JC Tran has started the Party Poker Premier League with his right foot, winning the first heat to score the maximum of 10 points and the $20,000 prize. Tran, who is representing Team PKR, defeated the 2008 WSOP Main Event champion Peter Eastgate in the first heads-up to take the first heat, which also included David ‘Devilfish’ Ulliott, Annette Obrestad, Roland de Wolfe and Premier League II winner Andy Black

The heads-up action between Tran and the 2008 WSOP Main Event champ Eastgate was tough and arduous and even when the 22 year old Danish player started the Heads Up holding the chip lead, Tran only needed to be patient and wait for the right cards to secure his first victory at the event. The final hand saw Eastgate moving all-in with Q-3 with JC calling him with AK off-suit. After his victory, Tran was congratulated by Quinn Do and Nam Le. Tran, Quinn Do and Nam Le are all part of the Asian Poker Tour Ambassadors, a selected squad off players representing the APT at the most important poker events on the planet.

“It has been a fantastic start but there is a long way to go. It is so good to get the first win under the belt. I love the format of the Premier League and am excited about what is going to come.” said Tran after the event.


PartyPoker.com Premier League III features 12 of the best players in the world battling in a unique league format in where all players play six times during the introductory stages. The leading four players then advance to the final table with the next four plying a series of heads-up matches to decide who takes the remaining two seats. The tournament’s line-up includes Phil Hellmuth, Tom ‘Durrrr’ Dwan, Nenad Medic, Devilfish, Tony G, Vicky Coren, Annette Obrestad, Roland de Wolfe, Andy Black, Juha Helppi, Peter Eastgate and JC Tran.

PartyPoker Premier League III Heat 1 Results:

10 points - JC Tran

6 points - Peter Eastgate

4 points - Annette Obrestad

3 points - Andy Black

2 points - Roland de Wolfe

0 points – Dave “Devilfish” Ulliott