World Champ Scott Blumstein Sets Sights on a WPT Title

By Sean Chaffin

Life is a little different now for Scott Blumstein. Fans ask for selfies with the newest WSOP Main Event champion as he leaves the table after the second break in the action in the Season XVI WPT Choctaw Main Event. He smiles and obliges each request, happy to do so. Getting used to the fame in such a short period of time has been an adjustment for the affable poker pro from Morristown, NJ, but he is taking it in stride.

“It’s been happening more than I could even imagine,” Blumstein said of the frequent photo requests and recognition by poker fans. “Being in a poker room, obviously it’s going to happen way more often, but even when we were just driving through Colorado I got recognized a couple times. It’s crazy. It’s just different. It’s something you can’t really plan for. It’s fine, though, it’s been a cool experience. Everyone’s been really nice, and if everyone’s nice and wants to have a happy conversation, I’ll be happy to.”

Fresh off his score of more than $8 million in Las Vegas, the 25-year-old Blumstein hasn’t cashed in with any major purchases. New car? Nope, not right now. New house? Nah, he’s not ready for something like that. Condo by the beach? No plans on anything of that nature, either. He’s taking his time.

After his big score, Blumstein now has a poker sponsor and a few possible future business plans for his money.

“I’ve got some plans, nothing specific,” Blumstein said of what he’s going to do with the winnings. “It’s all kind of new. It’s hard to really have any set-in-stone plans, but as of right now it’s just day to day – no crazy purchases. I don’t want to make any rash decisions, because when you do that that’s when you make mistakes.”

Blumstein wants to make his newfound wealth last for his future and continue playing poker tournaments throughout the year. Along with playing in events around the US, such as this $2 million guaranteed WPT Choctaw Main Event, he plans to possibly play at WSOP Europe and attend a few other events across the pond.

Right now, he’s most interested in keeping his mojo going in the right direction at WPT Choctaw, and Blumstein plans to play more WPT events on the schedule.

“The WPT was probably the tour I played the most, even before I won, so I don’t think that will change,” Blumstein said. “I’m going here and then I’m going to an event in Florida and then I’m going to L.A. for the WPT [Legends of Poker] event out there. My next couple months are filled with WPT tournaments.”

At the WSOP Main Event final table, Blumstein played a big chip stack well after leading the final table table when play resumed on Thursday, July 20. As play continued down to three, he made use of timely raises and aggression, keeping smaller stacks off balance and folding as they looked to move up the pay ladder. Blumstein’s reads were stellar as well, as he made some big folds, and his play impressed many in the poker world.

Having won that event and now chasing a World Poker Tour title, we wondered wow big would a WPT title would be for Blumstein if he were to add one to his trophy case?

“That would be crazy!” Blumstein said with a smile. “Obviously now that’s my goal I think, to win a WPT title. After a bracelet, that’s probably the next thing that I would like to get.”

Blumstein will have plenty of opportunities for a WPT title. Following WPT Choctaw is the WPT Legends of Poker that he mentioned. Following that event, which takes place at The Bicycle Hotel & Casino in Southern California, five more WPT Main Tour events are scheduled in 2017.

There’s also the brand new WPT European Championship, announced for January 5-15, 2018, in Berlin, Germany.

If you would like to chase a WPT title like Blumstein, take a look at the WPT Main Tour schedule and plan your trip today.

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