Poker News

Vanessa Selbst wins Back-to-Back Mohegan Sun Titles

In one of the more impressive poker tournament accomplishments in recent years, Vanessa Selbst managed to become the first person to win an NAPT event in back-to-back years after she won the Mohegan Sun tourney.

Selbst had to outlast a 387-player field to notch the win in this year's tournament, which was far less than the 715 players she had to beat out in 2010. Event still, people think that the 2011 Mohegan Sun victory was more impressive because Selbst had a target on her back this year.

But even with people gunning for her, Selbst was able to work her way into the chip leader position at the end of Day 3 (24 players remaining). Heading into the final table, Selbst hung on strong since she was still second in chips while 21-year-old Tyler Kenney was the chip leader heading into Day 5. Here is how the final chip count looked heading into the last day:

1. Tyler Kenney: 3,021,000 chips
2. Vanessa Selbst: 2,249,000 chips
3. Vincent Rubianes: 1,711,000 chips
4. Joe Tehan: 1,238,000 chips
5. Dan Shak: 1,571,000 chips
6. Steve O'dwyer: 1,032,000 chips
7. Thomas Hoglund Jr.: 541,000 chips
8. Aaron Overton: 373,000 chips

Both Kenney and Selbst played very well on the final table, but Dan Shak rivered a flush to bust Kenney out. From here on, Shak and Selbst played heads-up for the title and a $450,000 top prize. The matchup seesawed back and forth before Shak went all-in with middle pair, only to be called by Selbst and her two pair. The board didn't improve Shak's hand, and Selbst won her second straight Mohegan Sun title.

With over $4 million in tournament winnings, Selbst has represented PokerStars well in the events she's played. If you'd also like to represent PokerStars someday, sign up using the "STARS600" bonus code to get a 100% up to $600 bonus.

Getting back to the tournament, here are the results from the final table:

1. Vanessa Selbst: $450,000
2. Dan Shak: $254,000
3. Tyler Kenney: $170,000
4. Thomas Hoglund, Jr.: $120,000
5. Vincent Rubianes: $90,000
6. Joe Tehan: $70,000
7. Aaron Overton: $50,000
8. Steve O'Dwyer: $32,330

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