Jonathan Poche Wins 2018 WSOP Circuit Hard Rock Tulsa Main Event

Jonathan Poche has won the 2018 World Series of Poker Circuit Hard Rock Tulsa $1,675 no-limit hold’em main event, defeating a field of 721 total entries to win $216,307 and his second gold ring. Poche is an oilfield engineer based out of Youngsville, Louisiana. Despite not being a professional player, Poche has had plenty of success playing poker tournaments, with lifetime live tournament earnings that now exceed $640,000. This was his second main event victory on the WSOP Circuit, having taken down the 2011 WSOP Circuit Regional Championship Harrah’s New Orleans for $121,017.

“It feels good, like winning is supposed to,” Poche told WSOP reporters after emerging victorious.

In addition to the title and the money, Poche also earned 912 Card Player Player of the Year points. This was enough to see him climb into a tie for 72nd place in the overall POY standings. This was his first final table finish of 2018.

Poche came into the final day in sixth chip position with 10 players remaining. He eliminated Michael Horchoff in seventh place ($32,802) to shoot up near the top of the leaderboard. Incredibly, this was Poche’s only knockout leading up to heads-up play. Despite that he came into the final showdown against Chad Smith at only a small chip disadvantage. Poche quickly took the lead and never looked back. By the time the final hand arose Poche held more than a 4-to-1 advantage.

After the final cards were dealt Smith raised to 250,000 on the button and Poche defended his big blind. The flop brought the 1062 and Poche check-called a bet of 225,000. The turn was the 2 and Poche lead out for 475,000. Smith made the call and the river brought the 8. Poche moved all-in and after some thought Smith called with the AK. Poche had made trip deuces with the 92, earning him the pot and the title. Smith took home $133,349 as the second-place finisher.

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

Related Articles

Travis Egbert Wins WPT Championship High Roller

Schulman Captures Sixth World Series of Poker Bracelet

Zhou Wins WSOPP Super Main Event For $6 Million

Most Viewed Articles