David Williams Wins WPT World Championship

David Williams, professional poker player and face of Bodog.com poker room, came away WPT World Champion on April 24, 2010.

He went into the final table on Sunday night, tied for chip-leader with David Benyamine. On the 28th hand, he passed Benyamine in chip count.

Eventually, Benyamine ended up being the third to leave the table, and Williams had to go head-to-head against Eric Baldwin. At hand #106, Williams relinquished chip leader to Baldwin, but the two continued to battle each other for another 30 hands before Williams grabbed the Championship. Here’s a replay of how hand #136 went down:

Williams raised Baldwin 500,000. Baldwin decided to go all in for 4,765,000. Williams calls, revealing his 2 of clubs and 2 of diamonds. Baldwin flips his cards to show an ace of hearts and a 5 of hearts.

The flop comes out, giving the table an ace of diamonds, 7 of clubs, and 6 of spades. At this point, it looks like Baldwin may win it. That is, until the turn gives Williams a 2 of hearts, giving him three-of-a-kind against Baldwin’s pair.

 The river card turns out to be a 4 of clubs—no help to anybody. With his Champion-making three-of-a-kind solidified, Williams received $1,530,537 in prize money, a WPT bracelet, and a watch from Bellagio.

Final Table Results for the Season VIII WPT Championship

1st Place – David Williams

2nd Place – Eric Baldwin

3rd Place – Shawn Buchanan

4th Place – David Benyamine

5th Place – Billy Baxter

6th Place – John O’Shea

Williams said he had a feeling he was going to win, even inviting his mother and all his friends to be his cheering section as he played the final table.