Canadian Frederic Normand Wins WPT bestbet Scramble for $350k
There’s a newly minted member of the WPT Champions Club and it is Frederic Normand, winner of the $5,000 buy-in World Poker Tour bestbet Scramble for $351,650.
The Canadian defeated Heng Zhang heads-up to win the title, and it ended in thrilling fashion. On top of the six-figure career-best score, the champion will also receive free entry into the WPT World Championship $40 million guaranteed event next month at Wynn Las Vegas.
Chip Leaders Reach the Finish Line
The final table went almost by chalk. Those who started the day with smaller stacks were early exits, and the two big stacks Zhang and Normand lasted until the end. There wasn’t much back and forth between the bottom stacks and the big stacks throughout the five-hour session.
Brian Senie, the smallest stack entering the day, was first to go and made a quick exit in sixth place for $70,400. Ian O’Hara, who has over $4.2 million in lifetime live tournament cashes, was second from last in chips heading into the final table, and was second to go ($92,900).
Michael Frierson, a local recreational player who paid just $120 to enter the tournament via a satellite, then busted in fourth place ($123,900) when he jammed ace-queen into Zhang’s pocket kings. The elimination allowed Toby Boas to ladder up to third place and $166,800.
That set up heads-up play between two of the best players at the table, whom also began the day with the two largest stacks. It was clear from the start that the heads-up match would be long as both players were over 80 big blinds and fairly close in chips.
On the 110th hand at the final table, Normand raised in position to 400,000 with A4. The big blind made the call with 106 to see a flop of 875 and both players checked. When the A appeared on the turn, Zhang again checked, and then check-raised his straight draw from 750,000 to all in for 4,675,000.
With top pair and the WPT Champions Club in sight, Normand made the call and then celebrated when the 6 on the river was a brick. The skilled poker players, both accomplished in tournament play prior to the WPT bestbet Scramble beginning, shook hands and Zhang, who received $26,700 as a consolation prize, congratulated his opponent.
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frederic Normand | $351,650 |
| 2 | Heng Zhang | $226,700 |
| 3 | Toby Boas | $166,800 |
| 4 | Michael Frierson | $123,900 |
| 5 | Ian O’Hara | $92,900 |
| 6 | Brian Senie | $70,400 |
“It feels surreal,’ Normand told the media following his career-defining win. “With tournament variance, it’s hard to win in the end. I feel very grateful.”
Normand, who said he didn’t have a single losing level throughout the entire four-day tournament, now has over $1.1 million in The Hendon Mob results.
“I just felt he had more combo draws, I didn’t feel he had ace-x,” Normand said of his decision to call the turn bet on the final hand. “I think if he did have two pair or better, he would let me bluff.”
After winning life-changing money, what does the champion have planned for this evening to celebrate?
“I have laundry to do,” he joked.
Normand said he’ll attend the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Paradise series in the Bahamas next month before traveling to Las Vegas for the WPT World Championship.
Tags
Related Tournaments
FAQ
What is the origin of the name Roulette?
What is the origin of the name Roulette? The origin of the name “roulette” is French and it means “little wheel”. The name is derived from the fact that the game is played on a small wheel that spins around, with players betting on where the ball will land. The word “roulette” was first used in its current context in the 18th century, although the game itself dates back much earlier.
What role did roulette play in popular culture such as movies and literature?
What role did roulette play in popular culture, such as movies and literature? Roulette has played a significant role in popular culture, appearing in numerous movies, books, and other forms of media. In movies, roulette often appears as a symbol of glamour, luxury, and risk-taking. One of the most famous examples is the classic film “Casablanca,” where the game is prominently featured in several scenes. In the movie, the character Rick (played by Humphrey Bogart) runs a popular nightclub and casino in Casablanca, Morocco, where roulette is one of the main attractions.
Is Chinese poker the same as poker?
Is Chinese poker the same as poker? Chinese poker is a card game in the poker family that plays quite differently from traditional game variants that most poker players are familiar with (like Texas Hold’em). Each player gets 13 cards in a game of Chinese poker, and is tasked with making two five-card hands and a three-card hand.
Can you play WPT global on phone?
Can you play WPT global on phone? Create an account to join the WPT Global poker community. Choose your poker nickname, fill in a few details and verify your email, then you’re all set. Download poker to your PC, Mac, mobile or tablet and start playing the games you love in minutes.
Can you withdraw from WPT Global?
Can you withdraw from WPT Global? Before making your first withdrawal, WPT Global, as a licensed operator, requires new customers to verify their account by providing the necessary documentation. This includes: Documentation that proves your identity such as a driving licence or passport.
Poker Global App Download
This site only collects related articles. Viewing the original, please copy and open the following link:Canadian Frederic Normand Wins WPT bestbet Scramble for $350k
