'It paid off' – Art Peacock folds a winner but still claims $766K WPT title 

Art Peacock notched his first World Poker Tour (WPT) title with a victory in the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open Showdown Championship. Peacock maneuvered his way through the massive field of 1,755 entrants to claim the $776,000 first-place prize and a seat in the season-ending WPT World Championship in Las Vegas – in addition to having his name etched on the Mike Sexton Champions Cup. 

“There are so many great people at the Seminole Hard Rock — they run really great events,” Peacock said following his win. "They do such a great job. I am happy for me, and I am happy for them."

Peacock defeated Mihai Niste during the heads-up portion of play to secure the title. 

Peacock misses early chance to win

After three hours of heads-up play, Peacock was gifted a chance to win it all – all he had to do was click the call button, but he opted for a fold instead. 

The hand in question – check out the video below – saw Niste limp in from the button with and Peacock checked his option with . On the , both players connected with a pair and Niste fired a small bet which Peacock called. 

The turn provided Niste with top and bottom pair while Peacock added more straight outs to his arsenal. Niste bet again and Peacock wasted no time in calling to bring in the river. With the bottom end of the straight, Peacock opted to check to his opponent once again and Niste moved all-in with his two pair. 

While it seemed as though the tournament would end right there – Peacock had Niste well-covered in chips – but Peacock didn't like the spot and he sent his cards into the muck, much to the shock of commentary duo Jeff Platt and Brent Hanks. 

In the replies to the WPT social media post, Peacock explained his fold: "I ended up winning. And yes, I folded what was the bottom end of the straight. He could’ve possibly flopped the nuts with 9-7; not likely and yes, I could have ended it earlier," he wrote. 

"I had the mindset of 'waiting for a better spot' this entire event. And it paid off for me. I played with him for the final two days and felt he would’ve checked back the river without the nuts. Not the first time I’ve been wrong and definitely not the last."

As Peacock pointed out, the result of the hand didn't affect the result of the tournament – he may have folded the winner, but he still won the event. 

“Congratulations to Art Peacock for his impressive victory and for etching his name to the prestigious Mike Sexton WPT Champions Cup,” said WPT CEO Adam Pliska. “We are very grateful for our incredible partners at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood for hosting a thrilling festival and to the talented production staff at HyperX Arena.”

WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open Showdown Championship - final table results

^{Featured image courtesy of World Poker Tour.}