Dylan Wilkerson Wins WPT Emperors Palace Poker Classic For $147k
November 17, 2014 6:14 pmUS pro Dylan Wilkerson has won the WPT Emperors Palace Poker Classic in South Africa, after besting a field of 166 players on his way to capturing the title, and collecting the $147,509 first place prize.
The victory also represent Wilkerson’s third biggest score, the other two both coming this year including finishing runner-up at the $7.5k WPT Bay 101 Shooting Stars for $728,650, and also another 2nd place finish at the $5k WPT Fallsview Poker Classic for $228,364. Following his impressive win, Wilkerson now takes his live tournament earnings to $1,622,636, of which $1,132,208 has been won in 2014 alone.
The $3,500 Championship Event was held at the Emperors Palace Hotel Casino in Johannesburg, and attracted a small but talented field of players which included such notable pros as Melanie Weisner, Chris Moorman, Jesse Sylvia, Tony Dunst, Lacey Jones and Raymond Rahme.
By the time the final table of six had been set, Wilkerson, Richard Barnard, and Chris Convery were the chip leaders, while Aaron Overton, Diane Crous and Darryn Lipman were on shorter stacks but still very much in contention for the prestigious WPT title.
Following Darryn Lipman’s exit in 6th ($22,602), and Aaron Overton in 5th ($29,740), Dylan Wilkerson (Q-9) eliminated a short stacked Chris Convery (10-8) in 4th for $38,543, before being dealt pocket nines and doing likewise to Diane Crous (A-K) in 3rd for $54,721.
As the heads-up battle subsequently got underway, Dylan Wilkerson and Richard Barnard had fairly even stacks, but Wilkerson was then able to surge ahead before Barnard decided to make a stand by moving all-in preflop with K-Q. Unfortunately for him, Wilkerson was holding A-Q and after the dealer rolled out an 10-6-6-Q-5 board, Richard Barnard had to settle for a runner-up finish worth $85,651, while Dylan Wilkerson was crowned the WPT Emperor’s Palace Poker Classic champion.
Final Table Results:
1. Dylan Wilkerson $147,509
2. Richard Barnard $85,651
3. Diane Crous $54,721
4. Chris Convery $38,543
5. Aaron Overton $29,740
6. Darryn Lipman $22,602