Twitter: @WPT
Facebook: facebook.com/WorldPokerTour
Instagram: @WorldPokerTour
YouTube: youtube.com/user/TheWPT
Website: www.WPT.com
Los Angeles, CA (May 25, 2018) – On Wednesday, May 23, 2018, history was made on the World Poker Tour® when Darren Elias won the inaugural WPT® Bobby Baldwin Classic to earn his fourth WPT title. Elias won the $10,000 buy-in event at ARIA Resort & Casino and now stands alone in the WPT record books as the only player to win four WPT titles.
Elias’ historic victory came when he topped a field of 162 entries in the WPT Bobby Baldwin Classic to win $387,580. Elias has now won more than $3 million on the World Poker Tour.
“Season XVI of the World Poker Tour has been a truly historic journey and it is only fitting that more history was made in the final event before the season-ending WPT Tournament of Champions,” Adam Pliska, CEO of the World Poker Tour, said. “Darren Elias became the first player to win back-to-back WPT events in the same season in Season XIII, and now he is the first player to achieve four WPT titles. Darren is an incredible player and a true embodiment of what it means to be a WPT Champion.”
WPT Bobby Baldwin Classic Final Table Results
1st: Darren Elias – $387,580*
2nd: Kitty Kuo – $248,380
3rd: Joe McKeehen – $178,610
4th: Dietrich Fast – $130,895
5th: Sam Panzica – $97,795
6th: Jonathan Little – $74,520
*First place includes a $15,000 seat into the season-ending WPT Tournament of Champions.
Entering the six-handed final table of the WPT Bobby Baldwin Classic, Elias held a commanding chip lead with more than 40 percent of the chips in play, but he still had a tough road ahead. Joining Elias at the final table were two-time WPT champions Jonathan Little and Sam Panzica, former WPT L.A. Poker Classic winner Dietrich Fast, Hublot WPT Player of the Year contender and 2015 WSOP Main Event champion Joe McKeehen, and professional poker player Kitty Kuo. With such a powerful lineup, there was no soft spot at the table.
Little was first to be eliminated in sixth place, and he was followed to the payout desk by Panzica to knock both two-time WPT Champions Club members out early. Next to go was Fast, and then McKeehen hit the rail in third place. Both Panzica and McKeehen were eliminated by Elias, as Elias cruised into heads-up play having never given up the chip lead.
Heads-up play began with Elias ahead of Kuo by nearly 3-1 in chips. Although Elias’ road at the final table had been smooth, Kuo put up solid opposition as she pulled closer and closer in chips. The duel lasted approximately three hours, and in the end it was Elias coming out on top when his ace-ten held up against the ace-five for Kuo.
For her runner-up performance, Kuo earned the largest score of her live poker career at $248,380.
Elias was previously in a five-way tie with WPT greats Carlos Mortensen, Gus Hansen, Anthony Zinno, and Chino Rheem for the most WPT titles at three. With his win in the WPT Bobby Baldwin Classic, Elias stands alone on the top of the mountain as the greatest of them all.
Included in Elias’ first-place prize was a $15,000 seat to the season-ending WPT Tournament of Champions.
WPT Media Contact
Donnie Peters – [email protected]
About World Poker Tour
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 16th season, which airs on FOX Sports Regional Networks in the United States. Season XVI of WPT is sponsored by ClubWPT.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. WPT also participates in strategic brand license, partnership, and sponsorship opportunities. WPT owns and operates WPTDeepStacks (WPTDS), poker’s premier mid-major tournament circuit. WPT Enterprises Inc. is a subsidiary of Ourgame International Holdings, Ltd. For more information, go to WPT.com.
©2018 WPT Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.
WPT, World Poker Tour and Spade Card Design are registered trademarks of WPT Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.