Tran in a trance at L.A. Poker Classic

J.C. Tran is playing poker at the L.A. Poker Classic like he's in a trance. With 18 players left in the World Poker Tour (WPT) tournament, leader Tran has almost three times as many chips as Jacob Fernandez, who is in second place.

J.C. Tran built up his lead by playing solid poker throughout Day 4, but he was involved in a few major pots as well and had some luck, like when he eliminated Hans "Tuna" Lund in 20th place:

Lund raised to $80,000 pre-flop, and J.C. Tran called. The flop came 7d-8c-Kc. Tran checked, Tuna bet $150,000, and Tran called. The turn was the 8h, and now Tran lead out with a $250,000, only to see Lund move all-in.

Tran called immediately, and with good cause. Lund turned over As-Kd for two pair but was in trouble when Tran showed Js-8s for trip eights. Tuna paired his ace on the river but that wasn't enough to save him. Tran won the pot and extended his lead in the tournament.

At the end of Day 4, Tran sits with $3,461,000 in chips. Jacob Fernandez is in second place with $1,334,000, and Jason Strasser is in third with $1,196,000.

Other big names still in contention at the Commerce Casino include Kristy Gazes, Bill Edler, Paul Wasicka and Chau Giang.

Greg Mueller, Joe Awada, Ted Lawson, Lee Markholt, Jeff Cabanillas, Nick Schulman and Nam Le are some the players who didn't make it past Day 4 of the L.A. Poker Classic.

courtesy of Erik Sylven

News Added: 28 February, 2007

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