WPT L.A. Poker Classic Begins Today

World Poker Tour stops are coming in rapid-fire succession this month, with the latest slated to begin Thursday, January 25. The L.A. Poker Classic, set at the gigantic Commerce Casino, is one of the longest poker festivals you will see, running the rest of January, the entire duration of February, and into the first week of March. Thirty events in all, it will actually culminate with a celebrity invitational after the conclusion of the $10,000 main event.

Last year featured a roller coaster final table, won by Alan Goehring, his second WPT title. Goehring frustrated his opposition with his unorthodox style of play, but for much of the proceedings, he had trouble getting any footing. It took a while to eliminate even single player, but once the table was down to five, Goehring pulled off the most astounding hand of the day. With pocket fives, he went all-in over the top of J.C. Tran’s pre-flop raise. Tran insta-called with Aces, preparing to double-up. The flop was monochrome: 8-7-2 of spades. As Tran held the Ace of spades, that left Goehring with a solitary out. But the 2 on the turn brought back one of Goehring’s outs, as now the 5 of spades would give him a boat. And what did the river bring? Of course, Goehring’s two-outer, sending Tran reeling off the stage and out of the tournament.

Goehring made other bizarre moves, as well. He called off half his stack with K-J when Steve Simmons moved all-in, but it turned out to be a great all, as he had Simmons’ T-J dominated.

And on the final hand, Quach pushed with A-J, only to see Goehring call with…K-8 off-suit? A King on the turn iced the victory for Goehring, giving him a $2,391,550 payday.

Originally published 2:23 PM Thursday, January 25, 2007