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The WPT Legends of Poker at the Bicycle Casino

After 3 days at the world poker tour Legends of Poker in L.A., just twenty-four players remain in contention for the $1 million 1st place cash prize with seasoned poker pro Todd Terry leading them all. When the 27-person money bubble burst on August 24th, 2009, Bryan Devonshire actually held the chip lead, but busted when Todd Terry flopped the nut flush against his smaller flush in the largest cash pot of the event so far.

Terry ended up with the 850,000 in total chips and the overnight chip lead. Terry said that he feels very lucky since Devonshire is a formidable player. Terry has runner-up finishes at both the WSOP and the Borgata Winter Poker Open and is drawing those experiences to help him at the Legends of poker tournament.

Terry said that he has been at a few final tables with a big pot at stake and that should help him out. He added that it brings an additional pressure when you have the chip lead so a solid tournament experience will help him concentrate in time like this.

With an opportunity to double his poker career winnings with a win at the WPT Legends of Poker, Terry is being careful not to become lax. Terry said that winning a WPT title would be a great honor but he is still very far away from it at the moment. Even booking a slot at the final table will not be an easy feet.

A group of top poker players also sit within striking distance including 2009 WSOP November 9 Main Event final table members Steven Begleiter and Kevin Schafel, World Poker Tour 5 Diamond champion Eugene Katchalov and world series of poker Bracelet winners Prahlad Friedman, Toto Leonidas and James Mackey.

Since winning a World Series of Poker bracelet in 2007, 23 year-old Mackey has continued to put up good numbers both live and online games under his alias mig.com. However, success on the WPT has escaped him so far and he is excited about his opportunity here at Legends. It would also change what has to be considered a sub-par 2009 performance for one of poker's brightest stars. His chance of redemption here at Legends happens to come in an event with a very top heavy payout event structure.

1st place pays $1,009,000 but it goes down significantly from there, with 2nd place paying $471,670 fand 3rd place just $231,300. While all 6 slots at World Poker Tour final table often pay 6 figures, the 6th place finisher at the Bicycle Casino this week will just take home $89,220.

09/08/2009, Tuesday
Todd Sanders

The WPT Legends of Poker at the Bicycle Casino

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