The 8-Max Re-entry got the July Power Weekend off to a flying start this afternoon. A total of 66 entries made their way in to this event, enough to surpass the prize pool guarantee of $5,000.

Things started off slowly this afternoon, as players managed their chips carefully during the early levels. There was a flurry of action shortly before the first break, as the late registration and re-entry period was nearing its end, which brought forth several re-entries during the break. From there, the pace of play undulated from slow to fast and back again until the late stages of the tournament.

Once the field was down to three tables, things shifted into another gear, quickly reducing the field to the final table. And the break-neck pace continued at the final table with five eliminations during the first two orbits of play.

The four finalists – Anderson F., Steve Taylor, Jeffery Cassidy and Kajen Arumugam – battled it out until Taylor and Cassidy were eliminated in short succession. At that stage, Anderson and Arumugam had lots of blinds at their disposal and settled in for a heads-up duel. They each had their eyes set on the champion’s prize and played every hand with determination.

In the end, Arumugam got the best of Anderson in an all in where Arumugam doubled up and left Anderson with only a few blinds. All the chips went in the middle before the next flop, and Arumugam flopped the nuts! But it still wasn’t over, as Anderson had flopped a flush draw, but the turn and river did not provide the diamond he needed, making Kajen Arumugam the champion of the 8-Max Re-entry. Congratulations!

Event #1 Champion: Kajen Arumugam , $1,662

Last hand of play: