Aussie Star Addamo Crowned 2021 Poker Masters Winner
Aussie poker hero Michael Addamo is the 2021 Poker Masters champion. The Melbourne man won back-to-back events in Las Vegas for US$1.84 million ($2,538 million), and it proved enough to finish first on the 2021 Poker Masters leaderboard.
The 2021 Poker Masters featured 12 high-stakes events, but Addamo only competed in two of them. He was one of 34 entrants in Event #11: $50,000 No-Limit Hold’em. He sat down on the final day with more chips than his four remaining opponents. Amazingly, Addamo busted all four foes on his way to collecting US$680,000 ($938,306).
Addamo busted the 2021 Poker Masters founder Cary Katz in fifth before eliminating the dangerous Alex Foxen in fourth. David Coleman lost a coinflip with queen-jack versus the Aussie online poker star’s pocket fours. Jason Koon was Addamo’s next victim, losing with king-nine versus the Aussie’s king-jack.
2021 Poker Masters Event #11 Final Day’s Results
| Place | Player | Country | Points | Prize (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Addamo | Australia | 408 | $680,000 |
| 2 | Jason Koon | United States | 265 | $442,000 |
| 3 | David Coleman | United States | 163 | $272,000 |
| 4 | Alex Foxen | United States | 112 | $187,000 |
| 5 | Cary Katz | United States | 71 | $119,000 |
The best was yet to come for the Australian poker star. Addamo was one of 29 players who exchanged US$100,000 for the chance to become the final 2021 Poker Masters champion. Addamo knew a victory would result in him winning the series’ leaderboard, and the coveted purple jacket.
Mikita Badziakouski knew only a victory would win him the overall 2021 Poker Masters leaderboard. Addamo also knew this and busted him in fifth place. Stanley Tang crashed out in fourth, again, at the hands of Addamo, before Nick Petrangelo busted Alex Foxen in third.
Addamo held a 4,615,000 to 1,190,000 chip lead over Petrangelo going into heads-up. He already secured the coveted purple jacket and US$50,000 in prize money for reaching heads-up. However, he wanted more.
The final hand happened during the 15,000/30,000/30,000a level. Petrangelo raised to 70,000 with Kc-8d, and Addamo called with 7h-3c. Addamo checked on the 7c-2c-2d flop, Petrangelo bet 50,000 only to be check-raised to 165,000. Petrangelo called, and the Th rolled off on the turn. Addamo check-called 250,000 bet. The 5c river saw Addamo check-call Petrangelo’s 545,000 all-in bet, and the victory was his.
Addamo Secures His Largest Live Poker Score
| Place | Player | Country | Points | Prize (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Addamo | Australia | 400 | $1,160,000 |
| 2 | Nick Petrangelo | United States | 226 | $754,000 |
| 3 | Alex Foxen | United States | 139 | $464,000 |
| 4 | Stanley Tang | United States | 96 | $319,000 |
| 5 | Mikita Badziakouski | Belarus | 61 | $203,000 |
Addamo spoke to the 2021 Poker Masters team shortly after his impressive win.
“It’s been an incredible run of winning a lot of all-in – it’s just insane. I tend not to sleep too well during these things, so I always look forward to sleep after these. I guess mainly relief but I’m sure the excitement will come soon.”
PokerGo asked Addamo where this hot run ranks among others he experienced.
“This is definitely up there. I don’t think I’ve won two tournaments in quick succession of this size before, so this is probably the biggest one, I’d say.”
The Melbourne-born grinder revealed relentless studying has improved his poker skills.
“I’ve put in so many hours studying the game, and I still feel like every time I get humbled and that there’s still so many things to learn. But it’s incredibly important and you can see who has been putting in the work and who hasn’t.”
Addamo is now third in the Australian all-time money listing with US$10,134,720 in earnings. Only Kahle Burns (US$10,730,710) and Joe Hachem (US$12,686,160) have more. Do not bet against Addamo winning even more money because there is a US$300,000 buy-in Super High Roller Bowl scheduled for September 27.
