Monster Stack champion: Jason James

Event #3, the Monster Stack, started yesterday and attracted a total of 435 entries, of which 121 returned today for Day 2. Play was eight handed and once the bubble burst with 63 players remaining, the tournament players were in the money. The bustouts started right away as there were many short stacks, but then it slowed down when there were only two or three tables left.

Once the final table was formed, it took almost five hours for a champion to be crowned. All of the final table players were experienced and savvy, and the players did not fool around as they all wanted the championship ring and the $45,000 top prize.

Heads up play was between Jason James and Jessica Vierling, both hailing from out of town and having previously played in many Playground festival events, both have achieved a high level of success with many final tables. They were by far the two most aggressive players on the final table and it was fitting that they ended up in a heads up battle together.

On the final hand of play, after James had won back chips from Vierling and was now in the lead, both players got their chips into the midlle and waited for the dealer to spread out the board.

James:
Vierling:

The flop came and James stayed in the lead, although Vierling had two overcards and could still win by hitting the turn or river. When the turn came it all changed as the hit the board and now James had a set. The river was the which did not change anything, and just like that, Event #3, the MONSTER Stack, crowned a champion, Jason James.