With seven of eight occasions of the united statesPoker Open within the books, Matthew Wantman sat on prime of the sequence’ leaderboard by profitable profitable Occasion #4, runner-up in Occasion #6, and a sixth-place end in Occasion #5. Going into the second day of the ultimate occasion, Wantman solely needed to fade two gamers with a purpose to win the large eagle trophy and the $50,000 buy-in bonus that comes with the title of sequence champion.
Sadly for the Massachusetts native, these two gamers have been Shannon Shorr and Nacho Barbero.
If both of these males received the final occasion, the bonus would slip away, and that’s precisely what occurred as Landon Tice bowed-out in third, leaving Shorr and Barbero heads-up to struggle for duel titles.
Shorr, who’s surging like a tidal wave in 2025, scored his third win in a row because the finish of March within the finale occasion of the 2025 USPO, including one other $529,250 to his pile of event winnings that simply moved into the $8 million neighborhood by beating Barbero heads-up. He received almost 1/tenth of his lifetime event earnings in simply concerning the final three weeks.
The present run began on the World Sequence of Poker Circuit Primary Occasion in Las Vegas, which he received for $207,615. It was his first Circuit ring. He then took down the fifth occasion of the USPO for $220,400, earlier than wrapping up the sequence championship within the finale.
“To win a event, I all the time say you must run good, which I did, however I’m feeling fairly dialed in. I’ve been working actually laborious on my psychological sport,” Shorr stated within the post-match interview with Jeff Platt.
Eyeballing the large eagle trophy he that got here with the title of sequence champion, he stated: “That is superior. I can’t wait to point out it to my youngsters.”
Shorr gave being a father and having to offer for them as causes of motivation after he received the WSOPC ring. He additionally stated he just about eliminated alcohol from his life after waking up hungover final New 12 months’s Eve, and has been coaching his thoughts and physique for the vigors that come enjoying high-stakes tournaments as severely as potential.
The work, as they are saying, is paying off for the 39 year-old from Alabama, who now makes Las Vegas his house.
The PokerGO Tour heads to the Champions Membership Texas in Houston for the PGT Texas Poker Open April 23-28. A lot of the occasions have $2 million ensures, so count on a few of the greatest fields in PGT historical past. Click on right here for the schedule.
