Family man satellites his way to victory
Poker’s first major of 2012 ended in dramatic fashion this weekend, as father-of-two John Dibella battled his way through a stacked field bank the life-changing $1,775,000 first prize.
Dibella, a 43-year-old trader from New York, won entry to the event after via a PokerStars’ satellite, and the likeable American was grinning from ear-to-ear after he and professional Kyle Julius struck a deal heads-up that saw both walk off with just shy of $2m.
‘I’m overwhelmed. It feels so surreal, and I can’t believe it’s happening,’ said Dibella. ‘I’m sure it will hit me tomorrow.’
With big names Daniel Negreanu, Liv Boeree and Vanessa Selbst among the 1,072-strong starting field, everyone was expecting another star to follow in the footsteps of past PCA winners like ElkY and Gus Hansen in 2012.
But Dibella came out on top of a relatively inexperienced final table, with Faraz Jaka the only name of note. And once Jaka finished in third, Dibella and Julius wasted no time in striking a deal for $1.5m each, with the small matter of $275,000, fame and the PCA trophy for the winner.
After opening up an early lead, Dibella took charge of the heads-up bout. And in the final hand, the New Yorker value bet his 5c-6c on a Ac-Qh-3c-8d-10c board before snap-calling Julius’ ill-timed bluff-shove with 9d-6s.
‘Baby, I did it,’ Dibella said to the cameras. ‘I love you and the kids!’
Here’s how the PCA finished up:
1. John Dibella $1,775,000
2. Kyle Julius $1,500,000
3. Faraz Jaka $755,000
4. Xuan Liu $600,000
5. Mark Drover $468,000
6. Anthony Gregg $364,000
7. David Bernstein $260,000
8. Ruben Visser $156,600
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