Poker News Roundup for December 23, 2011

by Dougie Goguen | Dec 23 2011

Quebec
Jonathan Duhanel, the winner of the 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event, is currently recovering from a home invasion and robbery that went down on Wednesday in Boucherville, a Québec suburb. While a "considerable number" of 500-euro bills (each worth about $667) and a black Rolex Submariner watch were among the items removed from his abode, the most important object that went missing is also the hardest to replace. The robbers took Duhamel's bracelet for winning the WSOP Main Event.

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The two thieves rang Duhamel's doorbell and pushed their way in about 9: 15 a.m. Wednesday, Barrière said. Philippe Jetté, Duhamel's agent, told reporters that the poker pro was "severely" assaulted but did not suffer serious injuries. "Let's say that getting out of bed will be particularly hard tomorrow and that his Christmas photos won't be the prettiest," Jetté joked after emphasizing that Duhamel is expected to make a full recovery.

Constable Patrick Barrière of Longueuil police said financial institutions and money-changers have been alerted to watch for the bills and that the jewelry is very recognizable, making it difficult to fence.

Yesterday, Duhamel posted a lengthy blog entry on his site that described the attacks and what was stolen, but ended it on what was obviously the most important note for him: "As for me, I will now try to step back during the Holidays and spend time with my family and close friends. I hope to get back to the tables soon and keep representing poker, my sponsors and Québec well on the international scene and bring back another bracelet home soon."

Las Vegas
Poker pro Chris Klodnicki took the top spot in the third Epic Poker League Main Event held his year, defeating a field of 118 players over five days to earn the title and a cash prize of $801,680. The $20,000 buy-in tournament took place at the Palms Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, and a prize pool of $2,360,000 was up for grabs. The tournament's format also saw the eight player tables eventually reduced to as few as four seats by the later stages of the tournament until a final table of five was reached.

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Scott Clements ($89,680) was the first to exit and he was soon joined by Michael Mizrachi in fourth place ($174,640.) Joe Tehan was unhappy about his play, even going so far as to twitter about it, but still ended up with a healthy $306,800 for his third place finish. Andrew Lichtenberger went into heads-up play with a huge chip  disadvantage but still comported himself well, earning $514,480 and second place.

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