Selbst, easily one of the top poker tournament professionals regardless of gender, stepped up against the heavy hitters in the Bellagio Festa al Lago $5k and took down the title for $90k.
Among the final-tablists were Justin Young, who came second, and Daniel Negreanu, who finished third.
Andrew “LuckyChewy” Lichtenberger, Dan Shak, Cliff “JohnnyBax” Josephy and 2012 Poker Hall of Fame nominee Chris Björin also made the final to make it one of the toughest of the year.
Selbst did need to get lucky at one point, however. She spiked a queen to crack Bjorin’s aces but took the subsequent big stack and rode it to the finish.
Tweeted Selbst:
Just got lucky to bink a Q vs always tough Chris bjorin AA. Have almost half chips in play in bellagio 5k with 5 ppl left.
— Vanessa Selbst (@VanessaSelbst) October 21, 2012Thanks everyone for the congrats. To all asking, 90k for first. Feel very fortunate, ran great to beat a rly tough final table.
— Vanessa Selbst (@VanessaSelbst) October 22, 2012Weisner Earns First Live-Tourney Win
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Weisner was busy earning her first-ever live tourney win.
Still slightly more renowned for her prowess online as Calisto 5, Weisner has been steadily building her reputation in the live game over the last couple years and had several top 5 finishes to show for it.
Still, she'd yet to break through with a win until yesterday at WPT South Africa.
Railed by pals Liv Boeree and Tatjana Pasalic, among others, Weisner grabbed the title in the $1k six-max event for $41,289.
The score is Weisner's second-biggest live -- just slightly less than her second-place finish in this spring’s €5k Heads-up event at the EPT Grand Final.
The win pushes her career live earnings up over $550,000.
Even halfway around the globe the two were well aware of each other's successes and showed their support:
Although @vanessaselbst would have to steal my thunder with a win at the same moment. Congrats V ;)
— Melanie Weisner (@melanieweisner) October 22, 2012Very happy for @melanieweisner for shipping her first live tourney win.A great day for women in poker!
— Vanessa Selbst (@VanessaSelbst) October 22, 2012Follow the WPT South Africa main event starting today on WPT.com.
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