The American Dylan Wilkerson wins the World Poker Tour Emperors Palace Poker Classic, in Johannesburg, after defeating Richard Barnard in heads-up action.
What a run it has been for the American.
He took second in the Fallsview Poker Classic, in Niagara Falls, in Feb, for $228,364; second again at WPT Bay 101 Shooting Stars, in San Jose, for $728,650, and two final table appearances at this year’s World Series of Poker (WSOP), where he earned $150,000, to take his year end total over the $1.1m mark.
Wilkerson came into the final table second in chips, and had all the experience. With the exception of Aaron Overton – who finished fourth at the WPT Borgata Championships – it was a fairly inexperienced final table.
Darryn Lipman was first to fall when his [Ac] [2s] ran into the pocket jacks of Chris Convery; Diane Crous then eliminated Aaron Overton when Overton jammed holding [Tc] [9c] and was called by big slick; and Convery was the next to go when he made a move holding [Th] [8h] and was picked apart by Wilkerson’s, [Qc] [9c].
Wilkerson marched into the heads-up encounter with Barnard after eliminating Crous. It was a tough exit for the South African after the flop put her well ahead of the American. Her ace-king spiking a second king on the flop, against Wilkerson’s pocket nines, only to see a series of running diamonds giving Wilkerson the flush.
The heads-up action was fairly even, before the inevitable all-in an call. Barnard held [Kh] [Qc], but Wilkerson had him dominated with [Ah] [Qh]. Five cards later and Wilkerson was getting that unfamiliar feeling.
He was a champion.
WSOP Emperors Palace Final Table Results
1st. Dylan Wilkerson – $147,509.
2nd. Richard Barnard – $85,651
3rd. Diane Crous – $54,721
4th. Chris Convery – $38,543
5th. Aaron Overton – $29,740
6th. Darryn Lipman – $22,602
Other notables to cash include Seth Berger (7th), Lacey Jones (11th), and the WPT Champions Club member McLean Karr (18th).
The WPT is also in full swing in Nottingham as WPT UK is currently taking place at the Dusk till Dawn Casino and Poker room.
