Mike Linster captured the World Poker Tour(WPT) Bestbet Open Title at Jacksonville here yesterday defeating David Bell in a closely contested heads up battle. Linster was second in chip count when the final day began and the six handed final table cards were dealt. Former WPT final tablist David Diaz was short stack and had less than 10 big blinds when play started and thus became the first to exit.
Linster is now richer by $321,521 and also gets a complimentary seat to the $25,000 WPT Championship. Danny Schechter who had led the final table when it was formed came in third after Bell. The latter won $ 175,712 while Danny took $115,311.
The eliminations happened almost in tune with the chip stack strength It was only when the final three were left that the second and third placed chip stacks overcame chip leader Danny to force a heads up battle. Heads up play lasted more than the full final table lasted and Linster’s advanced aggressive poker game won him the title in the end.
WPT action now starts on May 3 at the WPT Partypoker Canadian Spring Championship at Quebec, Canada.
Player standings at the end of WPT Bestbet Open, Jacksonville
| Rank | Player Name | Prize |
| 1 | Mike Linster | $321,521 |
| 2 | David Bell | $175,712 |
| 3 | Danny Schechter | $115,311 |
| 4 | Pete Chwala | $79,619 |
| 5 | Pete Tinnesz | $58,754 |
| 6 | David Diaz | $46,673 |