Taylor Black turned a desperate all-in into poker immortality when his pocket aces collided with kings and queens in the wildest cooler at the Wynn Millions final table. The short stack tripled up to seize control and claim the $1,100 NLH title with $98,623 after a heads-up deal. This Las Vegas showdown left fans buzzing over the brutal beat with six players left.
Six players remained in the $500,000 guaranteed event on March 16 at Wynn Las Vegas. Taylor Black shoved his last 2.5 million chips with A♦ A♣ from late position. Norberto Lopez Rodriguez snap-called from the big blind holding Q♠ Q♣ for 3.65 million, and chip leader Seth Jordan ripped it in with K♥ K♣.
The flop came A♠ 10♠ 4♠. Black hit top set right away. Rodriguez picked up a spade flush draw. Tension built as the turn brought Q♦ to pair Rodriguez’s queens into a set.
River fell 7♥. No help. Black scooped the massive main pot to triple up and vault to the chip lead. Rodriguez grabbed the side pot to stay alive and later cashed fourth for $46,587. Jordan took the hit but battled back.
Players whipped out phones to capture the moment. Crowds gasped around the room. This hand flipped the stacks and set the stage for the finish.
Final Table Payouts and Standings
The tournament blew past its guarantee with a $639,795 prize pool. Day 2 kicked off with 82 survivors from three starting flights.
Here are the top nine finishers:
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taylor Black | $98,623* |
| 2 | Seth Jordan | $93,676* |
| 3 | Nathan Carrillo | $59,489 |
| 4 | Norberto Lopez Rodriguez | $46,587 |
| 5 | Nicholas Pupillo | $36,551 |
| 6 | Lisa Xie | $27,818 |
| 7 | Chad Lipton | $20,590 |
| 8 | Qing Liu | $15,291 |
| 9 | Jason Olenak | $10,685 |
*Reflects heads-up ICM chop. Black took the trophy.
Nicholas Pupillo and Lisa Xie brought pro firepower to the felt. Both have deep runs in big spots. Their eliminations added drama.
Taylor Black’s Road to Glory
Black started the day outside the top stacks. He grinded through early bustouts. The cooler propelled him from short stack to dominance in one hand.
Post-cooler, Black picked spots with precision. He pressured opponents and built his lead. Heads-up versus Jordan lasted briefly. They cut a deal based on chip counts and ICM math.
Jordan earned runner-up cash after his recovery run. Black lifted the Wynn trophy amid cheers. This win boosts his resume after a prior Wynn Fall Classic victory.
Local buzz called it one of the best final tables in series history. Fans relived the hand online moments later.
Wynn Millions Series Heats Up
The Wynn Millions runs through late March with millions in guarantees. This $1,100 event drew everyday grinders and pros alike. Jessica Vierling led Day 2 with over a million chips.
Vegas poker rooms thrive on these spots. Players chase life-changing scores on affordable buy-ins. Black’s story shows how one hand changes everything.
The series features high-rollers and seniors events too. Action packs the Wynn poker room daily. Expect more highlights as the championship nears.
Black’s triumph proves poker rewards the bold. From desperation shove to champion, he lived the dream every player chases. This cooler will echo in Vegas lore for years. It reminds us why fans pack rails: pure unpredictability.
