David Israelite Wins Inaugural MGM National Harbor Poker Main Event

MGM National Harbor first opened its doors for business in December of 2016, and within a short while became the state of Maryland’s most popular gambling destination. A year later, and the $1.4 billion luxury gaming resort hosted its inaugural Potomac Poker Open, complete with 14 tournaments, including a $2,700 Main Event with a guaranteed prize pool of $500,000.
The Main Event subsequently attracted 234 players to create a prize pool $85,000 in excess of its guarantee, and at the end of three days of action its was American music executive David Israelite who would eventually walk away with the title, and a top prize worth $175,500.
The victory now pushes Israelite’s poker earnings to $277,674, and smashes his previous biggest score and only other win of $27,935, which he collected in 2006 after taking down the $550 National Championship of Poker in California.
Having reached the final table, Israelite (A-A) proceeded to eliminate Ryan Tamanini (K-J) in 5th, before doing likewise to Darrien Williams in 4th, and Robert McLaughlin in 3rd to force heads-up play against An-Ming Hwang for the title. Nevertheless, there was to be no final battle, as the two men then agreed to bring the tournament to an early conclusion, and while Hwang is listed as having received $93,600 for his runner-up finish, MGM National Harbor tweeted that it “Won’t publicly comment on any deals.” David Israelite subsequently received the winner’s trophy, which is a nice change from usually having to hand them out at various music awards across the country.
In the meantime, the casino’s inaugural poker festival appears to have been a complete success, and as top poker pro Aaron Massey explained commenting upon the Potomac Poker Open:
“Very impressed with @MGMNH_Poker The property is amazing and the tourney is well run. Can’t wait to come back. Big props to @JohnnyGrooms and the entire staff.”
Top 10 Places
1: David Israelite $175,500
2: An Hwang $93,600
3: Robert McLaughlin $52,650
4: Darrien Williams $40,950
5: Ryan Tamnanini $35,100
6: Orod Ashegh $29,250
7: Ryan Freeman $23,400
8: Benjamin Foster $17,500
9: Adam White $11,700
10: David Berman $8,190