Former 2009 World Series of Poker main event champion Joe Cada clinched his third WSOP winner’s bracelet over the weekend when he won the $3,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em Shootout and claimed the $ 226,218 main prize.
The 363-player field generated a total prize pool of $ 980,100, enabling the top 50 players to cash. Among those who registered were respected names like Eli Elezra (13th), Matt Stout (14th), Chris Moorman (17th), Ismael Bojang (18th), Phil Hellmuth (21st), Bryce Yockey (23rd), JJ Lieu (28th), Kenny Haellert (31st), Taylor Paur (36th), Brandon Meyers (38th), Andrew Kelsall (44th), and Lee Markholt (50th)
Cada triumphed over a tough final table that included another former Main Event winner, 2015’s champ Joe McKeehan, who was eliminated by Cada at third for $101,766. The win gave Cada’s chip stack a massive boost, enabling him to enter the heads up stage with 80 percent of the chips on the table.
Despite entering heads-up play with such a large lead over Ohio professional Sam Phillips, Cada had to survive a spirited Phillips claw back which at one point changed the chip lead. However, the former main event champ then doubled through for nearly all the chips in play, which enabled him ultimately to secure the win, leaving Phillips with the runner-up prize of $139,804.
In a temporary distraction during the heads up, Cada had to seek medical attention for an injured finger he trapped in his swivel chair.
Other final table cashes included:
Jack Maskill, $74,782
Harry Lodge, $55,480
Ihar Soika, $41,559
Anthony Reategui, $31,435
Taylor Wilson, $24,013
Joshua Turner, $18,526