Michael Puccio Wins 2014 HPT Ameristar East Chicago

Mike Puccio only qualified for the $1,650 Ameristar East Chicago Main Event after winning a $150 Seniors poker tournament about a week ago, but continuing his recent good form the Illinois landscape contractor has now taken down the HPT tournament, too. A total of 498 players took part in the competition to create a prize pool worth $714,120, and after three days of action, Mike Puccio emerged victorious to collect the impressive $164,249 first-place prize.
“I’ve been excited and nervous for the last two days. I haven’t been able to close my eyes. It’ll be a nice Christmas, I’ll tell you that.. She’s [wife] just in tears, I’m so happy to win – I’m going play a bunch HPTs now if she lets me.”
After the final table of nine got underway, Puccio (10-10) eliminated a short-stacked Yaroob Kaskorkis (Q-J) in 8th for $17,853, before being deal pocket jacks and doing likewise to Arris Kontos (Q-J) in 6th ($26,780).
With three players remaining, Bledar Shaholli (A-Q) dispatched Joshua Tuner (A-10) to the rail in 3rd ($66,556), to usher in the heads-up phase of the tournament against Michael Puccio for the title. As the final showdown commenced, Shaholli held a 10.6m to 3.8m chip advantage over Puccio, but the lead changed hands several times over the next three hours or so before the deciding hand was played with Shaholli (A-Q) moving all-in on a 7-4-3 flop. Puccio (7-3) made the call with two pair, and after the dealer put out a 10 and a 2 on turn and river, Bledar Shaholli had to be satisfied with a runner-up finish worth $100,405, while Michael Puccio claimed the HPT title.
“It’s going to be a good Christmas this year.. I was worried when he had me 3-1, but then I hit a rush of cards,” commented Puccio.
Final Table Results:
1 Michael Puccio – $164,249
2 Bledar Shaholli – $100,405
3 Joshua Tuner – $66,556
4 Shiva Dudani – $46,275
5 Ben Castle – $34,635
6 Arris Kontos – $26,780
7 Nick LaFata – $21,781
8 Yaroob Kaskorkis – $17,853
9 William Miner – $14,282