2015 World Series of Poker

Brian Hastings came into the summer full of confidence and bet big on himself, accepting a heap of bracelet bets and performance bets, and buying himself in the $25K fantasy draft. That confidence paid off in a big way as he took down Event #27: $10,000 Seven-Card Stud Championship for $239,518 and his second gold bracelet.

Just 91 players entered the event, making it one of the smallest of the summer. Hastings had to contend with bracelet winners Max Pescatori, Dan Kelly, and Scott Clements, who finished runner-up. Noted mixed-game player Chris George also made the final table. Hastings' combination of skills and a sizable chip lead coming into Day 3 proved too much to overcome.

Hastings also had a well-documented series of prop bets including one that he would win a bracelet. Plenty of people – whom Hastings wouldn't out in his interview – are going to lose a pile of money after this result. Hastings wouldn't specify the amount but said he will be collecting “more than twice first place money.”

“I came into the summer with high expectations, obviously,” he said. “I worked on my game a lot in the last year, and I also have a great girlfriend who I started dating six months ago. I just thought I was in a really good place where I could come here every day and play my A-game.”