WSOP 2011 - Pius Heinz wins Main Event

LAS VEGAS, NV - Pius Heinz became the first ever German WSOP Main Event winner after nearly six hours of heads up play against Czech pro Martin Staszko on Tuesday evening. The final day's play started with three players but 2011 WSOP Player of the Year (POY) Ben Lamb busted within four hands after losing most of his chips to Staszko in the opening hand.

At the start of the November Nine Heinz was a top priced 11/1 shot to win the tournament as he started play seventh in chips. His relentless aggression combined with picking up good hands at the right time saw him dominate the table on Sunday as he swiftly became chip leader following a massive pot against Eoghan O'dea, who eventually finished 6th for $1.72 million.

By the end of Sunday's play six players had been eliminated and Heinz held over half the chips in play. With Ben Lamb and the seemingly unflappable Martin Stasko for company in the final three it was not going to be easy for Heinz, and so it proved. Heinz was massive chip leader at the start of the day and could be backed at best odds of 10/11 to win the bracelet.

The first hand of the day saw fireworks as Ben Lamb raised from the small blind to 3million with King-Jack with blinds at 600k/1.2m/ante 200k. Staszko picked up two black sevens in the big blind and re-raised to 7.5 million, Lamb didn't think for too long before shoving all-in. Staszko decided to risk his tournament life on the very first hand of the day and called. With a decidedly uneventful board of 9,3,2,3,10 put out by the dealer Stasko doubled up to 85.6 million, whilst Lamb was crippled to just over 10 big blinds.

On the very next hand of play Staszko took the chip lead from Heinz after making a good call on the 9,A,6,9,J board after Heinz check-raised the river with King-Queen. Staszko had been dealt two Kings and after thinking for a couple of minutes made the call and Heinz had to show the bluff. Staszko held more than 50 per cent of the chips in play after that pot.

The Czech player was on a heater early on in play after picking up another pocket pair to eliminate Ben Lamb just a couple of hands later. Lamb pushed all-in his remaining 10.9 million chips with Queen-6 offsuit and was instantly called by Staszko's Jacks. Lamb didn't run like he had been throughout the World Series and the board dealt was a safe 5,5,2,2,7 for Staszko. Lamb's incredible Series came to an end and the WSOP POY took home another $4 million for his fantastic performance.

Over 119 hands Heinz and Staszko did battle in a heads-up match to remember with plenty of swings and big pots.

Heinz was the most aggressive player throughout heads-up play but often found a spot to give the Czech lots of chips back after winning lots of hands in a row. Heinz made some bad calls after regaining the chip lead to hand the momentum back to Staszko who took advantage of a slightly tilted Heinz to have a chip lead of nearly four-to-one at one point. Staszko was to live to regret not finishing off the German.

Pius Heinz retook the lead on hand #293 of the final table, just a few hands before the end of play, after he faded Staszko's flush draw. The Czech limped in on the button pre-flop and Heinz raised it to 7.9 million, Staszko quickly called. The flop came down 10,7,King with two clubs and Heinz continuation bet to the tune of 8.2 million. Staszko quickly raised to 17.5 million total, potentially putting the young German to a decision for the rest of his chips. Heinz pondered for a minute or two before announcing all-in for around 70million and it didn't take Staszko long to call with Q9 of clubs for a gutshot straight draw and flush draw. Heinz held Ace-Queen of hearts for just Ace-high plus a better straight draw. The turn and river didn't help Staszko and he was crippled to just 44.4 million, while Heinz had 161.5 million in chips.

The final hand didn't take long to come as Staszko moved all in for 39.5 million from the button with 10,7 and was snap-called by Heinz with Ace-King. The board was dealt out to the frenzied noise of an excited crowd and the flop read 9,5,2; offering no help for the Czech, the turn Jack did give him some extra outs to the straight but the river 4 was a blank and on that Heinz was world champion and some $8.7 million richer. Staszko's consolation prize of more than $5.4 million will alleviate some of his pain, but to come so close and miss out is tough to take.

Heinz is now the proud holder of the most coveted prize in poker, $8.7 million dollars and a contract with the world's largest poker site PokerStars. Life could not be much better for the 22 year old German.

Hand details from PokerNews.com