Andy Bloch Wins EPL Pro/Am Event

Andy Bloch has won the Epic Poker League (EPL) Pro/Am Event, after defeating a field of 187 players to win a small cash prize worth $24,085, plus a $20,000 seat to the EPL Main Event Series Three on December 14-17.
The $1,500 Pro/Am Event offers a less expensive means to qualify for the EPL Main Event and, with his latest win, Andy Bloch has now qualified for the Main Event for the second time out of three competitions.
After Day 1a and 1b of the tournament were completed, 28 players from the original 187 strong starting field returned on Day 2 and played down to a final table of nine.
All players were then guaranteed a $20,000 EPL seat, but were competing for kudos and prize-money ranging from nothing for 9th place to $24,085 for the winner.
 
Four hours later into Day 3, and Andy Bloch eventually found himself competing heads-up against Ryan Schmidt. The Alaskan poker pro has won $300,000 since cashing-in at his first tournament two and a half years, but faced a stern test competing against  Bloch heads-up.
Throughout their hour long battle, Bloch managed to exploit flaws in his opponent’s game, while also often hitting his river cards to catch Ryan bluffing. Nevertheless, both players will meet again as the EPL Series Three Main Event gets underway at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, today.
The final payouts were as follows:
1st: Andy Bloch ($20k seat + $24,085)
2nd: Ryan Schmidt ($20k seat +$12,040)
3rd: Marina Baroco ($20k seat + $7,150)
4th: Chris DeMaci ($20k seat + $4,890)
5th: Chris Woodbury ($20k seat + $3,390)
6th: Tony Gargano ($20k seat + $2,630)
7th: Ben Palmer ($20k seat + $1,880)
8th: Joe Parille ($20k seat + $1,130)
9th: Dwyte Pilgrim ($20k seat)
The Epic Poker League (EPL) first began this year, and so far the list of winners include David Rheem, who won Series One for $1 million, and Mike McDonald, who took down Series Two for $782,410.