It was an emotional win for Justin Lapka, an online poker crusher and streamer. He's had tons of success online, but what about live?

Lapka shares his thoughts and emotions after his biggest live win 👇🏻

WSOP Circuit Choctaw Main Event champion Justin Lapka

Justin Lapka wasn’t even supposed to be at WSOP-C Choctaw this week. Like many poker players after seven long weeks at poker’s summer camp in Las Vegas, he had planned to just chill out and recharge.

“I wasn’t even planning on coming to Choctaw. A week ago, I was just planning to take time away from poker after the (World Series of Poker) long grind and then just come to Minnesota.”

Lapka was supposed to have checked into a cabin in his home state this morning, but after deciding to come to Choctaw and then making Day 3 of the WSOP Circuit Main Event, those plans certainly changed.

He entered the final day fifth among the final 12 players but then put on an outstanding performance, quickly building up to the second-largest stack as the final table began, behind only start-of-day chip leader Kalyan Chivukula.

Lapka then chopped down and eventually eliminated Chivukula amidst a dominant final table run capped by a short heads-up match with runner-up Gregg Merkow.

Gregg Merkow and Justin Lapka heads-up

Lapka claims third WSOP Circuit ring, to go along with entry into the 2025 WSOP Tournament of Champions and the $252,282 first prize, the largest of his career.

The win is especially satisfying for Lapka, whose success has primarily come in the online streets, with both Circuit rings and a pair of WSOP bracelets all coming in those fields.

A message to anyone silly enough to think Justin Lapka can only win online?

“Live’s been really frustrating for me. In my ten-year career, my biggest score was like the Main Event for $70k or something, and there have been times that I just wanted to give up playing live. There’s always been the bigger buy-ins and then I lose, lose, lose, come home play online, and build it back up with smaller buy-ins, so coming here and winning this Main Event just kind of means the world.”

Lapka’s first live victory included a memorable photo shoot, where along with the traditional winner’s photos and interviews, the nearly seven-foot champion was invited to pose stretched out across the Choctaw feature table with his new ring.

Justin Lapka

A little more fun than winning a tournament online?

“Oh yeah, by far. When I win something online, nobody knows that anything happened and I just go eat food alone at some bar. (laughs)”

Getting the live tournament monkey off his back also prompted Lapka to impart some words of encouragement to fellow tourney grinders who may be getting frustrated with their experiences.

“Honestly, I think the lesson here for myself or other people is just don’t give up. Keep putting the volume in, keep traveling, enjoy your experience when you’re traveling. That might be the most important thing, because the wins are just going to be so few and far between.”

Event #18: $1,700 Main Event final table results

• 1^st place: Justin Lapka - $252,282
• 2^nd place: Gregg Merkow - $168,169
• 3^rd place: Zak Baron - $118,278
• 4^th place: Mack Khan - $84,475
• 5^th place: Kalyan Chivukula - $61,281
• 6^th place: Nicolas Splawn - $45,165
• 7^th place: Derek Normand - $33,828
• 8^th place: Tim Faro - $25,754
• 9^th place: Kaleb Harwell - $19,936

Justin Lapka

As for how he’s going to celebrate the victory?  Party at Lapka’s cabin!!!

“It’s a really nice cabin! It fits my whole family. I was just inviting people, if I haven’t seen you in a year or two years or longer, just come. I want to just spend a good time with you guys, and this will make this cabin experience even richer.”

Our photographer, Katerina Lukina, is having some fun with WSOPC Choctaw Main Event winner Justin Lapka!

We can't tell if he's enjoying this or not 😂

Justin Lapka wins his 3rd WSOPC ring

Level 32: 150,000 / 300,000  (250,000)

After Justin Lapka limped his small blind, Gregg Merkow moved all in for about 7,000,000. Lapka double-checked his cards and called.

• Gregg Merkow:
• Justin Lapka:

"I guess I need spades, or a three," commented Merkow as the dealer prepared to spread the board.

The flop came , bringing Merkow one spade, but the turn left him needing just a three instead.

The river sealed the hand and the title for Lapka, and Merkow settled for 2nd place.

• Justin Lapka - 40,680,000
• Gregg Merkow - eliminated in 2nd place ($168,169)

Gregg Merkow is the runner-up

Justin Lapka has won the WSOP Circuit Choctaw Main Event for a career-best $252,258 and his third WSOP Circuit ring.

Lapka entered the day in the middle of the field, but put on a dominant final table performance to both build a massive stack, and then use it to finish off his final few opponents.

Stay tuned for a full recap of Lapka's victory along with an interview with the champion.