The 2016 PCA Main Event concluded last Friday at the Atlantis Resort in Paradise Island in the Bahamas! In total, the tournament attracted 928 entrants who battled it out for several days until only one player remained, Mike Watson.
Watson, a 31-year-old poker professional from St John's in Newfoundland, Canada, entered the 6-handed final table with the chip lead and was up against some of poker's best tournament players, including Vladimir Troyanovskiy, Toby Lewis, and Tony Gregg.
Watson had a lead of 17.7 million to Gregg's 9.875 million once they were heads-up. Watson must have had a lot of respect for his opponent as he agreed on an equity deal immediately, which meant that he banked $695,325 and his opponent $612,175, with $33k left to play for.
The battle lasted for a quite some time before the final hand was played. Gregg committed his last chips on a flop of 286 with A8 (top pair with ace kicker). Watson made the call with 74 (flush and straight draw). The turn was the 7, and the 5 on the river gave Watson both a flush and a straight... but more importantly - the title!
PokerStars Caribbean Adventure $5,300 Main Event
Entries: 928
Prize pool: $4,500,800
Places paid: 135
1 - Mike Watson, Canada, $728,325*
2 - Tony Gregg, United States, $612,175*
3 - Phillip McAllister, United Kingdom, $356,020
4 - Toby Lewis, United Kingdom, $267,340
5 - Vladimir Troyanovskiy, Russia, $207,940
6 - Randy Kritzer, United States, $153,920
*reflects a heads-up deal