Neil Patel Wins 2017 WSOPC Tunica for $192,152

It has been a good week for amateur poker players, especially those of Indian origin, and following Australia’s Shurane Vijayaram taking down the Aussie Millions $10k NLH Main Event for US$1,208,368, the USA’s Neil Patel has done likewise at the WSOPC Tunica $1,675 Main Event for a $192,152 payday.
Patel works as an IT Engineer for Nestle Purina, and considers poker as one of his many hobbies, along with other interests which include Karate and music. In fact, Patel previously had just $15,708 in poker winnings to his name, but following his recent victory at the Horseshoe Casino & Hotel in Tunica, stated:
“I love the game. So, I’d like to keep playing and hopefully I can make it somewhere. It feels amazing… I turn 36 tomorrow. This is my birthday right here.”
The WSOPC Tunica Main Event attracted 610 players to create a prize pool worth $915,000, and amongst the notable pros cashing it at one of its 63 money spots was BJ McBrayer in 59th ($2,992), Kyle Cartwright in 54th ($3,248), Chris Conrad in 38th ($3,569), Kane Lai in 36th ($3,971) and Josh Lowing in 17th ($9,653).
The final table also featured a number of talented pros, including 6-times WSOPC ring winner Robert Hankins (6th), 3-times ring winner Martin Ryan (5th), and 4-times ring winner Scott Stewart, who subsequently bowed out in 3rd leaving Neil Patel and Cory Smith to battle it out for the title.
At the end of Day 3, Patel then entered the heads-up phase holding a 2-1 chip lead, with the deciding hand eventually played after Patel (K-K) and Smith (A-K) pushed all-in preflop. With no ace coming to his rescue, Cory Smith had to thn settle for a runner-up finish worth $118,149, while Patel was crowned the champion. Commenting on his approach to the final table, Patel said:
“I was prepared because I knew there were some World Series ring winners at the table. It was fun to play with them and I think that was a good experience for me.”
Final Table Results:
1: Neil Patel $192,152
2: Cory Smith $118,149
3: Scott Stewart $86,907
4: Aaron Plaisted $64,489
5: Martin Ryan $48,522
6: Robert Hankins $37,012
7: Charlie Nguyen $28,621
8: Lytle Allen $22,436
9: Chris Davis $17,824