush) however Angie also filled her king-high flush. Keith took a devastating blow to his stack in the hand being reduced to just a single 5k chip. He was sent to the rail in 12th place in the following hand when his K-10 went up against Jason Tr's A-7 which flopped an ace. Substitute Alan K. was eliminated in 11th place followed by Sean O. who was crippled by Eric Wej's flopped wheel straight. On the following hand, with blinds at 10k/20k/3k, Eric pushed for 55k PF and was called by Sean for his last 19k. At the red table, Eric showed pocket 8's and Sean turned over 9-2. Eric's 8's held up and Sean was out in 10th place thus forming the final table. However, the bronze table was engaged in a hand as well. Lolly was all-in with "sailboats" and was called by Angie out of the BB who barely had her covered; Angie tabled 7-9 and was looking for a good flop. Lolly led the race until the river filled Angie's straight. The final table formed at just 8 players instead of the customary 9.

Kyle was the first casualty of the final table when his all-in for 3 BB's with A-2 was called by Jason Tr's A-10.

With 7 players remaining, blinds reached 15k/30k with a 5k ante. Jim H. was eliminated next when he pushed UTG only to have Eric insta-shove behind him. Jim tabled K-10 and Eric turned over pocket jacks which held up. Jason Ta. was out 6th when his all-in with A-J was called and defeated by Angie's pocket 10's. With only 5 players remaining and the bubble looming, Jason Tr. moved all-in on the button with A-Q only to be called by Anita in the BB with pocket "cowboys". Jason couldn't pair his ace and Anita's kings took the pot which reduced him to just 30k in chips. Over the next few hands, Jason managed to triple up and then double up giving him much need chips.

With blinds still at 15k/30k/5k, Anita was eliminated on the bubble in 5th when she called Jason's all-in with 8-9 o/s short-stacked. Jason showed A-4 and the 3-3-A flop paired Jason's ace. The turn and river brought no help for Anita and she was out.

4 handed play started with blinds at 20k/40k with a 6k ante and included Eric Wej, Pat "Ninja" M, Jason Tr. and Angie S. Pat struck first when Eric called in the SB and Pat checked. The flop came out K-10-8. Eric bet 40k and Pat called. The turn brought a queen and Eric bet 200k. Pat tanked for a minute, pushed for 20k on top and Eric called and showed pocket aces. Pat revealed K-5. The river was a 5 and Pat scooped a 550k pot.

The 4 remaining players continued to battle back and forth until blinds reached 40k/80k/10k. Over the course of several hands, Jason Tr's chip stack began to swell fueled by Guinness Draught.

Angie is the next player eliminated when she is all-in short-stacked with Ad-10c. Eric called and showed Jc-10d. The flop brought the As-Ac-6c giving Angie trip aces and Eric flush and straight draws. The turn brought the 7c. In sickening fashion, the 9c came on the river and Angie was out.

On the last hand of 40k/80k/10k, Pat moved-in PF for about 200k. Jason checked his cards, called and turned over pocket aces. Pat showed A-9. The board stayed clean for Jason and "Ninja" was out in 3rd place.

Head's-up play between Jason and Eric started with blinds at 60k/120k and with Jason having a 2:1 chip lead over his opponent. Eric unleashed an aggressive assault by raising and re-raising several pots causing Jason to retreat. Eric exploited Jason's "card deadness" and eventually shifted the chip lead to his advantage.

On the last hand of the tournament, Jason pushed for about 300k with the Jd-Kc. Eric called with the Ad-3d. The flop brought the 5h-7d-7c. Running 10's on the turn and river missed Jason and gave Eric his 2nd career FNCPT win!

Thanks to everyone who attended S2E9 and congratulations to Eric on his win!

~Jason Tr.

Greetings from Maui! Chris S. missed S2E9 due to vacationing in Hawaii. This is a photo of the view from outside his condo.

"April Eight" Update:
With a second place finish Saturday night, Jason Tr. maintains the overall lead in points with 50.56. Nick remains in 2nd place with 42.00 points and despite missing his fourth event this season, Jim S. maintains 3rd place with 39.80 points. Jason Ta. held on to 4th place with 36.26 points. With his win, Eric Wej. moved up 6 places into 5th overall with 34.82 points. Jim H. maintained 6th place with 34.01 points while Sean dropped 2 spots into 7th with 33.75 points. John dropped 1 spot into 8th place with 29.10 points. Anita maintained 9th place (on the outside looking in) with 28.31 points. Mike T. is right behind Anita with 27.48 points in 10th place.

With only two events remaining this season, it appears that the "April Eight" seats will continue to be hotly contested.