J.J. Liu Almost Wins WPT Shooting Stars: UPDATE

Poker history was almost made at the WPT Shooting Stars tournament at Bay 101.

J.J. Liu, a woman, was in contention to become the first woman to ever win a major $10k buy-in event.

But then Ted Forrest stood up for men everywhere around the world and said, "No fucking way I'm letting a woman beat me at a man's game. I'm Ted Freaking Forrest. Sure, if this was knitting class or some shit like that she might have a chance. But not poker."*

When heads-up play began, J.J. Liu, a woman, actually had the chip advantage, stacked 5,305,000 to 3,695,000.

The two battled heads-up for nearly 100 hands and the heads-up match climaxed when Forrest moved all-in pre-flop with pocket 7's. Liu called with A-8. Forrest made a boat to win.

UPDATE: Turns out J.J. Liu is four months pregnant and having some problems during the final table. WCP hopes she's OK. Above humor all in jest, as always.

For the win, Forrest banks $1,125,000. Liu brings home $600,000.

The rest of the final table results were: 3) Amir Shayesteh - $314,000, 4) James Van Alstyne - $250,000, 5) Vince Shaw - $200,000, and 6) Bill Edler - $160,000.

* Dramatization with no actual proof that was said.

- Image from World Poker Tour.

Comments

[Bull]

I have to agree with BJ here. I'm sure the story would have been very different had the entities know of her condition. Congratulations to JJ and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[BJ Nemeth]

Clearly the entites that comprise WCP were unaware of Liu's condition, as most people were. It's no different than a late-night talk show host making light of something in the news, only to learn the next day that it was something much more serious. It's unfortunate, but it happens.

We all wish J.J. and her family the best of health. I also hope that WCP doesn't lose its edge because of this single misfire.

[No longer a WC reader]

I have Wicked Chops blog feed on my Firefox toolbar - until today. JJ Liu was pregnant during the final table. Bleeding occurred while she was at the final table putting the life of her baby at risk, and the WPT refused to stop the game so she could get medical treatment. She was forced to (correctly or incorrectly - it doesn't matter) clean the blood off her dress and go back to continue playing - or forfeit her winnings because the WPT has a no-deal policy.

Seriously guys.. normally I like your insensitive reporting but now I think its gone too far when someone's life is at risk while you talk about her going home to do the laundry.

[Bull]

I actually beat JJ Liu heads-up on Full Tilt recently in a $100 heads-up SNG (wonder what she was doing slumming on the $100 tables). Anyway, she was winning until she disconnected...then I kicked her ass (while she folded every hand...because she was disconnected). You would think a pro would have a better connection.