David Benyamine Conquers Premier League 

David Benyamine was soaking it in. Known for playing cash games, Benyamine defeated Luke “FullFlush” Schwartz heads-up to win the PartyPoker Premier League IV at the M Resort in Las Vegas. For the triumph, Benyamine bankrolled $400,000 and a lot of bragging rights, as this exclusive event was open only to the world’s best – and one Italian lawyer.

“It feels really good winning a title, I’m not used to it,” Benyamine said. “I haven’t been around for awhile and I hope this gives me momentum going forward. I really enjoyed the format and competition. I’m sure it will make great TV.”

This was the French cash-game legend’s first tournament competition this year.

Said Benyamine: “The whole time I never thought about winning, I just wanted to do what I thought was right. I know people always say that when they win, but it’s true. Position in these final tables can help and I didn’t do anything special today, I just got hands at the right time and played my own game. Luke (Schwartz) is a very impulsive player, but I just stuck to my own game heads-up and it was enough.”  

Schwartz received $200,000 for finishing second.

“I’m really, really disappointed,” Schwartz said. “I think I played the best this week, and I deserved to come first, but that’s how it goes.”

Italy’s Giovanni Safina, the tournament’s online qualifier, was third, earning $100,000. He is a lawyer from Palermo who qualified on PartyPoker for just 100 euros.

Daniel Negreanu (fourth) collected $80,000, while Roland de Wolfe (fifth) was paid $70,000. Phil Laak, a late addition to the field, placed sixth, good for $50,000. Laak had dominated the early qualifying heats, but when his pocket tens lost to Benyamine’s A-K, his run was over.

A David amongst Goliaths, Safina hung in there but his fate was finally sealed by Schwartz. Safina moved all in with A-7 and Luke Schwartz snap-called and flipped over K-3 suited and immediately looked disturbed. “I thought I had king-jack!” he said.

True to form, Schwartz – whose claim to fame is trash-talking about how washed up the world’s best players are – got his three on the river to end the Italian’s dream.

Heads-up, Schwartz had the lead 1,320,000 to Benyamine’s 580,000, but David worked his way into the lead. He doubled up quickly when his K-10 held up against Luke’s K-7, and after taking the chip lead when he made a higher straight than Schwartz, he moved in for the kill.

The final hand was a telling one and displayed some of the differences between seasoned high-stakes cash pro Benyamine – who plays regularly in Bobby’s Room at the Bellagio – and Schwartz, a brash young player known for his Internet play.

Schwartz raised it up to 80,000 with Q-2 and was called by Benyamine, who held a dominating Q-8. The 5-3-Q flop put Schwartz in an awkward spot. Benyamine coyly checked, allowing Schwartz to bet 70,000. Benyamine then raised it up to 210,000 and after a few seconds Schwartz moved all-in for 480,000 more. This move sent Benyamine deep into the tank, as he pondered whether or not to make the call. The longer it took, the more confident Schwartz got, thinking for sure he had the best hand.

“He would have called by now if he had me beat,” said Schwartz. Commentator Phil Hellmuth commented that the confidence Schwartz was showing, thinking he was ahead, could possibly prompt a fold from Benyamine. Finally, Benyamine slid the chips into the center and Schwartz proudly announced he had a queen, only to see it was no good.

“Why’d you slow-roll,” Schwartz whined to Benyamine. “That’s an easy call.”

What would have been an “easy call” for Schwartz was a decision worthy of consideration for Benyamine, and perhaps that explains the difference in this match.

Schwartz then pleaded with the dealer to peel off some sort of card that would help his chances for a chop, even offering up $2,000 for a winning three. The turn card was a seven, eliminating any chance at a chop, and now Schwartz would need a three, and only a three to take down the pot.

It didn’t happen.

The Payouts (including league stages)

David Benyamine $476,000

Luke Schwartz $258,000

Giovanni Safina $158,000

Phil Laak $146,000

Daniel Negreanu $132,000

Roland de Wolfe $114,000

Ian Frazer $52,000

J.C. Tran $40,000

Phil Hellmuth $38,000

Yevgeniy Timoshenko $32,000

Vanessa Rousso $32,000

Tony G $22,000

The Premier League will be broadcast in the UK in September.