Razavi Has China in His Hand

The ever-expanding World Poker Tour made its first ever stop in mainland China this week as 542 players ambushed Sanya for the $1,500 Main Event.

With an Asian backdrop Black Belt and recent APT Player of the Year Sam Razavi was naturally present, alongside poker legends Johnny Chan, David Chiu and 'Poker Brat' Phil Hellmuth.

Sam's journey was far from smooth as he hit early hurdles in customary fashion, dropping from 20,000 to 7,000 within the opening level. Nevertheless, he rebuilt to 80,000 before doubling up in the last level and progressing to Day 2 sixth in chips.

On Day 3, Sam shared a table with former WPT Champion McLean Karr, but despite the tough company was able to not just survive the day, but head into the final table first in chips with 2.7 million.

Sam slipped down the rankings after a couple of unfortunate pots, but made it to the final three where he open-shoved 14 big blinds with A-4 but was picked off by the A-Q of eventual winner Zheng Hua Lei.

"In China, players peel too much regardless of their hole cards and implied odds," revealed Sam, "which is why I jammed. Hellmuth was commentating on the final, so I asked him for his thoughts about my exit hand. He said that the Internet kids would definitely do it, but he wouldn't, although that didn't mean it was wrong."

Third place netted Sam ¥300,000 ($48,101), thus bringing his total career winnings in live tournaments to just shy of the one-million mark. In just the last 12 months, he has won titles of the APT and ANZPT variety, and is third in the world for number of cashes with 33.

"I was disappointed not to win," he added, "as it would have been an unbelievable way to cap off the year, but I've had such a big share of the cake that I can't really be too upset. The top three received a package to the WPT L.A. Poker Classic, so that was a real sweetener."

1st  Zheng Hua Lei -- ¥1,200,000 ($192.406)
2nd  You Jia Wang -- ¥600,000 ($96.203)
3rd  Sam Razavi -- ¥300,000 ($48,101)
4th  Yue Cao -- ¥200,000 ($32,067)
5th  Lei Xu -- ¥150,000 ($24,050)
6th  Li Fu Lui -- ¥120,000 ($19,240)
7th  Xue Yi Lin -- ¥95,000 ($15,232)
8th  Zhi Yong Li -- ¥80,000 ($12,827)
9th  Ji Wei Deng -- ¥70,000 ($11,223)
10th  Jia He Li -- ¥60,00 ($9,620)