Chris Brewer Wins Event #8: $25,000 NL Hold’em at the 2021 Poker Masters for $427,500
On Wednesday in Las Vegas, Chris Brewer topped a field of 57 entries to win Event #8: $25,000 No-Limit Hold’em at the 2021 Poker Masters for $427,500. In addition to the prize money, Brewer earned 257 points for the Poker Masters leaderboard, which vaulted him into second place overall in the race for the coveted Purple Jacket.
“I’m excited,” Brewer said of putting himself in strong contention for the Purple Jacket heading into the home stretch of the 2021 Poker Masters. “It would be really cool to win the jacket. Also, I just got to win money which is cool. I was saying right before this that winning or losing you should probably feel the same about your play, like most of it in regards to the results is out of your control.”
Brewer has risen quickly into poker’s spotlight and is known to play some of the highest stakes in the world, both in tournaments and cash games. When it comes to winning in a tournament versus winning in a cash game, Brewer was quick to point out which one is better.
“It’s way more fun in a tournament,” Brewer said. “A cash game is usually way less exciting. A tournament, like, you won, which is always a good feeling to just be the winner.”
Last month, he won the $50,000 Super High Roller at Seminole Hard Rock for $420,670, which was good for his career-best live tournament score at the time. This win tops it, but it’s also special to Brewer for another reason.
“I think this is the first time I’ve won on stream, so it’s probably one of my favorite moments for that,” Brewer said. “I think it has to be up there as one of my favorites.”
If you’d like to relive all of the action from the final table, you can find the replay on PokerGO.com.
| 2021 Poker Masters Event #8 Results | |||||
| Place | Name | Country | Points | Prize | |
| 1st | Chris Brewer | United States | 257 | $427,500 | |
| 2nd | Darren Elias | United States | 171 | $285,000 | |
| 3rd | Lou Garza | United States | 120 | $199,500 | |
| 4th | Brock Wilson | United States | 86 | $142,500 | |
| 5th | John Riordan | United States | 68 | $114,000 | |
| 6th | Matthew Wantman | United States | 51 | $85,500 | |
| 7th | Alex Foxen | United States | 43 | $71,250 | |
| 8th | Ian O’Hara | United States | 34 | $57,000 | |
| 9th | Eliran Yamin | Israel | 26 | $42,750 | |
The event attracted 57 entries and had a $1.425 million prize pool. Five players returned for Day 2, with AP Louis Garza in the lead. Garza eliminated the final three players on Day 1 to boost his stack into the chip lead.
John Riordan was the first player to bust out. The result represented Riordan’s fourth cash of the 2021 Poker Masters and he picked up a $114,000 payday. With the finish, Riordan moved to 10th on the overall series leaderboard with 190 points.
After Riordan, Brock Wilson busted in fourth place. His elimination came as the result of two hands.
With the blinds at 25,000/50,000 with a 50,000 big blind ante, Darren Elias moved all in with the [ThTc] for 495,000 from under the gun. Action folded to Wilson in the big blind and he called the shove with the [6s6c] and a stack of 895,000. The tens held for Elias and he doubled through Wilson to leave Wilson as the short stack.
On the very next hand, play folded to Wilson in the small blind and he moved all in for 400,000 with the [Qd8c]. Elias called from the big blind with the [AcQs]. The flop, turn, and river ran out [Ah4d2c6d4s] to eliminate Wilson. For the finish, Wilson picked up $142,500 and 86 points, which was good enough to move him to first on the overall series leaderboard with 358 points.
Three-handed play lasted for a bit of time before the next elimination happened, and it was Garza to fall in third place. His stack got short and eventually he called all in from the big blind after Brewer shoved from the small blind. The blinds were 50,000/100,000 with a 100,000 big blind ante and Brewer had shoved with the [8h6h]. Garza called with the [As4c] and a stack of 575,000. Brewer started the hand with 925,000. The board ran out [QsTc8d5s3d] and Garza was out in third for $199,500. With the finish, Garza jumped into the top 10 of the 2021 Poker Masters leaderboard.
Heads-up play began with Elias in the lead. He had 5.525 million to Brewer’s 1.6 million. Brewer was able to find a double up to bring the stacks even and then he started to stretch out a lead from there.
Then it was Elias’ turn to get short and double. He dipped under 10 big blinds before finding a double with the [Ac7c] against the [KcJc] for Brewer. But even with the double up, Elias was at a chip deficit with 2.175 million to Brewer’s 4.95 million. Not too long after, Elias found another double and pulled the stacks closer to even. Brewer still had the lead, though.
Brewer was able to stretch the lead back out and then finished things off in the 50,000/125,000 with 125,000 big blind ante level.
On the final hand, Elias moved all in for 1.65 million from the button with the [Tc9h]. Brewer called with the [Kd9c]. The board ran out [Jc6s4dAhQh] and Brewer became the winner. Elias picked up $285,000 for his result.
“I would like to win some of these series, and I would just like to basically in any game that’s big to be the guy who’s winning the most in it,” Brewer said when asked about what he’d like to achieve in poker. “That’s really all to do because all of these guys play great.”
You can see the top 10 of the 2021 Poker Masters leaderboard below.
| 2021 Poker Masters Leaderboard | |||||
| Rank | Name | Points | Wins | Cashes | Earnings |
| 1st | Brock Wilson | 358 | 1 | 3 | $414,300 |
| 2nd | Chris Brewer | 320 | 1 | 3 | $490,800 |
| 3rd | Daniel Negreanu | 281 | 1 | 2 | $281,400 |
| 4th | Sean Perry | 280 | 1 | 3 | $280,000 |
| 5th | Dylan DeStefano | 260 | 0 | 3 | $260,800 |
| 6th | Lou Garza | 234 | 0 | 3 | $313,700 |
| 7th | Stephen Chidwick | 232 | 1 | 2 | $231,600 |
| 8th | Matthew Wantman | 216 | 0 | 3 | $250,700 |
| 9th | Shannon Shorr | 205 | 1 | 1 | $205,000 |
| 10th | John Riordan | 190 | 0 | 4 | $235,500 |
In the top 10 of the PokerGO Tour presented by Guaranteed Rate leaderboard, Brewer jumped from seventh to fourth with this victory, moving ahead of David Peters, Sean Winter, and Cary Katz. Ali Imsirovic still leads in a big way with 3,032 points.
| PokerGO Tour presented by Guaranteed Rate Leaderboard | |||||
| Rank | Name | Points | Wins | Cashes | Earnings |
| 1st | Ali Imsirovic | 3,032 | 10 | 24 | $3,976,460 |
| 2nd | Sean Perry | 2,301 | 6 | 21 | $3,170,698 |
| 3rd | Sam Soverel | 1,773 | 3 | 19 | $2,573,451 |
| 4th | Chris Brewer | 1,685 | 3 | 20 | $2,554,820 |
| 5th | Cary Katz | 1,656 | 2 | 20 | $2,751,730 |
| 6th | Sean Winter | 1,614 | 2 | 16 | $2,633,320 |
| 7th | David Peters | 1,540 | 3 | 10 | $3,074,470 |
| 8th | Jake Schindler | 1,284 | 2 | 14 | $1,857,108 |
| 9th | Andrew Moreno | 1,200 | 1 | 1 | $1,460,105 |
| 10th | Clayton Maguire | 1,200 | 0 | 1 | $1,443,757 |
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Watch the Event #8 Final Table on PokerGO.com at 4 p.m. ET
The final table of Event #8: $25,000 No-Limit Hold’em of the 2021 Poker Masters is set and will be airing on PokerGO.com at 4 p.m. ET.
Watch the Event #8 final table on PokerGO.com here!
Ap Louis Garza finished Day 1 as the chip leader with 2,875,000 in chips ahead of Chris Brewer, Darren Elias, Brock Wilson, and John Riordan. The final five players are guaranteed $114,000 in prize money, but all eyes are on the $427,500 first-place prize and title of Event #8 champion.
| Event #8 Final Table | |||
| Seat | Name | Country | Chip Count |
| 1 | John Riordan | United States | 320,000 |
| 2 | Chris Brewer | United States | 1,825,000 |
| 3 | Lou Garza | United States | 2,875,000 |
| 4 | Brock Wilson | United States | 655,000 |
| 5 | Darren Elias | United States | 1,455,000 |
When play resumes the players will start level 15, the button is in seat 5 and there is a single big blind
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Lou Garza Leads the Final Table of Event #8: $25,000 No-Limit Hold’em
Ap Louis Garza eliminated the final three players of the day and heads into the final table of five with over a one million chip lead against second-place Chris Brewer. Joining Brewer and Garza are John Riordan, Brock Wilson, and Darren Elias. Garza and Wilson cash for the third time, Riordan cashed for the fourth time, and Elias cashed for the second time. Meanwhile, Brewer cashes for the first time in the 2021 Poker Master.
After finishing third in Event #7, Garza hoped right into his first career $25,000 and didn’t let his foot off the gas as he entered the unofficial final table with the chip lead. From there, Garza won the three key flips to extend his lead further.
Matthew Wantman came into the final table second in chips, but after doubling up Brewer and Riordan, Wantman found himself all-in for his last 665,000, holding pocket tens against the ace-queen of Garza. The flop and turn landed clean, but a river ace sent Wantman to the rail in sixth place for $85,500.
Alex Foxen started the final table seventh in chips and eventually fall when his ace-king was bested by Garza’s ace-queen. Foxen opened to 165,000 from under the gun with 100,000 behind. Garza three-bet to 300,000, and Foxen called. The board ran out queen-high, and Foxen headed to the rail in seventh place for &71,250.
Ian O’Hara finished in eighth place for $57,000 after coming into the unofficial final table nine of nine in chips. O’Hare would run his last 355,000 into the middle holding pocket sixes against the ace-jack of Garza. Garza would river trips to send O’Hara to the rail.
Eliran Yamin finished in ninth place for $42,750 when he suffered a brutal beat against Chris Brewer. Both players held nine-six on [Qs8h7h], but Brewer held the [9h6h] of hearts giving him the added flush draw. The tun [9d] gave both players a pair, but when the river [Qh] hit, the felt Yamin was eliminated.
The 57-entrant field created a prize pool of $1,425,000 and the final five players are guaranteed at least $114,000, with the winner taking home $427,500. With four events to go the race for the purple jacket could look remarkably different following the final table.
Daniel Negreanu currently leads the way with 281 points, followed close by Sean Perry with 280. Wilson meanwhile sits in third place with 272 and because he is guaranteed no less than 68 points Wilson currently sits atop the stands but still had work to do if he wants it to stay that way. Riordan currently sits with 122 points and needs a second place or better finish to jump into the top five, he has a chance to take the lead if he wins the event and Wilson fourth or fifth. Garza also has a shot to jump into the top five with a third place or higher finish and takes the lead with a win.
| Event #8 Final Table | |||
| Seat | Name | Country | Chip Count |
| 1 | John Riordan | United States | 320,000 |
| 2 | Chris Brewer | United States | 1,825,000 |
| 3 | Lou Garza | United States | 2,875,000 |
| 4 | Brock Wilson | United States | 655,000 |
| 5 | Darren Elias | United States | 1,455,000 |
When play resumes the players will start level 15, the button is in seat 5 and there is a single big blind
The final five players will return to the PokerGO Studio on Wednesday, September 15, at 12 p.m. PT with the final table airing on PokerGO.com at 1 p.m. PT.
Connect with PokerGO.com on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Use code “MASTERS21” for $20 off an annual PokerGO subscription now!
End of Day Chip Counts
The play has been suspended for the evening, and the final five players will return to the PokerGO Studio September 14 at 12 p.m. PT with the final table streaming on PokerGO.com at 1 p.m. PT.
| Player | Chips | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Lou Garza | 2,825,000 | - |
| Chris Brewer | 1,825,000 |
5,000  |
| Darren Elias | 1,455,000 |
-195,000  |
| Brock Wilson | 655,000 |
-95,000 |
| John Riordan | 320,000 |
-235,000 |
Matthew Wantman Eliminated in 6th Place ($85,500)
Action folded to Ap Louis Garza in the cutoff, and he opened to 65,000. Brock Wilson was on the button and used a time extension before tossing his cards into the muck.
Matthew Wantman was in the big blind and moved all-in for 665,000. Garza called, and the cards were tabled.
Wantman: [TdTc]
Garza: [AhQs]
The board ran out [8d6d5h8cAs], and Garza spiked an ace on the river to eliminate Wantman in sixth place for $85,500.
| Player | Chips | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Lou Garza | 2,825,000 |
960,000 |
| Matthew Wantman | Busted |
-630,000 |
Alex Foxen Eliminated in 7th Place ($71,250)
Alex Foxen opened to 165,000 from under the gun with 100,000 behind. Action folded to Ap Louis Garza in middle position, and he raised to 300,000. Action folded back to Foxen, and he called all-in.
Foxen: [AcKd]
Garza: [AdQh]
The board ran out [Qs8h7c7sJs], and Garza flopped a pair of queens to eliminate Foxen in seventh place for $71,250.
| Player | Chips | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Lou Garza | 1,865,000 |
210,000 |
| Alex Foxen | Busted |
-375,000 |
Alex Foxen Chops With Darren Elias to Stay Alive
Action folded to Darren Elias in the cutoff, and he opened to 65,000. Alex Foxen was in the big blind and called.
The flop fell [Ah9cTc], and Foxen checked. Elias bet 30,000, and Foxen called.
The dealer burned and turned the [9h] and Foxen lead for 45,000. Elias moved all-in, and Foxen snap-called.
Foxen: [Qs9d]
Elias: [Kc9s]
The river fell the [Td], and both players made the same full house to chop the pot.
“That felt unfair for a minute,” Foxen said as he collected his half of the pot.
| Player | Chips | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Darren Elias | 1,650,000 |
316,000 |
| Alex Foxen | 375,000 |
-35,000 |
Ian O’Hara Eliminated in 8th Place ($57,000)
Alex Foxen opened to 50,000 from under the gun, Ap Louis Garza called in middle position, and Darren Elias called in the cutoff.
Ian O’Hara was in the big blind and moved all-in for 355,000. Foxen folded, Garza used a time extension and called, and Elias folded.
O’Hara: [6h6d]
Garza: [AdJd]
The board ran out [Jh9sTs3dJc], and Garza rivered trips to eliminate O’Hara in eighth place for $57,000.
| Player | Chips | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Lou Garza | 1,655,000 |
380,000 |
| Darren Elias | 1,334,000 |
239,000 |
| Alex Foxen | 410,000 |
-70,000 |
| Ian O'Hara | Busted |
-470,000 |
John Riordan Doubles Through Matthew Wantman
Action folded to Matthew Wantman in the small blind, and he moved all-in. John Riordan called in the big blind for his last 245,000.
Wantman: [Ad2c]
Riordan: [KsTs]
The board ran out [QhTc5d7s3s], and Riordan flopped a pair of tens to double.
| Player | Chips | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew Wantman | 630,000 |
-240,000 |
| John Riordan | 555,000 |
160,000 |
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