It’s onerous to overlook Justin Lapka at poker tournaments who, at practically 7 ft tall, towers over his opponents like few others earlier than him. And but, like many on-line execs who’ve made a pair million on-line, his success at dwell occasions have rendered him practically invisible.
“Reside’s been actually irritating for me. In my ten-year profession, my largest rating was just like the Essential Occasion for $70k or one thing, and there have been occasions that I simply needed to surrender taking part in dwell,” he instructed the WSOP. “There’s at all times been the larger buy-ins after which I lose, lose, lose, come residence, play on-line, and construct it again up with smaller buy-ins, so coming right here and successful this Essential Occasion simply form of means the world.”
Lapka received the primary Essential Occasion of the World Collection of Poker’s 2024/25 season at Choctaw for $252,282. It’s his largest rating and pushes his lifetime match incomes close to the $7 million mark, in line with PokerStake.
The $1,700 Choctaw Essential Occasion attracted 1,017 entries who constructed a prize pool that simply surpassed its $1 million assure. Lapka defeated Gregg Merkow, who was additionally going for his third WSOP Circuit ring, heads-up.
The Minnesota native has received two WSOP bracelets and rings taking part in as “lappypoker.” He was clearly having time post-game, the place photographers requested him to pose lounging throughout the poker desk.
When requested if it was extra enjoyable successful in individual, he laughed.
“Oh yeah, by far. Once I win one thing on-line, no person is aware of that something occurred and I simply go eat meals alone at some bar,” he mentioned.
He additionally felt relieved that his expertise and success he’s had whereas taking part in on-line translated on a big stage like a WSOP Circuit Essential Occasion, and thinks individuals can be taught by means of his journey.
“Truthfully, I believe the lesson right here for myself or different individuals is simply don’t surrender. Maintain placing the quantity in, hold touring, take pleasure in your expertise once you’re touring. That is likely to be an important factor, as a result of the wins are simply going to be so few and much between.”
Lapka mentioned he practically didn’t play at Choctaw. He as an alternative deliberate to take a break at his household’s cabin in Minnesota to decompress after taking part in on the WSOP in Las Vegas, telling reporters “I wasn’t even planning on coming to Choctaw. Per week in the past, I used to be simply planning to take time away from poker after the lengthy grind after which simply come to Minnesota.”
He’s nonetheless going, and hopes his family and friends will be a part of him there for a celebration.
“It’s a very nice cabin. It matches my entire household. I used to be simply inviting individuals, if I haven’t seen you in a yr or two years or longer, simply come. I need to simply spend time with you guys, and it will make this cabin expertise even richer,” Lapka mentioned.
