Smith's Sparkles in WPT Five Diamond Finale

Smith's Sparkles in WPT Five Diamond Finale

Thursday, 12 December 2013

He may be just 24 years old but Dan Smith proved he was more than capable of handling the pressure of a major final table last night after capturing his first WPT title.

Having started that day as the chip leader and favourite on paper, Smith entered the finale in a confident mood but soon after the start his optimism took a knock after he fell from the top spot. Despite having a mountain of chips, the American pro quickly slipped down the ranks whilst Eddy Sabat climbed.

As the likes of Joe Serock, Barry Hutter and Shaun Suller fell by the wayside it looked as though Sabat was going to upset the form book. However, as three-handed play dragged on it was Smith who enjoyed a renaissance, doubling up through his nemesis Sabat twice before recapturing his chip lead.

Smith's double blow to Sabat was to prove fatal as the experienced pro would ultimately hit the rail in third place after his Ac 9d wasn't able to maintain its advantage over Smith's Ks Qs as the board rolled out: Kc Jc 6s 3c Ts. That elimination saw Smith scoop almost 12 million chips whilst Sabat picked up a $436,160 consolation prize from the cage.

Now down to just two players it didn't take long for Smith to dispatch with Gary Benson; indeed, it took just nine hands for a conclusion to be reached. Knowing that he needed a miracle to reverse a 7:1 chip disadvantage, Benson tried to push the action but he finally fell on his sword when his pocket fours couldn't outrace Smith's Ks Td.

After seeing off his final foe, a jubilant Smith celebrated his third $1 million+ tournament score before hoisting the WPT Five Diamond Classic trophy aloft.

$10,300 WPT Five Diamond Classic Final Result
1: Dan Smith - $1,161,135
2: Gary Benson - $672,685
3: Eddy Sabat - $436,160
4: Shaun Suller - $303,793
5: Barry Hutter - $219,165
6: Joe Serock - $175,766

Image courtesy of the World Poker Tour.



Tags: Dan Smith, WPT Five Diamond Poker Classic, Gary benson, Eddy Sabat