Monday, September 19, 2016 9:36 PM Local Time
The Underdog Comes Out on Top
Event #12
No-Limit Hold'em (30 Minute Levels)
Buy-in: $300 (+$65)
Total Entries: 86
Prizepool: $25,800
Jaymie Virtusio, a recent medical graduate from the Philippines, defeats previous gold ring winners to secure her own.
Biloxi, Mississippi (September 19, 2016) – Jaymie Virtusio won her first career gold ring in Event #12: $365 No-Limit Hold'em (30 Minute Levels) by defeating a field of 86 players. The tournament, which was the last event on the IP Biloxi Circuit schedule, lasted two days and ended Monday afternoon. The final four players consisted of three previous gold ring winners and one newcomer to the game, and yet the outcome was far from predictable.
Virtusio was a virtual underdog at the final table. When play got down to four-handed, her remaining opponents each had a gold ring to their name and a slew of WSOP cashes between them, as opposed to Virtusio who has only been playing poker for a couple years.
“It’s my second year playing,” said Virtusio. “I played one other big tournament... but this is actually my first World Series event.”
What a great way to start a World Series of Poker career. Virtusio played in the Ladies Event the same morning of Event #12’s starting day. After busting out of that, she barely squeaked into the $365 NLHE tournament by entering during the dinner break, just before registration closed.
Following a Day 2 restart, in which Virtusio came into as a shorter stack, and seven eliminations, she found herself heads up against Bob Beck. Beck is a Circuit regular with over $70,000 in WSOP earnings and a solo gold ring. The fateful, final hand was a heartbreaker for Beck. Virtusio moved all in on the turn with her pocket jacks and a backdoor flush draw. Beck called, and showed his queen, giving him top pair and the lead against Virtusio. However, the river card was a fourth heart, providing Virtusio with the runner-runner, knockout punch.
Along with a Circuit title and WSOP gold ring, Virtusio also earned herself a nice payday of $8,256. Since her recent graduation from medical school, Virtusio has been studying for her multiple Board exams and plans to apply for a residency program when she is through with those. Even with an undoubtedly busy schedule with her medical path, Virtusio has found time to play poker as a nice break from routine and will continue to do so.
“Poker will always be there, and this is a fun thing along the way,” said Virtusio.
Once her life outside of poker becomes more secure and stable, Virtusio hopes to maybe, one day pursue the game full time.
Here's a look at the final table results:
1st: Jamie Virtusio - $8,256
2nd: Bob Beck - $5,012
3rd: Mel Lyon - $3,572
4th: Russ Head - $2,602
5th: Greg Hunter - $1,914
6th: Marco Palacios - $1,430
7th: Clay Henry - $1,147
8th: Robert Heard - $956
9th: Ben Biedenharn - $821
Complete results can be found above, under the "Results" tab.