Pot-Limit Omaha is perhaps the ultimate action game and tonight's final table was no exception. Compared to the nearly 15-hour marathon we witnessed a few nights ago at the £2,500 H.O.R.S.E., tonight's final table clocked in at a brisk seven hours of play, with Copenhagen's Theo Jorgensen riding the chip lead he brought to the final all the way to victory. Seven pros and one decorated amateur all fell by the wayside, as Jorgensen channeled his run-good powers, even hitting quads in back-to-back hands to eliminate both Chris "Jesus" Ferguson and Jason Mercier.
Jorgensen is no stranger to a WSOP final table. Out of the four times he's cashed at the series, he's made three final tables and now can add a WSOP bracelet to his growing collection of poker accolades.
Though the Scandinavians can at times be a stoic lot, the affable Jorgensen is a notable exception and nothing could wipe the ear-to-ear grin off his face as he wrapped his first bracelet around his wrist and posed for the cameras. That's two out of three now for the Danes at the WSOP-Europe, as his fellow countryman Jesper Hougaard took down the £1,500 No-Limit Hold'em event earlier this week.
Congratulations to Theo Jorgensen, tonight a happy man indeed as he left the stage to celebrate with his friends.
After what was quickly becoming an adrenalin-pumping roller coaster of a ride, we finally unearthed our champion, and thus the winner of the resplendent gold bracelet.
It all happened on a flop, and in a matter of seconds too. Jorgensen bet 100,000, Mizzi reraised, Jorgensen pushed all in, Mizzi called and we had our showdown.
Jorgensen = for top set.
Mizzi = for the nut flush draw.
"Heart!" yelled a slightly intoxicated Annette Obrestad from the rail. "Seven of diamonds!" exclaimed another. "Pair the f***ing board!" screamed Jorgensen, refusing to mince his words.
In the end, it was the second of those requests that mysteriously came true, the blank turn being followed by a harmless river, delivered straight from the Twilight Zone.
"Woooooooo!" screeched Jorgensen as the collective shoulders of Mizzi and his Mizzilites dropped in unison. With a battered and bruised Mizzi staring dejectedly down at the felt, the jubilant victor jumped into the arms of fellow countryman Martin Vallo and the two Danes proceeded to celebrate their nation's second triumph of the week. An incredible feat, and one that will have the North Americans turning green with envy.
The tone of this match has turned much more methodical since Theo Jorgensen doubled back up through Sorel Mizzi. Instead of, "pot, re-pot, all in," it's been more like, "check, bet, call" as of late. Here's how the last three heads-up hands played out.
1. Jorgensen raised to 60,000 from the button and Mizzi called. The flop was and both players checked. The turn was the and they checked again. The river was the . Mizzi checked, Jorgensen bet the pot, and Mizzi folded.
2. Mizzi raised to 40,000 from the button, Jorgensen reraised to 120,000 and Mizzi called. A 150,000 bet from Jorgensen took it down on the flop.
3. Jorgensen raised to 50,000 from the button and Mizzi called. The flop was . Mizzi checked, Jorgensen bet 80,000 and Mizzi folded.
Out of the two remaining players, it would appear as though Sorel Mizzi is the more heavily supported, with various young online pros shouting him on from the sidelines. Also gracing us with their presence here at ringside are the first and second-place finishers from last year's Main Event, Annette Obrestad and John Tabatabai.
In a moment of madness, Tabatabai raced up to the table to give Mizzi a big wet kiss on the cheek. The timing of this platonic (or, so I hope) show of affection was probably not the best, as Mizzi had just lost an all-in for the bracelet. Otherwise I'm sure he would have reciprocated.
Theo Jorgensen seems to be picking up most of the smaller pots at the moment. The last hand of note I witnessed saw both players reaching a flop. Mizzi led out for 80,000, Jorgensen reraised, and Mizzi made a swift fold.
Sorel Mizzi opened for a min-raise to 40,000 and Theo Jorgensen called. The flop was and both players checked. The turn was the . Jorgensen checked, Mizzi bet 63,000 and Jorgensen called. The river was the . Jorgensen checked again, and perhaps detecting that something was amiss, Mizzi checked behind.
Jorgensen rolled over for a queen-high flush and Mizzi mucked.