Mike Sexton scored his first World Poker Tour champion title after securing the crown of the WPT Montreal C$3,850 No-Limit Hold’em Main Event. Sexton fought his way through a field of 648 players and defeated opponent Benny Chen in a head-to-head battle winning the first-place prize of C$425,980. The event was held at the Playground Poker Club in Montreal and had a prize pool of C$2,199,960.
Sexton has been the voice of the WPT since its inception in 2002 alongside co-commentator Vince Van Patten. Sexton took a seat at the WPT final table for the third time after Tony Dunst, the host of WPT Raw Deal, assumed his place in the commentator’s booth. In addition to the substantial first-place prize, Sexton received 1,260 Player of the Year Points from Card Player. The first-place prize amount also includes a C$15,000 seat in the WPT Tournament of Champions at the end of the season.
The commentator assumed his place on the final table as the chip leader. Canadian Ema Zajmovic, might have been second in chips but had to settle for the fifth-place prize of C$102,010 after running into the aces of Sexton. She was soon followed by Ilan Boujenah who came fourth with a prize of C$132,750. Nadir Lalji finished third and walked away with C$183,320.
At this point, Sexton found himself in a heads-up battle with Canadian opponent Benny Chen. Chen was leading in chips for most of the battle, yet Sexton succeeded in maintaining his position as the blinds rose higher. Just when Chen had reduced his American opponent to five blinds, Sexton managed to win an all-in with [Jh][10c].
Six hands later, Sexton succeeded in turning the tables and assumed the chip lead. It took him two more hands to send Chen to the runner-up position leaving him with the second-place prize of C$286,110.
Chen moved all-in with [Kc][Jd]
but Sexton was quick to flip up [Qh][Qc]. The American flopped top set with a hand of [Qd][9c][4s]. An [Ac]
was dealt on the turn and all Sexton had to do was avoid a ten on the river. After an intense head-to-head battle which lasted for 157 hands, Sexton captured the victory with a [2d]
and earned his first WPT champion title.
With this WPT win, Sexton, who is a former Ohio State collegiate gymnast and a member of the 82nd Airborne Division, boasts total live earnings amounting to $6.2 million.
