David “Chino” Rheem was the first player to win $1 million at the Champions Ring, which took place at the Epic Poker League Main Event at the Palms. It took four tournament days, 35 hours, and 212 hands. Chino was able to win against some of the top tournament professionals in the world.
“I’m proud to be the first Epic Poker League Main Event champion. This league is setting a new standard for poker players, and I’m committed to using this win as an opportunity for a fresh start,” Chino said. So far, Chino, who is based in LA, has amounted lifetime earnings of $4,710,297.
Other players at the final table were poker professionals Erik Seidel, Gavin Smith, Jason Mercier, Huck Seed, and Hasan Habib.
Although Seidel pushed all-in with his A-Q, Chino managed to call and secure the win with his A-K. All the action from the Inaugural Main Event will be aired on Discovery Communications’ Velocity and CBS this fall.
Seidel views the Epic Poker League Main Event as good for poker, because it puts the players first. He sees it as worthy of support from the whole of the poker community.
“It was a real thrill to participate in the final table of the first-ever Epic Poker League Main Event. It was one of the more exciting final tables I have ever played,” Seidel explained. “What’s special about this league is that the best players in the world compete against each other and ensure that fans will see high-level play across the board.”
Seidel, along with Chino, has now managed to get a place in the $1 million Epic Poker League Championship Freeroll, which takes place at the end of the season. The top 27 players with the highest amount of earnings in the four Epic Poker League Main Events will be eligible to play. Chino has an earning of $1 million, whereas Seidel has $604,330.
Commissioner of the Epic Poker League, Annie Duke, explained, “Crowning our first Main Event champion was so exciting. The final table of this event featured some of the most skilled and most recognizable live tournament players in the world.”
Duke said that the week was pioneering for the Epic Poker League and was grateful to all the players who took part in the event at the Palms.
Owner of the Palms, George Maloof, was also pleased with the event: “We congratulate David and know poker fans and aspiring enthusiasts around the world will be impressed with the Epic Poker League broadcasts later this fall.”
There will be three more rake-free $20,000 Main Events in the Epic League inaugural season, which will take place in the Palms. Each will include $400,000 in additional money and the top 27 players will get a $1 million freeroll championship event within the league on 6th September, 14th December, and 9th February. The final championship will take place on 13th February. A charity event will precede each main event.