David 'The Dragon' Pham Wins 2018 World Series of Poker 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 a tie with Viktor Blom for sixth place in 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 10 days,” Pham told WSOP 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.”

Pham came into the final day of this tournament in fourth chip position with 11 players remaining. There were plenty of notables joining on day 3, including former Card Player writer and video host Kristy Arnett, Nicholas Palma, Owen Crowe and Tom Braband.

Arnett looked like she was going to make a run at the title after winning a huge pot when her AQ ran into the KK of Kevin Gimble, only to have the board run out 76666. Arnett’s ace kicker player and Gimble was eliminated in ninth place ($20,285). Arnett ultimately hit the rail in fifth place, taking home $55,150 for the largest live tournament cash of her career.

Nicholas Palma was the next player to be eliminated when he lost a preflop race with the AQ against David Pham’s 88. He earned $73,170 as the fourth-place finisher, and climbed to second chip position. Pham closed the gap between him and chip leader Tom Braband even more when he eliminated Owen Crowe in third place ($98,390).

Braband took just a slight lead into heads-up play, having 7,450,000 to Pham’s 6,650,000. Pham was able to quickly seize the momentum and overtake the lead. By the time the final hand arose Braband had been whittled down to around 5 million. With blinds at 60,000-120,000 with an ante of 20,000 Braband opened to 285,000 on the button. Pham three-bet to 820,000. Braband went into the tank for a moment before moving all-in. Pham made the call with the 1010 and found himself well ahead of Braband’s 33. The board ran out 52288 and Pham’s tens held up to earn him the pot and the title. Braband took home $134,145 as the runner-up finisher.

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

Winner photo courtesy of WSOP.

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