It’s that time of the week where we bring you more tales of triumph from the poker world. Despite disruption in Russia, the European tournament scene continues to make up for time lost time due to COVID-19. We’ve also picked out some Big Winners from the US, including a slots player who banked a seven-figure jackpot. To see who stepped into the spotlight over the last seven days, scroll down for CardsChat’s Big Winners of the Week ending Feb. 27.
Huy Lam
LA Poker Classic Main Event
The Commerce Casino & Hotel
$300,280
Lam led from start to finish during Friday’s finale, and it took him just one hand to close out the LAPC Championship. The American pro picked up the biggest score of his career after besting a field of 119 players in the $10,000 main event. Lam has a number of five-figure scores on his résumé, including a side event win at the 2020 WPT in LA. His local record now includes an LAPC title and the Commerce Casino’s Remington Trophy.
Dalibor Dula
Commerce Classic Event
LA Poker Classic
$170,990
On President’s Day, the $1,100 Commerce Classic came to its conclusion and, in something of a rare occurrence at the series, there was no chop or deal. In the end, it was Czech pro Dula who finished top of the 1,045-player field to take home over $170,000 in prize money. The final table featured a few local regulars, including Huy Nguyen (2nd), Paul Chauderson (7th), and Hoang Le (9th). The result is the pro’s second biggest score behind the WSOP event he won last year for $199,227.
Brian Slattery
Irish Poker Championship
Limerick Strand Hotel
€58,000
($65,000)
Slattery didn’t have any entries on the Hendon Mob’s tournament database prior to Sunday’s victory, but his name is now up in lights. Paddy Power’s latest Irish Poker Tour event was as much of a celebration as a tournament series. With side events, parties, and an onsite barber creating a jovial atmosphere, 836 happy players entered the €300 ($335) main event. Despite facing opposition from Irish WSOP legend Andy Black at the final table, Slattery rose up to win his first major title.
Mike Hurley
Ameristar Poker Open Main Event
Ameristar Casino Resort Spa
St. Charles, Missouri
$42,950
Hurley might be a commercial real estate investor by day, but he’s a poker enthusiast by night. That enthusiasm led him to make the investment of a lifetime last week. Joining 981 other players in the $400 APO main event, Hurley played his was way to Sunday’s final table and a commanding position with four players left. With chips on his side, Hurley agreed to an ICM chop before closing out the show to bank his biggest ever win and the APO trophy.
Luis Gomez Hernandez
Spanish Cup
King’s Resort Rozvadov
Czech Republic
€17,275
($19,343)
Gomez may have only had four live cashes totaling less than $20,000 before Wednesday’s final table, but he played like a seasoned veteran. 830 entrants and 380 re-entries pushed the €115 ($130) event’s prizepool way beyond its €50,000 ($56,000) guarantee. As is becoming common in Europe, an international mix of players anted at King’s Resort. However, Hernandez ensured the Spanish Cup went back to Spain after he beat countryman Jorge Sales following a heads-up deal.
Mystery Player
Buffalo Diamond Jackpot Slot
Planet Hollywood Casino, Las Vegas
$1,475,943
We always like to get the full lowdown on someone when we feature them in a Big Winners round-up. However, sometimes, people like to keep a low profile, but their win is just too big for us to ignore. That’s the case with our final winner this week. The mystery slots spinner banked the Buffalo Diamond progressive jackpot at Planet Hollywood on Friday. Whoever they are, we hope they enjoy their newfound fortune.
Daniel Smyth, Bob Pajich, and Chris Wallace all contributed to this report. Know a big winner we missed? tips@cardschat.com
