James Dempsey Takes Down WPT Five Diamond Title
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James Dempsey navigated a tough final table to win the World Poker Tour’s Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Along with taking his first major tournament victory, Dempsey also took home $821,612.
Dempsey’s victory over the 413-player field was all the more impressive considering the caliber of his opposition at the final table. The final table featured stars such as Antonio Esfandiari – who was looking for an unprecedented back-to-back championship at the Five Diamond World Poker Classic – as well as Vanessa Selbst, former November Nine member Soi Nguyen, and online pro Andrew Lichtenberger. Even the short stack, Vitor Coelho, wasn’t without some tournament success coming into the final table.
The action proved to be extremely fast-paced. Antonio Esfandiari was the first to go, quickly followed by the short-stacked Coelho. Lichtenberger and Selbst quickly followed, setting up a heads-up showdown between Dempsey and Nguyen after just 41 hands of final table action.
When heads up play began, the two were nearly even in chips. The lead then went back and forth over the next 85 hands, with Nguyen first grabbing the lead before Dempsey was able to double-up twice to retake the lead.
Finally, Nguyen chose to move in over the top of Dempsey with KJ offsuit, only to find that Dempsey had him outkicked with KQ offsuit. A J96 flop initially looked promising for Nguyen, who took the lead. The four on the turn kept him in the lead, but a river ten gave Dempsey a straight, as well as his first ever WPT title.
Dempsey’s win came in his first ever WPT event. As part of his prize money, Dempsey received a free entry into the $25,000 WPT World Championship that will take place at the end of the current season.
The final table cashes were as follows:
1st - James Dempsey — $821,612
2nd - Soi Nguyen — $517,478
3rd - Vanessa Selbst — $338,351
4th - Andrew Lichtenberger — $218,933
5th - Vitor Coelho — $159,224
6th - Antonio Esfandiari — $119,418