3-Bet: Thomas Fuller, Gary McGlothlin & Cristinel Costin Win Live Titles

The live poker scene recently served up a trio of thrilling tournaments, each delivering blockbuster fields, high-stakes showdowns, and unforgettable triumphs at the BetMGM Poker Open Championship, the Mid-States Poker Tour Main Event, and the Grosvenor Behemoth Main Event.

At the Aria Poker Open’s $1,600 BetMGM Poker Open Championship, a remarkable 1,130 entries battled under the lights of PokerGO Studio. Thomas Fuller emerged as the star, securing a career-best $272,074 after a three-way deal. His commanding performance left Benjamin Gros ($190,046) and Michael Estes ($168,269) with impressive runner-up and third-place payouts, respectively.

Over in Columbus, Ohio, Hollywood Casino hosted the Season 15 Winter Poker Classic’s $1,110 MSPT Main Event, drawing 672 contenders. Local favorite Gary McGlothlin rose above the talented field to claim his first MSPT title and a personal record of $117,814. Lenny Pisano came close, earning $96,814 for a strong runner-up finish.

Across the Atlantic at the inaugural Grosvenor Behemoth £300 NLHE Main Event, 1,347 entrants sought UK poker glory. Cristinel Costin claimed it with a £43,700 payday, while the three-way deal also awarded Gary Nordigian (2nd for £42,260) and Dawid Chmiel (3rd for £48,450) their biggest career scores.

Teacher-Turned-Poker-Pro Thomas Fuller Makes an Epic Comeback, Claiming the Aria Poker Open $1,600 BetMGM Poker Open Championship and $272,074

The Aria Poker Open’s $1,600 BetMGM Poker Open Championship turned out to be a high-stakes showdown unlike any other. From December 13th to 16th, an impressive 1,130 entries not only smashed the $1 million guarantee but also ignited a thrilling battle in PokerGO Studio.

At the center of this spectacle stood Thomas Fuller, a former teacher who had recently returned to poker after stepping away in his 20s. Facing seven tough contenders at the final table, Fuller played with strategic precision, delivering five of the six knockouts on his way to a title that brought him a career-best $272,074 payday. This victory also pushed his total live earnings beyond the $1.80 Million mark.

Thomas Fuller (@gnightmoon) of Lafayette, CO is the victor of the ARIA Poker Open @BetMGMPoker Championship!

Thomas outlasted a field of 1130 entries to claim the top spot along with $227,793 for the win. Congrats!

📸: @8131_Media pic.twitter.com/6DWvDKkY28

— ARIA Poker (@ARIAPoker) December 17, 2024

“It was incredible,” Fuller said moments after his win. “I’m really proud of my play, despite one terrible misclick at the final table. If I hadn’t won, I’m not sure I could have forgiven myself.” For Fuller, who only came back to the game six months ago, this triumph was especially meaningful. “I’ve learned a lot over the last year,” he reflected. “The approach is more academic and measured now. That shift in mindset has made all the difference.”

In a rare twist, the final table felt more like a friendly home game than a cutthroat competition. “All cool guys, a terrific atmosphere,” Fuller remarked, highlighting the camaraderie that gave this event a memorable personality.

But the contest was far from easy. Fuller locked horns with formidable adversaries like Benjamin Gros and Michael Estes in three-handed play before striking a three-way deal. Gros eventually claimed second place with $190,046, while Estes took third for $168,269.

From the outset, Fuller set the tone. Edward Dixon, battling illness throughout Day 2, was first to go, his paired seven failing to outlast Fuller’s queen. Yaser Al-Keliddar soon followed, running pocket fours into Fuller’s sevens. Yang Lu met a similar fate, and Hieu Tran’s tournament ended just before the three-way deal was struck—though he left to celebrate his run, and a birthday, at Aria’s world-class restaurants.

Once the deal was sealed, Estes fell to Gros’ superior hand, and only two remained. The heads-up duel proved intense, with both Fuller and Gros trading chip leads. In the end, Fuller found his moment and went all-in with a two-pair hand on the final river. Gros called, only to discover Fuller’s winning combination—and with that, the teacher-turned-poker-pro rose to the top.

A new chapter has been written in Fuller’s remarkable comeback story, and it’s sure to inspire anyone who dreams of second acts and unexpected triumphs at the table.

Final Table Results (USD

1. Thomas Fuller – $227,074*
2. Benjamin Gros – $190,046*
3. Michael Estes – $168,269*
4. Hieu Tran – $91,573
5. Yang Lu – $69,193
6. Yaser Al-Keliddar – $55,942
7. Edward Dixon – $46,215

*denotes a three-way deal

Gary McGlothlin Triumphs in MSPT Winter Poker Classic Main Event, Secures $117,814 Payday

In a stirring display of tenacity and skill, Gary McGlothlin emerged victorious at the Season 15 Winter Poker Classic’s $1,110 MSPT Main Event, held December 12 to 15 at Hollywood Casino in Columbus. Outlasting a formidable field of 672 entries, McGlothlin not only claimed his first MSPT title but also soared to a career-best $117,814 payday. Runner-up Lenny Pisano earned a respectable $96,814, boosting his career earnings to nearly $165,000.

Gary McGlothlin Wins Inaugural MSPT Season 15 $1,110 Winter Poker Classic @Hollywood_Poker Main Event ($133,320):https://t.co/SYRLRQnf3V

Live Updates: https://t.co/ZAxgoAqKZL pic.twitter.com/3PKsDlOVqS

— MSPT (@msptpoker) December 16, 2024

“It feels great,” he said afterward. “I kept reminding myself how close I was—just 71 players away from $100k when Day 2 began. I held onto that focus and didn’t come home without the title.”

McGlothlin’s total live earnings now sit at $218,230, a testament to his remarkable run. This event’s $650,340 prize pool easily surpassed the $500,000 guarantee, rewarding 72 players who advanced to Day 2 with at least $2,146.

Among the notables who made deep runs were two-time MSPT champion Chris Meyers (23rd for $4,682) and back-to-back MSPT Player of the Year Umut Ozturk (21st for $5,593), and previous MSPT champion Alex Cruz (14th for $7,804). Their presence underscored the caliber of competition McGlothlin faced on his path to victory.

With the elimination of Jason Raber in tenth place for $9,755, the stage was set for the final nine-handed table.

When the final table formed, McGlothlin adopted a calm yet assertive style. He watched as key rivals fell—Connor Burchwell, Kevin Stroud, Xayadeth Kayavong, Robert Councell, Abdul Amer—most at the hands of runner-up finisher Lenny Pisano. With only three left, McGlothlin took charge, eliminating Louis Shade and then facing a determined Pisano, who carried a 2:1 chip lead into heads-up play.

Late into the night, McGlothlin’s perseverance paid off. He battled back, trading double-ups with Pisano until, finally, he landed the decisive blow on a tense final hand. His top pair held strong, clinching a title that felt as hard-earned as it was well-deserved.

Final Table Results (USD)

1. Gary McGlothlin – $117,814
2. Lenny Pisano – $96,814
3. Dalton Jones – $60,482
4. Louis Shade – $44,873
5. Abdul Amer – $33,818
6. Robert Councell – $25,363
7. Xayadeth Kayavong – $19,510
8. Kevin Stroud – $15,608
9. Connor Burchwell – $11,706

Cristinel Costin Reigns Supreme in Inaugural Grosvenor Behemoth Main Event, Snags £43,700

From December 11 to 15, the first-ever Grosvenor Behemoth £300 NLHE Main Event unleashed a wave of high-stakes drama at the tables. With 1,347 entries generating a £336,210 prize pool, the field was stacked with hopefuls chasing a six-figure payday. In the end, it was Cristinel Costin who rose above them all, turning a career milestone into a reality by capturing the title and a career-best £43,700 after a three-way deal.

A huge congratulations to Cristinel Costin who has just won the first ever Behemoth Main Event.

Cristinel beat the HUGE 1,347 entry field to take home the first place prize of £43,700 after a three way deal.

Well played. pic.twitter.com/GnfJRH5jN5

— Grosvenor Poker (@GrosvenorPoker) December 15, 2024

Costin’s triumph not only pushed his lifetime poker earnings above $200,000, but also proved he could deliver under pressure. His previous top score—30th in the 2021 WSOP Europe Main Event—now stands as a stepping stone on his path to poker stardom.

It wasn’t just Costin making headlines. Fellow finalists Gary Nordigian and Dawid Chmiel both locked in personal bests, scoring £42,260 and £48,450 respectively thanks to the deal.

Notable players like Ben Bundy (168th for £610), Jack McDermott (110th for £740), Steve Jelinek (97th for £790), Alekos Onisiphorou (54th for £1,010), Danish Gandhi (48th for £1,080), Yani Yanev (31st for £1,410), Matthew Wright (17th for £2,338), Anthony Wong (12th for £3,312), and Paul Mason (11th for £2,920) all made deep runs but fell short of reaching the final table.

With the elimination of Chris Da-Silva in tenth place for £3,330, the nine-handed final table was set, and the tension in the room was palpable.

Once the final table was set, the action shifted into overdrive. Dan Silverman and Andrew Cowley were the first to hit the rail, their strong hands no match for timely hits by Chmiel and Costin. WPT500 UK champion Aleks Golubevs followed in seventh place, falling victim to a sharp turn of the cards.

Tommy Bingham, who arrived as the chip leader, lit up the table with a series of knockouts—eliminating Yujia Hu and ending fan-favorite Yucel “Mad Turk” Eminoglu’s run—before seeing his own fortunes reversed by Chmiel’s flopped set. That final twist set the stage for a three-handed deal, leaving only pride and the trophy up for grabs.

Chmiel’s pocket sixes couldn’t crack Costin’s aces in a dramatic three-way pot that decided third place. Heads-up, Costin carried a commanding chip lead over Nordigian and didn’t waste time securing the title. With that final hand, Cristinel Costin etched his name in poker history as the inaugural Grosvenor Behemoth champion—a triumph defined by savvy play, strategic patience, and a well-deserved spot atop the leaderboard.

Final Table Results

1. Cristinel Costin – £43,700
2. Gary Nordigian – £42,260
3. Dawid Chmiel – £48,450
4. Tommy Bingham – £16,810
5. Yucel Eminoglu – £10,090
6. Yujia Hu – £7,390
7. Aleksandrs Golubevs – £5,380
8. Andrew Cowley – £4,370
9. Daniel Silverman – £3,840

*denotes a three-way deal

Content and Images Courtesy: Card Player & Poker.Org