The 2024 U. S. Poker Open is now in the books, and the ending provided a little bit of drama en route to crowning champs. In the $25,000 Championship Event, Stephen Chidwick outlived a hard last table to record the title. Chidwick’s efforts would land him in 2nd location in the total race, nevertheless, as the fantastic efficiency of Aram Zobian throughout the eight-tournament series offered him with adequate fuel to catch the Overall Championship and the Golden Eagle.
Chidwick Rides Massive Chip Lead to 10th PGT Title
Chidwick remained in total command of the Event # 8 last table, the $25,000 Championship Event of the 2024 USPO. He held 40% of the chips (3.075 million) on the felt, with just Andrew Lichtenberger (1.75 million) within shooting range. There was a little bit of drama at the last table as Aram Zobian and Jesse Lonis both had a possibility at taking the Overall Championship (more on this later), however this last table was everything about Chidwick storming to his tenth general PokerGO Tour champion.
The Brit started the last table action by scoring the knockout of Lonis, then did the very same to Zobian to bring the table rapidly down to 5 gamers. Cary Katz was the next victim of the Chidwick Steamroller, decreasing in 5th location after Chidwick rivered a straight to leading Katz’s tumbled set of Queens. As soon as Brandon Wittmeyer entered the video game with the removal of Dan Smith in 4th location, Chidwick held the edge three-handed over Wittmeyer and Lichtenberger.
The power video game of Chidwick was not to be stopped on this day. He pressed out to almost a 4 million chip lead over both his rivals and, when Chidwick dismissed Wittmeyer from the celebrations in a traditional race circumstance (Wittmeyer’s pocket 10s diminish by Chidwick’s A-K as soon as a King tumbled), it was down to him and Lichtenberger. Holding a 2:1 benefit, Chidwick wanted to end the competition rapidly.
Lichtenberger was not so excited to end the card playing. He would grind his method into a small lead before the penultimate hand that would choose the competition. After Lichtenberger opened the wagering, Chidwick would three-bet the action to 575K and Lichtenberger put him to the test all-in. Chidwick chose to dance, and the cards showed up:
Lichtenberger (button/small blind): pocket 10s
Chidwick (huge blind): A ♠ K ♠
The 9-6-6 flop did not assist Chidwick at all, however the Ace on the turn brought him what he was trying to find. Requiring a 10, Lichtenberger rather saw a 7 peel on the river and, after the chips were counted, it was Chidwick who had actually been at threat. He wasn’t any longer, nevertheless, as Chidwick left Lichtenberger with fumes and the competition concluded on the next hand.1.
Stephen Chidwick (United Kingdom), $425,000 (257 points)
2. Andrew Lichtenberger (USA), $273,000 (164 )
3. Brandon Wittmeyer (USA), $182,000 (109 )
4. Dan Smith (USA), $130,000 (78 )
5. Cary Katz (USA), $104,000 (62 )
6. Aram Zobian (USA), $78,000 (47 )
7. Jesse Lonis (USA), $52,000 (31 )
Zobian Powers to Overall Championship
Besides identifying the victor of the Championship Event, there was still the little matter of settling the Overall Championship. When it comes to the 2024 USPO, 2 gamers still had an opportunity to take the title, although one remained in a better area than the other. At stake was the Golden Eagle prize, representing the Overall Champion, and the $25,000 PGT Passport that might be utilized on any PGT occasion over the coming year.
Zobian entered the last table of the 2024 USPO Championship Event with a large lead over Lonis. That lead was so big that Lonis needed to win the Championship Event, while Zobian simply needed to not end up in seventh location to catch the title. When Lonis was removed in seventh location by Chidwick, that sealed the offer for Zobian as he recorded the Overall Championship for the 2024 USPO.1.
Aram Zobian, 616 points
2. Stephen Chidwick, 427
3. Jesse Lonis, 400
4. Eric Afriat, 378
5. Joey Weissman, 344
6. David Coleman, 322
7. Sam Laskowitz, 320
8. Dan Smith, 313
9. Rodger Johnson, 301
10. Matthew Wantman, 269
Up next for the PokerGO Tour will be a journey to the Lone Star State. On Wednesday, the Texas Poker Open will be held at Champions Club in Houston, TX, with the $3000 Main Event held that need to attract some deep-pocketed gamers. In the days after that occasion, the PGT will use High Roller competitions that begin at $5000 (2 competitions) and conclude on May 2 with the second of 2 $10,000 occasions. These competitions will all pay PGT points, important for any gamer who is seeking to make it to the PGT Championship in December.
(Photo thanks to PokerGO.com)
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