Dr. Andy Philachack Wins 2016 WSOPC Choctaw for $393k

Dr. Andy Philachack has just won the 2016 World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) Choctaw main event, after overcoming a field of 1,565 players over three days to claim the tournament’s title, as well as its $393,188 first place prize. Back in 2007, Philachack also won the WSOPC New Orleans for $247,860, and following his latest victory in Oklahoma now boasts $2,302,814 in live career earnings.
The 41 year-old’s results are all the more impressive as his main occupation is as a chiropractor, with poker representing a lucrative sideline for the 41 year-old. Originally from Laos, Philachack’s banker father and family were forced to leave the tyranny of his native country, and by the time they arrived in the USA had just $20 between them. After attending school by day, Philachack subsequently earned money cleaning toilets for up to five hours every night, and as he explains:
“I learned English, went to school, got my chiropractor’s license. We [family] made it. we made the American Deam come true.”
The $1,675 WSOPC Choctaw featured a prize pool worth $2,347,500, and amongst the notable players seeing a return on their buy-ins was Ylon Schwartz in 149th ($3,099), Bryan Campanello in 114th ($3,639), Blair Hinkle in 111th ($3,639), Kevin Eyster in 105th ($3,944), Charles Moore in 53rd ($6,667), and Jonathan Hilton in 11th ($31,926).
Andy Philachack then started the final table of nine with just 14BBs, but managed to stage a comeback to eventually enter the heads-up phase of the competition holding a 2-to-1 chip lead over his remaining opponent Jeffrey Landherr. The deciding hand was subsequently played with Philachack (10-10) and Landherr (A-2) moving all-in preflop. The J-8-7-6-5 board which ensued sealed the deal, and so Jeffrey Landherr collected $243,694 for his runner-up finish, while Philachack claimed the title, as well as his second WSOPC gold ring.
“Man, it just feels great. It was a battle. All these guys are wizards,” commented Philachack.
Final Table Results:
1 Andy Philachack $393,188
2 Jeffrey Landherr $243,694
3 Andrew Spears $181,321
4 William Berry $136,812
5 Noy Ratsaphangthong $104,393
6 Justin Liberto $80,566
7 Jim Carroll $62,866
8 Melvin Lyon $49,603
9 Nathan Russler $39,579