Kevin Andriamahefa Wins World Series Of Poker Circuit Grand Victoria Main Event

Kevin Andriamahefa – Photo Credit: World Series of Poker Circuit

Kevin Andriamahefa was the winner at the most recent World Series of Poker Circuit main event hosted at the Grand Victoria Casino near Chicago for a payday worth $173,593. The local Chicago player captured his first gold ring and largest score of his career with the victory that took his total earnings up to $772,860.

“I try not to think ahead and let those thoughts come in,” said Andriamahefa after the win to reporters about playing with the big chip lead for most of the day. He also had his brother along for the ride from the rail. He exclaimed “It’s about time!” as Kevin booked the win.

The $1,700 buy-in no-limit hold’em poker tournament accumulated a field of 606 entries thanks to three starting flights. The total prize pool was set at $918,090, with the top 93 players taking home at least $2,537 for a min-cash.
Day 2 saw 73 players return to play down to just the final five players.

Andriamahefa held the chip lead when things got started on the final day. He scored his first knockout of the last day when he took out Sye Hickey in fifth place. Andriamahefa made it two in a row when he busted Daniel Aloia in fourth place. It became a trilogy when he took out Josh Reichard in third place.

Andriamahefa held 77 percent of the chips in play for a big advantage over David Kowal at the start of heads-up action. It was destiny for Andriamahefa to take out each of his opponents on the final day, but the last elimination proved to be the toughest.

Kowal fought his way to the chip lead after winning a couple of key hands in a row, and he was increasing that lead when Andriamahefa found a key double with a flush. It was Kowal’s turn to double up after that, but he was still far behind in chips.

The final hand saw Kowal get all in for just nine big blinds with K4, and he was going to need some help against the A6 of Andriamahefa. The final board of the tournament was dealt 10102Q2, and that gave the title to Andriamahefa. Kowal was awarded $107,290 for his deep run to the runner-up finish. This was his first six-figure score, and it took his total career tournament earnings up to $267,787.

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

The next tournament series (full schedule right here) on the WSOP Circuit schedule will be at Horseshoe Casino Tunica from April 18-29. The $1,700 buy-in main event runs from April 26-29.

Related Articles

'Gambledore' Vanquishes Triton Wizards For $4.3M

Ben Tollerene Takes Triton PLO Title For $1 Million

PGT Texas PLO Roundup Set For November

Most Viewed Articles