Down to the wire

Day 5 of the WPT LA Poker Classic has seen the emergence of the ultimate six survivors from a starting field of 791 at the Commerce Casino near Los Angeles, and the scene is set for an epic final table struggle for the $2.4 million main prize.

JC Tran ( chipcount $3.47M), Paul Wasicka ($3.39M), Jacobo Fernandez ($3.37M), David Bach ($2.27M), Eric Hershler ($2.16M) and Chau Giang ($1.37M) will all leave the table with large payouts ranging from $2 429 970 for the winner to $257 425 for the first man to go out when final play resumes.

With the top three players currently all within striking distance of each other in terms of chip counts, it's likely to prove an exciting series of encounters as these experienced and skilful players joust for the big pot.

Tran continued to lead the field, although his earlier significant advantage was steadily worn down as the 18 players from Day 4 started play in Day 5.

Rick Munro was the first and almost immediate casualty when he lost a hand against Jacobo Fernandez to out in 18th place with a $58 470 payday. Shan Jing was next in 17th place after he lost to last year's WSOP runner up Paul Wasicka and also collected $58 470.

Kristy Gazes ended a great run this year as the only woman player to make the final 18 when she was eliminated in 16th place with another $58 470 from the prizepool.

Juan Alvarado hit the rail in 15th place with a healthier pay check of $72,140 after a clash with Ben Johnson.He was followed by Joe Cordi in 14th place when lost to JC Tran and took home $72 140.

Short stacked Chris Bell headed to the rail in 13th place after losing a joust with Jason Strasser, collecting a $72 140 payout for his trouble. Strasser's jubiliation was short-lived however, as he fell victim to Jacobo Fernandez and left downcast, but collected $91 125 for 12th place.

Tad Jurgens exited in 11th place against Eric Hershler before the remaining ten players joined on a singl table and drew for new seats. At that stage the leaders were Tran, Johnson and Chang in that order.

After several dynamic exchanges which saw chip counts and the pecking order change Jay Chang was eliminated in 10th place in a tussle wih Tran, picking up $91 125 in the process. Ben Johnson was crippled in a clash with David Bach to finish in 9th place with a payday worth $121 500, followed by Vinny Procopio in 8th place for a pay check of $151 870.

Seventh place went to Bill Edler, falling to the ruthless Tran but taking home $189 840 as he just missed the final six and a shot at the really big money.

The final table at the L.A. Poker Classic will begin at 5pm local time in the ballroom at the Commerce Casino.