Nenad Medic Wins World Poker Finals

BLUFF Staff | November 17, 2006

Nenad Medic captured the WPT’s World Poker Finals yesterday to claim the $1.7 million first place prize and $25,000 seat to the WPT Championship.

Medic, a Serbian-born Canadian resident, overcame a tough final table at Foxwoods including experienced veteran’s Kathy Liebert and Mimi Tran, pro player Michael Omelchuk, and amatuer EG Harvin, who started the day with a dominating chip lead.

The win will undoubtedly solidify Medic’s reputation as one of the best young players on the tournament circuit. At just 22-years-old, the University of Waterloo student had already made final tables in two major tournaments previous to the World Poker Finals, and now has one of the biggest WPT prizes of the year to add to his resume.

Medic started the final table in the middle of the pack yesterday, and after EG Harvin knocked out every other player at the table, heads-up play started with Medic and Harvin almost even in chips.

Heads-up play went back and forth for the first 20 minutes, then ended in one of the strangest and most courageous hands in WPT history.

With blinds at 40,000/80,000 with a 10,000 ante, Harvin and Medic were almost even with roughly six million chips each. Medic called from the button and Harvin checked his option, bringing a flop of 5c-5d-3d. Harvin checked to Medic, who bet 150,000. Harvin check-raised the flop to 500,000, and Medic paused for a minute before making the call. The turn was the 9s and Harvin led out for 1 million chips, sending Medic into the tank once more. Medic called the big bet and the river was the 9c to double-pair the board and complete the possible flush. On a final board of 5c-5d-3c-9s-9c, EG Harvin moved all-in. After some deliberation Medic made the call and Harvin turned over A-J offsuit for Ace high and a stone cold bluff. Harvin’s play was gutsy, no doubt, but it proved to be poorly times as Medic showed 7-5 for a full house. A chip count confirmed that Harvin started the hand with less chips, and Nenad Medic was announced the World Poker Finals champion.

Final Results:

1. Nenad Medic: $1,717,194
2. EG Harvin: $904,839
3. Thithi (Mimi) Tran: $472,228
4. Michael Omelchuk: $343,438
5. Kathy Liebert: $257,579
6. Michael Perry: $200,339

For a complete summary of how the action unfolded, check out Bluff Magazine’s live tournament coverage page.

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