Stephen Chidwick Takes Monster US Poker Open Lead After Back-to-Back Victories

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2018 US Poker Open

Stephen Chidwick just became the odds-on favorite to win the US Poker Open trophy after taking down back-to-back events. On Monday, he took down Event #3, the $25,000 NL Hold’em Event and on Tuesday he also snagged the $25,000 Mixed Event.

With his back-to-back wins, he now has a 3:1 chip lead to take home the inaugural US Poker Open trophy.

Chidwick Goes Back to Back

It’s hard to win a single tournament at any level, but to win back-to-back events is next to unheard of. Ok, maybe not completely unheard of, but with the level of competition that Stephen Chidwick was facing the last couple of events, his feat at the US Poker Open is simply remarkable.

It all started yesterday when he made the final table of Event #3, the $25,000 NL Hold’em. Most eyes were initially on Daniel Negreanu who has a massive prop bet on winning the US Poker Open trophy. Negreanu was playing well and hoped to take down the title.

Negreanu made a run but ultimately fell short, finishing in third. This left Stephen Chidwick and Keith Tilston to battle for the title. Play went back and forth for a while and Chidwick had to spike a miracle six-outer on the river at one point to stay alive. However, he battled back and eventually took the title and the $374,000 top prize.

After winning the event, he late registered the $25,000 Mixed Event and managed to make the final table of the event third in chips. Joining him were chip leader Isaac Haxton, Chris Vitch, Ben Pollack, Dan Shak, Phil Hellmuth and Daniel Negreanu.

Hellmuth and Negreanu were representing the “old school” pro contingent, but neither could gain any traction. Negreanu busted in 7th and Hellmuth 6th. Haxton was the chip leader to start the final table and went deep, but eventually fell in third place.

Chidwick and Chris Vitch squared off heads-up with stacks dead even. The pair traded the chip lead a couple of times until a massive PLO pot where Chidwick took a massive lead in a flush-over-flush confrontation.

Vitch tried to make a comeback but eventually busted during 2-7 Triple Draw. Chidwick could only manage king-high in the final hand, but king-high beats a pair of sixes, so it was enough to take the title.

With the win, Chidwick earned $382,500 in prize money.

Chidwick Has More Than a 3:1 Lead for US Poker Open Trophy

Back-to-back wins for Chidwick puts him firmly in the driver’s seat in the race for the US Poker Open trophy. The player who wins the most money during the series win the coveted trophy.

Presently, Chidwick has $810,900 in earnings and has more than a 3:1 lead over Chris Vitch who has won $247,500 in the series. Event #3 runner-up Keith Tilston is third with $242,000. After back-to-back final tables, Daniel Negreanu is fourth with $221,250 and Event #1 winner Justin Bonomo is fifth with $190,400.

Event #5, the $10,000 NL Hold’em is presently underway and will complete on Wednesday. Afterwards, there are three more events, including a $50,000 NL Main Event that will run from Friday through Sunday.

There’s still plenty of time for players to make a run for this trophy, another deep run or even a victory from Chidwick may seal the deal.

Photo Credit: Poker Central