Seven months ago Matthew Jarvis made it to the final table of the 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event but only managed to last 43 hands before busting out, in eighth, in spectacular style when he found himself all in with 9c9d against the AdQd of Michael Mizrachi and the board ran out Qs-8d-Qc-9s-As! Although he picked up $1,045,743 for his eighth place finish he was bitterly disappointed not to go deeper and win even more money and have a shot at a WSOP bracelet.
Despite his huge disappointment, Jarvis continued to ply his trade at the online and live tournament tables but things were not going too well for him at this year’s WSOP as he had failed to cash in any of the 11 events he entered. But that has definitely all changed as he has just won the $5,000 No Limit Hold’em Six-handed tournament, Event #40, to scoop the massive $808,538 first place prize and his first-ever WSOP bracelet.
The Canadian came into the six-handed final table third in chips, trailing both Justin Flitz and Wesley Pantling but he constantly picked up chips all day long to stay in contention and by the time Matt Vengrin, Tore Lukashaugen and Robert Merulla had all been eliminated, Jarvis found himself in with a real shout of becoming a WSOP Champion.
His chances were further increased when he was responsible for busting out Pantling in third place, after a spot of good fortune. Pantling opened to 95,000 from the button and Jarvis wasted little time in moving all in from the big blind, for what was effectively 28 big blinds. Pantling made the call and turned over AdJc, which was nicely in front of the lowly Qd8d of Jarvis. The Kc-6h-5c flop looked set to double up Pantling but the Qh made an appearance on the turn to put the ball firmly back into the court of Jarvis and when the 3c arrived on the river it was game over for Pantling and Jarvis went into the heads up battle against Flitz with a 7,105,000 to 3,795,000 chip lead.
Almost four hours into the heads up match the action had to be paused due to the “ten-level rule” that has caused some controversy this year. The rule states that all tournaments will come to an end once the players have completed ten levels of play, regardless of the state of the tournament. Play was put on hold with Jarvis having increased his lead to 8,150,000 to 2,750,000.
Quite ironically it only took five hands after the restart to bring the event to a conclusion. With blinds now at 50,000/100,000 Flitz moved all in for his last 2,000,000 and was instantly called by Jarvis, the latter turning over As8h which was in front of the Kd9d of his opponent. The final board ran out 5h-3h-6d-2s-3d and with that Flitz was eliminated and Jarvis became the fifth Canadian champion of the 2011 World Series of Poker.
Straight after the tournament had ended Jarvis said in an interview, “It’s been a really crazy year. I did win two (live) tournaments. I also won a major tournament online. It’s been a really good year for me, so far. I just hope it keeps going.” When asked about how it felt to win one of poker’s most sought after prizes he said, “You dream of a moment like this from the first time you start playing poker. To win and event like this with as tough a field as this was, is an amazing feeling.”
Final table payouts
1.) Matthew Jarvis: $808,538
2.) Justin Flitz: $499,855
3.) Wesley Pantling: $317,136
4.) Robert Merulla: $208,281
5.) Tore Lukas haugen: $141,125
6.) Matt Vengrin: $98,567
