Art Papazyan Wins 2nd WPT Title in 5 Weeks

While most players would be delighted to win just one World Poker Tour (WPT) title, Art Papazyan has just made it two within the space of just five weeks. Prior to this year, the player had just five tournament cashes worth $17,622 to his name, but following his two latest WPT triumphs, Papazyan now pushes his career earnings to an impressive $1,111,434.
The first of Papazyan’s victories took place in August, after he entered the $4,000 WPT Legends of Poker at the Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles, eventually overcoming a 763 player field, including Phil Hellmuth Jr heads-up, to claim the title, and a top prize of $668,692.
This week, Papazyan then took part in the $3,500 WPT Maryland Live Main Event, this time overcoming a 561 player field to capture a second WPT title, as well as a further $389,405 in prize money. Commenting after his latest win, an elated Papazyan stated:
“I feel like this is not even real. Who would have thought I play my first WPT and I win against Phil Hellmuth. Then I play my second WPT, I come to Maryland across the country, and I win again? I would never have thought in my wildest dreams that this would ever happen. I’m so happy it did.”
The WPT Maryland Live Main Event featured a $2 million guaranteed prize pool, although entries actually came in at $150,000 below that amount. Amongst the recognizable pros then seeing a return on their buy-ins was Roland Israelashvili in 60th ($6,800), Dan Heimiller in 37th ($10,200), Andrew Brokos in 32nd ($12,000), Alan Engel in 27th ($13,900), Christian Harder in 24th ($16,000), and Matt Glantz in 11th ($28,400).
Papazyan subsequently entered the final table third in chips, but at one stage his stack fell to just 15bb before he managed a much-needed double-up holding K-8 against the A-Q of Grigoriy Shvarts. Papazyan (A-A) followed up by eliminating Randal Heeb (10-10) in 4th, and after Zachary Donovan took care of Tom Reynolds in 3rd, the final battle was set.
There was to be no quick resolution, though, and two hours would elapse before the deciding hand was played with Donovan, now reduced to just 18bbs, shoving preflop holding Q-10 into the A-4 of his opponent. With no help from the board, Donovan then had to be content with a runner-up finish worth $262,930 for his hard-fought efforts, while Art Papazyan picked up his second career WPT title.
Final Table Results:
1: Art Papazyan $389,405
2: Zachary Donovan $262,930
3: Tom Reynolds $168,990
4: Randal Heeb $120,165
5: Grigoriy Shvarts $92,015
6: Timothy Chang $76,620