The Grand Victoria Main Event had a speedy final day as the final five played down to a winner in less than 3 hours. And the player coming out on top is one of the most familiar names in tournament poker these days.
Stephen Song won his fourth circuit ring and the $183,508 grand prize after an impressive wire to wire performance. His win felt almost inevitable as he was the third largest stack heading into Day 2 and remained one of the largest for the entire back half of the tournament and was never truly threatened at the final table as he swept to the victory on the final day.
Even though Song plays tons of tournaments and many big buy-in events, this win was still special for him."Finally!" he declared in celebration following the final hand and after he explained what he meant.
"It's actually been on my bucket list for a while actually to win specifically a circuit main event. I have played a lot of these and gotten close a few times but never won one of these before." and indeed his resume shows a few circuit main event final tables but never a win in one before today.
Song's overall poker resume is beyond impressive for his age as he already has $5.5 million in career earnings and this $183,508 score makes for the 7th largest of his career.
His recent results show scores from all over, from Vietnam to Spain to England to Australia and now back in the USA right here in the Chicago area.
"For a while I only grinded in the US. Poker's such a cool game as a profession, I may as well take advantage and travel around the world, find spots here and there but mainly treat it like a vacation."
This tournament was kind of a pit stop for him between Vegas, where he lives now, and back home to the east coast for Thanksgiving.
"I figured I might as well play this event on the way back east. Guess it was a good decision" he added with a smile.
A good decision indeed for Song as he will now head get himself ready for a busy December which will include him playing both the WSOP Bahamas and the Wynn Series.
