Michael Gagliano Wins 2016 World Series of Poker $2,500 No-Limit Hold'em Event

The $2,500 no-limit hold’em event at the 2016 World Series of Poker drew a huge field of 1,045 players, creating a total prize pool of $2,377,375. The top 157 finishers made the money, earning a minimum of $3,797.

After three days of action, it was 31-year-old poker coach and online grinder Michael Gagliano who came out on top, earning his first career bracelet and the $448,463 first-place prize. The New York native now has more than $1.3 million in career tournament earnings.

“I’ve never won a live tournament before, at least nothing on this scale before,” Gagliano said. “I came close a few times and definitely wanted to get a win, so it’s nice to get that over and done with.”

Gagliano topped a final table that featured notables such as Shankar Pillai (3rd), Niall Farrell (6th) and Darryll Fish (8th).

“I’ve played plenty of tournaments before,” said Gagliano. “It’s all just a matter of adjusting. You have to play the tougher aggressive players differently than you play against your recreational players who are taking their one shot. It’s all about adjusting.”

Other recognizable faces to make a deep run included Taylor Paur (14th), Jordan Young (16th), Hunter Frey (18th), Jude Ainsworth (22nd), Adrian Mateos Diaz (24th), Rainer Kempe (26th), Joe Cada (29th) and Jake Balsiger (36th).

Here is a look at the payouts and POY points awarded at this final table:

For more coverage from the summer series, visit the 2016 WSOP landing page complete with a full schedule, news, player interviews and event recaps.

Winner photo courtesy of the WSOP.

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