Joey Couden Wins Hollywood Poker Open Columbus After Dramatic Comeback

Joey Couden has won the 2014 Hollywood Poker Open Columbus Regional Main Event, after not only overcoming a field of 126 players but also a 7-1 chip disadvantage against his final opponent to take down the title, and the first place prize of $60,827.
Couden now boasts $523,673 in live tournament earnings and commenting after his latest victory, said: “It’s a poison. I was born to win this tournament. I’ve been playing in the Columbus area since I was 15.”
The Main Event was held at the Hollywood Casino in Columbus, with the record sized field creating a prize pool worth $202,754. Amongst the notable pros entering the tournament was Hollywood Poker Open ambassador Chris Moneymaker, who after being eliminated early on Day 1, tweeted:
“Ran real poor on first shell of @hwpokeropen and pushed too much in several spots.”
By the end of the day just 29 hopefuls returned for Day 2 with only 13 places reserved for a money spot. David Westfall subsequently became the bubble-boy, while Nick Guagenti would finish in 13th place for $4,055.
Couden (10-10) then proceeded to eliminate Stephen Birtcher (J-10) in 9th ($5,576), before being dealt A-K and doing likewise to Danny Clements (Q-Q) in 8th for $7,096. Continuing his assault at the final table Couden (5-5) dispatched Scott Dehm (Q-7) to the rail in 6th ($11,151), Todd Funderburg in 4th ($17,944), and Chris Collins in 3rd ($24,330), to force heads-up play against his final opponent John Michalak.
As heads-up got underway, Couden held a slight chip advantage over Michalak, but in time Couden would find himself at a 7-1 chip disadvantage before doubling up holding A-10 to Michalak’s A-6. From then on Couden never looked back and eventually the situation was reversed with Michalak all-in preflop holding A-4 to his opponent’s A-J. The dealer subsequently put out a Q-6-3-2-7 board to consign John Michalak to a runner-up finish worth $36,496, while Joey Couden walked away with the title.
Final Table Results:
1 Joey Couden      $60,827
2 John Michalak      $36,496
3 Chris Collins      $24,330
4 Todd Funderburg $17,944
5 Jimmie Adams      $13,483
6 Scott Dehm      $11,151
7 Patrick Grace    $9,124
8 Danny Clements   $7,096
9 Stephen Birtcher $5,576