Tran strikes WSOP gold at 2008 World Series of Poker
2nd July, 2008
J. C. Tran claimed his first World Series of Poker bracelet in event 49, $1,500 buy in No Limit Hold’em tournament, after outlasting a huge field of talented poker players from all over the world.
Tran took home $631,170 for first place when he was the last one standing after defeating 2,718 of the world's best players. He finally overcame the ultimate poker obstacle, claiming supremacy, after coming incredibly close so many times over the years.
“Well, I mean, coming into this event, I’d come close so many times,” Tran said. “This year alone, not just the past several years, and it was disappointing. So, when I came in deep in this tournament, I told myself, hey, you know, play this like it’s the main event, like it’s your last event, and just keep fighting. And that’s what I did.”
Tran expressed that he’s definitely at the WSOP to play for money, but in the end it’s all about the bracelet, and he’s happy to have one.
“I’m here to play for the money, but at the World Series, when you’re deep in an event, the money is already there. Whether you’re leaving with $100,000 or $50,000, it’s already in your pocket. But the bracelet – there’s only one person walking away with it. And fortunately enough for me, I’m the one.”
Coming in second place, Rasmus Nielsen was the chip leader going into heads up play and had a 4 or 5-1 chip advantage at one point, but was awarded $389,557 for his efforts.
“He [Rasmus] had me 4-1 or 5-1 in chips at one point, but as long as I can see flops, we can play some poker,” Tran said. “One of the things I respect about him a lot is that he’s a flop type of player. And that’s what makes a good poker player...Of course, when we saw a lot of flops today, I hit more than he did to be where I am right now.”
