US Poker Open 2019: Stephen Chidwick Clinches 3rd USPO Title in $10K NLH For $216,000

The 10-event long US Poker Open (USPO) kicked off on February 13 at the ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The first event on the schedule was the series-opener, $10,000 NLH, which attracted 90 entries creating a prize pool of $900,000. UK’s numero uno pro Stephen Chidwick (cover image) captured his third USPO title by taking down the event for a cool $216,000 payday.

Last year, Chidwick was a strong contender for the top spot in the Global Poker Index (GPI) Rankings but he eventually lost out to Alex Foxen. He had a fantastic start in 2019 where in finished third in Event 13: $50K NLHE for $423,780 and runner-up in the Event 24: $50K NLHE for $423,822 at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA).

The Englishman started the final table with the third-biggest stack and went on to eliminate four out of the six players on the American-dominated final table, namely, Lazaro Hernandez, Joseph Cappello, Joseph Cheong and eventual runner-up Sean Winter. With this win, Chidwick has taken an early lead in the 2019 USPO race, which will see the series winner claim an extra $100,000 courtesy of PokerGO.

With 13 places assured payouts, the others who finished in money included Maxx Coleman (8^th for $36,000), Jake Schindler (9^th for $27,000), Bryn Kenney (10^th for $27,000), Jordan Cristos (11^th for $27,000), Daniel Weinand (12^th for $18,000) and Erik Seidel (13^th for $18,000).

Jerry Robinson finished 7^th for $45,000 and bubbled the final table.

Final Table Chip Counts

1. Joseph Cheong – 2,885,000

2. Lazaro Hernandez – 2,195,000

3. Stephen Chidwick – 1,950,000

4. Sean Winter – 1,190,000

5. Joseph Orsino – 1,635,000

6. Joseph Cappello – 1,380,000

Final Table Recap

Though Joseph Cappello started out as the shortest stack on the final table, he won two big pots against Lazaro Hernandez and Stephen Chidwick to build up his stack, while Joseph Orsino became the shortest stack. It came as no surprise that Orsino was the first player to be eliminated when his ran into Joseph Cheong’s . While both players flopped two pairs on the runout , Cheong’s ace kicker won him the pot, sending Orsino to the rail in sixth place.

Lazaro Hernandez was next in line to be eliminated when his failed to catch up to Chidwick’s , ending the latter`s run in fifth place.

During level 24, Joseph Cappello pitted his against Chidwick’s . The board fanned out and Chidwick`s flopped pair eliminated Cappello in fourth place.

Start of final table chip leader Joseph Cheong became Chidwick’s next victim when the former’s were cracked by Chidwick’s . Though both players found a top pair on the board , Chidwick’s king-high kicker held on, leading to Cheong’s third-place exit.

The heads-up play began with Stephen Chidwick (7,400,000) in the lead against Sean Winter (3,725,000). With a commanding chip lead to his advantage, it took Chidwick less than 30 minutes to defeat Winter.

On the final hand of the event, Chidwick limped fin rom the button with and Winter raised to 650,000 holding . Chidwick called to see the flop open . Winter continued for 375,000 and Chidwick called yet again. The turn brought and Winter bet 900,000. Chidwick shoved all-in, prompting Winter to call. The on the river completed the board. While Winter turned a set of eights, it wasn’t enough to beat Chidwick’s nine-high straight. Chidwick bagged an impressive payday of $216,000, along with the his third USPO title!

Final Table Results (USD)

1. Stephen Chidwick – $216,000

2. Sean Winter – $157,500

3. Joseph Cheong – $112,500

4. Joseph Cappello – $90,000

5. Lazaro Hernandez – $72,000

6. Joseph Orsino – $54,000

Content & Image Courtesy: PokerNews

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