Action has reached a thrilling conclusion at the prestigious $25,000 Super High Roller event during the PokerStars North American Poker Tour (NAPT) held at Resorts World Las Vegas. In a display of strategic brilliance and sheer tenacity, Stephen Song emerged as the champion, adding a remarkable $439,400 to his growing poker resume. This victory not only highlights Song’s exceptional skills but also signifies a stunning year for him at PokerStars events.
A Year to Remember for Stephen Song
Song’s triumph in Las Vegas is the latest highlight in what has been an extraordinary year for the rising poker star. Just a few months prior, he claimed victory in the 2024 EPT Barcelona €5,300 Main Event, pocketing an impressive €1,290,386. Adding to his accolades, Song also secured a cash prize in the 2024 EPT Cyprus $5,300 Main Event, demonstrating his consistent performance at high-stakes events.
This recent win solidifies Song’s reputation as a formidable competitor and marks him as a player to watch in the poker community. The star-studded tournament attracted 60 entries and boasted a generous $1,440,600 prize pool, with only eight fortunate players walking away with cash prizes.
The Final Table Showdown
Entering the final table as the clear chip leader, Song displayed skill and confidence throughout the event. He faced tough competition, particularly from Sean Winter, who he would eventually meet in a gripping heads-up battle. Winter, who ultimately finished as the runner-up, earned a respectable $288,100 for his efforts.
Results from the Final Table
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stephen Song | United States | $439,400 |
| 2 | Sean Winter | United States | $288,100 |
| 3 | Edward Sebesta | United States | $208,900 |
| 4 | James Collopy | United States | $158,500 |
| 5 | Elias Gutierrez | Spain | $122,500 |
| 6 | Thomas Eychenne | France | $93,600 |
| 7 | Brock Wilson | United States | $72,000 |
| 8 | Paul Jager | United States | $57,600 |
Winner’s Reflection
In a post-victory interview with PokerNews, Song expressed his satisfaction at winning such a significant tournament among so many skilled players: “I mean it feels really good to win a tournament; tough field too, had to battle some of the best players in the country or even the world, so yeah it felt really good.”
When discussing pivotal moments from the tournament, Song reflected on the tense heads-up match against Winter. He highlighted a crucial moment: “It really all came down to that king-eight ballsy call I made… just grateful that it worked out perfectly.”
Day 3 Action
As Day 3 unfolded, Song’s dominance was apparent as he held a massive chip lead over his final three opponents, controlling more than half the chips in play. His strong performance began with a fortuitous hand featuring pocket aces, which set the tone for the day. Ultimately, he knocked out notable competitors, including Paul Jager and Thomas Eychenne, before progressing to heads-up play.
The first casualty of Day 3 was James Collopy, who fell victim to Song early in the session, unable to recover from a bad beat. With Winter struggling at one point as the short stack, he managed a remarkable comeback with successive double-ups, showcasing his resilience in the face of adversity.
The Nail-Biting Heads-Up Play
As heads-up play commenced, Song began with a two-to-one chip lead over Winter, but the dynamics shifted rapidly. Winter mounted a comeback, applying pressure and winning small to medium pots, even taking the lead at one point through strategic play. The back-and-forth exchanges were thrilling, with both players demonstrating exceptional skill.
The deciding moment came when Song made a bold hero call on the river, allowing him to regain control over the match. The tension peaked as Winter fought back valiantly, executing a massive double-up to remain in contention.
Ultimately, in the final confrontation, Song’s ace-nine held against Winter’s queen-five, sealing the victory and earning him the prestigious trophy.
What’s Next for Stephen Song?
With the victory fresh in his mind, Song spoke about his immediate plans, revealing that he will likely jump into the next main event, but then take a break before the upcoming Florida WPT. With his family in Florida, Song looks forward to celebrating the holidays after this significant win.
As the NAPT festival continues at Resorts World Las Vegas, keep an eye on PokerNews for updates and live coverage of the remaining events. Stephen Song’s remarkable journey is just beginning, and if his recent successes are any indication, poker fans have much to look forward to in the future.
