The 2024 ARIA Poker Open is running in full swing inside the ARIA Resort and Casino. This Sunday poker enthusiasts saw the conclusion of the ARIA Poker Open’s $1,600 BetMGM Poker Open Championship, which crowned Thomas Fuller as its champion. ‘
Fuller banked a staggering $272,074 in top prize money along with the BetMGM trophy and the ARIA Poker Open trophy. While Fuller has won several titles in his career, this marked his first live victory of 2024. The last win boosted his tournament earnings to over $1.8 million.
2024 BetMGM Poker Open Championship Quick Recap
The $1,600 buy-in BetMGM Poker Open Championship drew 1,130 entrants, smashing the $1 million guarantee for a $1,615,900 prize pool. As the day progressed, the top 142 players secured a mini-cash of $2,456, while the top 3 finishers were confirmed to collect a six-figure payout. Here is a quick final table recap of the 2024 BetMGM Poker Open Championship.
The final table was formed on Day 2, with Thomas Fuller leading the final nine. Short-stack Christopher Mitchell was the first fall of the final table. He went all in holding queen-eight and got called by the ace-five of Yang Lu. Lu’s hand held up, sending Mitchell out in 9th place with a payday of $27,163. Stuart Phillips soon followed Mitchell to the rail in 8th place, collecting $36,632.
Starting Day 2 with a short stack, Edward Dixon did well, scoring a deep run. Dixon jammed, pairing a seven on the board, while Fuller had already spiked his queen for a top pair. Dixon headed to the rail and collected $46,215 for his remarkable run.
An hour later, Yaser Al-Keliddar with pocket fours went all in and Fuller made the call holding pocket sevens. The brick board bested the pocket sevens of Fuller and Yaser Al-Keliddar had to leave the tournament in 6th place for $55,942. Not long after that, Hieu Tran doubled up through Yang Lu, sending Lu to the danger zone. Lu soon went all-in holding pocket sevens and Fuller tank-called with king-jack. Fuller spiked a king on the flop and eliminated Lu in 5th place. Lu picked $69,193 for his 5th-place finish. Despite the double-up, Tran became the short-stack during four-handed play and went all-in with the ace queen. Fuller called, revealing his king-nine for the showdown. The board ran in favor of the eventual champion, ending Tran’s run in 4th place for $91,573.
The final three players – Fuller, Benjamin Gros, and Michael Estes agreed to an ICM deal. In which they split the remaining payout, while the winner would collect $5k along with two trophies. Estes and Gros soon got their chips into the middle. Gros made trips of kings on the board to beat the jack-ten of Estes. Estes bowed out in 3rd for a $168,269 payout.
Heads-up
Both Gros and Fuller held almost an even stack heading into the heads-up for the title. The chip lead swung back and forth between them until the final hand was dealt. In the final hand of the tournament, Fuller with ace-eight made the top two pairs against the ten-eight of Gros to win the coveted title. Gross collected $190,046 for his remarkable second-place finish.
2024 BetMGM Poker Open Championship Final Table Payouts
| Rank | Player | Payout |
| 1st | Thomas Fuller | $227,074* |
| 2nd | Benjamin Gros | $190,046* |
| 3rd | Michael Estes | $168,269* |
| 4th | Hieu Tran | $91,573 |
| 5th | Yang Lu | $69,193 |
| 6th | Yaser Al-Keliddar | $55,942 |
| 7th | Edward Dixon | $46,215 |
| 8th | Stuart Phillips | $36,632 |
| 9th | Christopher Mitchell | $27,163 |
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Image Credit: BetMGMPoker & Poker.Org
