BUSINESS WIRE – In the wee hours of this morning, at approximately 4 a.m., poker pro Phil Hellmuth added another award to his expansive trophy shelf. The world-renowned player beat 254 entrants to win the Main Event of the Pittsburgh Poker Open at Rivers Casino.
This was Hellmuth’s first tournament win since 2012. He is arguably the most widely recognized face in poker and known around the world as the “Poker Brat.” With 13 World Series of Poker (WSOP) wins, Hellmuth holds the record for most WSOP bracelets.
The prize pool for the 19-day series of games totaled more than $247,350. For his victory, Hellmuth collected more than $54,000, plus a crystal trophy presented by Rivers Casino.
In the final table, Hellmuth defeated the 2012 World Series of Poker bracelet winner, David Baker. As the runner-up, Baker’s consolation prize was $40,000.
Portions of the Pittsburgh Poker Open Main Event were filmed for future episodes of “Poker Night in America.” Prior to the Main Event, Hellmuth and others pros—including Jennifer Tilly, Greg Mueller and more—played in a high-stakes cash game that will be featured on “Poker Night in America.” Season two of the nationally televised cable and web series will begin on Jan. 1, 2015, with the Pittsburgh episodes anticipated to air at the end of March.
To learn more about the Poker Room at Rivers Casino, visit riverscasino.com. For more information about “Poker Night in America,” go to pokernight.com.
ABOUT RIVERS CASINO
Opened in 2009, Rivers Casino has been voted a 2014 “Best Place to Work” in the Pittsburgh Business Times, “Best Overall Gaming Resort” in Pennsylvania by Casino Player magazine and “Best Overall Casino” in Pennsylvania by Strictly Slots magazine. The casino features more than 2,900 slots, 83 table games, a 30-table poker room, nine distinctive restaurants and bars, a riverside amphitheater, a multi-purpose event space, live music performances, free parking and multiple promotions and giveaways daily. Already, more than $406 million in jackpots have been awarded to players at Rivers Casino. For more information, visit riverscasino.com.
Contacts
For Rivers CasinoEmily Watts, 268-932-8760 x 308emily@hornercom.com