$1,100 Main Event Day 1a | 2026 PokerStars Open Philadelphia

03-18-2026 15:29 UTC-4

Dolan Loses Consecutive All Ins

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Josh Noy

Level 6 : Blinds 300/600, 600 ante

Steven Christopher was all in from the big blind on the 3♦9♦7♠2♠ turn, at risk against Brandon Dolan in early position.

Steven Christopher: 3♠3♣ All in
Brandon Dolan: 10♣10♦

Christopher's flopped set held through the [8♦ river, doubling up while leaving Dolan with just 7,100 chips.

Dolan then shoved the very next hand from under the gun before Charles Smith three-bet to 17,000. Action folded to Stephen Tomlinson in the big blind, who announced all in for 37,800. Smith snapped it off, and all three hands were tabled.

Brandon Dolan: K♣Q♠ All in
Stephen Tomlinson: A♣A♥ All in
Charles Smith: K♠K♥

Dolan was caught by a classic aces versus kings situation, but picked up the only flush draw after the 4♣6♣10♠ flop and 3♣ turn.

The table watched as the 7♦ hit the river, leaving Tomlinson's aces in front to more than double while sending Dolan out before break.

Player	Chips	Progress
Steven Christopher	102,000 54,000	54,000
Stephen Tomlinson	98,000 74,000	74,000
Charles Smith	57,000 47,000	47,000
Brandon Dolan	Busted

Tags: Brandon Dolan Charles Smith Stephen Tomlinson Steven Christopher

03-18-2026 15:15 UTC-4

Matrone Checks Down a Winner

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Josh Noy

Level 6 : Blinds 300/600, 600 ante

After losing an all in earlier, Michael Matrone raised to 1,600 from the cutoff. Justin Lett called from the small blind, and Jhordy Sanchez came along in the big blind.

Both blinds checked the 4♠2♥10♠ flop, and Matrone continued for 4,000. Only Lett called to see the 9♠ turn, where both players declined to bet.

Lett checked again on the 3♦ river, and Matrone opted to check back while turning over 10♣8♣ for a pair of tens. That was enough to claim the pot, as Lett mucked.

Player	Chips	Progress
Jhordy Sanchez	114,000 74,000	74,000
Michael Matrone	53,000 53,000	53,000
Justin Lett	31,000 31,000	31,000

Tags: Jhordy Sanchez Justin Lett Michael Matrone

03-18-2026 15:06 UTC-4

Easy Pot for Lu

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Josh Noy

Level 6 : Blinds 300/600, 600 ante

Louis Lu raised to 1,200 from under the gun, with Matthew Golin coming along in the cutoff. Thilbaud Martin defended his big blind, and the K♦5♣6♠ flop was revealed.

Martin checked to Lu, who continued for 2,000. Golin quickly folded, while Martin checked his cards one last time before tossing them into the muck.

Player	Chips	Progress
Louis Lu	29,000
Matthew Golin	22,000 18,000	18,000
Thilbaud Martin	6,000

Tags: Louis Lu Matthew Golin Thilbaud Martin

03-18-2026 15:02 UTC-4

Can Tasch Cash?

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Connor Richards

Level 6 : Blinds 300/600, 600 ante

https://twitter.com/PokerNews/status/2034329482799054866?s=20

03-18-2026 14:56 UTC-4

Flashback: Edward Leonard Wins 2025 PokerStars Open Philadelphia Main Event

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Josh Noy

Level 6 : 300/600, 600 ante

As the grind of the final day at the 2025 PokerStars Open Philadelphia series wore on, Edward Leonard insisted that winning was not his focus in the $1,100 Main Event.

All 146 returning players were looking to make a deep run at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, and it took more than 18 hours of play to reach the final three contenders. The trio paused the clock to look at a deal, one that left Leonard finally realizing what he had just accomplished.

After reaching an agreement with Guan Huang and Frank Funaro, it was time to let all of that exhaustion and emotion out.

“I feel pretty great,” the newly crowned champion told PokerNews after the deal was concluded. “It’s been a pretty sick start to the year for me, definitely didn’t expect this one but I mean, I ran pretty pure.”

$1,100 PokerStars Open Main Event Final Table Results

Place	Player	Country	Prize
1	Edward Leonard	United States	$147,806*
2	Guan Huang	United States	$126,507*
3	Frank Funaro	United States	$125,708*
4	William Beer	United States	$62,760
5	Adam Agaev	United States	$47,415
6	Norman Rogers	United States	$38,330
7	Dan McGinnis	United States	$31,660
8	Michael Bohmerwald	United States	$25,095
9	Norman Rodriguez	Dominican Republic	$18,625

*Denotes Three-Way Deal

Read the Full Recap Here

Level: 6

Blinds: 300/600

Ante: 600

03-18-2026 14:40 UTC-4

Niedzwicki, Smith Get the Folds

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Josh Noy

Level 5 : Blinds 300/500, 500 ante

Action folded to Dennis Shamroni in the small blind, who raised to 1,500. George Niedzwicki made the call in the big blind, and the J♠Q♣3♦ flop hit the felt.

Shamroni continued by leadout out for 1,000, and Niedzwicki slid out a call. Both players then checked the 4♠ turn, with Shamroni checking once more on the 8♦ river.

Niedzwicki announced a bet of 2,000, taking down the pot as Shamroni let his hand go.

On a nearby table, Donald Himpele Jr opened to 1,100 from under the gun, with Charles Smith three-betting to 4,500 in middle position. Himpele Jr took a moment after action folded back around, opting to give his hand up as Smith collected the chips.

Player	Chips	Progress
Charles Smith	104,000 64,000	64,000
Donald Himpele Jr	62,000 12,000	12,000
Dennis Shamroni	27,000 11,000	11,000
George Niedzwicki	25,000 9,000	9,000

Tags: Dennis Shamroni Donald Himpele Jr George Niedzwicki Charles Smith

03-18-2026 14:27 UTC-4

No Action for Rodriguez

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Josh Noy

Level 5 : Blinds 300/500, 500 ante

Four-way action to the 9♦10♦J♦ flop saw a round of checks, and the dealer flipped over the 7♦ turn.

Donald Himpele Jr checked from the big blind, and Luis Rodriguez did the same on his left. Steven Christopher slid out a bet of 4,000 from the cutoff, with Stephen Tomlinson folding on the button.

Himpele Jr also got out the way, while Rodriguez made the call. The 7♠ river produced another check from Rodriguez, and Christopher opted to check it back.

Rodriguez turned over A♦Q♥ for the nut flush, taking down the pot as Christopher mucked.