There's a firm reason why poker as a game will never die. The best player doesn't neccessarily win. It is a gambling card game, always has been, always will be. Not to say World Poker Tour L.A. Poker Classic champion Eric Hershler didn't play the best, but people could argue the most talented players did not finish in order according to past tourney results.

JC Tran dominated this tourney from top to bottom but "only" managed to walk away with the runner-up prize of $1.1 million dollars compared to the $2.4 million that Hershler will be depositing some time today. Chau Giang, a fixture at final tables and the big game at the Belliago, managed a fifth place finish after going all-in with two live cards and having the Ace-jack of JC Tran catch a pair on the river.

World Series of Poker runner up Paul Wasicka continued to prove his run last summer was not a fluke and took home over $450 thousand dollars in fourth place when his mid-ace pre flop ran head into the brick wall of chip leader JC Tran's flopped full house.

Many thanks again for the excellent coverage by the PokerNews team for their coverage that I'm able to passing along here.

Here's the offical final standings for the largest 1st prize awarded on the WPT:

1 Eric Hershler $2,429,970
2 JC Tran $1,177,010
3 Jacobo Fernandez $607,490
4 Paul Wasicka $455,615
5 Chau Giang $341,710
6 david bach $257,425