Full Tilt $25K Heads-up World Championship, Day 2: Ashton Griffin Captures Title
The final four players returned to the Full Tilt $25K Heads-up World Championship on Sunday to play down to a champion, and when the final battle was over and the smoke had cleared, Ashton “theASHMAN103” Griffin was the winner. A first-place payday of $551,250 was at stake as the last four players — David Benefield, Jim “WinnerFish” Kilarjian, Ashton “theASHMAN103” Griffin, and Blair “yogiblair” Anderson — returned at 4:00 ET to begin a new round of heads-up duels, each man armed with 5,000 in starting chips. Each of the four players had defeated four opponents to make it to this point and was guaranteed at least $165,375. Their victories on the road to the Final Four were as follows:
David Benefield victories: Rafe Furst, DarkHorse19, DjAdi, IvanLendL
Jim “WinnerFish” Kilarjian victories: PureCash25, Steven “stevesbets” Jacobs, Mirttinur, Rob “Vaga_Lion” Akery
Ashton “theASHMAN103” Griffin victories: GrindMode, Isaac “luvtheWNBA” Haxton, David Singer, Past
Blair “yogiblair” Anderson victories: Negrodamus2, Scott Montgomery, dingepling, Alex “Kadabra” Keating
The Final Four
Ashton “theASHMAN103” Griffin Defeats Blair “yogiblair” Anderson
Griffin put himself in position notch the victory at 40/80. Holding a 5-to-1 chip lead over his rival, Griffin looked to advance to the championship match with K♠J♣ against Anderson’s A♥4♦. But Griffin’s Kojak couldn’t improve as the board rolled out A♠10♠3♥8♣8♠ and Anderson doubled up. Anderson’s comeback was short-lived, however. He made a stand with 5♦5♠, but ran into Griffin’s Q♥Q♦. The board fell 3♦2♣9♥6♠A♠ and Blair “yogiblair” Anderson was out in fourth place for $165,375.
David Benefield Defeats Jim “WinnerFish” Kilarjian
At the 60/120 level, Kilarjian held the lead and was looking to close out the match. Benefield raised to 260 and Kilarjian called, leading to the 10♣10♥A♥ flop. Kilarjian check-raised from 275 to 790, but was met with a reraise from Benefield to 1,475. Kilarjian called and shoved on the 9♥ turn card with the bigger stack. Benefield insta-called with 10♠5♥, miles ahead of Kilarjian’s A♣7♦. The river fell the Q♠ as Benefield took over the chip lead. He took it down at 80/160. Preflop, Benefield opened with a min-raise to 320, which Kilarjian called. The flop came 9♥4♠7♥ and Kilarjian check-raised all in for 2,066. Benefield called and tabled J♣J♥ for the overpair to Kilarjian’s top pair with Q♥9♣. The turn and river brought no help to Kilarjian, out in third place for $165,375.
Championship
Ashton “theASHMAN103” Griffin Defeats David Benefield
Benefield grabbed the early lead in the match-up, but then suffered a big hit at 25/50. He min-raised to 100 and Griffin called, bringing out the 5♠J♥6♣ flop. Griffin checked it to Benefield, who bet 125, and Griffin countered with a check-raise to 510. Benefield then popped it to 1,275, only to see Griffin move all in for 4,080. Benefield called with K♣J♣ and found himself behind Griffin’s J♦5♦. The turn and river fell Q♥ and 7♣ as Griffin doubled up to take a commanding lead.
The match ended later in the same level. Griffin raised to 100 and Benefield called. The flop came 7♦9♥9♠ and Benefield led out 125. Griffin came along to see the 8♦ hit the turn. Benefield bet 325 and Griffin reraised all in. Benefield called all in for his last 930 with 8♠6♠, but was in deep trouble against Griffin’s 9♦3♥. The Q♠ on the river brought the tournament to a close. David Benefield finished as the runner-up, pocketing $315,000 for his efforts. Ashton “theASHMAN103” Griffin was the winner of the $25k Heads-up World Championship, good for $551,250.
Final Results:
1. Ashton “theASHMAN103” Griffin - $551,250
2. David Benefield - $315,000
3. Jim “WinnerFish” Kilarjian - $165,375
4. Blair “yogiblair” Anderson - $165,375
5. Past - $94,500
6. Alex “Kadabra” Keating - $94,500
7. IvanLendL - $94,500
8. Rob “Vaga_Lion” Akery – $94,500
