David Coleman has enjoyed a hot start to 2024, and last night's trophy in the US Poker Open marked his fifth win – and fourth PGT title – of the year. He earned his $202,300 payday after a heads-up duel with Shannon Shorr in the PokerGO studios in Las Vegas.
By day two of Event 4 on the eight-tournament USPO schedule, the original 83 entries had been whittled down to just seven, with Phil Hellmuth and Jonathan Little at the final table.
Aram Zobian was also in the mix, looking to improve on his runner-up finish to Jesse Lonis in Event 2, and he and Coleman wrecked John Riordan’s hopes of a second USPO title. Little, well-known coach and author, fell in sixth spot for a $41,500 payday, taking to Twitter with the question: “Maybe I’m supposed to check/fold the river?”
Hellmuth busts with pocket sevens
Next to go was Hellmuth, who also shared his thoughts on social media, stating: “I did not play my best at today’s final table. I didn’t give it away, but I went for way too many 'weird lines'. All-in-all, I was way too passive! On the other hand, I didn’t hit too many cards…”
Hellmuth found himself all-in and at risk against Shorr:
Hellmuth: 
Shorr: 
Flop: 
Turn: 
River: 
With Weisman falling in fourth, and Zobian unable to do better than third, when he fell to Shorr’s runner-runner flush, it was heads-up and time to talk money. Shorr, with almost a 3:1 chip lead, took the lion’s share of half of the difference between first and second. It was $30,100 to Shorr and $11,400 to Coleman, with the other half up for grabs.
A to-and-fro battle ensued, but eventually Coleman found a way through, helped by flopping a flush. Shorr had top and bottom and couldn't find a way out.
US Poker Open Event #4: Final Table Payouts
| Place | Player | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | David Coleman | $202,300 |
| 2nd | Shannon Shorr | $179,500 |
| 3rd | Aram Zobian | $107,900 |
| 4th | Dylan Weisman | $78,850 |
| 5th | Phil Hellmuth | $58,100 |
| 6th | Jonathan Little | $41,500 |
| 7th | John Riordan | $33,200 |
The win vaults Coleman into second place on the USPO leaderboard, where the Golden Eagle overall trophy and a $25,000 bonus awaits the winner. Now at the halfway stage, Jesse Lonis still holds the lead, while Dan Smith, who took down Event 3, currently sits in fifth, with Event 1 winner, Erik Seidel, in seventh.
2024 US Poker Open leaderboard (after four events)
| Place | Player | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Jesse Lonis | 332 |
| 2nd | David Coleman | 291 |
| 3rd | Rodger Johnson | 278 |
| 4th | Aram Zobian | 271 |
| 5th | Dan Smith | 235 |
| 6th | Shannon Shorr | 179 |
| 7th | Erik Seidel | 145 |
| 8th | Kristina Holst | 139 |
| 9th | David Stamm | 109 |
