Event #26: $1,000 Pot-Limit Omaha saw a field of 1,293 entries - the biggest non-Texas Hold'em tourney in history. Despite the big player-field, it only took three days of play until a winner had been crowned, Aaron Wallace.
Wallace won his entry to this event through a $175 satellite. According to WSOP.com, the 32-year-old husband and father of two entered the satellite just for a little rest and relaxation during a sales trip. The rest is history.
"This event's been on my mind for a while now," Wallace said with a shaky voice after the incredible victory. "It's the only World Series of Poker event I really wanted to play other than the Main, but the Main's not really feasible unless I satellite in."
"I almost exclusively play PLO"
When WSOP reporters asked about his decision to play Pot-Limit Omaha instead of Texas Hold'em, especially with so many recreational players at the Rio for the Monster Stack festivities, he explained that he simply stayed true to himself.
"PLO's my game of choice. I do play a lot of cash in my hometown near Indianapolis, we have great cash games, and I almost exclusively play PLO. I don't play much No-Limit Hold'em cash anymore, it's PLO for the most part, and I'll play the occasional No-Limit Hold'em tournament. I really like the game of PLO, I feel like it suits my strengths really well. I try to stay tight-aggressive in position, and I don't get overly aggressive early on, try to wait it out because I think people tend to get a little too aggressive in PLO."
Notable players to make the money in this event include the 2012 WSOP Main Event champion Greg Merson (29th), Andy Bloch (56th), Mike Leah (66th), Marvin Rettenmaier (78th), Jeremy Ausmus (105th), Joe Kuether (134th), and Tony Gregg (141st).
Winner info:
Name: Aaron Wallace
Birthplace: Madisonville, KY
Age: 32
Current Residence: Carmel, IN
Marital Status: Married
Children: Kosei (5), Corabelle (3)
Profession: Director of Sales for Trader's Point Creamery
Number of WSOP Cashes: 1
Number of WSOP Final Table Appearances: 1
Number of WSOP Gold Bracelet Victories: 1
Best Previous WSOP Finish: N/A
Total WSOP Earnings: $226,985
Personal Facts: Previously worked as a photographer for band The John Butler Trio
FUN FACTS:
International Intrigue: A total of 294 international players hailing from 45 different countries competed in the event.
Welcome to the Show: There were 58 players who chose this event for their first WSOP experience.
Gender Breakdown: Of the 1,293 entrants there were 1,260 males and 33 females in the field.
