This Week's Big Winner: David Pham Wins $ 216,790 At WSOP Circuit Bicycle Casino Main Event

David Pham has won the 2018 World Series of Poker Circuit Bicycle Hotel and Casino $1,675 no-limit hold’em main event, defeating a field of 705 total entries to win the $216,790 first-place prize, the championship gold ring ,and 912 Card Player Player of the Year points.

The 51-year-old three-time WSOP bracelet winner known as ‘The Dragon’ took down this event just eight days after emerging victorious in the $1,600 no-limit hold’em main event at the Wynn Classic for another $240,254 and 912 POY points. As a result of these two title runs Pham has climbed into the top 10 in the overall POY standings with 1,824 total points. Pham has already won the Player of the Year award twice, in 2000 and 2007. With $10,563,404 in lifetime live earnings Pham is now sitting just outside the top 50 on the all-time money list.

“I’ve had a great last ten days,” Pham told reporters after coming out on top. “I’m feeling great and I played very comfortable. Even now, up in my mind, I know I’m going to be right there. I’m feeling great for so long. I don’t rush my mind to win and I know that there are a lot of good, young players. Now, there are so many tough, young players and I feel like I’m up there with them.”

Here are the five biggest hands from the final table that propelled Pham to the win.

Tournament: WSOP Circuit Bicycle Casino Main Event
Buy-In: $1,675
No. of Entries: 705
Prize Pool: $1,057,500
1st Place Priz: $216,790

The Action

With eight players remaining, Pham raised to 115,000 from middle position and was met with an all-in shove from Carnero in the big blind. Pham immediately called with pocket aces, putting Carnero’s pocket queens at a huge disadvantage. The board rolled out 9 7 2 K 4 and Pham’s aces held, moving him into second place overall. Carnero was eliminated in eighth place, earning $25,550 for his deep run in the main event.

The Action

Now down to five players, Crowe raised to 175,000 on the button and Pham three-bet shoved for about 18 big blinds from the small blind. Crowe made the call with pocket tens, and Pham turned over A 4, needing help. He got it immediately when the flop fell A 6 2. The turn and river came K Q, and Pham doubled back into contention.

The Action

Pham raised to 185,000 from under-the-gun and Palma moved all-in from the small blind for his last 1,575,000. Pham went into the tank for nearly a minute, making Palma feel more confident about his hand, but eventually, Pham called with pocket eights. Palma revealed A Q for a coinflip situation, but his hand failed to connect as the dealer produced a board of K 9 7 K 3. Palma pocketed $73,170 for his fourth-place finish.

The Action

One hand after cracking Pham’s pocket jacks with A 9, Crowe open shoved from the button. Pham called from the small blind with pocket eights, which were well ahead of Crowe’s pocket fours. The board ran out J 7 6 3 7 and Crowe was eliminated in third, banking $98,390. Pham entered heads-up play with Braband at only a slight chip disadvantage.

The Action

Braband raised to 285,000 on the button and Pham three-bet to 820,000 from the big blind. Braband then moved all-in. “I guess it’s probably 50-50,” said Pham, before calling with pocket tens. Instead, he was an 80-percent favorite over Braband’s pocket treys. The final board read 5 2 2 8 8, and Braband was eliminated in the runner-up position, taking home $134,145. Pham picked up his second title of the month, a World Series of Poker Circuit ring, and the $216,790 first-place prize.

Final Table Results

1. — David Pham — $216,790
2. — Tom Braband — $134,145
3. — Owen Crowe — $98,390
4. — Nick Palma — $73,170
5. — Kristy Arnett — $55,150
6. — Adam Miller — $41,120
7. — Adam Swan — $32,590
8. — Martin Carnero — $25,550
9. — Kevin Gimble — $20,285