Freddy Deeb Leads World Poker Tour Final Table

The WPT Festa al Lago Main Event is down to the final six after five tough days of play. Two-time WPT champion Freddy Deeb brings the chip lead along with the benefit of his under-the-lights experience into Monday's televised final table. Deeb previously won the WPT Season III Aruba Poker Classic and the Season VII Celebrity Invitational. He also owns two World Series bracelets and has amassed over $6 million in tournament winnings. A win on Monday would add $1,218,225 to that total. Click here for photos from the felt and final table chip counts.

Eleven players returned to the Bellagio on Day 5 with hopes of making the final table. It took just over an hour to lose Larry Berg in 10th place. Berg, a dealer at the Bellagio, busted in an ugly QJ vs. QJ situation when Tommy Vedes hit a flush. Berg was backed into a satellite, won his seat, and made it all the way to Day 5 and a $47,410 payday.

Nearly another three hours passed without an elimination, as the final ten players stealthily stole blinds and avoided all-in confrontations. Finally, Chris Bjorin raced his AK against the Queens of Tommy Vedes and failed to connect with the board. Bjorin, owner of two WSOP bracelets and numerous WPT prelim titles, had to settle for 10th place at Festa. Richard Sciuto only lasted a few hands longer, going home in 9th place with $63,610.

Kido Pham put up a strong fight, but eventually he was eliminated in 8th place. Pham picked up $89,450 but won't have the chance to play at a fourth WPT final table. This was the first WPT event where he finished in the money without making the TV table.

Noted online player Aaron Jones maneuvered his short stack impressively all afternoon but ultimately wasn't able to sneak into the top six. Jones finished 7th for $129,210 in just his second career WPT main event. Day 5 action ended with Aaron's elimination, and the remaining players will return on Monday for the final table.

Freddy Deeb is in the lead, followed by Shawn Cunix. Cunix has multiple WPT main event and prelim cashes, but this will be his first TV table appearance. Tommy Vedes is 3rd in chips and has fast become a regular on the tournament circuit after his 19th place finish in the WSOP Main Event in July. This WPT final table will only add to the TV exposure Vedes is getting for his deep run in the Main Event.

Craig Crivello begins the final table in 4th place, followed by Jason Lavallee in 5th. Lavallee had a sizable chip lead throughout most of Day 4 but couldn't hold onto it on Day 5. He still brings with him enough chips and shrewd cash game skills to be a major player at the final table. Jason Burt will start the day as short stack and is looking to make a big impression in his first WPT cash.

The action under the lights promises to be exciting as Freddy Deeb goes for his third title and all six players battle it out for the $1.2 million first prize. Filming of the final table begins at 4:00 pm PDT.

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