Exciting, outgoing, brash, old school… these are all words used to describe 2011 WPT Legends of Poker champion Will “The Thrill” Failla, who took the championship and $758,085! The tournament, held at the Bicycle Casino in Bell Gardens, California, featured 757 players total with a $3,700 buy-in. Big names showed up, including Hellmuth, Barry G., Justin Smith, and a who’s who of Los Angeles high level pros.
In the end it was Will Failla who did the deed and took the title, and no one can say “The Thrill” didn’t win in style. Loud, outgoing and cracking jokes all the way through, Will came into the final table with a sizable rail. Known for being a tough cash game player and a local at area casinos, including the Bike and Commerce, Will had the most fans and played tough enough to beat the final table. After the win, players online shared stories about playing with Will. Many players in LA have found him to be funny, exciting, and above all, memorable.
The final table was tough, despite not having any big name pros. Two of the most well known pros to make it deep in this even included Shawn Buchanan of Team Full Tilt, as well as Alan Kessler who busted out, but had been up to 12th place late in the tourney. The final table included a stock trader and school teacher, among others.
The final hand of the WPT Legends of Poker 2011 came with Failla going all in with J6 and beating the teacher, Ken Aldrige, who held 64. The board came KK7Q9 for the jack to play and be good enough for the championship!
Will “The Thrill” proceeded to embrace his rail and hold up the massive WPT trophy, in which his name will be engraved as it travels around the world along with the World Poker Tour. Flash bulbs went off and Will held the trophy in front of his face and planted kisses all over it. Along with the $758,000 first prize, Will also receives a miniature version of the WPT trophy, as well as an entry into the year end WPT Championship to be held in Las Vegas at the end of the year!