The most recent World Poker Tour (WPT) champion was topped final week in Las Vegas as Nebraska’s Mike Vanier took down the WPT Choctaw Championship for $338,000, simply two years after completed third on this identical occasion.
The $3,500 occasion drew 586 runners for a prize pool of $2,051,000 that squeaked previous the $2 million assure. The primary three days of the occasion performed out at Choctaw On line casino in Durant, Oklahoma. Motion then paused earlier than choosing again up on the Esports Enviornment Las Vegas at Luxor.
Vanier defeated heads-up opponent Mason Vieth, whereas the six-handed televized last desk additionally included Lifu Zhang (third – $163,000), Charlie Adkins (4th – $122,000), Ryan Brown (fifth – $92,000) and Logan Hoover (sixth – $70,000).
Learn Extra Concerning the WPT Choctaw Championship!
WPT Choctaw Championship Ultimate Desk Outcomes
*Consists of entry into the $10,400 WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas.
Vanier Closes Out
Vanier, who completed third within the 2023 version for $192,000, informed WPT that he was happier together with his efficiency this 12 months.
“I wished to maintain the pots small, play post-flop and it labored out fairly good,” mentioned Vanier, who posed for winner’s images together with his mom.
In keeping with WPT updates, Vanier entered the six-handed last desk because the chip chief and bided his time as Vieth made a full home to ship Hoover out in sixth place and later flopped a set to crack the kings of fifth-place finisher Brown.
Vieth stored doing the soiled work as he rivered an ace to ship Adkins out in fourth. Lastly, it was Vanier’s flip for a knockout as his ace-high held as much as remove Zhang in third place and to enter heads-up play with a formidable chip lead, in line with WPT.
Vanier slowly chipped away at his opponent earlier than Veith doubled up into the lead with pocket kings. Viet then received a virtually 10-million-chip pot to have Vanier on the ropes, however Vanier discovered a much-needed double to be momentarily again in entrance.
Vieth once more took the lead earlier than a Vanier double forward of a last confrontation the place Vanier’s ace-queen picked the ace-nine of Vieth.
Vanier is not the one newcomer to WPT glory. Additionally on Might 30, Artwork Peacock took down the WPT Seminole Laborious Rock Poker Showdown Championship for $776,000 as he defeated heads-up opponent Mihai Niste.
*Pictures courtesy WPT
Connor Richards
Editor & Reside Reporter U.S.
