Blake Battaglia Wins 2017 WSOP Circuit Horseshoe Hammond Main Event

Blake Battaglia has won the 2017 World Series of Poker Circuit Horseshoe Hammond $1,675 no-limit hold’em main event, defeating a massive field of 1,247 total entries to win the top prize $332,020 and his first WSOPC gold ring. Battaglia is a 31-year-old former electrician who recently transitioned into playing poker for a living. The father of three was understandably excited to win such a huge event early on in his career as a professional.

“It hasn’t hit me yet. It’s unreal,” Battaglia told WSOP reporters after emerging victorious with the title. “I can’t believe it, [I’m] definitely ecstatic about it."

The tournament featured a $1,000,000 guaranteed prize pool that was nearly doubled as a result of the strong turnout. In the end, $1,870,500 in total prize money was awarded to the top 135 finishers in the event. Several big names made deep runs in this event including three-time gold ring winner Mukul Pahuja (13th – $21,529) and defending champion of this event Dylan Linde (11th – $26,411).

Battaglia came into the final day as the chip leader with 19 players remaining. By the time the unofficial final table of 10 was set Battaglia was in second place with 5,080,000 (101 big blinds), while Jeff Banghart had taken the lead with 7,200,000 (144 big blinds).

Battaglia and Banghart both notched a pair of knockouts on the way to playing heads-up for the title. Banghart took roughly a 3-to-2 chip advantage into the final showdown, but Battaglia was able to work his way into the lead and then extend his advantage over the course of an hour. By the time the final hand arose Battaglia had nearly a 7-to-1 advantage. Banghart moved all-in from the button for 3,500,000 with blinds at 80,000-160,000 with an ante of 20,000. Battaglia called with the A4 and was racing against Banghart’s 33. The board ran out 962A5 and Battaglia paired his ace to secure the pot and the title. Banghart earned $205,755 as the runner-up.

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

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