Kristen Bicknell has become the darling of the WPT World Online Championships thanks to two wins worth more than $100,000.
The popular Canadian first stepped onto the winner’s rostrum on August 11. Defeating 41 players, she took down the $5,200 Seven-Max High Roller for $79,275.
Bicknell followed up that win on Sunday by collecting bounties galore in the $1,050 Knockout Turbo event.
Bicknell Beats Tough Fields
Bicknell has more than $5 million in live tournament earnings and, in 2017 and 2018, she was ranked as the top female poker player in the world.
She proved that she’s one of poker’s best, regardless of gender, once again last week with a WPT double. Although the victories weren’t in championship events, Bicknell’s performances netted her $112,485.
WPT Seven-Max High Roller Result
- Kristen Bicknell – $79,275
- David Peters – $52,500
- Scott Margereson – $32,550
- Elio Fox – $19,635
- Mikita Badziakouski – $14,490
- Sami Kelopuro – $11,550
The high-roller win will go down as the most impressive, not least of all because it was the most lucrative. The one-day MTT attracted another stellar line-up. As we’ve seen throughout the WPT World Online Championships, poker’s elite have flocked to Partypoker and the Seven-Max High Roller was no different.
Sami Kelopuro, Mikita Badziakouski, and Elio Fox all made it to the final table, as did Scott Margereson. When it came down to crowning a winner, it was Bicknell vs. recent WSOP Online bracelet winner David Peters.
Despite the difference between first and second being worth more than $28,000, the two pros didn’t discuss a deal. That proved to be a wise decision for Bicknell as she emerged triumphant to add almost $80,000 to her online earnings.
Bicknell might have had a slightly smoother ride in the WPT Knockout Turbo event, but it was by no means an easy win. She had to beat fellow Partypoker pro Patrick Leonard to scoop the $13,835 top prize. With bounties totaling an additional $19,375, she scored a combined win worth $33,210.
WPT Knockout Turbo Result
- Kristen Bicknell – $13,835 + $19,375 in bounties
- Patrick Leonard – $13,820 + $8,343 in bounties
- Fausto Tantillo – $9,715 + $4,687 in bounties
- Istvan Habencius – $6,749 + $562 in bounties
- Oliver Weis – $4,641 + $3,687 in bounties
- Thomas Boivin – $3,534 + $1,437 in bounties
- Mikalai Balabaev – $2,974 (no bounties)
Sam Greenwood also performed a double in recent days. Although he defeated smaller fields than Bicknell, his high-roller victories were just as impressive.
Win number one came in the $10,300 high roller. 25 of the world’s best lined up for a shot at glory, but Greenwood was the one who walked away with the title.
Within the blink of an eye, Greenwood was back in the winner’s circle. This time, he defeated 25 opponents in the $5,200 WPT High Roller Turbo to take his overall earnings to $150,513.
WPT World Online Championships Riding High
Both Bicknell and Greenwood will look to continue their form as the WPT World Online Championships approaches the halfway mark. With Event #5 of 12 set to conclude on August 19, attention is gradually turning to the $10 million main event.
Day 1A will start on September 6 as planned. However, following feedback from the community, Day 1B will now take place on September 13, leaving more time in between starting flights to give players more chances to qualify for, or buy into, the $10,300 MTT.
All but one championship event has fallen short of its guarantee so far. Therefore, the extension should maximize the main event’s potential. Bicknell and Greenwood will be hoping that’s the case, particularly if they can ride their recent upswings for a little longer.
