Saturday saw the conclusion of the 2018 $100,000 buy-in Poker Masters NLHE Main Event at the Aria Resort and Casino, with US poker pro Don Peters besting a field of 25 top professional players to carry off the main prize of $1,150,000 after a gruelling 5 hour battle at the three-handed stage and a tough heads up against fellow US pro Dan Smith.
Peters dominated much of the second and final days play to face Koray Aldemir and Dan Smith at the three-handed stage, surviving to take on Smith in the heads up at hand 175 with the chip stacks almost even.
Then Peters surged ahead on three major hands with large pots, managing to maintain the momentum and eventually eliminate Smith at second for $700.000.
This year’s Poker Masters worked well for Peters, who kicked the tournament off with a big win in the $10,000 buy-in opening event and ended on the Main Event high note to conclude the festival.
However, the coveted Purple Jacket for top tournament player eluded him, going to Ali Imsirovic.
Other final table cashes included:
Koray Aldemir Germany $400,000
Bryn Kenney USA $250,000