In poker, there are many ways to become a champion. You can eliminate the last opponent, come back from an impossible heads-up, or dominate a final table from start to finish. But Andrew Chang
The American conquered the US$500 Monumental Stack at the Potomac Summer Poker Open 2026, held at the MGM National Harbor
The tournament gathered 403 entries and distributed a prize pool of US$167,245. Chang started the final table as chip leader and even extended his lead by eliminating Linda Swears
Afterwards, however, things changed
When there were five players left, Chang had gone from leader to shortest stack. The survivors initially tried to negotiate a deal but could not reach an agreement. They played another 20 minutes and, with the dinner break approaching, tried again.
This time there was a white smoke.
Jack Arnal, chip leader, secured the largest reward with US$22,882. Rick Aasen received US$20,546, Valentin Lita US$19,747, Yonnas Banteamlak US$16,897, and Chang ended with US$16,600.
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The money was distributed. One small detail remained: the trophy.
Instead of continuing to play, the five decided to draw a high card to determine the official champion. Chang flipped an ace and, suddenly, the short stack ended up posing for the winner’s photo.
Arnal had even offered him an additional US$500 in exchange for keeping the trophy and appearing as the winner, but Chang declined the offer.
He had his reasons. He had accumulated ten final tables in his career, including a second place in Las Vegas in 2024 and a third in the High Roller of the Potomac Poker Open 2023, but he was still looking for his first title.
This time he didn’t need to win a flip, hit a miraculous river, or overcome a heads-up. It was enough to draw a card. And it was an ace.
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