Chance Kornuth Wins Back-to-Back Titles at Stairway to Millions

Chance Kornuth has made a remarkable start to his 2022 poker career, winning back-to-back titles at PokerGO's Stairway to Millions. Kornuth's first victory came in the $2,000 buy-in event, where he won $51,600. His second victory came just a day later in Event #3:$4,200 No-Limit Hold 'em, where he won $80,640. These victories have boosted his live poker career earnings to $9,248,288.

Kornuth's path to victory in Event #3 was impressive. He eliminated Jesse Lonis in sixth place after Lonis A♣3♦ did not materialize against Kornuth A♥9♥. Daniel Weinand busted in fifth place after his pocket eights ran into Kornuth's pocket aces. Mitchell Halverson was knocked out in fourth place after calling Kornuth's river bet with the bottom pair versus Kornuth top pair. Nathan Zimnik was busted in third place for $40,320. Joseph Cheong earned $57,120 for his runner-up finish.

Kornuth's victory in Event #3 was not without its challenges. He entered heads-up play with a 5,575,000 chip stack to Joseph Cheong's 2,825,000. It did not take long before Kornuth was the champion. A limp from the button with J♠4♥ opened the action in the final tourney hand. Kornuth checked with 9♣3♥ holding. The flop read 9♥4♣2♠ and Kornuth checked again. After flopping the middle pair, Cheong made a 100,000 bet, and Kornuth called. The turn card came 8♠ and Kornuth checked again. Cheong made a 400,000 continuation bet, and Kornuth snap-called; the river card was 9♦ which completed the board, and Kornuth decided to check for the third consecutive time. Cheong then shoved his 1.4 million chip stack, and Kornuth called. Kornuth won the hand and the second tournament in a row with three of a kind.