Joey Weissman Mounts Comeback for the Ages to Win USPO Event #5: $10K NLHE ($204,000)

Joey Weissman mounted a comeback for the ages as he had a short-stack most of the final table including facing an initial 6:1 chip deficit against Adam Hendrix heads-up to win the U.S. Poker Open Event #5: $10,000 No Limit Hold'em for $204,000 at the PokerGO Studio at the ARIA Resort & Casino.

Weissman entered the final table in the middle of the pack but often found himself short on chips and needed no less than five double-ups to stay alive throughout the day.

Hendrix appeared destined to win the event after holding a commanding chip lead throughout most of the final table including eliminating four of his six opponents at the official final table but things fell apart heads-up to finish runner-up for $144,500.

Joe McKeehen was also on the podium in third place for $102,000, which was more than good enough to catapult him to the top of the U.S. Poker Open Championship Standings ahead Jake Daniels, who was the leaderboard captain from the time he won the USPO Event #1: $10,000 No Limit Hold'em for $218,500.

The event itself was the second-biggest of the festival after attracting 85 entries to create an $850,000 prize pool. The final table was broadcasted to poker fans around the world at the subscription-based PokerGO.

USPO Event #5 Final Table Results

USPO Event #5 Final Table Action

Poker Central and PokerGO founder Cary Katz entered the final table as the table captain with 2015 WSOP Bracelet winner Joe McKeehen, Adam Hendrix, and Joey Weissman closest on his tail. Frank Funaro, Brock Wilson, and the only player not from the United States in Spain's Vicent Bosca all began with short stacks.

The three short-stacked players were unable to get anything going and were the first three players eliminated at the final table. Hendrix's stack grew to more than double his three opponents combined during four-handed play, while Katz was trending down to one of the shortest stacks. Weissman then shoved six-five to double through Katz, who called with ace-four. A five hit the board to double up Weissman and leave Katz with crumbs, which Hendrix gobbled up shortly after.

Hendrix also eliminated McKeehen in third place for $102,000 when the latter's queen-trey suited was unable to improve against Hendrix's king-nine suited. Hendrix, who was dominating throughout the final table, began heads-up action with a nearly 6:1 chip advantage against Weissman and extended it to a more than 9:1 chip advantage before things began to fall apart.

After several double-ups, including one with pocket aces, Weissman wrestled the chip lead away from Hendrix and began whittling away at his adversary's stack. In what would become the final hand of the night, holding a 4:1 chip advantage, Weissman shoved queen-deuce suited and Hendrix called with ace-jack suited. Weissman improved to a flush and Hendrix, despite crushing throughout the final table, had to settle for the healthy runner-up prize of $144,500.

David “ODB” Baker Leads Final 7 in the USPO Event #6: $10K 8-Game Mix

The USPO Event #6: $10,000 8-Game is one of the more unique events to follow during the 2021 U.S. Poker Open at the PokerGO Studio at the ARIA Resort & Casino as it features a rotation of eight games between no-limit hold’em, limit hold’em, pot-limit Omaha, limit Omaha hi-lo, Razz, Stud, Stud hi-lo, and limit 2-7 Triple Draw.

The event proved to be popular as the 68 entries creating a $680,000 prize pool represents the largest mixed-game event in U.S. Poker Open history.

David "ODB" Baker, who won one of his two WSOP gold bracelets in the 2012 WSOP 8-Game, finds himself in a familiar spot in a mixed-game event as he leads the final seven players with a stack of 2,170,000 in chips with four-time WSOP bracelet winner Eli Elezra closest on his tail with 1,950,000 in chips.

Also read: 'ODB' Baker, Gregorich Scoop More than $700K in NFL Contests

Steve Zolotow (1,605,000) was the only other player to advance with a seven-figure stack. This is impressively the third final table for Zolotow this festival and could find himself hopping from seventh to first on the 2021 U.S. Poker Open Championship Standings if he could manage to win the event, which boasts a huge $183,600 top prize.

Meanwhile, Sweden's Erik Sagstrom (905,000), Nick Guagenti (895,000), GGPoker Ambassador and six-time bracelet winner Daniel Negreanu (810,000), and Richard Sklar (160,000) will all look to spin up their short stacks at the final table.

USPO Event #6 Final Table Seat Draw

USPO Event #6 Final Table Payouts

All returning players are guaranteed at least a $34,000 payout with the eventual winner slated to take home the $183,600 top prize.

Where to Watch the Final Table?

The final seven players will return to the PokerGo Studios on June 9 with the action expected to begin at 3 p.m. EDT. PokerGO will live stream what promises to be some of the most exciting poker action of the year beginning at 4 p.m. EDT. Sign up by going here.

2021 U.S. Poker Open Championship Standings

Joe McKeehen catapulted from second to first on the 2021 U.S. Poker Open Championship Standings after his third-place performance in Event #5.

Jake Daniels, who was leading the leaderboard during the early part of the festival after winning the opening event, slipped down into second place.

Meanwhile, after winning Event #5, Joey Weissman hopped into third place on the leaderboard with Event #2 champion Sam Soverel, Event #4 winner John Riordan, and Steve Zolotow rounding out the top five spots.

2021 U.S. Poker Open Results

*Images courtesy of Poker Central