2018 US Poker Open

USPO #04 – $25,000 Mixed Game Championship
Day: 2
Event Info

2018 US Poker Open

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
kj753
Prize
$382,500
Event Info
Buy-in
$26,000
Entries
45
Level Info
Level
20
Blinds
0 / 0
Ante
0

USPO #04 – $25,000 Mixed Game Championship

Day 2 Completed

Stephen Chidwick Wins Back-to-Back at US Poker Open, Scoops $25k Mixed Event for $382,500

Level 20
Stephen Chidwick Wins the 25k Mixed Game Championship
Stephen Chidwick Wins the 25k Mixed Game Championship

A few weeks ago during a regular high roller event, a bunch of the world's most prolific players got into a debate in between hands. They were trying to find out who was the unluckiest player in the high buy-in fields. Stephen Chidwick was one of the first picks.

Well-rounded in all types of games both live and online, Chidwick is arguably one of the most talented players from Europe. He has won over $10 million in live tournaments but it's almost unbelievable that a player of his caliber is yet to win a bracelet.

While Chidwick may have been running worse than he deserves, he's doing more than fine at the inaugural US Poker Open. His skills met with a lucky charm in the Aria Resort and Casino and the 28-year-old seasoned pro has been dominating the series in a spectacular fashion.

Chidwick reached a remarkable feat tonight, taking down the $25,000 Mixed Event for $382,500. A great achievement of its own, there's more to the story. Chidwick had to enter the tournament late because of a simple reason; he was busy winning the previous one, the $25,000 No Limit Hold'em. Chidwick has come out on top in two consecutive events, cashing for over $800,000 combined.

US Poker Open - $25k Mixed Event results:

PlacePlayerCountryPrize
1Stephen ChidwickUnited Kingdom$382,500
2Chris VitchUnited States$247,500
3Isaac HaxtonUnited States$168,750
4Benjamin PollakUnited States$112,500
5Dan ShakUnited States$90,000
6Phil HellmuthUnited States$67,500
7Daniel NegreanuCanada$56,250

It takes a tremendous amount of focus to play on the final table for such a huge amount of money, let alone doing it two days in a row. Sneak inside the 13-hour Day 1 of the Mixed Event and it becomes evident that it has been one big grind for Chidwick.

"I'm just running on caffeine and adrenaline right now," he said after emerging victorious again. "I'm pretty happy how I played today."

Chidwick outlasted a 45-entry field, an impressive turnout for a high buy-in Eight-Game tournament. "I really enjoyed the atmosphere, it was a very fun experience," he said.

Both of his victorious runs saw Chidwick mount a come back from dust. It wasn't the case just for him but a characteristic for a grueling three-handed battle on the final table.

The tournament was down to three players before the first break. Phil Hellmuth wasn't able to spin his way up, losing to Chris Vitch in a hand of Stud. Hellmuth got it in with a flush draw and overcards to Vitch's pair of eights but he bricked the remaining streets and walked away in sixth place.

Hellmuth was disappointed to leave early. "I'm playing so good right now, it's a pleasure to be at this level," he said before complimenting Chris Vitch for his outstanding play on Day 1 where he "couldn't see him lose a pot".

Isaac Haxton then eliminated Dan Shak in two hands of Razz and dispatched Benjamin Pollak in Stud Hi-Lo shortly thereafter.

Haxton held the chip lead at that point with Vitch to his right and Chidwick to his left. The three-handed play was the finest stage of the tournament.

All players were fighting in huge pots but there was no elimination for over three hours. Chips were flying to the middle mainly in Stud games but even the other games brought some very interesting collisions of some of the sharpest brains in the business. What they all had in common was that the short stack always ended up the beneficiary.

The lead was swinging mainly between Vitch and Haxton but Chidwick wasn't far behind. Vitch, renowned for his mixed games skills, may lack the No-Limit experience of his opponents but he played aggressively, trading a few big pots with Haxton.

Then it looked that Chidwick would have to settle for the bronze after plummeting most of his stack in Limit Hold'em, running with kings into the trip tens of Vitch. Chidwick, however, bounced from fewer than three big bets in a brilliant fashion. He doubled twice and won two other significant pots to climb all the way to the top in the blink of an eye.

The same story repeated, with Vitch playing the main character. He was downed to two big bets but doubled right away and soon worked his way up in Stud. Some orbits late, it was Haxton's turn to show his bouncebackability. Unfortunately for him, he wasn't meant to rebound from the nub and Chidwick finished him off in Stud Hi-lo, hitting a straight and a low.

The heads-up started with Chidwick and Vitch virtually tied in chips. The swings from three-handed play carried into the heads-up match. Chidwick built a chip lead only to double his rival in a massive Pot-Limit Omaha hand that saw Vitch flop a set against a top pair and a flush draw. Vitch held but Chidwick immediately doubled back when he got it in with a superior flush draw that connected on the turn.

Chidwick then finished the round of PLO with another flush-over-flush, taking a huge bite into Vitch's stack. Vitch was once again on the ropes, and while he doubled once, Chidwick finally tackled him in 2-7 Triple Draw.

They were all-in after the second draw, both drawing for one card. Vitch was in better shape with a six the highest among his four cards while Chidwick drew with jack-high. Chidwick picked up only a king but that was enough to scoop the final hand of the tournament as Vitch paired his six.

"I think we really battled three-handed today. I think any of the three of us could win today," Vitch said.

Chidwick was crowned champion once again and extended his lead for the US Poker Open Trophy. Vitch now sits in second place after collecting $247,500 today.

Current 2018 US Poker Open Standings

PositionPlayerCountryTotal earnings
1Stephen ChidwickUnited Kingdom$810,900
2Chris VitchUnited States$247,500
3Keith TilstonUnited States$242,000
4Daniel NegreanuCanada$221,250
5Justin BonomoUnited States$190,400

Tags: Benjamin PollakChris VitchDan ShakIsaac HaxtonPhil HellmuthStephen Chidwick

Chris Vitch Eliminated in 2nd Place ($247,500)

Level 20
Chris Vitch
Chris Vitch

2-7 Triple Draw

Chris Vitch raised the button with {Q-}{5-}{4-}{2-}{2-} and Stephen Chidwick defended {Q-}{9-}{7-}{5-}{5-}. Chidwick discarded three on the first draw while Vitch took two. Chidwick improved to three wheel cards and Vitch now had {A-}{6-}{5-}{4-}{2-}.

Chidwick checked to Vitch who bet again. Chidwick called and drew three to his seven, five, three, getting two jacks. Vitch changed one . They ended up all-in as Vitch slid in his remaining 270,000 which Chidwick called.

Interestingly, Chidwick opted to change just one card, leaving a jack in his hand. Vitch changed one as well. Chidwick drew only a king but Vitch busted his hand with a pair of sixes and it was all over. Vitch finished in second place, good for a $247,500 payday.

Chidwick has won back-to-back events at the US Poker Open, earning $382,500 today to add to his $374,000 he scooped yesterday when he topped the $25,000 NLH event. He's a huge leader in the leaderboard with over $800,000 in cashes.

Player Chips Progress
Stephen Chidwick gb
Stephen Chidwick
6,750,000
870,000
870,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Chris Vitch us
Chris Vitch
Busted

Tags: Chris VitchStephen Chidwick

Chris Vitch Doubles Again

Level 20

2-7 Triple Draw

Chris Vitch opened and Stephen Chidwick three-bet, Vitch moved all in and Chidwick called to put the tourney on the line.

Chidwick drew two and so did Vitch. Vitch drew one on the second draw and Chidwick drew two.

Vitch had a ten-draw on the third draw and Chidwick had an eight. Vitch ended up making a {k-Spades}{10-Clubs}{6-Clubs}{5-Hearts}{3-Diamonds} and unfortunately for Chidwick, he paired on the final draw making a {6-Hearts}{6-Spades}{8-Clubs}{4-Clubs}{2-Spades}.

Player Chips Progress
Stephen Chidwick gb
Stephen Chidwick
5,880,000
15,000
15,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Chris Vitch us
Chris Vitch
870,000
-15,000
-15,000

Tags: Chris VitchStephen Chidwick

Chidwick Goes Pot-Pot, Gets Paid in Flush-over-Flush

Level 20

PLO

Chris Vitch raised it up to 225,000 with {9-Diamonds}{6-Diamonds}{5-Clubs}{4-Clubs} and Stephen Chidwick defended {Q-Clubs}{8-Diamonds}{7-Clubs}{2-Spades}.

Both players checked the flop to come to the turn reading {K-Clubs}{5-Hearts}{8-Clubs}{3-Clubs}. Chidwick hit a second nut-flush while Vitch had two lower club cards of his own. Chidwick potted it for 450,000 and Vitch called.

The {6-Hearts} changed nothing and Chidwick fired a pot-sized bet again, making it 1,350,000. Vitch smelled problems but he figured out he couldn't let his flush go: "I can't imagine I'm supposed to fold," he said and then threw in the calling chips. Chidwick showed the goods to wound his opponent who dropped to 885,000.

Player Chips Progress
Stephen Chidwick gb
Stephen Chidwick
5,865,000
2,025,000
2,025,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Chris Vitch us
Chris Vitch
885,000
-2,025,000
-2,025,000

Tags: Chris VitchStephen Chidwick

Chidwick Doubles Back into the Lead

Level 20

PLO

Chirs Vitch opened to 225,000 with the {8-Diamonds}{6-Clubs}{5-Diamonds}{3-Spades} and Stephen Chidwick defended holding the {a-Diamonds}{9-Hearts}{6-Diamonds}{3-Clubs}.

When the {3-Diamonds}{7-Diamonds}{10-Clubs} flop swept out, Chidwick checked and Vitch bet 400,000. Chidwick raised pot to 1,600,000 and Vitch quickly moved all in getting a snap call from Chidwick, putting himself at risk.

Due to technical difficulties with the stream, we missed the runout but do know a diamond hit the turn and Chidwick scored the double to retake the lead.

Player Chips Progress
Stephen Chidwick gb
Stephen Chidwick
3,840,000
1,880,000
1,880,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Chris Vitch us
Chris Vitch
2,910,000
-1,880,000
-1,880,000

Tags: Chris VitchStephen Chidwick

Vitch Earns a Huge Double to Seize the Lead

Level 20

PLO

Stephen Chidwick limped in with {J-Spades}{7-Spades}{3-Hearts}{3-Diamonds} and called after Chris Vitch potted with {A-Spades}{A-Diamonds}{2-Hearts}{2-Clubs}.

The {2-Diamonds}{J-Spades}{8-Diamonds} flop impressed both of the players and it didn't take them long to get the money in. Vitch continued for 400,000 and Chidwick raised-pot. Vitch shoved over the top for just a bit more and Chidwick called right away.

Chidwick's flush draw was no longer meaningful after the {8-Hearts} hit the turn which gave Vitch a full house. Chidwick had only two outs to hope for, the remaining threes in the deck to outdraw Vitch for a bigger boat. The {5-Diamonds} diamond stayed with Vitch who stacked a massive double.

Player Chips Progress
Chris Vitch us
Chris Vitch
4,790,000
2,065,000
2,065,000
Stephen Chidwick gb
Stephen Chidwick
1,960,000
-2,065,000
-2,065,000
WSOP 1X Winner

Tags: Chris VitchStephen Chidwick

Chidwick Takes the Chip Lead

Level 20

Stud 8

Chris Vitch: {9-Spades}{4-Clubs}/{a-Clubs}{j-Diamonds}{7-Hearts}{j-Spades}/{3-Clubs}
Stephen Chidwick: {7-Diamonds}{5-Hearts}/{k-Diamonds}{6-Diamonds}{q-Clubs}{a-Hearts}/{10-Diamonds}

Stephen Chidwick completed and Chris Vitch defended his bring in. Chidwick check-called a bet on fourth and both checked fifth street.

Chidwick fired a bet on sixth street that Vitch called. Both checked seventh street and Chidwick scooped the pot.

Player Chips Progress
Stephen Chidwick gb
Stephen Chidwick
4,025,000
660,000
660,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Chris Vitch us
Chris Vitch
2,725,000
-660,000
-660,000

Tags: Chris VitchStephen Chidwick

Isaac Haxton Eliminated in 3rd Place ($168,750)

Level 20
Ike Haxton
Ike Haxton

Stud 8

Isaac Haxton was down to a nub and he completed with a queen out. Bring in Stephen Chidwick had three low cards and raised to put Haxton all-in. "I don't think I can fold for 30 more," Haxton said, calling.

Haxton: {K-Clubs}{8-Spades} / {Q-Clubs}{8-Diamonds}{X-}{X-} / {X-}
Chidwick: {6-Diamonds}{5-Spades} / {8-Hearts}{3-Spades}{2-}{4-} / {X-}

Haxton paired his eight on fourth street but Chidwick picked up a low draw and filled in right on fifth street. He also had a gutshot straight draw and hit it with a four on sixth street, ending Haxton's hopes for a comeback. Haxton collected $168,750 for his third place while Chidwick and Vitch take a short break before the heads-up play. Their stacks are virtually identical.

Player Chips Progress
Chris Vitch us
Chris Vitch
3,385,000
-705,000
-705,000
Stephen Chidwick gb
Stephen Chidwick
3,365,000
745,000
745,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Isaac Haxton us
Isaac Haxton
Busted
WSOP 1X Winner

Tags: Isaac HaxtonStephen Chidwick

Haxton in the Danger Zone

Level 20

Limit Hold'em

Chris Vitch opened with the {k-Diamonds}{q-Diamonds} from the small blind and Isaac Haxton defended his big with the {k-Clubs}{9-Diamonds}. The flop ran out {q-Spades}{4-Hearts}{3-Hearts} and Vitch continued, getting a call from Haxton.

The {j-Spades} landed on the turn and Vitch fired again. Haxton called once more seeing the {5-Clubs} complete the board.

Vitch bet the river and Haxton let it go.

Player Chips Progress
Chris Vitch us
Chris Vitch
4,090,000
825,000
825,000
Isaac Haxton us
Isaac Haxton
445,000
-420,000
-420,000
WSOP 1X Winner

Tags: Chris VitchIsaac Haxton