Jorden Helstern Uses "Mamba Mentality" to Capture First Gold Ring
PokerNews is in town to report the $1,700 Main Event here at the World Series of Poker Circuit at Milwaukee’s Potawatomi Hotel and Casino, but that is just one of the gold ring events that will have played out by the end of the series.
Event #4: $400 NLH Turbo attracted 257 runners and offered up a $84,810 prize pool to the top 39 spots. Among those to cash were Craig Trost (3rd - $8,425), Brett Reichard (4th - $6,148), Eddie Blumenthal (5th - $4,570), Andrew Robinson (6th - $3,460), Adam Goldberg (17th - $985), and Steve Buell (26th - $697).
In the end, Chicago’s Jorden Helstern beat Robert Wendt in heads-up play to win the tournament for $19,019 and his first gold ring.
The heads-up battle was over quickly, after Helstern raised holding big slick and Robert Brandt three-bet jammed with an inferior ace. Helstern snap-called and held on to claim victory.
“It feels really good to get the ring and close one out,” Helstern said after his victory. “I was saying 'Kobe' the whole time at the final table, and I went in with the Mamba Mentality – If you’re not winning, you’re losing.”
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Hometown | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jorden Helstern | Chicago, Illinois | $19,019 |
| 2 | Robert Wendt | Menasha, Wisconsin | $11,753 |
| 3 | Craig Trost | Madison, Wisconsin | $8,425 |
| 4 | Brett Reichard | Janesville, Wisconsin | $6,148 |
| 5 | Eddie Blumenthal | Stoughton, Wisconsin | $4,570 |
| 6 | Andrew Robinson | Georgetown, Texas | $3,460 |
| 7 | Cory Eskoff | Crystal Lake, Illinois | $2,670 |
| 8 | Kurt Taphorn | Wildwood, Missouri | $2,101 |
| 9 | David Blackmon | Lake Charles, Louisiana | $1,686 |