L.A. Poker Classic: Chris Moore Defeats Vivek Rajkumar in Rematch

History repeated itself at the Commerce Casino’s L.A. Poker Classic (LAPC). In the event’s $10,000 Heads-Up tournament, Vivek “Psyduck” Rajkumar and Chris Moore found themselves playing heads-up for the championship for a second consecutive year. The occurrence seemed all too familiar for those in attendance, until the end result.

Last year, Rajkumar ousted Moore for the title and $350,000 prize. The outcome was different on Wednesday, as Moore got his revenge against Rajkumar in a relatively short match when his diamond flush topped Rajkumar’s two pair on the final hand. Moore earned $147,200 plus a $10,000 LAPC Main Event Seat for the victory. The Main Event got underway on Friday and is part of Season 8 of the World Poker Tour (WPT).

“Winning was just very relieving,” said the 26-year-old Moore. “There was a lot of pressure on me. I’d have lost a lot of respect for myself if I had lost again. I’m glad it didn’t take too long so the pressure didn’t mount too much. But sitting in my hotel room as I saw how Vivek worked his way through the loser’s bracket, I had a feeling we’d be meeting up again.”

This year’s $10,000 Heads-Up event drew only 39 entrants compared to 111 in 2009, but the accomplishment by Moore and Rajkumar was nevertheless astonishing. Moore defeated Erick Lindgren, Scott Fischman, Frank Kassela, and Anthony Guetti en route to the final table, while Rajkumar had to battle his way back to the championship match by sweeping through the loser’s bracket. After an early loss, Rajkumar bested Eugene Katchalov, Thomas Gabriel, Guetti, Michael Binger, and Aaron “aejones” Jones before facing off against Moore in the final.

2010 LAPC $10K Heads-Up results:

1. Chris Moore - $147,200 + $10,000 Main Event Seat
2. Vivek Rajkumar - $78,600
3. Aaron “aejones” Jones - $47,160
4. Michael Binger - 31,440

In the LAPC Ironman Event earlier this week, Al “Sugar Bear” Barbieri was the last man standing, capturing his third win of the 51-tournament series to collect $59,036. Barbieri won the winner-take-all Ironman tournament after 19 hours of play by defeating “Karate” Mike Santoro heads-up. The event went non-stop without breaks until a champion was crowned.

“I could have gone another 10 hours with the adrenalin rush of playing at the final table,” said Barbieri, 51.”My heads-up partner was fading fast, but I could have kept going.”

Barbieri took only one bathroom run during the tournament and didn’t bother eating, telling Tournament Director Matt Savage that he likes playing on an empty stomach. He also noted that he is in great shape, which helps in an Ironman format.

The Ironman victory brought Barbieri’s 2010 LAPC winnings to $136,100. Earlier in the series, he won the $545 No Limit Hold’em $200,000 Guaranteed for $54,700 and the $335 Seven-Card Stud Hi/Lo event for $12,970. He also took second in the $335 Seven-Card Stud tournament for $8,500 on January 25.

The L.A. Poker Classic concludes with the Main Event, which began Friday, and the $25,100 High Roller tournament, which gets underway on Sunday.

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Poker lexicon:

FIRE - To make the first bet in a betting round. Used to emphasize that the player bet when a check was possible, showing strength.
STEAM - Playing wildly, calling and raising a lot, because one is upset. Compare: ON TILT.
TOURNAMENT - A highly structured game involving potentially dozens of tables where all participants pay an entry fee and obtain a fixed number of chips. Once a tournament has started, additional players may not enter. As the game progresses players bust out and are eliminated until only one winner remains.
SUITED - Two or more cards all the same suit. Ant: OFF-SUIT.
BEE No. 92 (TM) - Trade name for the "diamond back" cards frequently used in casino games. Compare: RIDER BACK.
DEAD MONEY - Money contributed to the pot by players who have folded.

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