Event 21 was a fun tournament on the 2022 Poker Showdown schedule that had a game rotation between Pot Limit Omaha, Pot Limit Omaha 8, and Big O. It produced a tough field and Matt Bretzfield outlasted them all with an outright win for $11,475.
“I woke up today feeling like I was going to win,” Bretzfield said after the tournament.
The tournament drew 126 entries to create a prize pool worth $42,210 and the last 16 players made some money. Day 1 came to an end and 15 players advanced shortly after Sean Kennedy went out in 16th.
Bretzfield began Day 2 second in chips behind Oscar Castagna but he quickly jumped to the top of the counts as players began to drop out.
“I came in today really feeling it,” Bretzfield said. “I didn’t sleep much but I had a good feeling.”
Bretzfield was among the leaders when they formed the eight-handed final table and he continued to climb until he was heads-up with Castagna, his long-time friend.
“I’m literally the only person in this room who knows him,” Bretzfield laughed. “He’s from New York City and we’ve been friends for a long time.”
The heads-up match lasted for more than two levels but Castagna was never able to bounce until Bretzfield earned all the chips. Castagna took home $7,500 for his runner-up result while Bretzfield earned his second major Hollywood trophy and $11,475.
Afterward, Bretzfield dedicated the win to his father who he lost a few months ago.
“This win means more to me than any other I have had,” he said. “I have a bunch of wins but they were all chops.”
“My dad would always get mad at me and ask ‘Why did you chop? You’re the best.'” Bretzfield continued. “It was the highlight of his day watching me on these updates.”
“He was my best friend, this one is for you dad.”
Results:
| Place | Name | Prize Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matt Bretzfield | $11,475 |
| 2 | Oscar Castagna | $7,500 |
| 3 | Aaron Kupin | $4,540 |
| 4 | Brian Eisenberg | $2,850 |
| 5 | Luis Rodriguez | $2,265 |
| 6 | Ayed Shweihat | $1,950 |
| 7 | Wally Maddah | $1,670 |
| 8 | Eric Nyman | $1,400 |
| 9 | Andrea Mastrogiovanni | $1,400 |
| 10 | Carey Pickus | $1,180 |
| 11 | Darin Utley | $1,180 |
| 12 | Cody Wells | $1,180 |
| 13 | Adam Farber | $960 |
| 14 | Stephen Johnson | $960 |
| 15 | Stephanie Chung | $850 |
| 16 | Sean Kennedy | $850 |
to pair Bretzfield’s nine for nines and sevens. That gave the pot to Bretzfield along with the title. Castagna earned $7,500 while Bretzfield took home $11,475 and the Showdown trophy.
