Luca Pagano will have to wait for his first EPT title having lost a 3,300,000 flip against Vuong Than Trong to bust out in 7th for €110,000. It’s been another fine performance from the Italian Team PokerStars Pro who extends his dual record of most EPT final tables (seven) and most EPT cashes (twenty).
Pagano’s demise came at the hands of Vuong Than Trong who opened under-the-gun for 220,000 with 9♠ 9♥ . Pagano jammed for 1,660,000 from the cut-off with A♣ J♠ and was called finding himself slightly behind, 44.5% to 55.5%. The Q♦ 6♦ Q♥ flop was no help but the 10♥ on the turn gave Pagano an additional seven outs; four kings for a straight and three tens to counterfeit Trong’s pair and take the hand with his ace kicker. None of them arrived, nor an ace or jack.
Although he’ll be disappointed not to make it further he can at least take some satisfaction in having reclaimed his number one spot at the top of the EPT Tournament Leaderboard.
I’m going to point out that this is not the official TLB points calculation but what I’ve roughly approximated. The Italian’s final table finish puts Pagano up to around 5,545, some way ahead of Bertrand ‘ElkY’ Grospellier’s 5,112. You can see the full European Poker Tour Tournament Leaderboard by clicking on the link.
The payouts
1. €875,000
2. €557,000
3. €328,000
4. €260,000
5. €200,000
6. €155,000
7. Luca Pagano, Italy, Team PokerStars Pro, €110,000
8. Mick Graydon, Ireland, PokerStars qualifier, €67,200