23-Year Old Gregory Brooks Caps Off L.A. Poker Classic with WPT® Title

LOS ANGELES, March 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The youth revolution continues on the World Poker Tour®, as 23-year old internet marketing entrepreneur Gregory Brooks crushed a final table featuring a former Online Player of the Year and two WPT champions. Brooks outlasted a field of 681 players winning $1,654,120 of the $6.5 million prize pool. Hosted at Commerce Casino in Commerce, CA, the LAPC is widely considered among the toughest fields at any WPT event. This year was no exception with poker superstars like Phil Ivey, Antonio Esfandiari, Phil Hellmuth, Michael Mizrachi, Faraz Jaka, Daniel Negreanu, Maria Ho, and Jason Mercier taking a seat on the felt.

Brooks follows in the footsteps of 22-year olds Randal Flowers (Festa al Lago) and Jeff Forrest (Foxwoods World Poker Finals), as young stars continue to make their mark on Season IX. At one of the fastest, most aggressive and highly contentious final tables in WPT history, Brooks and Vivek Rajkumar made quick work of their opponents and started their heads up battle on hand 62 of the night. Heads up play slowed considerably as former WPT Borgata Open winner Rajkumar, 24, tried to overcome Brooks' more than 2-to-1 chip lead. In the end Brooks, who hails from Wyckoff, NJ, came out on top when his 87 beat Rajkumar's J10 and the board fell 7322A.

"My strategy throughout the entire tournament was really to play aggressively in spite of whether or not my chips allowed me to," said Brooks. "But I was lucky enough to have a lot of chips and I was able to play a lot of hands. I was a little surprised. No one else seemed like they wanted to take the reins. So I decided that I would do so."

Even though Carlos Mortensen didn't capture his record fourth WPT title tonight, his third place finish only cements his legacy as the most successful player in World Poker Tour history. With his $640,680 pay day, he extends his lead in the lifetime WPT earnings list with $6,394,988. He is the first player to cross the $6 million mark. With 64 WPT events played and that much in earnings, Mortensen averages nearly $100,000 in earnings each tournament; an amazing number that is a testament to The Matador's unrivaled consistency.

The 2011 Los Angeles Poker Classic at Commerce Casino, the world's largest poker casino, featured 54 events and paid out $14,639,170. Photos of the LAPC can be downloaded at WPT Media Room.

Final Table Standings

1. Gregory Brooks - $1,654,120
2. Vivek Rajkumar - $908,730
3. Carlos Mortensen - $640,680
4. Amir Lehavot - $421,680
5. Steve Gross - $304,000
6. Darryll Fish - $235,350

Current WPT Player of the Year Standings (Points)

• 1. Andy Frankenberger (2,100)
• 2. Kia Mohajeri (1,700)
• 3. Antonio Esfandiari (1,400)
• 3. Gregory Brooks (1,400)
• 5. Dwyte Pilgrim (1,250)

About World Poker Tour

World Poker Tour (WPT) is one of the most recognized names in internationally televised gaming and entertainment with brand presence in land-based tournaments, television, online and mobile. Leading innovation in the sport of poker since 2002, WPT ignited the global poker boom with the creation of a unique television show based on a series of high stakes poker tournaments. WPT has broadcast globally in over 150 countries and territories and is currently airing its all-new ninth season on FSN in the United States. Season 9 of WPT is sponsored by ClubWPT.com, a unique online membership site which offers inside access to the WPT as well as a sweepstakes-based poker club and is available in 37 states across the U.S. WPT participates in strategic brand license, partnership and sponsorship opportunities. WPT is a subsidiary of PartyGaming Plc. For more information, go to worldpokertour.com.

About Commerce Casino

Commerce Casino, the largest poker casino in the world, has more than 200 tables featuring about every form of poker: Texas Hold'em, 7-Card Stud, Omaha, Lowball, Pot Limit, Mexican Poker, Pineapple, Draw and many others. Also offered are Baccarat --with the most tables in California--, Pan and California games. Commerce Casino is also recognized for its innovative "Bring Your Home Game to Commerce" program enabling poker fans to invite friends/family for a casual home game, bachelor party or birthday celebration with a professional dealer in a casino setting. Horseracing fans can also find the Commerce Casino Racebook a great setting for off-track betting. Commerce Casino is located at 6131 East Telegraph Rd., Commerce, CA 90040, just off the Santa Ana (5) Freeway at the Washington Blvd. exit. For more information, go to CommerceCasino.com or call 323.721.2100.

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SOURCE World Poker Tour; Commerce Casino