The MSPT Diamond Poker Championship had an unforgettable edition in its debut in Scottsdale, Arizona
With 3,220 entries of US$1,100, the tournament generated a total prize pool of US$3,121,900, distributed among the top 345 places. And the one who ended up lifting the trophy was June Kim
In addition to the title, Kim took home US$397,350 and secured a key extra prize: a US$3,500 package for the Main Event of the MSPT Championship Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open, a championship with a US$2 million guarantee. Before this result, the Asian player had accumulated US$288,511 in live cashes, so this victory marked a huge leap in his history.
“It’s an incredible feeling. It was a rollercoaster all day and a fantastic experience to be able to win in my hometown casino. I want to keep playing, I don’t want this to end, it was too much fun,” said the champion after his victory.
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June Kim: from the middle of the pack to the trophy
After surviving three starting flights, Kim entered the Final Day with an intermediate stack, already in the money. At the final table, he started sixth in chips, while Zilong Zhang
The Final Table.
His path to victory was patient and without great fanfare, but very effective. When four players remained, he rejected an ICM deal and shortly after eliminated Zhang in third place, definitively tipping the scales.
“I wanted to keep playing. This opportunity doesn’t come around often, and I’ve made deals in the past that didn’t benefit me, so I wanted to go for the trophy,” he explained. And it paid off, because it was only in the heads-up that he agreed to a deal with Carlton Taylor
MSPT Diamond Poker Championship
Buy-in: US$1,100
Entries: 3,220
Prize Pool: US$3,121,900
Standings
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th
Read also: Ren Lin’s Back-to-Back at the Asia Poker Tour — CodigoPoker
*Deal
