The World Poker Tour (WPT) Choctaw Main Event final table shapes up to be a great one, as the chip counts of the six remaining players are as even as you will ever see. Leading the way is Ray Qartomy with 9.400 million chips.
And while first place is where you want to be, regardless of where you are in the tournament, Qartomy’s lead is razor thin. Just behind him is Chance Kornuth, who had the most chips after Sunday’s Day 2, with 9.025 million. Behind Kornuth is James Hundt with 9.000 million, which is not as much behind as it is virtually tied. That’s fewer than three big blinds separating the three players.
With all those chips concentrated in the top three players, there’s naturally a dropoff to the second half of the table, but James Mackey (5.050 million chips) and Steve Buckner (4.700 million) still have over 30 big blinds apiece, so they certainly have some room to play. The only one in real trouble is short-stacked Kristen Foxen (formerly Bicknell – she recently married fellow poker pro Alex Foxen) with 2.175 million chips.
Kornuth likely would have been the chip leader by a decent margin were it not for one of the last hands of Monday night. Pre-flop, Kornuth raised to 275,000 and both Buckner and Anees Puri called. Puri was down to the felt, with just 300,000 chips remaining (blinds were 75,000/150,000).
On the flop of J-J-9, two spades, Puri checked, Kornuth bet 150,000, and Buckner called. Puri folded, bringing on the 3 on the turn. Kornuth led again, this time for 500,000, and Buckner called. With a K on the river, Kornuth shoved, and, according to WPT.com’s write-up, Buckner turned to Puri and said, “I guess you’re going to the final table, cuz.”
With that, he made the call for his remaining 1.325 million chips. He nailed it. Kornuth was on a bluff, turning over Q-8 for just Queen-high. Buckner had pocket Tens and celebrated his huge double-up.
The tournament is now paused until May 26, as this is one of the Main Events on the World Poker Tour that will have its final table played on the television stage at HyperX Esports Arena at Luxor in Las Vegas. Blinds will still be at 75,000/150,000 with a 150,000-chip ante. There are about 46 minutes left in the level.
2022 World Poker Tour Choctaw Main Event – Final Table Chip Counts
- Ray Qartomy – 9,400,000
- Chance Kornuth – 9,025,000
- James Hundt – 9,000,000
- James Mackey – 5,050,000
- Steve Buckner – 4,700,000
- Kristen Foxen – 2,175,000