The Season XV WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star $7,500 Main Event was nothing short of spectacular. The event attracted a record field of 806 entries, blowing by the previous record of 753 entries that was set last season and generating a prize pool of more than $5.7 million. The final table saw Chino Rheem in line for a historic fourth World Poker Tour title, but in the end it was Sam Panzica winning his second WPT title in five months.
Panzica scored a life-changing first-place prize of $1.373 million following his triumph over Anthony Spinella in second place. Spinella earned $786,610 for his runner-up finish.
Season XV WPT Bay 101 Main Event Final Table
1st: Sam Panzica – $1,373,000
2nd: Anthony Spinella – $786,610
3rd: Chino Rheem – $521,660
4th: Paul Volpe – $349,610
5th: Dennis Stevermer – $243,090
6th: Rainer Kemper – $188,460
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Panzica entered the final table third in chips, but all eyes were on Rheem, as he had more than 44 percent of the chips in play to start the final six. Rheem had previously reached three WPT final tables, winning them all, and a fourth WPT title would separate him from those he shares the record of most WPT titles with, Carlos Mortensen, Gus Hansen, Anthony Zinno, and Darren Elias.
Panzica, a 24-year-old Michigan native, was surprised at the start of the final table when his mother, Amelia, showed up to watch. Not knowing whether or not her son would even reach the final six, Amelia headed to the airport to make the trip. Just as she arrived to board, the final table was set and her son was in line for his second WPT title. Speaking with him on the phone to congratulate him, Amelia acted as if she wasn’t going to be able to attend, just as when she had to miss out on the Season XV WPT bestbet Bounty Scramble final table that gave Panzica his first WPT title.
Amelia arrived just before the final table began, snuck up behind her son, and surprised him.
Shooting Star Rainer Kampe fell in sixth place, taking home $188,460 after he was eliminated by Rheem on the 37th hand of the final table. Then it was recreational player Dennis Stevermer next to fall when he went out in fifth for $243,090. He was also busted by Rheem, falling on the 72nd hand of the final table.
With four players left, Rheem was still in front, but Spinella had chipped up nicely to close the gap. On the 85th hand, Spinella took the lead when he won a big one off Rheem, and Rheem got some chips back when he eliminated Paul Volpe in fourth place on the 90th hand of the final table. Volpe took home $349,610.
Rheem and Spinella exchanged the chip lead a couple of times, but Panzica, quietly grinding in third place, chipped up more and more. Panzica would eventually doubled through Rheem on Hand #151, then he took the lead on Hand #152.
From there, Rheem slid and slid before he was bounced out the door in third place on Hand #168. Rheem missed out on a record fourth WPT title, but did walk away with a $521,660 payday.
Heads-up play saw Panzica enter with a big lead holding 18.475 million in chips to Spinella’s 5.725 million. It only took five hands for Panzica to seal the deal and earn his second WPT title.
On the final hand, it was Panzica’s 
against Spinella’s 
. The flop, turn, and river ran out 
, and Panzica was the winner. He scored a first-place prize of $1.373 million and his second WPT title within a five-month span. Panzica also moved to second place on the Hublot WPT Player of the Year leaderboard for Season XV, just 50 points behind the leader, Ben Zamani.
Looking to win your way to a World Poker Tour event for your shot at becoming a WPT champion? Play for your chance on ClubWPT.com, where eligible VIP Members can play for over $100,000 in cash and prizes each month, including seats to WPT events, no purchase necessary.