Giri Gagne Heads WPT Lucky Hearts Poker Open Final Table
- by Josef Rantamaki
Giri Gagne produced a display that belied her relative inexperience on Day 3 of the World Poker Tour Lucky Hearts Poker Open on Wednesday.
Gagne has not recorded a live tournament cash during her career but she could be set to take down a six-figure jackpot after racing into a substantial chip lead ahead of the final table.
Matt Juttlestad started the session at the top of the leader board and the local favourite managed to hold onto the majority of his stack despite several setbacks. Juttlestad will be gunning for Gagne, as the leading six prepare to play down to the wire for the $268,444 first prize on Day 4.
It proved to be a day to forget for the more illustrious names on show. Noah Schwartz, Christian Harder, Harrison Gimbel and Jonathan Little were among the 34 runners who returned to the Seminole Hard Rock Casino but neither of those mentioned were able to ride the final table bubble.
One player who has been troubling the chip leaders all week is Uri Kadosh. Kadosh made his mark on Day 1a after heading a star-studded field and he managed to run good once again in midweek to accrue a seven-figure stack and sit behind title favourites, Gagne and Juttlestad.
Renowned online grinder and former Wynn Classic champion Keith ‘damurdera3′ Ferrera is perhaps the most recognised player who managed to advance to the defining session. However, Ferrera will have work to do if he is to harbour hopes of a second major tournament title.
Short stack Todd Jacobson and Sharon Levin round out the final six who are all guaranteed to take home a share of at least $43,185 when the action resumes at 1.30pm (EST) on Wednesday.