Stephen Chidwick Dominates 2023 Poker Masters Event #8 for $400,000

Stephen Chidwick's Event #8 final table performance is not only likely to be the most dominant of the 2023 Poker Masters, but it could go down as one of the most dominant in PGT history.

Chidwick had an overwhelming chip lead to begin the six-handed streamed final table with nearly 60% of the chips in play. He went to work immediately, opening nearly every hand, and eliminated short-stacked Chino Rheem in sixth place. Darren Elias fell next, also at the hands of Chidwick. Chris Brewer exited a little while later, although it was Alex Foxen and not Chidwick taking out the short-stacked Brewer. Foxen then ran ace-king suited into Chidwick's pocket aces.

Heads-up play between Chidwick and Sam Soverel began with Chidwick holding more than an 8-to-1 lead. Soverel closed the gap, but only slightly. Ultimately, the chips got in with Chidwick holding a flush against Soverel's two pair. Chidwick held up and secured the dominant victory.

2023 Poker Masters Event #8 Results

Place	Player	Country	Prize
1st	Stephen Chidwick	United Kingdom	$400,000
2nd	Sam Soverel	United States	$262,500
3rd	Alex Foxen	United States	$175,000
4th	Chris Brewer	United States	$125,000
5th	Darren Elias	United States	$100,000
6th	Chino Rheem	United States	$75,000
7th	Isaac Haxton	United States	$62,500
8th	Jason Koon	United States	$50,000

With Chidwick's overwhelming chip lead to begin the final table, he was active early and often. Rheem three-bet shoved over a Chidwick open for five big blinds with king-jack suited and Chidwick called with ten-eight. Despite Rheem flopping a pair of kings with a flush draw, Chidwick flopped two pair and held up to eliminate Rheem in sixth place.

Elias exited shortly thereafter. He also got his stack in with king-jack and Chidwick looked him up with ace-nine suited. Neither player improved and Elias was out in fifth place.

Brewer was the next short stack to go, three-betting all in for his final four big blinds with king-queen suited. Foxen had opened and called with ace-jack suited, holding up to eliminate Brewer in fourth place.

Foxen fell next, however, running his ace-king suited into Chidwick's pocket aces. No help came for Foxen and the stage was set for heads-up play.

Chidwick had an 8-to-1 lead over Soverel and while Soverel cut into the lead slightly, Chidwick closed it out soon after, turning a flush and getting it in against Soverel's two pair, locking up the impressive victory.

2023 Poker Masters Leaderboard Top 10

Place	Player	Wins	Cashes	Winnings	Points
1st	Vladas Tamasauskas	2	3	$506,400	506
2nd	Chino Rheem	1	3	$388,400	358
3rd	Ren Lin	0	4	$342,800	325
4th	Darren Elias	1	3	$359,500	319
5th	Stephen Chidwick	1	2	$457,000	297
6th	Chris Brewer	0	4	$365,500	268
7th	Andrew Lichtenberger	1	3	$265,700	266
8th	Alex Foxen	0	4	$327,500	258
9th	Nick Schulman	1	1	$374,000	224
10th	Orpen Kisacikoglu	1	1	$218,500	219

The 2023 Poker Masters series continues through September 26. The series consists of 10 high-stakes poker tournaments, culminating in the $50,000 NL Hold'em finale. The player to accumulate the most PGT leaderboard points during the series will be crowned Poker Masters champion, winning the Purple Jacket and $50,000 championship bonus. For full schedule details, visit pgt.com/schedule.

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