Chino Rheem Wins Inaugural Epic Poker League Main Event

The Epic Poker League’s first Main Event kicked off last Tuesday at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas.  After three days of play, the final table was reached and after an epic final table, Chino Rheem emerged as the league’s first champion.  He defeated Erik Seidel heads-up for the title to take home $1 Million in prize money.

Chino Rheems Wins First Ever EPL Main Event

EPL’s Main Event kicked off on August 9th and had two start days.  At the completion of the two Day 1′s, the number of registrants sat at 137.  Eugene Katchalov was the early chip leader in the event and made a deep run for the title.

Only 18 players received a payday in this event with the final six players making the final table.  Dan Fleyshman was the only Pro-Am qualifier to cash in the EPL Main Event, finishing in 15th place.  Eugene Katchalov rode his Day 1 chip lead to an 8th place finish, two spots shy of the final table.

The final table of this event was truly one of the more epic final tables we have seen in a while.  Former WSOP Main Event Champion Huck Seed fell in 6th place, followed by Gavin Smith in 5th.  After Hasan Habib exited in 4th place, Jason Mercier hit the rail in 3rd.

Heads-up in this event was between Erik Seidel and former WSOP November Niner Chino Rheem.  Rheem started the final as chip leader, but Seidel put up a fight and held the chip lead numerous times.

The final hand started with Rheem in the lead and eventually saw Seidel shove with A-Q against the A-K of Rheem.  An ace hit the flop, but Rheem’s king kicker held to give him the title and $1 Million in prize money.  Seidel took home over $604,000 and continues his epic run in 2011.

Chino Rheem walked away with $1 Million in prize money, but in the end the only thing he really got is a ring and a shot at the Championship freeroll in February.  Due to numerous poker debts incurred by Rheem, he announced via twitter that he is still broke due to paying back those debts.

Granted, with his recent performance, one has to assume someone will opt to buy him into the next event and hope that he can repeat the performance.  Congratulations to Chino Rheem, EPL Main Event Champion.

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