Luke Rothschild Records Career Cash in Pennsylvania State Poker Championship Opener
Action has concluded in the $550 PSPC Event #1 at the Pennsylvania State Poker Championship. Luke Rothschild has emerged from the pack victorious with a career-high $47,474 score.
The seven Day 1 starting flights saw a total of 890 entrants, 113 players made it to Day 2 and secured a minimum cash of $725. The prize pool generated a whopping $412,960 and when it was all said and done, five players decided on an ICM chop.
Rothschild ended the tournament with the chip lead and after his win, Pokernews was able to chat with Rothschild and ask him a few questions about his poker journey, and plans ahead. "My biggest previous cash before this was around $3,000," said Rothschild. "I'll be playing some more in the coming weeks, probably the Main Event coming up."
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Final Table Payouts
| Place | Name | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luke Rothschild | United States | $47,474* |
| 2 | Max Pinnola | United States | $47,142* |
| 3 | Andrew Kershaw | United States | $44,409* |
| 4 | Nicholas Skyllas | United States | $31,828* |
| 5 | Joseph Iannacone | United States | $25,832* |
| 6 | Mykhailo Lendel | United States | $14,620 |
| 7 | Sean Fellman | United States | $12,100 |
| 8 | Seamus Delaney | United States | $9,620 |
| 9 | Derek Atson | United States | $7,225 |
* Denotes five-way ICM deal
Rothschild catapulted into the chip lead after doubling up through Nicholas Skyllas in a three-bet pot. "I thought I was ahead; I knew he was three-betting me light. Once I saw the two spades come out on the flop, I knew I was going with this hand," said Rothschild, referencing the massive pot that sparked his momentum.
The PokerStars sponsored event saw 15 NAPT qualifiers return for Day 2, all of whom were eligible for the Gold Pass. Andrew Kershaw outlasted all other qualifiers and will be playing in the NAPT Las Vegas Main Event in November. PokerStars will cover travel and accommodation, along with the $5,300 buy-in.
Another NAPT qualifier who made a deep run was Dan McGinnis. McGinnis was in the mix all tournament but eventually lost a 3,000,000-chip flip to Andrew Kershaw.
Jeffrey Chrin ended his run in 13th place after falling short to pocket tens. Brandon Mueller looked poised to make a deep run as well, but lost a massive pot on a cooler flop to Sean Fellman after each player flopped top pair. Mueller eventually was knocked out in 12th place.
Derek Atson was the first to exit the final table. Atson found the dream spot to triple up and get back in the game, but Max Pinnola had other plans, and cracked Atson��s pocket Aces to send him home in ninth place.
Seamus Delaney made a deep run as well, but his pocket sevens were no match for Nicholas Skyllas�� pocket Jacks as he exited the final table in eighth place for a nice payday.
Sean Fellman exited in seventh place after calling a button shove from Andrew Kershaw. Fellman found himself dominated, and could not improve.
Mykhailo Lendel hit the payout desk in sixth place after getting it all in preflop with Luke Rothschild.
The final five players agreed on a fair ICM chop with 38:44 remaining in Level 31. Joseph Iannone was in fifth place and after ICM, he took home $25,832. Nicholas Skyllas finished in fourth place for $31,828. Coming in third place, the winner of the NAPT Gold Pass was Andrew Kershaw ($44,409). Max Pinnola finished in second for $47,142 and Luke Rothschild finished atop the ranks with a career-best score of $47,474.
Rothschild was asked if there was anything he was going to do with the money and he gave a great response. "I need a car. Haven't driven in a little while, so yeah, probably buy a new car."
That wraps up coverage from Event #1 $550 PSPC here at the Pennsylvania State Poker Championship. Stay up to date with PokerNews to catch more action from the series.
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