After witnessing a history-making performance at World Poker Tour’s first event of Season XI, poker fans were treated to another thrilling display of world-class poker as Anthony Gregg, a 25-year old professional player, claimed victory at the first-ever WPT Parx Open Poker Classic in Philadelphia, PA.
Gregg, who re-entered the $3,500 tournament on Day 1B after originally busting out of the event on Day 1A, never lost his confidence as he battled his way through a star-studded field in to claim more than $416,000 in prize money – including a seat in the prestigious WPT World Championship – and etch his name on the WPT Champions Cup. With his victory, Gregg also took the early lead in the Season XI Player of the Year Race, moving ahead of Marvin Rettenmaier, who recently made history at the WPT Merit Cyprus by becoming the first player to ever win back-to-back events on World Poker Tour.
The tournament chip leader for three out of the first five days, Gregg came to the final table second in chips behind eventual runner-up, Stephen Reynolds. He began heads-up play as a 2-1 underdog, but didn’t lose his focus or patience during the 98-hand battle that lasted for nearly three hours of play. Gregg took a commanding lead just before midnight Eastern time and closed out the tournament just 20 minutes later when he paired his King on a board Ks-Qh-7s-Qd-10h to make two pair of Kings and Queens, besting Reynolds’ Queens with an Ace kicker.
Gregg had an enthusiastic rail throughout the final table, both live and online, including his friend and Olympic phenom, Michael Phelps, who followed the action through World Poker Tour’s Live Streaming, hosted by Tony Dunst, and who sent encouraging Tweets to Gregg throughout the match.
With 500 total entries, including top-flight pros such as Matt Glantz, Jon Turner, Joseph Cheong, Jason Koon, WPT Champions Club members Will “The Thrill” Failla, Dwyte Pilgrim, and Marvin Rettenmaier, the WPT Parx Open Poker Classic generated a total prize pool of more than $1.6 million.
Away from the felt, WPT Champions Club members and ClubWPT VIPs were invited to a wide range of activities at the beautiful Parx Casino where they mingled with the WPT cast and the stunning WPT Royal Flush Girls at the tournament’s Welcome Party held at 360 nightclub, a day of handicapping at the exciting Parx East racetrack, and a Real Madrid soccer match in Philadelphia.
World Poker Tour’s next televised event will take the tour from the City of Brotherly Love to the world renowned Bicycle Casino in the City of Angels for the start of the WPT Legends of Poker on August 24. A staple on the WPT since Season 1, this year’s tournament features two Day 1s, a $3,700 buy-in, and a guaranteed prize pool of at least $3 million, making it one of the “must play” events for players on World Poker Tour.
Final Table Pay-Outs:
1. Anthony Gregg — $416,127, including a $25,500 WPT World Championship entry
2. Stephen Reynolds- $244,877
3. Chris Lee – $158,450
4. Larry Sharp- $108,034
5. Chris Vandeursen- $76,824
6. Andre Nyffeler- $61,619
