Zack Mullennix Wins WSOPC Ameristar St. Charles $1,700 Main Event ($92,886)
Zack Mullennix came to the World Series of Poker Circuit Ameristar St. Charles to chase points, but no more chase is needed as he's locked up his seat into the season-ending $1 Million Global Casino Championship. He won the $1,700 Main Event, besting a field of 281 entries for a $92,886 first-place prize.
It was Mullennix's third gold ring. Both previous wins came in Florida, where he now resides and plays for a living. And that's where he's happy to return, now that he no longer has to chase. The life of a traveling tournament pro has gotten a bit old, he admitted.
"I've been pretty worn out from all the traveling," he said. "I think I'm going to just enjoy my life in South Florida for a couple of months and kinda get ready for the WSOP. Assuming it happens."
WSOPC Ameristar St. Charles Main Event Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Hometown | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zack Mullennix | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | $92,886 |
| 2 | Mark Koeln | St. Louis, Missouri | $57,410 |
| 3 | Brett Apter | St. Petersburg, Florida | $41,404 |
| 4 | Kevin Waller | Grand Blanc, Michigan | $30,369 |
| 5 | Dean Hoffman | Cookeville, Tennessee | $22,660 |
| 6 | Jorden Helstern | Chicago, Illinois | $17,206 |
| 7 | Jon Lawson | Omaha, Nebraska | $13,299 |
| 8 | Scott Caldwell | Independence, Missouri | $10,467 |
| 9 | Steve Buell | Green Bay, Wisconsin | $8,391 |
Coronavirus concerns aside, Mullennix has certainly done all right for himself since transitioning more into tournaments. He's cashed for about $300,000 since the beginning of 2019. A cash pro who built his roll playing mostly $2/$5 in Florida — he's originally from Pittsburgh — Mullennix described himself as "about 50/50" these days between cash and tournaments.
"The thing about South Florida is there are so many tournament series, you don't really need to travel," he said.
However, when he racked up 92.5 points at the Seminole Coconut Creek stop but finished second in the venue leaderboard, he decided to hit the road and try to qualify for the season-ending Championship. He hit three more stops, with Ameristar St. Charles the latest.
He very nearly needed to continue the chase, as he found himself down to two outs with two tables left in the Main, needing to win a pot with jacks against kings for his tournament life. Luckily for Mullennix, a jack flopped and he didn't look back.
Though he found himself basically tied for the shortest stack at the final table, he just waited for spots to get in with the best of it and held each time until he had the chip lead going to the final day. Once there, with just four players left, he maneuvered past the Kevin Waller and Brett Apter with wins in close preflop all-in spots to face off with Mark Koeln.
Heads-up play wouldn't be a roll show as Koeln wrested the lead from Mullennix despite starting down 3-to-1 in chips. However, Mullennix retook a small lead then flopped bottom two against top pair to end a match that looked like it might go long.
While $92,886 isn't one of the biggest prizes to be handed out on the Circuit this season, it's about double Mullennix's biggest score, and not bad for a 28-year-old who said his last job was managing a Dairy Queen more than six years ago.
"Poker's been everything to me," he said. "I started playing $1/$3 in Pittsburgh with literally $2,000 to my name. Buying in for 10% of my net worth, driving a beater car.
"It's pretty amazing how far I've come in the last six years. I've been fortunate."
Now, with GCC seat in hand, it's time for a well-deserved break. Mullennix said he's eager to get back home and get back in a routine, attending Brazilian jiu-jitsu classes and eating right. He's noticed that many Circuit grinders just ship into town for the Main Event weekend, adding in a side event or two if they're feeling it, and he's going to aim for a similar schedule at tournament stops going forward.
"If and when I play future events, I'll probably look to do more of that," he said. "Coming in for 11 days straight...I can't tell you how tired I am."
Chris Audrain Casino Champ
The other player to lock up a 2020 Global Casino Championship seat at the St. Louis stop was Chris Audrain, who amassed 115 points. He finished with four cashes during the series, including a victory in Event #8: $400 NLH Monster Stack for $16,585 and a runner-up finish in Event #13: $400 NLH Double Stack.
“I am just going to try to get as many points as I can and win the player of the series. We’ll see what happens," Audrain said after his win. He willed it into the universe and made it come true to punch his ticket to the GCC in August.
WSOPC St. Charles Ring Winners
Here's a look at all those who captured gold rings at the Ameristar St. Charles stop:
| Tournament | Entries | Prize Pool | Winner | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event #1: $400 NLH Double Stack | 202 | $66,660 | Charlie Dawson | $15,920 |
| Event #2: $400 NLH Multi-Flight | 612 | $201,960 | Brad Bocke | $36,662 |
| Event #3: $400 NLH Double Stack | 181 | $59,730 | Lucas Tae | $14,675 |
| Event #4: $400 NLH 6-Handed | 142 | $46,860 | Jeff Sauer | $12,566 |
| Event #5: $400 Pot-Limit Omaha | 85 | $28,050 | Jason Simon | $8,563 |
| Event #6: $400 NLH Bounty | 136 | $31,280 | Craig Welko | $8,336 |
| Event #7: $250 NLH | 120 | $24,000 | John Gallaher | $6,682 |
| Event #8: $400 NLH Monster Stack | 214 | $70,260 | Chris Audrain | $16,585 |
| Event #9: $600 NLH | 137 | $70,555 | Cory Bogert | $18,806 |
| Event #10: $1,700 Main Event | 281 | $425,715 | Zach Mullennix | $92,886 |
| Event #11: $400 NLH | 123 | $40,590 | Eric Salazar | $11,117 |
| Event #12: $400 NLH | 112 | $36,960 | Brett Reichard | $10,468 |
| Event #13: $400 NLH Double Stack | 159 | $52,470 | Alexander Hoff | $13,467 |
The WSOP Circuit continues with two stops happening right now on opposite ends of the country. Both Harrah's Atlantic City and the Bicycle Casino are hosting gold ring events, and PokerNews will be on-site to offer live updates from both stop's $1,700 Main Events.