2026 Maryland State Poker Championship

$1,700 Main Event
Day: 2
Event Info
2026 Maryland State Poker Championship
Final Results
Winner
Prize
$86,167
Event Info
Buy-in
$1,700
Prize Pool
$570,000
Total Entries
380
Places Paid
49
Level Info
Level
25
Blinds
25,000 / 50,000
Ante
50,000
Players Info - Day 2
Entries
49
Players Left
6
Players Left 1 / 380
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Christopher Kennedy Eliminated in 12th Place ($9,300)

Level 22 : Blinds 15,000/25,000, 25,000 ante
Christopher Kennedy
Christopher Kennedy

On the first hand back from break, Aaron Pinson opened to 50,000 under the gun, then snap-called when Christopher Kennedy shoved for 550,000 in the small blind.

Christopher Kennedy: A♦4♣ All in
Aaron Pinson: A♥Q♦

Kennedy picked up a straight draw on the 2♦5♦2♠ flop, and a flush draw on the K♦ turn. The river, though, was the 8♣, and Pinson held on to win the pot and send Kennedy to the rail in 12th place.

Tags: Aaron PinsonChristopher Kennedy

Updated Chip Counts

Level 22 : Blinds 15,000/25,000, 25,000 ante

Level: 22

Blinds: 15,000/25,000

Ante: 25,000

Lita Bombs the River on Verderamo

Level 21 : Blinds 10,000/20,000, 20,000 ante
Valentin Lita
Valentin Lita

Kevin Grabel raised to 40,000 on the button before Valentin Lita three-bet to 160,000 in the small blind. Nicholas Verderamo then four-bet to 320,000 in the big blind, and only Lita called.

Verderamo bet 175,000 on the 7♣6♠9♠ flop, and Lita called. Both players checked the 2♣ turn, and the K♦ fell on the river. Lita then bet 600,000.

"I can't think of a single hand I can beat," Verderamo said as he folded.

Tags: Kevin GrabelNicholas VerderamoValentin Lita

Vernon Baker Eliminated in 13th Place ($7,600)

Level 21 : Blinds 10,000/20,000, 20,000 ante
Vernon Baker
Vernon Baker

Vernon Baker raised to 100,000 in the cutoff and Daniel Iachan three-bet to 225,000 on the button. Baker then moved all in for 400,000, and Iachan called.

Vernon Baker: K♦9♦ All in
Daniel Iachan: A♦K♥

Baker found himself dominated, and he received no help on the 7♠3♠5♥10♠4♠ board as Iachan scored another knockout.

At the other table, Nicholas Verderamo had opened to 50,000 in the hijack, Donovan Bates three-bet to 115,000 in the small blind, and Verderamo called.

Bates continued for 110,000 on the 2♠K♠8♦ flop, and Verderamo called. Bates then checked the 10♦ turn, Verderamo moved all in, and Bates folded.

Tags: Daniel IachanDonovan BatesNicholas VerderamoVernon Baker

Iachan Wins Another Big One

Level 21 : Blinds 10,000/20,000, 20,000 ante

Daniel Iachan raised to 40,000 in the cutoff, Justin Arnwine three-bet to 120,000 on the button, and Iachan called.

The flop came J♠4♥2♣ and Arnwine bet 100,000. Iachan called, and the 3♠ fell on the turn. Arnwine then bet 175,000, and Iachan called.

Both players checked the 3♣ river, and Iachan turned over Q♦J♦ for two pair to win the pot.

Tags: Daniel IachanJustin Arnwine

John Hall Eliminated in 14th Place ($7,600)

Level 21 : Blinds 10,000/20,000, 20,000 ante
John Hall
John Hall

John Palermino raised to 40,000 in middle position and John Hall three-bet to 125,000 in the cutoff. Daniel Iachan then moved all in for 765,000 in the small blind and Palermino folded, while Hall quickly called.

John Hall: Q♥Q♣ All in
Daniel Iachan: A♠K♦

It was a classic flip, and Iachan took the lead on the K♠7♦5♦ flop with top pair. The turn was the J♦, while the K♥ river improved Iachan to trips.

The stacks were counted down, and Iachan barely had Hall covered to earn the knockout.

"I had king-jack of clubs. Of course I wasn't calling," Palermino added after the hand.

Tags: Daniel IachanJohn HallJohn Palermino

Matthew Zambanini Eliminated in 15th Place ($6,280)

Level 21 : Blinds 10,000/20,000, 20,000 ante
Matthew Zambanini
Matthew Zambanini

Matthew Zambanini raised to 45,000 on the button and Kevin Grabel three-bet to 165,000 in the small blind. Zambanini then moved all in for 800,000, and Grabel called so fast that he knocked his chair on the floor.

Matthew Zambanini: 9♦9♥ All in
Kevin Grabel: A♥A♠

Zambanini had run right into Grabel's aces, and the board ran out Q♦3♠8♦10♣Q♥ to give Grabel the pot and send Zambanini to the rail in 15th place.

Tags: Kevin GrabelMatthew Zambanini