26-year-old New Jersey grinder Michael Wang has claimed the honours, his first World Series of Poker gold winner’s bracelet and a hefty $466,120 in prize money after taking down the second event, a $5,000 buy-in NLHE competition at the Rio in Las Vegas.
A field of 422 hopefuls, including aces like Brian Hastings, Kevin McPhee, Jeremy Ausmus and Andrew Frankenberger, took their seats on the first day of the event on Wednesday, playing down to a final table that included Wang, WSOP bracelet holder Bryn Kenney, Artur Koren, former WSOP main event champ Greg Merson, Jason Wheeler, Amir Lehavot – a WSOP main event finalist, Joe Ebanks, Long Nguyen, Byron Kaverman and Doc Sands.
Kenney dominated most of the final table action to emerge in the heads up against Wang with a massive 9 to 1 chip advantage that did not appear tp faze the cool and collected Wang at all.
The exchanges went right down to the wire, when Wang was able to wrest control and eliminate his formidable opponent, only then showing signs of relief and pleasure.
Kenney’s outstanding performance was recognised by applause and a $287.870 runner up check.
The win was the biggest of Wang’s six-year professional poker career. Originally from Los Angeles, he is a biology grad from LeHigh University in Pennsylvania.
45 players cashed in the event, which attracted a large crowd of at times noisy railbirds.
Other final table pay-outs included:
Artur Koren $ 208.177
Greg Merson $ 152.126
Jason Wheeler $ 112.339
Amir Lehavot $ 83.838
Joe Ebanks $ 63.210
Long Nguyen $ 48.137
Byron Kaverman $ 37.030
Doc Sands $ 28.759