Mike Del Vecchio was in tears last night after winning his first World Poker Tour title in the Rolling Thunder Main Event. He said: “I’m just so overcome, ten years of blood, sweat, and tears. I always dreamed of something like this.”
Next WPT events: Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown starting March 31, followed by the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Finale from April 2. We are the tour’s Official Travel Partner so do check for hotel deals here.
Del Vecchio, who hails from New York but now lives in Las Vegas, beat a talented final table – and 421 entries overall - to win his first major trophy and the top prize of $284,638. His prize includes his $15,000 entry into the season-ending WPT Tournament of Champions. It’s by far Del Veccho’s biggest cash and doubled his live tournament winnings to date. Sorel Mizzi was the runner-up, earning $190,105; Olivier Busquet, who was chasing a second WPT title, finished fifth.
There were 421 entries creating a prize pool of $1,347,200 with 53 players paid.
1st: Mike Del Vecchio – $284,638
2nd: Sorel Mizzi – $190,105
3rd: Steve Tabb – $122,296
4th: John Hadley – $81,930
5th: Olivier Busquet – $63,013
6th: Connor Drinan – $52,222
Congrats also to WPT California Swing champion Rainer Kempe. The UK-based German pro claimed the prize package with 212 points thanks to an 18th-place finish at the L.A. Poker Classic, and sixth-place at WPT Bay 101.
With WPT Rolling Thunder now in the history books, the World Poker Tour heads to the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida for a week of events to close out Season XV.
The Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown starting March 31, followed by the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Finale from April 2. We are the tour’s Official Travel Partner so do check for hotel deals here.
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