$25,000 NAPT Super High Roller
Día 3 completado
$25,000 NAPT Super High Roller
Día 3 completado
Action has concluded in the $25,000 Super High Roller here at the PokerStars North American Poker Tour (NAPT) hosted by Resorts World Las Vegas. Stephen Song emerged victorious, dominating his way atop the podium to earn an impressive $439,400 payday.
Song continues to excel at PokerStars events this year, as this victory comes on the heels of an even bigger one just a couple of months ago when he took down the 2024 EPT Barcelona €5,300 Main Event for €1,290,386. In between, Song added a cash in the 2024 EPT Cyprus $5,300 Main Event last month.
The star-studded field in Las Vegas attracted 60 entries, with only eight players capturing a piece of the $1,440,600 prize pool. Song entered the final table as the overwhelming chip leader and was able to close it out, defeating Sean Winter in a back-and-forth heads-up battle to claim the coveted PokerStars trophy. Winter earned a respectable $288,100 for his runner-up finish.
Place | Player | Country | Prize |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Stephen Song | United States | $439,400 |
2 | Sean Winter | United States | $288,100 |
3 | Edward Sebesta | United States | $208,900 |
4 | James Collopy | United States | $158,500 |
5 | Elias Gutierrez | Spain | $122,500 |
6 | Thomas Eychenne | France | $93,600 |
7 | Brock Wilson | United States | $72,000 |
8 | Paul Jager | United States | $57,600 |
PokerNews caught up with Song after the win to ask him how he was feeling after topping such a tough field of competitors. "I mean it feels really good to win a tournament, tough field too, had to battle some of the best players in the country or even the world, so yeah felt really good."
When asked if there were any turning point hands or key moments, Song explained "Sean's super tough and that heads-up was grueling, it swung back-and-forth. It really all came down to that king-eight ballsy call I made. It's a tournament so anything can happen, just grateful that it worked out perfectly."
Song entered the final day of action with a massive chip lead over his three opponents, holding more than half of the chips in play. He began his ascent to the top of the leaderboard on Day 2 when he found himself in the dream spot with pocket aces right before the final table. He then went on to knock out Paul Jager in 8th and Thomas Eychenne in 6th before the night's end to propel himself even further.
The first casualty of Day 3 was James Collopy, who was in a great position to double up when he got it all in preflop with ace-queen versus Song's ace-four. Song found a four on the turn and showed no signs whatsoever of slowing down early on in the day.
Once three-handed play began, Winter became the clear short stack, dwindling down to just two big blinds at one point. He started his comeback with two back-to-back double ups, and for over a full level, it was Winter applying the pressure and winning pot after pot. Winter then found another timely double up against Song and in doing so, overtook Edward Sebesta for second place in the counts.
Song's next victim was Sebesta, who got it all in preflop with ace-king against Song's pocket tens, in a classic coin flip situation. Song's pair proved to be best, as Sebesta couldn't find an ace or a king to stay alive. Sebesta's impressive tournament run earned him a third place finish and the respect of veteran players alike.
Song began heads-up play with a two-to-one chip lead but his advantage didn't mean smooth sailing, as Winter continued his comeback story. Winter began applying the pressure, winning several small and medium sized pots to chip up and close the gap. He went on to take the lead in a hand where Song overbet the river and Winter picked off the bluff, tabling trip aces to best Song's nine-high.
Once Winter pulled ahead it almost seemed destined that his "chip and a chair" moment would come to fruition, having been left on fumes just a few levels prior. Winter even turned the tables at one point where he was the one holding the two-to-one lead, after moving all in on the river in a sizable pot where Song ended up surrendering his hand.
Over the next couple levels, Song and Winter went on to exchange jabs, with the chip lead changing hands numerous times in back-and-forth action. The key turning point in the match took place in a hand where Song made a big hero call on the river holding top pair with four cards to a straight on the board.
Although Song held more than 12 million of the 15 million chips in play, Winter showed that he wasn't going out without a fight. He won several hands in a row and even found a double up with ace-three against Song's queen-jack to stay alive. Not long after, Winter found himself short once again, and ultimately got it all in preflop with queen-five suited against Song's ace-nine. In what proved to be the final hand of play, Song's ace-nine held, earning him the prestigious win.
When asked if he had any plans to celebrate and what's next for the future, Song mentioned "Not really, probably just hop in the main at some point. After this NAPT series, I'm going to take some time off until Florida WPT and then probably since I'm right there just shoot over to The Bahamas. My family is in Florida too, and then I'll see them for Christmas right after. It kind of works out perfectly."
Be sure to follow PokerNews throughout the remainder of the NAPT festival here at Resorts World Las Vegas.
Stephen Song on the button jammed for Sean Winter's stack of 2,475,000. Winter then said "I hope you're just gambling with the jack-five" and made the call.
Sean Winter: Q♥5♥
Stephen Song: A♣9♠
Song had the best hand with his ace high, but Winter had two live cards to improve. But once the board ran out 10♦A♦9♣7♠J♣ Song improved to two pair, aces and nines to take the pot and eliminate Winter in second place.
Jugador | Fichas | Progreso |
---|---|---|
Stephen Song |
15,000,000
3,650,000
|
3,650,000 |
|
||
Sean Winter | Eliminado |
In the first hand back from break, Sean Winter moved all in on the button for 1,700,000, putting himself at risk. Song made the call to try to end it.
Sean Winter: A♣3♣
Stephen Song: Q♣J♠
The flop came 5♥4♣8♥, with Winter still in the lead. Song pulled ahead on the J♣ turn, pairing his jack, but Winter hit the 2♦ on the river to hit a straight to stay alive.
Jugador | Fichas | Progreso |
---|---|---|
Stephen Song |
11,350,000
-1,450,000
|
-1,450,000 |
|
||
Sean Winter |
3,650,000
1,450,000
|
1,450,000 |
Nivel: 25
Ciegas: 125,000/250,000
Ante: 250,000
The two remaining players have been sent on another 15-minute break.
Stephen Song limped on the button and Sean Winter checked in the big blind.
The flop came 6♦J♥A♣ and Winter check-called a bet of 200,000 from Song.
The 4♣ turn went check-check, bringing the 2♥ river. Winter led out with a bet of 750,000 and after some consideration, Song moved all in, putting Winter at risk. Winter tossed his cards into the muck.
Jugador | Fichas | Progreso |
---|---|---|
Stephen Song |
12,800,000
1,400,000
|
1,400,000 |
|
||
Sean Winter |
2,200,000
-1,400,000
|
-1,400,000 |
In three consecutive hands Sean Winter has gone all in to chip back up.
First, in a limped pot the flop came 3♥7♠8♥ and Winter checked to Stephen Song who bet out 300,000. Winter then raised all in for his stack of 2,450,000, which got a quick fold from Song.
The next hand Sean Winter opened all in for his stack, and Song again quickly folded.
The following hand Song opened to 500,000 before Winter three-bet all in, and got another fold from Song, to allow Winter to chip up in three consecutive hands.
Jugador | Fichas | Progreso |
---|---|---|
Stephen Song |
11,400,000
-950,000
|
-950,000 |
|
||
Sean Winter |
3,600,000
950,000
|
950,000 |
Sean Winter limped on the button and Stephen Song checked in the big blind.
The flop came 10♥6♠J♣ and Song check-raised to 1,300,000 over Winter's bet of 400,000. Winter used a time bank and made the call.
Action slowed down on the 9♦ turn and both players checked, bringing the K♠ river. Song checked and Winter fired out a bet of 2,400,000, prompting Song to go into the tank.
After using several time bank cards, Song made the call, tabling K♣8♠ for a pair of kings, besting the J♠5♦ of Winter.
Jugador | Fichas | Progreso |
---|---|---|
Stephen Song |
12,350,000
4,450,000
|
4,450,000 |
|
||
Sean Winter |
2,650,000
-4,450,000
|
-4,450,000 |
Sean Winter limped in on the button and Stephen Song checked his option in the big blind.
Both players checked after the J♠5♥7♥ flop, which brought the 6♣. Song then bet out 350,000, before Winter raised to 1,500,000. Song then used two time banks before three-betting all in for his stack of 6,100,000. Winter quickly folded to give the pot to Song.
Jugador | Fichas | Progreso |
---|---|---|
Stephen Song |
7,900,000
1,600,000
|
1,600,000 |
|
||
Sean Winter |
7,100,000
-1,600,000
|
-1,600,000 |