Vedes Takes the World Poker Tour Festa al Lago Title

October 27 2009, Michael Friedman

The World Poker Tour's Festa al Lago tournament at Bellagio ended yesterday with Tommy Vedes scoring the win in a 275-player field and collecting the $1,218,225 first-place prize by defeating Jason Lavallee heads up for the win. Despite having previously made deep runs in other national tournaments, including finishing 19th in the 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event, this is Vedes' biggest win to date.

The win was not an easy trip to the champion's circle for Vedes; it took more than an hour before the first of the final six players was eliminated. The first bust-out came courtesy of Vedes after he hit a four-outer against Shawn Cunix who earned $168,970 for finishing sixth. Then Freddy Deeb sent Jason Burt to the rail by Freddy Deeb after his paired on the flop. Burt scored $208,725 for finishing fifth.

The most well-known player at the final table, Deeb, made his exit fourth when he hit the rail holding ace-high against Vedes' pocket sixes. The board bricked for Deeb and his day was done. The third player to exit the $15,000 buy-in event was Craig Crivello when his failed against Lavallee's pair of tens. Crivello collected $477,090 for finishing third.

Unfortunately for Lavallee, despite putting up a fierce battle, he could not overcome Vedes' chip lead once play reached heads-up action. In the end, Vedes emerged victorious by after he rivered a set of queens against Lavallee's . Lavallee earned $794,150 for second place.

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