The L.A. Poker Classic (LAPC) is celebrating its 25th anniversary, and with the celebration comes a massive schedule of events that kicked off on January 9, 2018, and will run through March 1. The schedule boasts a whopping 67 events, including the WPT L.A. Poker Classic $10,000 Championship, but we’re here to tell you about the big opening event that kicked everything off.
The L.A. Poker Classic $350 Kickoff Event had a $1 million guaranteed prize pool, but that number was eclipsed thanks to 3,956 entries that generated a prize pool north of $1.186 million.
First place was originally set at $162,740, but following a three-way deal, Chris Hinchcliffe walked away with the title, the highly sought-after LAPC Remington trophy, and a first prize of $142,715. Hinchcliffe struck a deal with Jonathan Khalifa, winner of the PMU.fr WPTDeepStacks Cannes Main Event from June 2017, and Jonathan Blake. Khalifa and Blake took home $120,000 and $89,845, respectively.
Final Table Results
1st: Chris Hinchcliffe – $142,175*
2nd: Jonathan Khalifa – $120,000*
3rd: Jonathan Blake – $89,945*
4th: Jason Villard – $55,650
5th: Gayson Balless – $41,760
6th: Anthony Reategui – $33,650
7th: Carl Hosten – $27,500
8th: Timeng Tang – $21,490
9th: Mitchell Halverson – $16,280
*Denotes a three-way deal.
“I feel outstanding,” Hinchcliffe told LAPCnews.com. “I’ve been heads up here at the LAPC twice and this time it was an ICM chop three-handed. I had 56 million of the 90 million in play and the short stack offered it. The other guy offered it, and I gotta work, so I’m happy for the win and ready to get back to work.”
On his way to victory, Hinchcliffe eliminated Gayson Balless in fifth place, Anthony Reategui in sixth place, and Carl Hosten in seventh place, as reported by LAPCnews.com.
With the victory and payout, Hinchcliffe, whose first foray into live tournament poker was a third-place finish for $441,463 back in Season II of the World Poker Tour, pushed to more than $1 million in career live tournament earnings.
WPT L.A. Poker Classic Championship Starts February 24
Starting February 24 is the $10,000 buy-in WPT L.A. Poker Classic Championship. Commerce Casino is once again the home to this player-favorite, prestigious event, and this year the tournament comes with a $1 million first-place prize guarantee.
For more on the WPT L.A. Poker Classic Championship, check out the event hub on WPT.com.
*Photo courtesy of LAPCnews.com.
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