The NBC National Heads Up Poker Championship has been won by some pretty big names since its inception in 2005, with the likes of Chris Ferguson and Phil Hellmuth taking down the tournament, but the competition now has its first female champion in the shape of Annie Duke.
After three gruelling days of poker, Duke saw off the challenge of Erik Seidel in the final to land the $500,000 first prize. Her previous record in the tournament was far from great, winning just one match and losing five, but after several epic struggles, Duke came through this year’s 64 strong field on top.
And make no mistake, this was no fluke result. The NBC National Heads Up Poker Championship features some of the toughest poker players on the planet and this year was especially competitive, with the likes of Johnny Chan, Greg Raymer, Daniel Negreanu and defending champion Huck Seed being unable even to progress through the first round. Other big names taking part were Barry Greenstein, Erick Lindgren, Scotty Nguyen, Doyle Brunson and Phil Ivey – you get the idea. Duke herself played out some of the longest and most dramatic matches, making for a real test of mental stamina.
Duke came through matches against Andy Bloch, Darvin Moon, Paul Wasicka, Jerry Yang and Dennis Phillips, before meeting old friend Erik Seidel in the final. Seidel’s record in the event prior to this year was even worse than his opponent’s, having never won a match at the NBC National Heads Up Poker Championship from five previous attempts.
Despite the poor form of the finalists, the cameras were still treated to a fine display of poker and an exciting contest, which went the full distance. Duke won the first game before Seidel squared things up and in the deciding game, it could easily have gone either way. Duke was all in at one point, but her pocket queens held up. Soon after, Seidel found himself all in and Duke held pocket nines, which became a straight, sealing victory.
The prestigious title will not look out of place on Annie Duke’s CV, which already boasts a World Series of Poker bracelet (2004’s $2,000 Omaha High Low Split event) as well as the inaugural World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions title from the same year. She has now picked up almost $4.2 million in live tournament winnings.
You go, girl.
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