WPT L.A. Poker Classic Final Table Preview

Chris Moorman and International signing sensation Patrick Bruel highlight the LAPC final table lineup…

MOORMAN MASHING

Michael Rocco will be the man to beat once final table play for the WPT L.A. Poker Classic begins later today near Los Angeles. Rocco will carry a +2M chip lead once the first card is dealt.

But it’s internet sensation Chris Moorman (GPI#255) that has the poker world buzzing. The 2011 WSOP Europe Main Event runner-up, who has won over 10M USD in online tournament success, is about to make his third final table appearance at a major event on the live tournament circuit in the past year.

Moorman final tabled EPT London almost a year to the day in March of 2013. He also finished 5th in the NLH Ante Only event at the 44th World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. More recently, Moorman finished 12th at EPT Prague in December.

Moorman’s résumé is already impressive, but adding a major live tournament title is something that’s certainly missing from the list, Moorman will try to add to the legacy later today the at Commerce Casino.

BANK ON BRUEL

It would be easy to write-off International signing sensation, and accomplished actor, Patrick Bruel (GPI#6989) as an amateur who simply got hot to make the final table. But don’t be fooled, Bruel is an accomplished poker player. He has played in some of the biggest games around, way before the words poker and boom met, has over 1M USD in live tournament earnings making several deep runs in major events … oh, did we mention he owns a WSOP bracelet?

Back in 1998, Bruel would win the 5K Limit Hold’em event at the 29th World Series of Poker, surviving a final table that would include the likes of “Miami” John Cernuto, Men “The Master” Nguyen, Kevin McBride and Sam Grizzle.

Bruel was back at it in 2002 finishing second to Robert Williamson III in the 5K PLO event at the 33rd World Series of Poker.

43rd WSOP 5K Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo winner and recent Heartland Poker Tour Indiana champ Adam Friedman (GPI#465) should also not be overlooked at the final table.

Let’s take a closer look at our final table participants:

[table id=918 /]

›› SEAT 1  |  CHRIS MOORMAN  

• Recently finished 12th at EPT Prague (€12,550)
• Finished 5th in Ante-Only event at 44th WSOP ($44,227)
• Finished 8th at EPT London in March 2013 (£57,000)
• Runner-up in 2011 WSOP Europe Main Event (€800,000)
• Runner-up in 6-Handed Championship at 42nd WSOP ($716,282)
• Will cross the 3M USD earnings mark on the live tournament circuit later today
• WPT Career: First WPT Cash
• GPI Ranking: Current: #255  |  Career Peak: #8 (Dec 2011)

›› SEAT 2  |  PATRICK BRUEL  

• Recently finished 61st at EPT Deauville (€10,790)
• Won bracelet in 5K Limit Hold’em event at 29th WSOP ($224,000)
• Finished 2nd in 5K PLO event at 33rd WSOP ($100,580)
• Earned a 10th place finish at the 2004 WPT Championship ($99,798)
• WPT Career: 3 cashes, $205,787 USD
• GPI Ranking: Current: #6989  |  Career Peak: #6989 (Current)

›› SEAT 3  |  JOSH NEUFELD  

• Finished 79th in the Main Event at the 43rd WSOP ($88,070)
• Won side event at LAPT Brazil in 2010 (R$21,900)
• WPT Career: First WPT Cash
• GPI Ranking: Current: #22962  |  Career Peak: #2215 (Dec 2012)

›› SEAT 4  |  GLENN LAFAYE  

• Finished 61st at the 2013 Borgata Fall Poker Open ($5,123)
• Finished 26th at the 2013 WPT Borgata Poker Open ($17,050)
• Earning his first cash outside of the Borgata in Atlantic City
• WPT Career: 1 cash, $17,050 USD
• GPI Ranking: Current: #2875  |  Career Peak: #2197 (Dec 2013)

›› SEAT 5  |  ADAM FRIEDMAN  

• Won Heartland Poker Tour Indiana in November ($83,439)
• Won bracelet in 5K Seven Card Stud event at 43rd WSOP ($269,037)
• Finished 3rd in 1,500 H.O.R.S.E. event at 42nd WSOP ($121,437)
• Has collected 10 cashes in various events at LAPC (2007-2014)
• WPT Career: First WPT Cash
• GPI Ranking: Current: #465  |  Career Peak: #286 (Dec 2013)

›› SEAT 6  |  MICHAEL ROCCO  

• Finished 3rd in 3K NLH at 44th WSOP ($229,500)
• Earned four cashes at the 44th WSOP in Las Vegas
• WPT Career: First WPT Cash