Canadian native Daniel Negreanu took down this year’s British Columbia Poker Championships Main Event at the River Rock Casino in Richmond, B.C. Ranked as the second-largest poker tournament in Canada, the championship consisted of five events, three of which sold out. Sunday’s Main Event was one of the two that did not, but that didn’t stop Negreanu from enjoying his victory! He was able to take home a large chunk of the $2,500 buy-in generated prize pool – $371,910!
“Being Canadian myself, playing and winning the BC Poker Championships is extra special to me,” Negreanu said. “The tournament was extremely well organized and my opponents were very good. It may have been a smaller tournament but I would say this has been the best $2,500 buy-in event structure I’ve ever played.”
This recent victory puts Negreanu only $1 million behind the all time money leader Jamie Gold.
Many other poker celebrities were attracted to the tournament. Darryl Schiewe, BCLC’s vice president of casino and community gaming, commented on the fact that this year’s event drew the most celebrity participation out of any other British Columia poker event. Some of those in attendance were Steve Paul Ambrose, Maria Ho, Lacey Jones, Gabe Kaplan, Liz Lieu, Isabelle Mercier, Tiffany Michelle, Mark Napier, Dennis Phillips, and Gavin Smith. Phillips placed 30th and Ambrose 43rd.
Here is the final table payout:
1. Daniel Negreanu $371,910
2. Adam Croffut $238,191
3. Warren Russell $150,285
4. Vorakbotgh Eam $118,335
5. Vincenzo Abate $97,204
6. Tyler Patterson $76,580
7. Chad Thomsen $59,675
8. Christopher Dinson $46,489
9. Mal Hagan $33,810