Big Stax 1100 (Day 1A): Close Call Becomes Closing Time

Level 2 (Blinds 75/150)
Total Day 1A Entries: 64

Darren Elias (Cherry Hill, NJ)

Darren Elias (Cherry Hill, NJ) had two WPT final tables during Season IX, finishing 5th at Borgata ($230,610) and 3rd at Jacksonville BestBet Open ($147,850).  The close calls were good for some serious cashes, but that wasn't the end goal for Darren...he wanted a championship.

It's not often that players get a second chance to reach their ultimate goals, but Elias was able to do just that last month during the WPT Borgata Poker Open Championship.  Darren reached the televised final table, and watched at Kane Kalas (Philadelphia, PA) steamrolled the table to start the day, holding over 70% of the chips in play only a few hours into the day.

Eventually Darren would begin to chip up, and get heads-up with Kalas for a chance to put his hands (and name) on the WPT Champions Trophy.  In the fateful hand, Elias would turn two pair, just as Kalas turned top pair.  The chips would get in on that street, Darren would hold, and he'd be crowned champion and earn his largest lifetime cash ($843,477).

The soft-spoken poker professional may have accomplished something he set out to do years ago, but he's hungry for more.  Darren is currently seated at Table 49, looking to possibly add yet another trophy to his mantle.