Carlos Mortensen Wins Hollywood Poker Open

WPT history was made on Wednesday, when Carlos Mortensen took down the Hollywood Poker Open tournament in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, cashing $393,820. He became the first player to have both a WSOP ME and WPT Championship titles.

Carlos Mortensen yesterday tied with Gus Hansen for number of WPT titles won by emerging as the victor of the Hollywood Poker Open.

Entering the final table as chip leader, Mortensen nevertheless had to fight back as the short stack once the action was three handed. His opponents on the final table included three-time WPT final tabler Chris Bell as well as four Internet pros.

Mortensen's victory makes WPT history

Photo source: CardPlayer

By taking his third WPT title, Mortensen (pictured right) further cements his growing reputation as one of the game's greats. Not only has he won more money ($5,754,308) than any other player on the World Poker Tour, but this victory puts him alongside Gus Hansen for number of WPT titles won.

Mortensen was already the only player in history to have won both the WPT World Championship (in 2007) and the World Series of Poker Main Event (2001).

The key hand of the heads-up finale against Illinois-based online pro Mike Mustafa was a limped pot. Mustafa just called from the button with T-9o and Mortensen checked his 8-7o in the big blind.  A flop of T-9-6 saw both players make monster hands: two pair for Mustafa and the nut straight for Mortensen. Unsurprisingly all the money went in on the flop and Mortensen's straight held up to give him a massive chip lead and eventual victory.

Here is the payout structure for the six finalists:

WPT Hollywood Poker Open Final Table Results
Rank	Name	Prize
1st	Carlos Mortensen	$393,820
2nd	Mike Mustafa	$223,623
3rd	Fran Calo	$167,717
4th	Chris Bell	$124,966
5th	Ravi Raghavan	$105,234
6th	Jerry Payne	$88,791