In a new World Series of Poker format, devised owing to the coronavirus, Joe Herbert won the US (or domestic) version of the final table, winning $1,553,256.
The 888 Poker player from LA, outlasted the field and will now prepare to go heads up with international final table winner, Damian Salas of Argentina, for the right to be named world champion.
Herbert, who satellited in for $300, told the WSOP after his win: “It still hasn’t hit me yet; this is a life-changing experience. It feels like a dream. I felt like I was dreaming the whole time I was playing. I know my mom was here with me, and this was for her.”
The 38-year-old unexpectedly lost his mother back in September, so his victory has mixed emotions.
Herbert had begun the final table, played at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, as chip leader, and maintained the lead throughout, before finally beating Ron Jenkins heads-up. The final hand saw Herbert’s A-Q best the pocket queens of Jenkins when an ace fell on the flop.
Here is the final results and payouts:
| 1st place – Joseph Hebert – Metairie, LA | $1,553,256 |
| 2nd place – Ron Jenkins – South El Monte, CA | $1,002,340 |
| 3rd place – Michael Cannon - Harrisburg, PA | $529,258 |
| 4th place – Ryan Hagerty – Somerset, NJ | $387,130 |
| 5th place – Ye ‘Tony’ Yuan - Madison, WI | $286,963 |
| 6th place – Harrison Dobin -West Long Branch, NJ | $215,222 |
| 7th place – Shawn Stroke – Lawrence, NY | $163,786 |
| 8th place – Gershon Distenfeld – Bergenfield, NJ | $125,885 |
| 9th place – Upeshka De Silva – Houston, TX | $98,813 |
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