Johnnie Craig Wins 2016 World Series of Poker $1,000 Seniors No-Limit Hold'em Championship

Johnnie Craig has won the 2016 World Series of Poker seniors no-limit hold’em championship. For the win the 54-year-old from Baytown, TX earned $538,204 and his first WSOP gold bracelet. Craig served 25 years in the United States military who had several tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq and now owns a restaurant and catering business.

“I can’t even describe this feeling, it’s amazing,” said Craig after emerging victorious. “I had the feeling I was going to win, and it worked out.”

This year the tournament drew a field of 4,499 entries, all at least 50 years of age, setting the record for the highest number of players in the event’s history and building a $4,049,100 prize pool.

From that massive turnout only six players remained heading into the fourth day of this event. Wesley Chong entered the final day as the chip leader with businessman and frequent super high roller participant Roger Sippl sitting in second chip position and Craig sitting in third place.

Craig was able to survive to heads-up, entering the final showdown against Jamshid “Jim” Lotfi with their two stacks only separated by one big blind. Craig won the majority of pots heads up and built a huge chip advantage by the time the final hand arose. With blinds of 120,000 – 240,000 with an ante of 40,000 Lotfi moved all-in for 1,660,000 from the button with the A7 and Craig called with the 44.

The board ran out 109526, keeping Craig’s pocket fours in the lead to earn him the pot and the title. Lotfi was sent to the rail in second place, taking home $332,413 for his deep run.

Here is a look at the payouts awarded at the final table of this event:

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

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