Connor Steinbrook was once an online crusher, 16-tabling cash games for a full-time living. But then, Black Friday hit and his dream was crushed along with thousands of other players across the country.
Life had other plans for Steinbrook, as the 40-year-old from Texas built a successful career in real estate and other entrepreneurial endeavors.
However, Steinbrook’s love for poker eventually brought him back to the game as he has been traveling the tournament circuit for the past year.
It has been a lucrative comeback campaign for Steinbrook, who secured his first WSOPC ring in Tunica back in April. However, this result pales in comparison to what he accomplished Sunday night.
'I feel gratitude'
Event #2: $400 Mini Main Event is one of the staples on the WSOPC Cherokee schedule, and it did not disappoint. A total of 3,949 entries were tallied across five starting flights to generate a prize pool of $1,303,170.
A total of 199 players advanced to Sunday’s Day 2, all of whom were already guaranteed $1,320 for their efforts. However, everyone had their sights set on the first-place prize of $148,013.
It would take ten hours of play for 199 to become just ten as they combined on a single final table. At that point, Steinbrook stood in sixth place and mostly stayed away from confrontations.
One ladder followed another, and soon enough Steinbrook found himself heads-up against Jamar Lejust with a nearly 5-1 chip disadvantage. However, Steinbrook doubled twice to take the chip lead away from Lejust.
Eventually, Steinbrook would jam the button with king-ten, and Lejust called off his final 17 big blinds with queen-eight suited. King-high was enough to secure the victory, and Steinbrook was able to celebrate his incredible victory.
“I feel gratitude,” Steinbrook explained following the biggest score of his career, “It’s been a long journey.”
Starting over
Steinbrook recounted his experience grinding poker full-time before Black Friday.
“I was one of the top cash game players before Black Friday hit. It shifted everything in the world, and then I gambled off all my money and had to move home with my parents to start over.”
“I went into business for over ten years, and I didn’t even play poker until the last year,” Steinbrook elaborated. “I’ve been traveling the circuit this year, and I am just so grateful because it’s so hard to finish these out.”
It’s not easy to come out on top against nearly 4,000 opponents, but Steinbrook credits his confidence in his game.
“I think I can win any tournament I play, but when I get down to 100 in these big fields, it starts to get real. I had a really good table with 60 left, and I felt I had a good edge and reads, so I got some chips and found breaks at the right times.”
Steinbrook was quick to give a shoutout to his inspiration following the win.
“Jesus Christ, that’s all. I wouldn’t be able to accomplish anything if it wasn’t for my faith.”
