John Cynn Claims 2018 WSOP Main Event Title

Poker has crowned a new champion. 33 year old John Cynn emerged as the lone survivor of the 2018 World Series of Poker Main Event and is now the proud owner of the prestigious championship bracelet and $8.8 million payout. 

The 11th place finisher in 2016, Cynn entered the 2018 final table fourth in chips and displayed impressive patience throughout as he slowly moved up the ladder. His first key pot came on hand #47 when he dealt the final blow to Australian Alex Lynskey’s Main Event hopes. Michael Dyer raised to 1.6 million and Cynn called from the small blind. Lynskey then moved in for 11.525 million out of the big blind. Dyer got out of the way, and Cynn called with Ks-Qs. The board ran out Tc-9c-3s-Td-Jc, defeating Lynskey’s 6d-6c.

The play down from 6 to 3 on Day 9 was highlighted by a massive pot between Tony Miles and 2009 Main Event Champion Joe Cada. After grinding a short stack Cada had finally chipped up to nearly 50 million and was looking a threat to do the impossible - win two Main Event titles in the modern era. On hand #105 he raised under the gun to 2.2 million and Tony Miles made it 6.9 million from the button. After some deliberation Cada moved all-in for 47.65 million holding Ts-Th. Miles went into the tank for several minutes before electing to call and flip for it all with Ah-Kc. The Ks-8d-9h-Qd-9s wasn’t kind to the youngest ever Main Event winner, sending him to the rail in 5th place. 

Dipping as low as 24 million during 4-handed play, Cynn never lost focus and scored a key double up on hand #132. He raised to 2.4 million from the button and Nicolas Manion defended from the big blind. The flop produced the 2s-6c-9c. Manion led for 3 million and Cynn called. The board paired with the 2h on the river, bringing another 5.5 million bet from Manion. Cynn again called and the dealer produced the Ac on the river. Manion moved all-in for 11.2 million more and Cynn quickly called, tabling Tc-Jc for a rivered flush and a pot that pulled him out of the cellar with 45 million chips. 

While Nicolas Manion held on with the short stack, Cynn was the winner on a number of key pots involving Michael Dyer, propelling him up towards 100 million chips. Despite his best efforts Manion’s tournament run came to an end on hand #224. Cynn raised to 3.8 million from the button and Manion shipped it for 23.8 million. Cynn called immediately with the Ks-Kc and raked the pot after his opponent could not improve. 

Entering the tournament’s final day the former chipleader, Michael Dyer, had grown severely short. Less than twenty hands in to Day 10 his time was up. Tony Miles raised to 4 million from the button with As-Jh and Dyer moved in from the small blind with Ah-Td. Miles called and paired a jack on the turn to seal the knockout.

At the start of heads up play few would have predicted the marathon yet to come. The match began very close to even with both players just below 200 million in chips. It took more than ten hours of 1v1 play to eventually declare a champion. On hand #442 of the final table John Cynn raised to 9 million with Kc-Jc from the button and Miles 3-bet to 32 million holding Qc-8h. Cynn made the call and the dealer spread the Kh-Kd-5h. Miles continued the aggression with a 32 million chip bet, which Cynn called. The 8d paired Miles on the turn, and induced a remarkable 114 million chip all-in shove. Cynn took his time before eventually making the call - his opponent was drawing dead.

Congrats to all of the 2018 Main Event winners:

1st - John Cynn - USA - $8.8 million

2nd - Tony Miles - USA - $5 million

3rd - Michael Dyer - USA - $3.75 million

4th - Nicolas Manion - USA - $2.825 million

5th - Joe Cada - USA - $2.15 million

6th - Aram Zobian - USA - $1.8 million

7th - Alex Lynskey - AUS - $1.5 million

8th - Artem Metalidi - UKR - $1.25 million

9th - Antoine Labat - FRA - $1 million

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