Wild Finish as Shannon Shorr Ships First 2021 Poker Masters Event for $205k

Event #1: $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em is in the books at the 2021 Poker Masters series in Las Vegas, and Shannon Shorr scooped the title Wednesday evening for $205,000, but skill wasn't a factor late.

The PokerGO Studio outside the Aria also played host on Wednesday to Day 1 (of two) in Event #2: $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em. When registration closed, there were 86 entrants in the field. At the time of publishing, 13 players remained, with John Riordan holding a slight chip lead over Jeremy Ausmus.

Erik Seidel, fresh off his ninth WSOP bracelet victory, was also among the chip leaders. Sean Perry, who is running neck and neck with Ali Imsirovic in the PokerGO Tour standings, was doing work building a nice stack late in the evening.

Dylan DeStefano busted in 14th place, right on the money bubble. That left 13 players, all of whom were guaranteed at least $17,200. The winner, scheduled to be crowned on Thursday (you can watch the final table on the PokerGO app), is set to receive $206,400. Day 1 play will conclude Wednesday evening when the final table has been achieved.

Final Table Big Stacks Crush It

Shorr, Brock Wilson, and David Peters began play on Day 2 at the final table at the top of the chip counts with seven players remaining out of the 82 original entrants. All three performed well during final session, which lasted just over five hours, but could have continued for much longer if not for the approaching conclusion of registration in Event #2.

After Dylan DeStefano busted in third place, which paid $98,400, Peters and Shorr were locked in what was setting up to be an exciting heads-up match. Peters, who has over $36 million in live tournament cashes, flipped the script and went from a slight chip disadvantage to a massive chip lead after Peters made an incredible read.

With 1 million in the pot on the river and blinds at 100k/200k, Shorr went for a bluff with 8♥️

That put Peters up nearly 3-1 in chips. Aria tournament director Paul Campbell then informed the players registration was about to close in the second event. Both players wanted to hop in Event #2, so they opted to speed things up. Peters shoved pre-flop with a♠️9♦️ and was instantly called by a♣️5♣️. Out in front with the chip lead, Peters watched an unfavorable board run out 10♣️3♣️10♥️9♣️q♥️, giving Shorr the winning flush and a double-up.

With stacks almost dead even, the high rollers agreed to go all-in in the dark on the ensuing hand, Peters turned over 6♠️2♥️ and proceeded to approach the cashier's cage before watching the flop come out. Shorr was in the lead with 10♥️8♣️, and the best hand held up as the board texture read 9♥️j♣️5♠️k♥️9♣️. Shorr was crowned champion, earning $205,000, and the runner-up took home $147,600.