Despite not being a professional poker player, Nick Barksdale has demonstrated his exceptional skills as a closer in live poker tournaments. Hailing from Lincoln, Nebraska, where he works as a sales manager, Barksdale boasts 13 in-the-money finishes and an impressive four titles, including two main event victories on the 2023 Mid-States Poker Tour.

His triumphs began with his inaugural six-figure payday of $170,325 at the MSPT Bally’s Black Hawk main event in January. Just 279 days later, in early November, he triumphed again, conquering a field of 654 entries at the MSPT Riverside main event and seizing a prize of $129,740.

Speaking to MSPT reporters after his victory, Barksdale expressed his satisfaction, saying, “It feels really good. The final table was incredibly competitive, and the outcome was uncertain, but I was fortunate enough to secure my second title this year.”

With these wins, Barksdale’s career tournament earnings now exceed $391,000, with the majority stemming from his two MSPT titles.

Notably, his recent victory also earned him 840 Card Player Player of the Year points, adding to the 912 points he previously obtained for his first MSPT win. These combined points, totaling 1,752, have propelled him to 236th place in the 2023 standings presented by Global Poker.

The $1,110 main event at Riverside Casino & Golf Resort in Riverside, Iowa, attracted a robust field, resulting in a final prize pool of $632,880. The top 72 finishers received cash prizes, with the top nine players earning five figures or more.

Among the notable participants, Rob WazWaz secured his 18th top-ten finish on the tour, finishing in third place with a prize of $58,858. As an MSPT Hall of Fame member, WazWaz has accumulated over $658,000 in winnings on the tour. Asa Snyder, who finished seventh in the same event the previous year, took second place and received a prize of $79,099.

Here are the payouts and POY points awarded at the final table:

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Benjamin Juhasz emerged as the victor in the 2023 PGT PLO Series II, solidifying his status as the latest champion. Hailing from Hungary, Juhasz displayed his prowess by outlasting a field of 86 competitors in Event #7, a high-stakes $10,100 buy-in pot-limit Omaha tournament. For his remarkable victory, he was awarded a substantial prize of $206,400, marking the most significant accomplishment on his poker résumé to date.

This triumph marked Juhasz’s third cash during the series, with prior finishes including a respectable fifth place in the inaugural event and a 17th-place performance in Event #5. His impressive earnings of $275,100 and a total of 275 PGT points have propelled him to the third position in the ongoing series standings.

The tournament unfolded over two days, set within the PokerGO Studio at ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The final day commenced with six players still in contention, and Juhasz maintained a commanding lead throughout.

On the second day, Juhasz displayed exceptional skill by eliminating every opponent he faced. His string of successes began by eliminating the champion of the kickoff event, Matthew Wantman, who finished in sixth place with a $51,600 prize. Juhasz continued his dominance by flopping the nut flush, which led to the exit of Zhen Cai, the sixth-place finisher in the 2019 World Series of Poker main event, who took home $68,800 for his fifth-place finish.

During the four-handed action, Juhasz amassed over 75 percent of the total chips in play. He further solidified his lead by defeating Joao Simao, whose pocket kings were defeated by Juhasz’s double-suited A-J-10-9, with all chips going in preflop. Juhasz’s flush on the turn sealed Simao’s fate, leaving him with no hope, and Simao collected $86,000 for his fourth-place finish. This marked Simao’s fifth cash of the series, including a victory in Event #6 for $182,000. With 341 PGT points and earnings totaling $340,650, the two-time bracelet winner now sits atop the series leaderboard.

Joni Jouhkimainen bowed out in third place, going all-in with a short stack and middle pair with backdoor flush possibilities. He faced Juhasz, who held top and bottom pair, and Juhasz’s hand remained strong through the river, earning him the pot and sending the Finnish bracelet winner home with $107,500.

As heads-up play commenced, Juhasz held a chip lead of more than 10 to 1 against Jim Collopy, a three-time bracelet winner. The advantage swiftly translated into the championship title for Juhasz. With a flop of 10Club Suit7Club Suit5Diamond Suit, Juhasz confidently bet the pot, and Collopy, holding KSpade SuitJHeart Suit9Heart Suit8Spade Suit for a wrap straight draw, called all-in. Juhasz’s QClub Suit10Heart Suit2Spade Suit2Diamond Suit provided him with top pair and a ten kicker, which held strong through the 3Club Suit turn and AHeart Suit river. This secured Juhasz’s victory and the title, while Collopy secured the runner-up position with $141,900 in winnings. Collopy’s series earnings reached $286,200, and with a total of 287 points from three cashes, he climbed to second place in the festival’s standings.

Event #7: $10,100 Pot-Limit Omaha Final Table Payouts

Exploring Poker Opportunities in New York City

Poker has long been a beloved pastime in the bustling metropolis of New York. When embarking on your poker journey in this dynamic city, you seek reliability, thrills, and a dedicated player community. In recent times, Social Poker has emerged as one of the hottest poker hubs in the United States. Nestled in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, conveniently close to Penn Station, our poker room offers effortless accessibility through public transit. If you’re on the lookout for an extraordinary poker experience in the Big Apple, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better option anywhere in the city!

Our poker venues are thoughtfully equipped with top-notch amenities, making them the ultimate sanctuary for poker aficionados. We offer a wide array of popular Texas Hold’em games, including 1/3 NLH, 1/2 NLH, and 2/5 NLH, in addition to 1/3, 1/2, and 2/5 PLO games, guaranteeing a diverse and exhilarating gaming experience for players of all levels.

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New York City, unmistakably situated within the state of New York, stands as one of the largest economic hubs in the United States, and indeed, on a global scale.

New York City serves as the backdrop for one of the most renowned pieces of poker-themed literature. In the 1998 film “Rounders,” the narrative revolves around the journey of poker prodigy Mike McDermott, portrayed by Matt Damon, as he navigates the clandestine world of New York City’s card rooms. This cinematic gem, directed by John Dahl, was born from the creative minds of screenwriters David Levien and Brian Koppelman. Although it didn’t attain blockbuster status, it holds a special place in the hearts of many within the poker community.

New York City has produced some of the most accomplished poker players in the history of the game.

Stu Ungar

Among these notable figures is Stu Ungar, a true poker legend. As a young child, he engaged in high-stakes games of gin rummy associated with organized crime. In 1980, he achieved one of poker’s most prestigious titles by winning the WSOP Main Event, despite having participated in only his second No Limit Hold’em tournament. He defended his title in 1981. After a prolonged struggle with drug addiction, Ungar made a triumphant comeback in 1997, securing his third Main Event victory. To further solidify his poker prowess, he claimed the Main Event championship at Amarillo Slim’s Super Bowl of Poker, the second-largest poker tournament series during the 1970s and 1980s, on three separate occasions.

Bryn Kenney

Bryn Kenney, hailing from Long Beach, NY, holds the prestigious title of the all-time highest earner in live poker tournaments. Over the course of his career, he has amassed an impressive $56.4 million in cash prizes. Notably, Kenney also stands as the record holder for the highest prize money ever claimed in a poker tournament. Although he secured a second-place finish in the most monumental buy-in poker event in history, the £1,050,000 Triton Million in London, Kenney cleverly negotiated a heads-up deal that resulted in him taking home a larger sum than the event’s champion, Aaron Zang. This brilliant maneuver earned Kenney a staggering £16.891 million, which translates to $20.563 million in US dollars, all on that memorable day in August 2019.

Shaun Deeb

Shaun Deeb’s early years were spent in the vicinity of what is now the renowned Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady in Schenectady, NY. Surrounded by the allure of card games and gambling, he naturally fostered a deep affinity for these pastimes from a young age. This passion led him to an illustrious poker career, where he achieved the remarkable feat of winning four WSOP gold bracelets. His prowess in the game also earned him the coveted title of WSOP Player of the Year in 2018, cementing his status as a true poker champion. In total, Deeb has accumulated an impressive $7.714 million in live tournament earnings.

Erik Seidel

Born in the heart of New York City, Erik Seidel initially honed his competitive spirit in the world of professional backgammon during his youth. As he matured, his interests shifted towards the financial arena, where he worked as a trader on the American Stock Exchange. However, destiny had other plans, and Seidel would go on to make a significant mark in the realm of poker.

Erik Seidel stands as one of the most accomplished and renowned figures in the history of poker. As a enduring member of the old guard in poker, he has managed to seamlessly adapt and thrive in the contemporary poker landscape, amassing a remarkable collection of poker’s most prestigious titles and trophies. His face is synonymous with the poker world, and for good reason.

Seidel’s career earnings exceed the impressive sum of $40 million, a testament to his unwavering skill and consistency. With an astonishing nine World Series of Poker bracelets and a World Poker Tour title to his name, he has achieved victory on the grandest stages of poker. Furthermore, his extensive list of money finishes in major poker tournaments worldwide is a testament to his enduring excellence. His legacy is etched in stone with an esteemed place in the Poker Hall of Fame, making Erik Seidel an enduring legend in the world of poker.

Play Poker in New York

Poker has enjoyed a long-standing popularity in the vibrant city of New York. When venturing into the world of poker in this city, you seek trust, excitement, and a loyal customer base. In recent times, Social Poker has emerged as one of the most sizzling poker destinations in the United States. Situated in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, conveniently close to Penn Station, our poker room offers easy access via public transportation. If you’re in search of an exceptional poker experience in New York City, you won’t find a better option in the city!

Our poker venues are outfitted with premium amenities, establishing them as the ultimate haven for poker enthusiasts. We feature a variety of popular Texas Hold’em games, such as 1/3 NLH, 1/2 NLH, and 2/5 NLH, along with 1/3, 1/2, and 2/5 PLO games, ensuring a diverse and exciting gaming experience for all players.

Ready to join the game? Sign up now and receive a 10% free buy-in bonus in the form of chips. Simply text “SPBlog” to (347) 471-1813 to RSVP and provide your full name, email, and occupation.

The record-setting pot-limit Omaha poker tournament, boasting the highest buy-in ever, concluded in the early hours of Thursday, October 19th. The event, the inaugural $100,000 buy-in Super High Roller Bowl: Pot-Limit Omaha, witnessed 38 participants, amassing an impressive prize pool of $3.8 million. After three days of intense four-card poker action within the PokerGO Studio at ARIA Resort & Casino, Jared Bleznick, a seasoned PLO player, emerged as the champion from a highly competitive final table. He secured the prestigious title, the SHRB ring, and the top prize of $1,292,000.

This monumental victory marked Bleznick’s largest tournament win to date, solidifying his place in the poker world. Before transitioning to his sports card business in the mid-2010s, Jared Bleznick had earned recognition as a leading online PLO specialist. His previous best payout came as the runner-up in the 2013 World Series of Poker $10,000 PLO championship event, where he pocketed $526,625. Notably, four out of his five most significant tournament wins have been in PLO tournaments.

With this recent triumph, Bleznick’s total tournament earnings have now surpassed $4.1 million. During the tournament’s final stages, he faced off against two of the game’s highest-earning tournament players, Stephen Chidwick (with $54.7 million in career earnings) and Isaac Haxton (with $45.5 million in career earnings). Their intense three-handed showdown stretched on for approximately six hours. Remarkably, both of these high-stakes poker stars had recently achieved podium finishes in the latest no-limit hold’em version of the SHRB, with Haxton winning $2,760,000 and Chidwick securing a third-place finish for $960,000.

The final day of the SHRB PLO tournament began with seven players vying for victory, with Haxton leading the pack. Poker Hall of Famer Daniel Negreanu had been eliminated just shy of the money late on day 2, losing with a set-under-set hand against Bleznick.

Starting the final table as the second-highest chip holder among the remaining seven players, Jared Bleznick closed the gap with Haxton by eliminating Chino Rheem, the recent PGT Mixed Games II champion, who finished in seventh place with $152,000. This marked Rheem’s 14th final table appearance of the year, with 11 of them occurring since mid-September. He currently ranks 63rd in the 2023 Card Player Player of the Year standings presented by Global Poker and 29th in the PGT season-long rankings.

Isaac Kempton, wielding pocket aces on two occasions, swiftly dispatched Frank Crivello (6th place – $228,000) and Aaron Katz (5th place – $304,000), entering the four-handed play with a virtually tied chip count alongside Bleznick and Haxton.

The final four contenders engaged in an extended battle before the next elimination transpired. By this point, Kempton’s chip stack had dwindled. In a crucial hand, he found himself all-in, awaiting a potential call from Jared Bleznick, who decided to utilize his time bank cards to open packs of sports cards. Ultimately, Kempton doubled up when Bleznick folded. In his final hand, Kempton, with a short stack, went all-in preflop with double-suited jacks, facing Bleznick and Chidwick. Bleznick hit top pair and an open-ended straight draw on the flop, forcing Chidwick to fold. Kempton had picked up a flush draw, but Bleznick improved to two pair on the turn, securing Kempton’s fourth-place finish with $418,000.

Three-handed play commenced around 8:00 PM local time in Las Vegas, extending until just before 2:00 AM. At one point, Chidwick managed to claim the chip lead but found himself all-in and at risk a little over an hour later. He had aggressively committed most of his stack preflop from the button with A♥9♦8♠7♥ and called Bleznick’s re-pot from the big blind, who held A♣K♠K♣8♥. The flop displayed A♦Q♦10♦, leaving Chidwick with only a few big blinds. The J♠ on the turn granted Jared Bleznick a straight, leaving Chidwick with no outs as the 10♠ fell on the river.

The 34-year-old British poker pro earned $570,000 for his third-place finish. This marked his 24th final-table appearance of the year, having secured five titles and accumulated over $8.7 million in Player of the Year (POY) earnings. With 8,779 total POY points, he remained in second place in the 2023 standings, striving to claim his third career POY award. His first victory in this regard came in 2019, and he is the defending POY from the previous year. Chidwick also climbed to fourth place on the PGT leaderboard, which he had previously won in 2022.

Heading into the heads-up battle, Haxton held 6,775,000 chips, while Bleznick had 4,625,000. Haxton had an opportunity to clinch the win and secure his third SHRB ring, having previously won the SHRB V and the recent SHRB VIII. The pivotal hand began with Bleznick limping from the button with a 10-9-8-7 double-suited hand, and Haxton raised from the big blind with pocket aces that covered one of Bleznick’s suits. Bleznick re-raised, and Haxton went all-in, with Bleznick making the call. He hit two pair on the turn, doubling into the lead.

Not long afterward, Haxton raised with Q♠Q♣10♥6♥ from the button, and Bleznick called with 9♥5♠3♥2♠ from the big blind. The flop came 9♠7♣4♥, and Bleznick bet the pot. Haxton shoved for 2,280,000, and Jared Bleznick called. The 9♦ on the turn gave Bleznick trips and a substantial lead. Haxton needed a queen or an eight on the river to stay in the game, but the A♦ appeared instead, concluding his tournament in second place with a prize of $836,000.

Haxton’s remarkable year included 21 final-table finishes, seven titles, and an impressive earnings total of nearly $13.4 million in Player of the Year (POY) points, making him one of the top players on the circuit. He held 8,532 POY points, securing the third position in the POY standings. In the high-stakes-oriented Player of the Game Tour (PGT) race, he led with 2,548 points.

Haxton’s standout achievements in the year comprised his first WSOP bracelet in a $25,000 buy-in event and a recent SHRB victory, netting him more than $2.7 million just a few weeks prior to this event.

Finding a reliable place to play poker can be an overwhelming task, especially if you’re just looking for some fun that you don’t have to pay for. We are located in Midtown, New York. Poker players now have access to the poker room featuring 3 tables and amenities like USB charging ports at every seat and a host of big-screen TVs. The room offers No Limit hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha poker games.

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The Wynn Fall Classic kicks off in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 2nd, offering a diverse lineup of over 20 poker tournaments that will run throughout most of the month. The grand finale of this tournament series is scheduled for October 29th.

A highlight of the series is the no-limit hold’em championship event, featuring a guaranteed prize pool of $1 million. This championship will take place from October 19th to 23rd, with three starting flights and a buy-in of $1,600. For a chance to participate, players can secure their seats through a $300 satellite buy-in, with three 10-seat guaranteed qualifiers set for October 19th and 20th.

Wynn Las Vegas has an array of poker options during the tournament series, including limit Omaha eight-or-better, pot-limit Omaha, H.O.R.S.E., dealer’s choice, and Big O, in addition to the popular no-limit hold’em.

Another notable event on the schedule is the $1 million guaranteed $1,600 mystery bounty event, commencing on October 12th. This event follows a thrilling format where players receive random prize payouts for eliminating opponents who finish in the money. It offers three starting flights and culminates on October 15th.

In addition to these events, there are two seniors events, one on October 4th with a $50,000 guaranteed prize and another on October 16th with a $100,000 guaranteed prize. Each event on the schedule boasts enticing guaranteed prize pools, including the $1,100 buy-in kick-off event, which promises a $500,000 prize pool.

Don’t miss the chance to be part of the action this October at one of the top casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. For a detailed schedule of events, you can refer to the list below. For more information, visit the Wynn Poker homepage.

The 2023 Michigan State Poker Championship, part of the Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) at FireKeepers Casino, witnessed an astounding turnout. A total of 2,883 participants shattered the previous record of 2,479 set in May of the same year.

In this $1,110 buy-in MSPT event, the initial $1 million guarantee was not just met but exceeded by a significant margin. The final prize pool soared to $2,795,010, distributed among the top 297 finishers. Following three starting flights and an intense final day featuring a combined field, Travis Young, a resident of Wisconsin, emerged as the champion. He not only secured the title but also claimed the top prize of $297,997.

Speaking about his victory, Young expressed his astonishment, stating, “I’m pretty speechless, honestly. I basically just 10x’d my career earnings with just this one tournament so that’s pretty amazing. I really came into today with no expectations and ended up running really well and picking some good spots to make moves, which ended up paying off.”

Before this event, Young’s most significant live tournament achievement was a second-place finish in a $400 no-limit hold’em event at the 2019 World Series of Poker Circuit Potawatomi series, where he won $14,433.

The final day of play began with 341 contenders remaining at 10:00 AM local time in Battle Creek, MI. By the time the final table was determined later that night, Young had accumulated a substantial chip lead, nearly three times larger than the closest competitor.

Brad Sailor secured the first two eliminations, while the 2019 MSPT Blackhawk champion, Brian Hou, managed the next pair of knockouts. The final five players subsequently negotiated a deal based on Independent Chip Model (ICM) payouts, concluding the tournament with Young clinching the title and Hou finishing in the second position. Under the terms of the agreement, the top five participants all earned at least $153,928.

MSPT Michigan State Poker Championship Final Table Results

Poker enthusiasts on Twitter were abuzz this week as a colossal bad beat jackpot made its mark at the Playground Poker Club in Quebec, Canada. The showdown featured a straight flush pitted against another straight flush, resulting in a windfall exceeding CAD $1.3 million ($949,480 USD).

Playground Poker Club distributes the jackpot as follows: 40% goes to the unlucky hand’s loser, 20% to the winner, 20% is shared among the other players at the table, and the remaining 20% is divided among all other players in the room. The recipient of the “losing” hand walked away with approximately CAD $537,627 ($392,666), while the victor pocketed CAD $216,814 ($158,354 USD).

The property celebrated all involved, stating on Twitter, “Congratulations to the loser of the hand, the winner, everyone at the table, and all other signed-in NLHE players!”

The Hand in Question

For those not well-versed in poker, a bad beat jackpot rewards a cash game player with a strong hand who loses to another player with an even stronger one. A portion of each hand’s pot contributes to the bad beat pool, similar to a progressive slot machine, until it pays out.

In this particular hand, one player went all-in with 6Diamond Suit 5Diamond Suit on a board displaying 7Diamond Suit 9Diamond Suit 4Heart Suit 8Diamond Suit ASpade Suit. The unfortunate loser secured a straight flush, but their opponent held the JDiamond Suit 10Diamond Suit, forming an even more impressive straight flush.

This unlikely outcome led to a substantial windfall for the participants at the Playground, who celebrated the occasion with a shower of confetti.

Continued Jackpot Success at Playground

The Playground has been the setting for two substantial payouts in just the past few months. In August, the property awarded a CAD $2.6 million ($1.9 million USD) jackpot. This hand occurred in a $1-$2 no-limit hold’em cash game, where one player with pocket tens hit quads. However, another player completed a straight flush with 9Diamond Suit 6Diamond Suit on a board showing 8Diamond Suit 10Heart Suit 10Diamond Suit 7Diamond Suit 2Diamond Suit, besting their opponent’s hand.

The losing player walked away with slightly over CAD $1 million ($774,084 USD), while the winner collected CAD $518,037 ($387,042). This exceeded the cardroom’s prior record of just over $2 million, set in June. Following the recent jackpot payout, the pool was promptly replenished to $108,789, which was the amount previously in the backup jackpot.

Nick Schulman clinched his third title of the year. This seasoned poker pro, boasting a World Poker Tour championship and four World Series of Poker bracelets, emerged victorious from a challenging field of 40 participants in the PGT Mixed Games II $10,200 triple stud tournament, which offered a prize pool of $144,000.

This triumph propelled Schulman’s career tournament earnings to an impressive $16.8 million. At the age of 39, this renowned poker player and frequent PokerGO commentator has accumulated 190 live tournament wins since his groundbreaking $2.1 million victory in the 2005 WPT World Poker Finals, securing a total of 13 titles along the way.

In the year 2023, Nick Schulman reached ten final tables, amassing an impressive 2,730 Card Player Player of the Year points. His achievements included securing his fourth WSOP title during the summer by winning a $1,500 stud event, netting $110,800. In September, he emerged victorious in a $25,000 no-limit hold’em event at the Poker Masters festival, adding another $374,000 to his winnings. With over $1.1 million in year-to-date Player of the Year earnings, Schulman has climbed to the 74th spot in this year’s Player of the Year race standings presented by Global Poker.

Furthermore, Schulman’s latest victory brought him within reach of the top 40 in the season-long PGT points race. The top 40 players in the final standings will secure a spot in the $1 million freeroll PGT Championship taking place in December. Following this win, he currently occupies the 42nd position, adding 144 points to his overall score. In the PGT Mixed Games II standings for the series, he is placed fourth with a total of 167 points.

The triple-stud event encompassed a mix of stud, stud eight-or-better, and razz poker variants. It spanned two days of intense competition before a champion emerged. The top six finishers shared the $400,000 prize pool, with notable players such as Ryan Miller, Damjan Radanov, Chino Rheem, and Adam Friedman making their exits inside the money on the first day.

The final day commenced with John Racener, a bracelet winner and the 2010 WSOP main event runner-up, holding 3,475,000 chips compared to Schulman’s 2,525,000. Racener initially extended his lead, but Nick Schulman managed a crucial double-up in a hand of stud, making a remarkable comeback. After narrowing the gap further during the stud round, Schulman took the lead with a substantial razz pot, securing an 8-7-5-3-A low.

The decisive hand of the tournament unfolded in a razz round. Racener pushed all his remaining chips into the pot with (A♣9♦4♥J♠5♣), while Schulman held (9♥6♥2♥J♣3♠).

Nick Schulman improved to a nine low with the 7♥ on sixth street, while Racener failed to improve with the K♣. The 9♣ on the final card didn’t alter the outcome for Schulman, while Racener ended up with a jack low that he had formed by fifth street. With that, Racener finished in second place, earning $96,000 for his performance, bringing his career tournament earnings to nearly $11.6 million.

Ari Engel has achieved a remarkable feat, securing his position as the undisputed leader in all-time World Series of Poker Circuit gold ring victories. The esteemed Canadian poker professional had been sharing the top spot with Maurice Hawkins, both boasting 15 WSOPC titles. This tie was broken during the WSOPC Graton Casino event in Northern California in August when Ari Engel secured back-to-back wins. However, the Canadian poker pro’s record-setting 16th ring was clinched on Tuesday, October 10, when he emerged victorious in the $400 buy-in Omaha eight-or-better event at the WSOPC Horseshoe Hammond festival.

While basking in his accomplishment, Ari Engel acknowledged the mixed emotions of the moment, stating, “It’s certainly satisfying to emerge as the winner, but my thoughts are currently with Jerusalem, so it’s a bittersweet victory. I’ve been actively participating in these tournaments, and winning them is unquestionably more appealing than the alternative.”

In addition, he graciously acknowledged the achievements of other players near the top of the WSOPC rings leaderboard, emphasizing, “Maurice Hawkins, Josh Reichard, and Dan Lowery have considerably better ratios in terms of tournaments played to rings. I tend to play more frequently than they do. Their records are impressive, and they are highly skilled players.”

Here are the players with 10 or more WSOPC rings won:

The Canadian poker pro hailing from Toronto, boasting two WSOP bracelets to his name, has had an extraordinary 2023, amassing an impressive five WSOP Circuit rings. Among these, two were secured through online events, while the other two were claimed in California, and a fifth in Indiana. Engel’s inaugural ring victory dates back to 2007 when he triumphed in a $300 buy-in event at WSOP Caesars Atlantic City, earning a substantial prize of $63,018.

Celebrating his 40th birthday last month, Ari Engel’s tournament earnings now exceed $8.7 million, with a noteworthy portion of over $1 million stemming from his remarkable 181 WSOPC cashes. His most recent triumph marks his sixth overall victory this year, earning him a substantial 96 Card Player Player of the Year points.

Ari Engel’s distinction extends further, with an astonishing 24 final-table finishes that qualify for Player of the Year recognition in 2023, the most by any player thus far. Accumulating a total of 2,648 points, he currently holds the 80th position in the comprehensive Player of the Year rankings, as presented by Global Poker.

In the 2023 World Championship of Online Poker’s $10,300 buy-in no-limit hold’em main event, which carried a $6,000,000 guarantee, the target was successfully reached with 600 entries. This massive online tournament took place on PokerStars from October 1st to 4th.

The champion of this year’s WCOOP main event turned out to be poker professional Ivan Stokes, who hails from the UK and goes by the online moniker ‘ILS007.’ Stokes skillfully navigated his way through the substantial field and a challenging final table to secure the coveted title and a top prize of $1,047,257.

Stokes is not just an accomplished player but also a co-founder and head coach of the MTT (Multi-Table Tournament) division at Poker Detox, a training site. His bio on the company’s website boasts several prior COOP titles as part of his impressive poker resume.

The final day of this four-day tournament began with nine contenders remaining, each already guaranteed at least $94,330 for their remarkable journey so far.

In the early stages of the final table, some notable names met their fate, including Kayhan Mokri, the recent European Poker Tour Barcelona €100,000 high roller winner (9th place), high-stakes regular Mario Mosboeck (8th place), Kelvin Kerber, who finished third in the 2023 WSOP $10,000 super turbo bounty event (7th place), Jamil Wakil, who placed fifth in the 2023 Triton London $50,000 high roller (6th place), and Leonard Maue, the 2022 EPT Barcelona €25,000 high roller champion (5th place).

Sweden’s Niklas Astedt, known as ‘Lena900′ online, momentarily seized the chip lead during the four-handed play. However, his fortunes turned when his pocket kings were outdone by Ivan Stokes’ flopped set of deuces. Astedt settled for fourth place, earning $408,827. It’s worth noting that according to PokerStake, Astedt boasts nearly $46 million in recorded online tournament earnings, the highest in their database.

During three-handed play, Stokes continued to extend his lead over the remaining players. The next elimination occurred when Stokes’ A-9 prevailed in a preflop race against Juan Pastor’s pocket fours, leaving Stokes with a commanding 7.5:1 chip lead over Sweden’s ‘ShipitFTW911,’ the only player among the final nine whose real name remained undisclosed. Pastor secured $559,385 for his third-place finish.

The final hand of the event began with a button min-raise to 1,600,000 from ‘ShipitFTW911’ with 9♠9♥. Stokes responded with a three-bet to 4,400,000 from the big blind, holding K♦K♣, and was called. The flop came down 10♣7♥6♥. Stokes bet 2,970,000, which was again called. The turn revealed the 2♠, prompting another bet from Stokes, this time amounting to 4,930,200. ‘ShipitFTW911’ remained in the hand and saw the 2♥ on the river. Stokes went all-in, and ‘ShipitFTW911’ called off their last 12,921,085, only to receive the disappointing news. They secured $765,389 as the runner-up finisher.

Here is a look at the final table result: