Afriat entered the final table as one of the middle stacks but quickly started building a massive stack and by the time heads-up play against Mukul Pahuja rolled around he had a massive 38-15 chip advantage.
Despite finishing second Pahuja took a commanding lead in WPT POY standings thanks to already two previous final tables this year.
One you add in the $691,965 he won last night for coming second Pahuja has over $1.5 million in profit on the WPT this year.
Kornuth Busts First, Mackey Holds on for Third
Chance Kornuth was the first player to be eliminated from the decidedly star-studded final table.
Kornuth shoved with K-Q and James Mackey called with A-T. There was a king on the flop but an ace on the turn and that was it for Kornuth.
Matt Stout was the next player to go when he Q-T into Pahuja’s A-8. An experienced vet, Stout is still chasing that elusive first major title but got a decent consolation prize of $308,501 for coming in fifth.
James Mackey, who was the youngest WSOP bracelet winner when he won in 2007 didn’t get to add a WPT title to his illustrious career.
Mackey ended up finishing third when he busted to Pahuja, which set up the Pahuja vs. Afriat heads-up final.
Here are the complete final-table results:
1: Eric Afriat - $1,081,184 2: Mukul Pahuja - $691,965 3: James Mackey - $441,128 4: Jacob Bazely - $371,931 5: Matt Stout - $308,501 6: Chance Kornuth - $247,954Visit www.pokerlistings.com