This Week's Big Winner: Sam Greenwood Wins Millions Main Event at Caribbean Poker Party Festival

Sam Greenwood put together an incredible week on the live tournament circuit. From Nov. 19–25 the Canadian poker pro made three major final tables at the 2017 Caribbean Poker Party Festival at the Melia Caribe Tropical in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Greenwood cashed for more than $1.35 million along the way, finishing in third-place or higher in each of the three events. He capped off his impressive run by taking down the $5,300 Millions Main Event, defeating a field of 1,061 entries to capture the title and the first-place prize of $1,000,000.

Greenwood earned 1,920 Card Player Player of the Year points for the win. This was his seventh final-table finish of the year and his largest cash of 2017. His runner-up showing in the $25,000 super high roller event this week earned him another $242,750 and 350 points, while his third-place score in the $10,000 high roller added another $124,100 and 400 points. With 3,650 total points and $2,115,757 in year-to-date earnings,

Here are the five biggest hands that propelled Greenwood to the win.

Tournament – Caribbean Poker Party Festival Millions Main Event
Buy-In: $5,000
No. of Entries: 1,061
Prize Pool: $5,145,850
1st Place Prize: $1,000,000

The Action

Greenwood raised to 9 million from the cutoff and Shatilov defended his big blind. The flop came down Q 5 2 and Shatilov checked. Greenwood made a continuation bet of 7 million, and Shatilov called. The turn was the 8 and Shatilov check-called a bet of 36 million from Greenwood. The river was the 7, and Shatilov checked for a third time. Greenwood bet 139 million, which was enough to cover Shatilov’s stack. Shatilov made the call with Q J for top pair, and Greenwood could only show down a bluff with K 9. Shatilov doubled up, and Greenwood was left with only about five big blinds. He would go on to double up several times to get back into contention.

The Action

Stokkan moved all in for his last 11 big blinds or so, and Greenwood, who had managed to survive to six-handed play, moved all-in over the top. Stokkan showed J 9, but he needed help against the A 10 of Greenwood. The board fell 9 8 2 A 7, and both players made pairs. Greenwood’s ace was best and he took down the pot. Stokkan earned $150,000 for his sixth-place finish.

The Action

With three players remaining, Gjelstad shoved for his last 117 million on the button and Greenwood made the call from the big blind. Gjelstad showed A 5, but he was dominated by the A J of Greenwood. The board ran out Q 9 6 Q 3 and Greenwood stacked the pot, taking a slight chip disadvantage into heads-up play. Gjelstad earned $450,000 for his third-place showing.

The Action

Shatilov raised to 27 million on the button and Greenwood three-bet to 81 million. Shatilov four-bet shoved and Greenwood snapped called with pocket queens. Shatilov had an overcard with the A 4 and he connected on the flop of A Q 10, but Greenwood’s set of queens had a stranglehold on the pot. The turn and river fell 3 9, and Greenwood doubled to a 3:1 chip lead.

The Action

Greenwood raised to 24 million on the button and Shatilov called from the big blind. The flop came down 8 6 4 and Shatilov checked. Greenwood bet 20 million and Shatilov called. The turn was the 3 and Shatilov checked again. Greenwood bet 100 million and Shatilov check-raised all-in. Greenwood quickly called with pocket kings and Shatilov showed 9 8 for top pair. The river was the 5 and Shatilov was eliminated in second place, earning $650,000. Greenwood capped off his incredible week with the $1 million first-place prize.

Final Table Results

1. Sam Greenwood — $1,000,000
2. Andrey Shatilov — $650,000
3. Jonas Gjelstad — $450,000
4. Jiri Horak — $315,850
5. Felipe Ramos — $220,000
6. Preben Stokkan — $150,000
7. Udo Erlei — $100,000
8. Daniel Dizenzo — $70,000
9. Damian Lomza — $50,000