No he is not Phil Hellmuth or Daniel Negreanu, which only means that 30 year old Justin Cuong Van Tran does not like or does not engage in the publicity machine that has engulfed the poker scene. But results say more about poker than any sound byte or publicity tour.
JC's play just at the LA Poker Classic is notable. He finished on the television bubble of the 2004 LAPC. He finished 5th in last year's 2006 LAPC and now leads the final two tables into Day Five of the 2007 LAPC.
JC is the only player beginning today with over two millon chips.
JC is the only player beginning today with over three million chips.
JC has a 2 1/2 times the chips of his closest rival.
JC has over 21% of the total chips in play.
JC can leap small buildings in a single bound.
Vinnie Procopio takes the check call to a new level. Vinnie dark checks before the flop. The flop is . Jacobo bets out, and Vinnie calls. Vinnie then dark checks the turn, which is a blank. Jacobo bets, Vinnie calls. Vinnie again dark checks the river, which is another blank. Jacobo bets 190,000, which would leave Vinnie about 350k if he calls. Vinnie takes a while, but makes the call, and turns up .
Chris Bell, in his North Carolina drawl says 'Whoooo - boys, Ain't gonna be no stealin today', as Vinnie is raking the chips.
Joseph Cordi bets 175K and Ben Johnson moves in, Joe folds.
On the next hand Joe bets 85K, Bill Edler raises another 120K.
On the 873 flop, Joe checks, Bill moves all-in and Joe folds.
Joseph Cordi pushes his last 445K in with and is called by JC Tran with ; BIll Edler ponders and folds and when the cards are tabled, he tells all that he folded . No deuce hits and Joseph is gone in 14th.