Phil Bertram is $237,307 richer after shipping Event #14: $1,700 No Limit Hold’em Main Event at the World Series of Poker Circuit at Choctaw Casino and Resort.
Across two starting flights, 944 entries were tallied, which created a staggering prize pool of $1,430,130. At the end of the starting flights, 106 players punched their ticket to Day 2 of the Main Event where they would battle for the Ring, and their name to be immortalized with a banner in the rafters of the Event Center.
The players grinded their way to a final table of eight that returned for Day 3 looking to finish the job and pocket the cash. The play was fast and load, but when the last chip landed, it was Phil Bertram who came out on top after an intense heads-up battle with Zak Baron.
Final table results
- Phil Bertram - $237,307
- Zak Baron - $158,217
- Michael Perrone - $110,000
- Robert Peacock - $78,345
- Vincent Pratt - $56,538
- Lawrence Wayne - $41,509
- Vincent Rubianes - $31,013
- Ben Anderson - $23,587
Final table action
This final table had no shortage of action, especially with each player downing a tequila shot by the second level of the day. Yes, that really happened.
The first player to go would be Ben Anderson at the hands of the eventual champion when jammed blind versus blind and could not fade the rungood of Bertram. There would be a long wait until the elimination Vincent Rubianes in seventh place, but a pattern started to form as Bertram was the lucky recipient of that knockout, too.
Six-handed play continued for an hour until the elimination of the table’s favorite singer, Lawrence Wayne, in 6th place. He may not have won the tournament, but his showtunes in between hands won the hearts of players and spectators alike. Vincent Pratt took the fall in 5th place at the hands of Zak Baron when he drilled a straight against the top pair of Pratt. This gave Baron a massive chip lead as they entered the four-handed play.
The knockouts of Robert Peacock and Michael Perrone in fourth and fifth followed directly after Pratt. Both of the bracelet winner’s put up an incredible performance with Perrone entering the final table with the chip lead. He would lose a couple key hands to Bertram, who would ultimately be the one to send him to the rail in the end.
It was then on to heads up play. Zak Baron came in with about a three-one chip lead. However, that would not last long, as potentially the most important hand of the tournament changed the tides. Bertram moved all in on the flop with top pair of aces and Baron called off with a combo-draw. The turn and river bricked, and Bertram jumped into a big chip lead. He would never lose that lead again on his way to the victory.
Winners reaction
After claiming the title in the $1,700 No Limit Hold'em Main Event at the WSOP Circuit at Choctaw, Phil Bertram couldn’t hide his excitement. “Pretty amazing,” Bertram said with a smile. “I’m absolutely humbled. I had an awesome week, and I’m just super glad I made it this far.”
Bertram, who had been focused throughout the tournament, was overwhelmed with gratitude after the win. Reflecting on his victory, he shared his plans for the prize money: “I’ll save and invest it, and then go for ring #2,” he said. It’s clear that while the win was a huge achievement, Bertram’s mindset is already focused on the future.
A big part of his success, he says, is the support from his family and his job. “I just appreciate my family and my job for supporting me,” he explained. Having played poker for about 10 years, Bertram believes his victory is proof that anyone can succeed. “A recreational player can win,” he said, offering a simple but powerful piece of advice for aspiring players.
Congratulations on the win Phil!
, and the best hand held to eliminated Zak Baron in second place.
