Congratulations to Marco Traniello!

By Dennis Oehring

On Saturday, February 10th, the supersatellite for the final seat in the National Heads-Up Poker Championship was held at Caesars Palace. The event, which had a $230 buy-in with $200 rebuys during the first hour and a $200 add on at the break, drew approximately 70 players, including yours truly. I was hoping to improve upon my 7th place finish from last year, but unfortunately, didn't come close to doing so.

But my lackluster performance is not the story here. One of the pros attending the event, Marco Traniello, outlasted the field to capture the final seat. I had the opportunity to speak with Marco (seen here at the 2006 Intercontinental Poker Championship) briefly before the event started, and I could tell he was focused and really wanted to win. And win he did, and I couldn't be happier for him!

Marco's victory marks the first time in the history of the NHUPC that a husband and wife will both compete, and conjures up some interesting potential scenarios. Marco's wife, of course, is Jennifer Harman, one of the players invited to play in the elite field of 64. This makes the drawing party that will be held on the evening of March 1 even more interesting.

If Marco and Jennifer both wind up in the same bracket, then it would be possible that they may have to face one another for the right to advance in this single elimination tournament. But if they wind up in different brackets and each goes on to win their respective bracket, then there is a chance that they could face each other in either the semifinals or the finals. This just adds a little more drama to an already exciting field.

As mentioned in an earlier blog, Jennifer and Marco are my favorite poker couple. Regardless of how the draw turns out, I wish them both the best of success in this year's championship.