Career-Defining Triumph for Evan Sandberg at the Milestone Arizona State Poker Championship

This year's milestone edition with a $1,100 buy-in was a massive success. Over the course of four starting flights, it generated an enormous field of 4,018 entries and a total prizepool of $4,018,000.

Evan Sandberg, despite having two WSOP bracelets, three WSOPC rings, and live tournament earnings exceeding $3 million, had yet to claim a significant victory in such a massive tournament.

“I can't believe it,” were his first words after the win. “In the past, I've often fallen just short in tournaments with similar stakes. I feel a tremendous relief, like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders,” the emotional champion admitted.

Although Sandberg started the final day as the chipleader, the final table was a rollercoaster. He was closest to elimination when he fell below ten big blinds during the game with the last four players. A crucial all-in with A s 2 s against an opponent’s pair of 9 h 9 d ended in a fortunate split pot when the board showed T d 4 h 4 c T h 4 d.

This moment sparked a big comeback for him. In the last three players, the key flip of the day occurred when Brandon Conrad held 5 d 5 c against Sandberg's A c K h. The River completed Sandberg’s straight, knocking Conrad out in 3rd place and bringing a substantial lead into the heads-up.

The final showdown was swift. Jared Rogers gradually fell behind and opted for a risky all-in with 9 c 6 c, but faced Sandberg’s J c 8 c. The board coming T c 8 h 4 h 4 s 8 d sealed Sandberg’s victory with a stylish full house.

Final Table Results of the 2026 Arizona State Poker Championship:

Sources: PokerNews, X

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