Nakamura Defeats Hellmuth Heads-Up to Win Second 2022 U.S. Poker Open Title
Japan’s Tamon Nakamura denied Phil Hellmuth his first U.S. Poker Open title after beating the “Poker Brat” heads-up to win Event #6: $15,000 8-Game for $239,700 at the PokerGO Studio at the ARIA Resort & Casino.
Most poker fans weren’t familiar with Nakamura before the U.S. Poker Open but are taking note now after an impressive display in mixed games to become the first player to win two U.S. Poker Open trophies this festival after previously shipping Event #4: $10,000 Big Bet Mix for $169,000.
To make this even more impressive is the fact that Nakamura entered the year with just $372,317 in live tournament earnings according to The Hendon Mob and has already won more than this at the 2022 U.S. Poker Open where he has cashed four times for $460,900.
It should come as no surprise that the U.S. Poker Open leaderboard, whose winner will walk away with the U.S. Poker Open title and a $50,000 prize, had a new captain after Nakamura’s second win. Jeremy Ausmus, who was also at the final table, was looking to pad his newly found lead on the leaderboard after winning Event #5: $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em for $178,200 as he also advanced to the final table. Instead, he dropped to second place with Nakamura taking over the reins.
Nakamura and Hellmuth held the two shortest stacks entering the final table before impressively advancing to heads-up play. Hellmuth was not only looking for his first U.S. Poker Open title but also his first victory since winning his record-breaking 16th WSOP gold bracelet last autumn. Meanwhile, Nakamura’s poker tale continues with a Cinderella story after catapulting from last place to start the final table to the winner’s circle.
2022 U.S. Poker Open Event #6: $10,000 8-Game Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
| 1 | Tamon Nakamura | Japan | $239,700 |
| 2 | Phil Hellmuth | United States | $155,100 |
| 3 | Ben Yu | United States | $105,750 |
| 4 | Bryan Micon | United States | $77,550 |
| 5 | Damjan Radanov | United States | $56,400 |
| 6 | Scott Seiver | United States | $42,300 |
| 7 | Jeremy Ausmus | United States | $28,200 |
Event #6 attracted 75 entries to create a $705,000 prize pool. The tournament paid the top seven performers at least a min-cash of $28,200.
Final Table Action
The final table was televised on delay at PokerGO with hole cards exposed. Four-time WSOP bracelet winner Ben Yu kicked off the action with a substantial chip lead of more than double his nearest competitor in Damian Radanov.
Soon into the action, Nakamura doubled up and was no longer the short stack at the table. Shortly after, Ausmus’ dream of winning back-to-back U.S. Poker Open titles was dashed as he became the first final table casualty with his king-jack suited not getting there against queens in limit hold’em.
Nakamura then doubled again, this time through Bryan Micon when his ace-queen won a flip against eights in limit hold’em.
Radanov eliminated three-time WSOP champion Scott Seiver in limit hold’em before hitting the rail himself during Omaha 8 or better against Hellmuth.
Hellmuth was the table captain with four players remaining and maintained this lead to begin heads-up play despite Nakamura eliminating both Micon and Yu.
Nakamura quickly snagged the chip lead and never looked back. Hellmuth’s last stand was in limit hold’em when his king-seven didn’t get there against ace-trey suited to come one player short of his first U.S. Poker Open victory.
2022 U.S. Poker Open Leaderboard Standings
The 2022 U.S. Poker Open is only halfway completed with six of the 12 events in the books. The winner of the U.S. Poker Open leaderboard will be crowned this year’s U.S. Poker Open champion which comes with an additional prize of $50,000.
Nakamura holds all of the early momentum after four cashes including two victories but there is plenty of time for someone else to take fire to overtake him on the leaderboard before the last cards are dealt of the festival.
| Rank | Player | Country | Points |
| 1 | Tamon Nakamura | Japan | 462 |
| 2 | Jeremy Ausmus | United States | 333 |
| 3 | Shannon Shorr | United States | 302 |
| 4 | Ren Lin | United States | 235 |
| 5 | Adam Hendrix | United States | 234 |
| 6 | Justin Young | United States | 200 |
| 7 | Rok Gostisa | Slovenia | 192 |
| 8 | Phil Hellmuth | United States | 174 |
| 9 | Daniel Negreanu | Canada | 167 |
| 10 | Jonathan Little | United States | 150 |
*Images courtesy of the PokerGO Tour.
