2023 Potomac Winter Poker Open

$1,200 Freezeout
Day: 1
Event Info

2023 Potomac Winter Poker Open

Final Results
Winner
Prize
$23,048
Event Info
Buy-in
$1,200
Prize Pool
$86,900
Entries
79
Level Info
Level
21
Blinds
12,000 / 24,000
Ante
24,000
Players Info - Day 1
Entries
79
Players Left
1

$1,200 Freezeout

Day 1 Completed

Dongwuk Moon Wins Event #9: $1200 No-Limit Hold'em Freezeout After ICM Deal ($23,048)

Level 21 : Blinds 12,000/24,000, 24,000 ante
Dongwuk Moon
Dongwuk Moon

Dongwuk Moon emerged victorious in Event #9: $1200 No-Limit Hold'em Freezeout after accumulating a significant chip lead at the final table before an ICM deal was made with four players remaining. Moon, who max late-registered just before level 13, said today's win is his first-ever poker tournament title.

"I'm very happy," Moon said. "It feels like a dream."

Moon, a self-proclaimed amateur poker player from Philadelphia, said he was happy to do an ICM chop and guarantee himself the trophy.

Event #9: $1,200 No-Limit Hold'em Freezeout Final Table Results

PlacePlayerCountryPrize (USD)
1Dongwuk MoonUnited States$23,048*
2Shahabaldin ShiraziUnited States$15,448*
3Samuel JoslynUnited States$15,091*
4Jeremy FinemanUnited States$14,195*
5Nick ChowUnited States$3,775
6Vincent GiulianoUnited States$2,904
7Michael LernerUnited States$2,323
8Besnik BiberajUnited States$1,742
*Denotes ICM chop   

Action of The Day

Event #9: $1200 No-Limit Hold'em Freezeout got off to a slow start, with only 14 players to start during level 1. That number grew steadily throughout the day before ultimately reaching 79 by the time late registration ended — generating an $86,900 prize pool. Some notables who entered but fell short of the money include, Jacob Mitich, Yaser Al-Keliddar, Manuel Herrera, Justin Arnwine, and Sang Kim, who lost in a brutal cooler just shy of the money bubble.

Vinny Pahuja would end up being the bubble boy after running ace-king into tens and kings at the same time and failing to improve.

With eight players remaining, Moon began his ascension by doubling through Shahabaldin Shirazi after being one card from elimination. From that point, Moon knocked out Besnik Biberaj and took the majority of Michael Lerner's chips.

Moon continued his dominance after turning a flush against Vincent Giuliano's top two pair and adding Giuliano's stack to his own. With escalating blinds forcing the action, Nick Chow was eliminated after getting all-in preflop with queen-ten and failing to improve against the ace-jack of Jeremy Fineman. Shortly after Chow was eliminated, the remaining four players decided to end the long day with an ICM chop — handing Moon the lion's share of the prize pool and his first Potomac Winter Poker Open victory.

That wraps up our coverage of Event #9: $1200 No-Limit Hold'em Freezeout. Be sure to stick with PokerNews as we continue to provide coverage of the 2023 Potomac Winter Poker Open, including Event #11A: $2,700 Main Event beginning at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 3.

Tags: Besnik BiberajDongwuk MoonJacob MitichJeremy FinemanJustin ArnwineManuel HerreraVincent Giuliano'sVinny PahujaYaser Al-Keliddar

Nick Chow Eliminated in 5th Place ($6,083)

Level 21 : Blinds 12,000/24,000, 24,000 ante
Nick Chow
Nick Chow

Jeremy Fineman opened to 50,000 from the cutoff and Nick Chow shoved for his last 164,000 from the small blind. It was folded back to Fineman, who made the call to put Chow at risk.

Nick Chow: {q-Hearts}{10-Diamonds}
Jeremy Fineman: {a-Diamonds}{j-Hearts}

The board ran out {6-Hearts}{4-Diamonds}{2-Clubs}{5-Hearts}{9-Hearts} — keeping Fineman’s ace-high best and knocking Chow out in fifth place.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Jeremy Fineman us
Jeremy Fineman
575,000
-25,000
-25,000
Profile photo of Nick Chow us
Nick Chow
Busted

Tags: Jeremy FinemanNick Chow

Vincent Giuliano Eliminated in 6th Place ($5,214)

Level 21 : Blinds 12,000/24,000, 24,000 ante
Vincent Giuliano
Vincent Giuliano

Vincent Giuliano opened to 50,000 from the cutoff and was called by Dongwuk Moon on the button.

The flop came {a-Clubs}{k-Diamonds}{10-Diamonds} and Giuliano continued for 40,000. Moon raised to 120,000 and Giuliano called.

The {9-Diamonds} fell on the turn and Giuliano checked to Moon, who bet enough to put Giuliano all in for his last 300,000. Giuliano went deep into the tank, but eventually committed calling chips and hands were revealed.

Vincent Giuliano: {a-Spades}{k-Hearts}
Dongwuk Moon: {j-Diamonds}{8-Diamonds}

Moon had turned a flush and had Giuliano in rough shape.

The {6-Clubs} completed the board, failing to help Giuliano and sending him out in sixth place.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Dongwuk Moon us
Dongwuk Moon
1,800,000
800,000
800,000
Profile photo of Vincent Giuliano us
Vincent Giuliano
Busted

Tags: Dongwuk MoonVincent Giuliano

Fineman Doubles Through Shirazi

Level 21 : Blinds 12,000/24,000, 24,000 ante

Shahabaldin Shirazi opened to 55,000 and Jeremy Fineman shoved for his last 268,000 from the cutoff. Action folded back to Shirazi, who called to put Fineman at risk.

Shahabaldin Shirazi: {6-Hearts}{6-Clubs}
Jeremy Fineman: {a-Diamonds}{10-Spades}

The board ran out {j-Hearts}{8-Diamonds}{2-Clubs}{9-Diamonds}{q-Hearts} — giving Fineman a winning straight on the river for the double up.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Shahabaldin Shirazi us
Shahabaldin Shirazi
900,000
-50,000
-50,000
Profile photo of Jeremy Fineman us
Jeremy Fineman
600,000
-100,000
-100,000

Tags: Jeremy FinemanShahabaldin Shirazi

Level: 21

Blinds: 12,000/24,000

Ante: 24,000

Michael Lerner Eliminated in 7th Place ($4,345)

Level 20 : Blinds 10,000/20,000, 20,000 ante
Michael Lerner
Michael Lerner

Michael Lerner shoved for his remaining stack from the button and was called by Samuel Joslyn in the big blind.

Michael Lerner: {10-Clubs}{10-Hearts}
Samuel Joslyn: {k-Hearts}{9-Clubs}

Lerner was ahead, but the {k-Clubs}{5-Hearts}{4-Diamonds}{2-Hearts}{6-Clubs} runout left Joslyn best with a pair of kings and Lerner was eliminated.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Samuel Joslyn us
Samuel Joslyn
300,000
Profile photo of Michael Lerner us
Michael Lerner
Busted

Tags: Michael LernerSamuel Joslyn

Moon Leaves Lerner Short

Level 20 : Blinds 10,000/20,000, 20,000 ante

Micahel Lerner opened to 45,000 from early position and was called by Dongwuk Moon in the big blind.

Moon check-called a 55,000 bet from Lerner on the {j-Hearts}{3-Clubs}{3-Spades} flop.

The turn brought the {7-Hearts} and Moon checked to Lerner, who bet 75,000. Moon then check-raised enough to put Lerner all in for his last 100,000 and Lerner let his hand go.

Moon flashed the {3-Diamonds} as he collected the pot.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Dongwuk Moon us
Dongwuk Moon
1,000,000
380,000
380,000
Profile photo of Michael Lerner us
Michael Lerner
100,000
-250,000
-250,000