Fairytales do come true, even in the cutthroat world of tournament poker. Just ask Victorino Torres – the PokerStars online qualifier from the Northern Mariana Islands was second-last in chips when the final table began, but made a storming run to win the event and claim his first-ever poker title.
“Of course I am elated to win,” he said, still unable to stop smiling. “But more than that I am just very thankful. Thankful to my family and to PokerStars for putting on such a wonderful tournament here this week. Now I think I might just try my luck in Las Vegas at the World Series of Poker.”
With five players left, Torres was the short stack after Hong Kong’s Chong Cheong, the final table chip leader, had beaten up on him. But he improved a little and then won a big pot against Kenny Nielsen, one that eliminated the Dane in fifth as well as nearly doubling up Torres. Nielsen had open-shoved with A-8, and Torres called in a flash with A-9. The window card was an 8 to give Nielsen the lead, but it lasted only for a second as the rest of the flop came out 9 and J to put Torres back in control. That propelled Torres to second in chips behind Cheong, and he never looked back.
The next phase was all about Jeppe Drivsholm, who despite being second in chips for most of the day was being taken apart, piece by piece, by Cheong. He got low, managed to double up once, but fell in the end to Torres. Torres had raised with A♦7♠, Drivsholm moved all in with K♥5♥, Torres called, and Drivsholm was out.
That elimination meant that just three players remained, and Cole Swannock from New Zealand was soon out in third, walking his pocket deuces straight into the pocket aces of Cheong.
On to heads up play, and by now Torres had a five-to-one chip lead over Cheong. He wasted no time in trying to get it over with, moving all-in three times in quick succession. Cheong managed one double up, his K-Q not just overtaking Torres’ A-J but making a full house. Soon after, Cheong open-raised to 125,000 and Torres called. The flop was T♥ 9♠ J♠, Torres checked, Cheong moved all-in and Torres called instantly, tabling 7♣ 8♣. Cheong showed 6♣ Q♦ for a higher straight draw, needing an Eight or a King to win the pot and double up. But Lady Luck was on Torres’ side, and the A♥ turn and the river 7♦ river meant that there would be no miracle for the local favourite.
FINAL TABLE PAYOUTS
1 – Victorino Torres, Northern Mariana Islands – HK$3,246,200
2 – Chong Cheong, Hong Kong – HK$2,088,000
3 – Cole Swannack, New Zealand – HK$1,177,600
4 – Jeppe Drivsholm, Denmark – HK$891,000
5 – Kenny Nielsen, Denmark – HK$700,000
6 – Brian Green, Costa Rica – HK$572,900
7 – Kai Paulsen, Norway – HK$445,600
8 – Albert Kim, United States – HK$350,100
9 – Keith Hawkins, United Kingdom – HK$254,608
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