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

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