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Los Angeles, CA (Nov. 18, 2016) – Legendary WPT® Co-Commentator Mike Sexton captured his first World Poker Tour® title on Thursday, Nov. 17, in the Season XV partypoker.net WPT Montreal Main Event, topping a field of 648 entries at Playground Poker Club to earn a first-place payday of C$425,980 ($317,896 USD).
Sexton defeated Benny Chen in heads-up play, and the other finalists included Nadir Lalji, Ilan Boujenah, Ema Zajmovic, and Jake Schwartz.
Since the WPT’s inception in 2002 through the current Season XV, Sexton has been a fixture of the WPT as a commentator, serving alongside Vince Van Patten for televised final tables.
“What an absolutely incredible experience it is to become a WPT champion!” Sexton said after the win. “A World Poker Tour title has eluded me until now, but luckily this old guy had a bit left in the tank to make another run at one, and it feels great to have closed the deal.”
Prior to the Season XV partypoker.net WPT Montreal Main Event, Sexton earned eight WPT cashes in his career and made two final tables. Sexton joins Tony Dunst as the second WPT Talent member to earn a WPT title.
“I’ve come close two times before, reaching the final table at Bay 101 in 2011 and in Venice in 2013, so to get another shot and have it work out in my favor, it feels unimaginable, but here I am,” Sexton added. “I’m honored to join the WPT Champions Club alongside all of the great WPT champions we’ve crowned, and I am thrilled to get the opportunity to compete in the WPT Tournament of Champions at the end of the season.”
Season XV WPT Montreal Final Table Results
1st: Mike Sexton – C$425,980* ($317,896* USD)
2nd: Benny Chen – C$286,110 ($213,515 USD)
3rd: Nadir Lalji – C$183,320 ($136,806 USD)
4th: Ilan Boujenah – C$132,750 ($99,067 USD)
5th: Ema Zajmovic – C$102,010 ($76,127 USD)
6th: Jake Schwartz – C$81,740 ($61,000 USD)
*First-prize amount includes a $15,000 seat into the season-ending WPT Tournament of Champions.
“Mike is an icon in the poker world and a true embodiment of a World Poker Tour champion,” said Adam Pliska, CEO of the World Poker Tour. “His contributions to the industry are unparalleled, and you will not find someone more passionate about the game than Mike. The WPT is honored to welcome Mike to the WPT Champions Club, and we look forward to seeing him compete in the season-ending WPT Tournament of Champions in April 2017.”
The win is another feather in the cap of the illustrious, four-decade career of Sexton, “The Ambassador of Poker.” He was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2009 and now boasts more than $6.2 million in tournament earnings.
With 648 entries, the Season XV partypoker.net WPT Montreal Main Event generated a prize pool of C$2,199,960 ($1,641,761 USD) at Playground Poker Club. The top 81 places finished in the money, and those to cash included WPT Champions Club winners Andy Frankenberger, Brian Altman, Darren Elias, Jonathan Roy, Eric Afriat, and Keven Stammen.
Season XV of the World Poker Tour continues with the next stop in the Dominican Republic for the partypoker WPT Caribbean taking place Nov. 19-23 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana.
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World Poker Tour (WPT) is the premier name in internationally televised gaming and entertainment with brand presence in land-based tournaments, television, online, and mobile. Leading innovation in the sport of poker since 2002, WPT ignited the global poker boom with the creation of a unique television show based on a series of high-stakes poker tournaments. WPT has broadcast globally in more than 150 countries and territories, and is currently producing its 15th season, which airs on FOX Sports Regional Networks in the United States. Season XV of WPT is sponsored by ClubWPT.com and PlayWPT.com. ClubWPT.com is a unique online membership site that offers inside access to the WPT, as well as a sweepstakes-based poker club available in 35 states across the United States. PlayWPT.com is a social gaming platform offering free-to-play poker and slots with innovative features and state-of-the-art creative elements inspired by WPT’s 15 years of experience in gaming entertainment. WPT also participates in strategic brand license, partnership, and sponsorship opportunities. WPT Enterprises Inc. is a subsidiary of Ourgame International Holdings, Ltd. For more information, go to WPT.com.
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