Isaac Haxton took down Super High Roller Bowl VIII last night for a $2,760,000 score and his second career SHRB title, seeing off a spirited fightback from Andrew Lichtenberger heads-up for the win.
The eighth running of the $300,000 buy-in tournament only drew 20 players. It was a disappointing turnout, the smallest ever for the SHRB, but the star power was high, with some of the world’s very best players battling for the title.
It wasn’t to be for the likes of Alex Foxen and recent Poker Masters $50k winner Jonathan Jaffe, both exiting on day one.
Day two saw previous SHRB winner Justin Bonomo and reigning champ Daniel Negreanu exit, leaving just six players to battle it out for four paid spots and the title, led by Ike Haxton who held half of the final table chips.
Kenney falls short, Brewer bubbles
First to hit the rail was Bryn Kenney, the all-time tournament money winner’s pocket threes losing a race to Chidwick’s big slick, with the river delivering the crushing king.
That left the remaining five on the money bubble and it was a dramatic turn of events that saw Chris Brewer leave with nothing to show for his efforts.
He had aces, Lichtenberger had king-ten of spades.
All-in and at risk, Brewer saw the flop offer 'LuckyChewy' almost everything he could hope for, pairing his king and giving him a flush draw.
The turn delivered the explosive ace of spades and the river bricked to see Brewer bubble another huge tournament in cruel fashion.
With $600k now sewn up, the final four of Koon, Chidwick, Lichtenberger and Haxton could breathe a little easier, but it soon became clear that Lichtenberger was on a roll.
Having cracked Brewer’s aces, he proceeded to do the same to Koon’s kings, turning a straight to overcome Koon’s flopped top set.
Chidwick coolered
Chidwick was next to depart, a cooler of sorts delivered, once again, by Lichtenberger - both men flopping a pair of queens but Lichtenberger pairing his kicker on the turn and the short-stacked Englishman unable to escape.
That left Lichtenberger heads-up against Haxton, and his brutal run of KOs faltered as the SHRB V champ chipped away at him in small pots, eventually pulling out to a 5-1 lead with a “savage bluff”.
Incredibly, after taking a 9-1 lead, Haxton was pulled back to level once again by an indefatigable Lichtenberger, pocket aces against second pair helping out.
Then it was Haxton’s turn to land a blow, cracking kings with a flush and joking afterwards, “When you're all in for all the chips in the tournament, you should make a flush. That's a really good thing to do.”
That left Lichtenberger on fumes and Haxton despatched him just two hands later, his ten-seven hitting another seven on the flop to spell doom for Lichtenberger’s nine-three off-suit.
It was a very creditable second place and $1,680,000 for Lichtenberger, while Haxton had scooped his second Super High Roller Bowl victory and the $2,760,000 top prize.
Super High Roller Bowl VIII results
- 1st: Isaac Haxton - $2,760,000
- 2nd: Andrew Lichtenberger - $1,680,000
- 3rd: Stephen Chidwick - $960,000
- 4th: Jason Koon - $600,000
Afterwards, Haxton was asked if the secret to his success was his “lucky t-shirt”, an ever-present at his near-$13million run in 2023.
"I don't think it's for sale," quipped Haxton, adding: "This thing may have hit $10 million in earnings today. It's a very lucky t-shirt."
Images courtesy of PokerGO
