US Poker Open 2019: Stephen Chidwick Takes Down His 2nd Title at the Series in Event #6 – $25K PLO For $351,000

The US Poker Open (USPO) is familiar territory for UK’s Stephen Chidwick (cover image) who had won two out of the eight events at this series last year alongside many deep runs to emerge as the undisputed 2018 US Poker Open champion.

Chidwick is certainly vying to repeat that feat again this year after winning his second title at the USPO yesterday. He got the best head-start possible at the series when he captured the series-opener $10,000 NLH for $216,000. After putting in a further three final table appearances at the series, Chidwick was back again at the podium posing for winner pictures yesterday. He topped the 39-entry field in Event #6: $25,000 PLO to win $351,000 and his second title at USPO2019. Chidwick has already pocketed $705,950 in prize money at the series so far, and his latest victory has also helped put in the pole position in the 2019 USPO High Roller points race with 540 points.

Day 1 saw the field whittle down to the final table with some of the biggest names in the high stakes circuit failing to make it in the final six. Alex Foxen, Chance Kornuth, Erik Seidel, Dan Shak, Phil Galfond, David Sands, Justin Bonomo, and Brandon Adams, all put in a fight for the title but fell out on Day 1. Also seen hitting the rail was winner of Event #2- $10K PLO Jordan Cristos and Ben Yu.

The payouts were reserved for the top 6 finishers and the last player to fall out empty-handed was Jared Bleznick. With Blexnick gone in seventh place, the remaining six players were all assured to take home at least $58,500.

The star-studded final tabled included the likes of Anthony Zinno, Tom Marchese, Sean Rafael, Ben Lamb and Cary Katz.

Chidwick, who was the only player with over 2 Million chips, was sitting comfortably on top of the chip counts with his stack of 2,375,000.

Final Table Chip Counts

1. Stephen Chidwick – 2,375,000
2. Anthony Zinno – 1,225,000
3. Sean Rafael – 890,000
4. Cary Katz – 665,000
5. Ben Lamb – 450,000
6. Tom Marchese – 265,000

Final Table Recap

Chidwick may have come into the final table as the big chip leader but it was Kary Katz who dominated the action early on. Katz sent WSOP bracelet winner Anthony Zinno packing in sixth place and followed it up by dispatching Sean Rafael to the rail in fifth place.

A massive pot between Katz and Ben Lamb eventually resulted in Lamb having to make his way out to the payout desk in fourth place.

Down to three-handed play, the elimination hand saw Katz limp-call with after Tom Marchese raised it to 240,000 with from the small blind. The flop fell and Marchese fired a bet of 600,000. Katz raised the pot and Marchese was effectively all-in for his last 240,000. Katz hit his club flush on the turn that left Marchese drawing dead. The on the river was inconsequential and Marchese hit the rail in third place.

The heads-up between Kary Katz and Chidwick was a grueling affair with the chips exchanging hands many times. Katz claimed the lead for a while before Chidwick scored a crucial double to get back in the game. Eventually Chidwick potted to 360,000 on which Katz raised all in for 410,000. Chidwick made the call and the cards were tabled.

Stephen Chidwick

Cary Katz

The flop opened several outs for Chidwick and he caught one of them by completing a wheel on the turn . Katz desperately needed a four to appear on the river to stay in the game, but the on the river forced Katz to concede the title to Chidwick!

Final Table Results (USD)

1. Stephen Chidwick – $351,000
2. Cary Katz – $234,000
3. Tom Marchese – $156,000
4. Ben Lamb – $97,500
5. Sean Rafael – $78,000
6. Anthony Zinno – $58,500

Content & Image Courtesy: PokerNews

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