Mike Dentale Wins CPPT Venetian Main Event for $185k

Mike Dentale has won the CPPT Venetian Main Event, after overcoming a field of 235 players over four days on his way to claiming the title, and a first place prize of $185,061. Following a victory which now pushes his career earnings to $1,720,649, the 47-year-old pro stated:
“It means a lot, especially a tournament like this because it’s a bigger buy-in and there are a hell of a lot of really good players. But I actually play better with good players, I don’t do well against recreational players, so I like the better fields.”
The $3,500 Main Event was held at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, and featured a $740,250 prize pool, almost a quarter of a million dollars more than its original guarantee. Amongst the well known pros subsequently finishing in one of the tournament’s 24 money spots was Maria Ho in 22nd ($7,106), Shannon Shorr in 21st ($8,217), Matt Glantz in 15th ($11,104), and Paul Volpe in 9th ($17,026).
Mark Radoja then entered the final table as the chip leader, and soon added further to is stack after being dealt pocket aces and sending Paul Volpe (9-9) to the rail in 9th, followed by Jim Carroll in 8th, and Almedin Imsirovic in 4th. Continuing his assault, Radoja (J-J) subsequently knocked out Joseph Cheong (A-7) in 3rd to usher in heads-up play against Michael Dentale.
Despite being behind, Dentale quickly doubled up to take the lead, with the deciding hand eventually played after Radoja moved all-in preflop holding A-K only to walk into the pocket aces of his opponent. The dealer then laid out a K-7-5-10-7 board to consign Radoja to a runner-up finish worth 115,035, with the 2-times WSOP bracelet winner now boasting $2,716,765 in live earnings.
Meanwhile, Michael Dentale clamed the title, as well as his second biggest score ever, with his biggest coming in 2015 after taking down the $2,700 Borgata Fall Poker Open for $336,331.
Final Table Results:
1: Michael Dentale $185,061
2: Mark Radoja $115,035
3: Joseph Cheong $82,908
4: Almedin Imsirovic $61,441
5: Eric Vallee $45,896
6: Dylan Linde $34,792
7: Jack Salter $27,389
8: Jim Carroll $21,467
9: Paul Volpe $17,026