The L.A. Poker Classic was won by Alan Goehring. The L.A. Poker Classic is the first of two WPT events that are hosted by the Commerce Casino this year. Goehring takes home the largest first prize in the history of the WPT, a whopping $2.4 million dollar.
Alan Goehring is a retired stock trader from Wall Street who says he only plays for fun. The fact he doesn't need the money doesn't seem to slow him down though, as Goehring also won the inaugural WPT World Championship back in 2003 at the Bellagio.
Besides poker pros like Phil Helmuth, Scotty Nguyen, Gavin Smith, Doyle Brunson and Michael Mizrachi, many Hollywood celebs attended the event. James Woods, an Academy Award nominee and Emmy Award winner, was the last celeb to bust out, in 24th position.
The L.A. Poker Classic is one of the two WPT events that are hosted by the Commerce Casino this year. The other is the WPT Invitational. The Commerce Casino is the largest poker room in the world with over 200 poker tables.
The L.A. Poker Classic is also one of the larger WPT tournaments. This year the event attracted a record number of 693 players. Consequently the $2.4 million dollar first prize was the largest ever paid out in a WPT event.
Last year the main event was won by 24-year-old Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi, and in 2004 the tourney was won by Antonio "The Magician" Esfandiari.
The L.A. Poker Classic will be broadcast on the Travel Channel as part of the World Poker Tour's Season IV.