The name Gigi Gagne was never spoken in poker circles until a week ago, but the Clearwater, Fla., native was the subject of poker talk everywhere earlier this week as she looked to become the first female champion in a World Poker Tour open event. Gagne entered the final table with a massive chip lead, but her quest was denied by Matt Juttelstad who, after 303 hands at the final table, knocked out the never-bluffing Gagne to win $268,444 and his seat into the $25,000 WPT Championship.

It seemed fitting that Juttelstad and Gagne would be the final pair left standing. For most of the tournament, the two were the chip leaders in control over the field of 295. After Day 2, Juttelstad held the chip lead with Gagne occupying second. Day 3 was simply a flip-flop, with Gagne in the lead and Juttelstad behind. The final table was tumultuous for both competitors and despite it appearing that both would be eliminated early during the final day's action, they arrived at heads-up play with some good money on the line.

According to the World Poker Tour, Juttelstad held more than 3-to-1 chip lead over Gagne to begin heads-up action and from that point on, his aggression was perfectly timed. On the 31st hand, Juttelstad limped prelop and Gagne checked. The flop came 5c-3s-2h and Gagne led out for 300,000 into a pot of 180,000 -- a bet typical of her "get the chips in quick" style. Juttelstad made the call, bringing an ace on the turn. Gagne moved all-in and Juttelstad called in a heartbeat, flipping over 6h-4c for a straight. Gagne showed 8-4 for a weaker straight and was drawing to a chop. There would be no miracle river for Gagne as an 8 hit the board, giving Juttelstad the WPT title.

"It was tough, but you have to stay even, stay in the middle," said Juttelstad after his win to the WPT. "I thought I was playing well, even when I was short I thought I was playing OK. I just kept on playing my game, and I figured if I lost, I lost, but I'd go out playing the best I can."

Juttelstad, who has a strong online poker background, took advantage of the re-entry format. After busting on Day 1A, he re-entered on Day 1B and built his starting stack of 30,000 chips into a leading 280,000 at the end of the day. He plans on using his winnings to pay for his graduate school tuition.

Here are the results of the WPT Lucky Hearts Poker Open final table:

1. Matt Juttelstad ($268,444)
2. Gigi Gagne ($158,194)
3. Uri Kadosh ($105,463)
4. Sharon Levin ($73,344)
5. Todd Jacobson ($54,649)
6. Keith Ferrera ($42,185)

Jewell wins second WSOP Circuit main event

The World Series of Poker Circuit has found a consistent home at Harrah's Tunica for the past seven years. But in line with other events on the 2011-12 Circuit, there was a significant increase in attendance. The $1,600 WSOP Circuit main event in Harrah's Tunica history concluded earlier this week with a familiar face defeating the record-setting field of 647. Kurt Jewell, a 26-year-old professional poker player from Kentucky, earned his second WSOPC main event title to win $192,984.

Jewell has found plenty of WSOP success on the WSOP Circuit with 11 cashes, seven final tables and three victories. In 2011, Jewell won the Regional Championship at Horseshoe Hammond and finished eighth at the Harrah's Tunica WSOPC main event. He also made his first WSOP cash, finishing 180th in a six-handed no-limit hold 'em event.

Jewell entered the final table in fourth place and his ascension began shortly before his elimination of Dustin Gardner in fifth. With four players to go, Jewell flopped quad fours to eliminate Jacob Bazeley, and shortly afterward, knocked out Dan Blakeman with J-J to A-6.

Heads-up play began with Jewell holding a small chip lead over Chris Thompson, a 41-year-old professional from Fayetteville, Tenn. Thompson moved into the lead in the first major confrontation, but then doubled Jewell up by calling an all-in holding K-9 to Jewell's A-K on a K-high board after the turn. Jewell extended his lead to nearly 2-to-1 before getting lucky to finally eliminate his opponent. Jewell five-bet all-in with Q-J and Thompson called with 10-10. The flop came K-J-7, giving Jewell the lead. Thompson turned a 10 to give him a set, but it also offered Jewell an open-ended straight draw. Sure enough, a nine hit the river to give Jewell the best hand and the victory.

Jewell joins Peter Feldman and Chris Ferguson as the only players to have multiple WSOP Circuit main event titles.

Here are the final table results from the WSOPC main event in Harrah's Tunica:

1. Kurt Jewell ($192,984)
2. Chris Thompson ($119,415)
3. Dan Blakeman ($87,586)
4. Jacob Bazeley ($65,134)
5. Dustin Gardner ($49,093)
6. Steven McClusky ($37,495)
7. Michael Cooper ($29,013)
8. Todd Chew ($22,744)
9. Ray Weaver ($18,056)

Small blinds: The WSOP Circuit began its latest stop at the Palm Beach Kennel Club on Feb. 16 with a $1 million guaranteed event. Demand for this event was so high that they decided to add a second starting flight on Day 1A. … Jason Lee and Tim West are the latest players to sign an endorsement deal with Lock Poker. … Looking to get a VIP look at the World Poker Tour? Check out this charity auction. … Bet24 and PokerStars are now both offering real-money mobile gaming in the United Kingdom. PokerStars is offering apps on Android and iOS devices, while Bet24 has only apps for iOS (but is in a total of 17 countries). … Recent winners in the Los Angeles Poker Classic preliminaries include Adam Levy and Men Nguyen. … Churchill Downs has acquired the assets of Bluff Media.… Playing in his first major live tournament, 20-year-old Joey Chalbaud won the Heartland Poker Tour event at Daytona Beach for $105,177. … According to Politico, online poker legislation will not be part of the Federal Payroll Tax Bill, as had been rumored. … The Deepstacks Poker Tour makes its first stop this weekend in New York. … The third season of the Bluff Mid-States Poker Tour begins in Minnesota this weekend with an estimated prize pool of $300,000. … Vadzim Kursevich emerged with the win at EPT Deauville for 875,000 euros. The turnout of 889 players was down only two from a year ago. … Russian Rinat Bogdanov earned the top prize of $302,065 for defeating the field of 155 at WPT Venice. … The poker world is mourning the loss of Nikolay Evdakov. The poker pro, who passed away last week, is most well-known for setting the record with most cashes at the WSOP with 10 in 2008.