WJ de Vries ran like a poker God at Concept Midweek Game #22 to take down the title in Goodwood on Thursday night.
When you get Aces back-to-back and get paid off on both occasions, you know you’re going to have a good night of poker. And it was exactly that for WJ de Vries, who played his cards well on the night to take the crown in a field of 49 players.
While he was running hot during general play, he also did most of the damage on the final table – making six of the eight eliminations. There was just no stopping the WJ wave, which washed away everyone in his path.
And his first victim was Shireen Mullins, who finished in 9th. Shireen shoved the last of her chips in a classic race – AK versus WJ’s 10s. The pocket pair held up to knock out Shireen, who made an impressive Concept debut.
Niven Govender’s Concept final table curse continues as he hit the rail in 8th. He shoved all in with AQ, but found himself dominated when he ran into WJ’s AK. The King kicker held up on a dry board.
Chandley Bruintjies was making back-to-back final tables, but like last week, he suffered a bad beat to go out in 7th. He shoved with 8s and got called by Ramees Miller holding JK off (get it?). The pair held up on the Flop and the Turn, but the River saw Ramees hit a straight.
Last week’s champ Robin Kayalsum found himself among the final 9 again, but was out in 6th place on this occasion. With a dwindling stack, he made a move with Q8 ♥️ suited. But he ran into Ramees’s AK, which flopped a K and cruised to the pot win.
There was a massive hand midway through final table between Jeremy Jodamus and WJ. Jeremy – another feature from last week’s final table – shipped pre-flop with Aces and found himself in a great position as he was called by WJ, holding AQ. But the WJ poker mojo worked its magic as his hand managed to sneak in for a straight on the River, sending Jeremy home in 5th place.
David Mullins was also making an impressive Concept debut with both husband and wife on final table. But his run was ended when he was burned by WJ’s hot form. Going all in with AQ, David ran into WJ’s pocket 3s, which flopped a JJ3 full house. David was dead by the turn and out in 4th place.
Concept log leader Vicky Moodley – who making his 11th final table in 24 games – continued his unbelievable form this week, but not even he could stop the WJ steam train. Going all in pre-flop with 910 ♠️ suited, he was called by WJ, who held QJ. Vicky flopped a 9 to shoot ahead, but WJ won the hand by spiking a Q, sending Vicky out in 3rd.
The tournament defining hand saw WJ hit two pair with Q7 ♥️ suited against Ramees’ top pair on the flop, concluding a memorable Concept tournament run.
Concept Midweek Game #22 results:
1 WJ de Vries
2 Ramees Miller
3 Vicky Moodley
4 David Mullins
5 Jeremy Jodamus
6 Robin Kayalsum
7 Chandley Bruintjies
8 Niven Govender
9 Shireen Mullins