18-Year Old Dominik Nitsche Takes LAPT Top Prize
April 23, 2009
Not bad for a high school student. German Dominik Nitsche hasn’t bridged his 20th birthday yet but he has already won $381,030 courtesy of the PokerStars Latin American Poker Tour Mar del Plata. To take the title, Nitsche had to outlast Jorge Landazuri, a 19 year old from Mexico.
Nitsche was Day 3 Chip Leader and he entered the final table with 817,000 in Chips. Quite dominant considering that Sergio Farias with 474,000 was his nearest contender. Alfons Fenijn was last in chips with 65,000 but it was Jose Barbero who busted out first courtesy of Farias who hit a set on the flop. Barbero collected $28,220 for his ninth place finish.
It was Fenijn’s turn to bust in eight place courtesy on Farias once again who was holding pocket jacks. Farias’ Jacks held up against Fenijn’s Q-10, sending the latter home with $35,280 for eighth place. After which, it was Rodolfo Awad’s turn to shine when he busted our Derek Lerner in seventh place with his pocket Queens. Lerner won $49,400.
Nitsche suddenly burst to life by busting out Sergio Farias and Leo Fernandez in one hand. Nitsche raised and Fernandez moved all-in. Farias pushed all-in as well and Nitshe called with Pocket Aces. Farias was holding Pocket 10s while Fernandez was holding Pocket Kings. The board ran J-8-4-Q-6 and Nitshe emerged with a monster stack. Fernandez finished in sixth place ($63,250) while Farias won $77,620 for fifth place.
Jason Skeans was swallowed up by Rodolfo Awad when he tried to bluff with 6d-2h. Unfortunately for Skeans, Awad called his steal with Ac-7s. The board was Kd-9d-4h-3s-10d and Skeans was sent home with $105,860 for fourth place. Awad’s victory was short-lived as he was sent to the rail next courtesy of Jorge Landazuri’s pocket nines. Awad’s pocket fours were simply no match and he ended up with $141,140 for third place.
It was the battle of the teenagers, going into heads up play. Nitsche had a 2-to-1 chip advantage and he in the end, it only took one hand for the tournament to end. Nitsche raised from the button and Landazuri called. Nitsche bet out the Kh-9d-8h flop and Landazuri raised. Nitsche called to see the 10s turn. Landazuri bet and the river brought up a Kd. Landazuri moved all-in and Nitsche called holding K-J for a set. Landazuri only had Js-5c or a busted straight draw. But it was a good day for Landazuri who won $211,700 through a PokerStars freeroll. Nitshe, on the other hand, experienced his first victory in a major tournament.
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