WPT: Sam Panzica Wins bestbet Bounty Scramble for $354,335
Sam Panzica might not be allowed to play World Series of Poker events anymore, but he can now call himself a World Poker Tour champion. Panzica beat Richard Malone Jr. heads-up and survived a final table that included former WPT winners Noah Schwartz and Tyler Patterson to win the WPT bestbet Bounty Scramble and $354,335.
Panzica was banned from all Caesars properties in 2013 after being removed from the rail by security during the 2013 November Nine. He has appealed the lifetime ban and been denied making it impossible for him to play WSOP or WSOP Circuit events at any Caesars property.
Things got chaotic on the very first hand of the final table. Malone raised to 150,000 from the button and Paul Balzano re-raised from the small blind to 380,000 and Malone called. After the 
flop, Malone called Balzano’s 300,000 bet. The turn was the 
and Balzano moved all in for 1,180,000 and Malone deliberated before calling. Balzano showed 
while Malone turned over 
for an open-ended straight draw. The river was the 
to give Malone his straight and send Balzano packing. That hand moved Malone, who started the day second in chips behind Panzica, into the chip lead.
Just nine hands later he picked up another big stack after eliminating the most accomplished player at the table. Action folded to Schwartz on the button and he moved all in for 870,000. Panzica folded his small blind but Malone called and tabled 
which had Schwartz’s 
dominated. The board ran out 
to eliminate the two-time WPT champion Schwartz in fifth place and extend Malone’s chip lead.
It took a little bit longer for the next elimination, but it still came at the hands of Malone. After Malone raised to 155,000 from the button, Patterson, the defending champion and last remaining bounty in the tournament, moved all in for 860,000 from the small blind. Ankush Mandavia then came over the top for his last 2,025,000. Malone took some time to consider his action before calling. Patterson showed 
, Mandavia showed 
and Malone needed help with 
. The 
flop left Patterson ahead, but the 
turn put Malone ahead with a pair of his aces. The river changed nothing and Malone eliminated two players on one hand to get heads up with Panzica.
With just two players remaining, Malone had a nearly 2-1 chip lead but over the course of 145 hands Panzica’s experience shined through and allowed him to take a commanding chip lead and eventually eliminate Malone. On the final hand of the night Panzica moved all in from the big blind and Malone called all in for 2,575,000 and tabled 
. Panzica was behind with 
and got no help from the 
flop. The 
turn changed that though and when the river didn’t put Malone back out in front, Panzica had eliminated Malone to win his first WPT title and $354,335.
This win is just part of what some might describe as a breakout year for Panzica. In February he won the European Poker Tour Dublin High Roller for $418,704. He then won the Florida State Poker Championship at Pompano Beach in July for $117,282. The three victories are the only three live victories for the 24 year old poker pro.
Final Table Payouts
- Sam Panzica – $354,335
- Richard Malone Jr. – $237,616
- Ankush Mandavia – $152,766
- Tyler Patterson – $100,643
- Noah Schwartz – $77,499
- Paul Balzano – $64,183