Event #10: No-Limit Hold'em Main Event

After 31 grueling levels of poker, a winner has finally emerged here at the IP Biloxi. Martin Zentner was able to defeat Hank Sitton heads up and win the gold ring, the seat to the 2014 WSOP National Championship in Atlantic City, and $106,455 in first-place prize money.

The day began with nine hopefuls hitting the felt with the six-figure prize in their sights. The man closest to achieving that goal was start-of-day chip leader Daniel Lowery, who was appearing at his fourth career Circuit Main Event final table. Also headlining the final table was Survivor's "Boston" Rob Mariano who came in seventh of nine in the counts.

As play progressed, the likes of Jonathan Thomas and Michael Putaansuu were eliminated from play. Nolan Burton, who was still in the race for the Casino Championship, was next the next player to go. His seventh-place elimination saw him come up short for the title, which allowed November Niner Ylon Schwartz to take the crown and earn his seat to the National Championship.

Gil George was the next player to go and after a lengthy five-handed match up that lasted for over two levels, start-of-day chip leader Lowery was eliminated in fifth place. Lowery fell at the hands of Mariano and this began Mariano's rush. Soon after, Mariano eliminated Raymond Weaver and was sitting on two-thirds of the chips in play.

Three-handed play would last some time with all three players representing both the chip lead and the short stack at one time or another. Eventually, however, it was Mariano to fall in third place, ending the reality star's run and scoring him his biggest lifetime cash in an open event.

The heads-up battle between Sitton and Zentner seemed like it would come to a quick end after Zentner found victory in a large preflop all in confrontation. Sitton, however, would battle back and double up a whopping five times before finally falling in second place, while Zentner claimed the title and his first Circuit ring.

Here is a closer look at the final table results from the IP Biloxi Circuit Main Event:

1st: Martin Zentner - $106,455
2nd: Hank Sitton - $65,821
3rd: Rob Mariano - $47,805
4th: Raymond Weaver - $35,311
5th: Daniel Lowery - $26,510
6th: Gil George - $26,510
7th: Nolan Burton - $15,660
8th: MIchael Putaansuu - $12,313
9th: Jonathan Thomas - $9,826

That does it from the tournament floor of the IP Biloxi! Be sure to follow along with our coverage as the World Series of Poker Circuit hits its next stop at the Horseshoe Cincinnati!

Martin Zentner moves all-in from the button and Hank Sitton calls with   . Zentner trails with   .

The     gives Zentner a gutshot, but Sitton remains out front in the hand. Zentner picks up a pair with the   on the turn, but it also gives Sitton a club flush draw and the same straight draw, taking away some of Zentner's outs.

The river   complete Sitton's flush and he scores his fifth double up of this heads-up battle.

Hank Sitton - 1,560,000 (31 BBs)
Martin Zentner - 4,480,000 (65 BBs)

Hank Sitton moves all-in for 240,000 and Martin Zentner calls. Zentner holds    and Sitton is racing with   .

The     flop pairs Sitton up. Zentner gets no hepl from the   on the turn or the   on the river and Sitton doubles up once again.

"This is going to be the third greatest comeback in poker history," Sitton says.

Tournament Director Kevin Ferguson is curious. He asks, "Third, huh?"

"Third," Sitton affirms. "First is Treetop [Jack "Treetop" Strauss of chip and a chair fame]. Second is Bill Edler at the Beau [Rivage] a couple of years ago."

Hank Sitton - 500,000 (8 BBs)
Martin Zentner - 5,540,000 (92 BBs)

Martin Zentner calls from the small blind and Hank Sitton moves all-in for an additional 10,000 from the big blind. Zentner calls with    and Sitton shows   .

Sitton pairs his ten on the       board and he takes the pot to double up.

Hank Sitton - 160,000 (3 BBs)
Martin Zentner - 5,860,000 (98 BBs)

Hank Sitton raises to 200,000 and Martin Zentner reraises, making it 560,000 to play. Sitton calls and they see a flop of    . Zentner bets 350,000 and Sitton gives it some thought. After a little deliberation, he folds, and Zentner takes the pot.

Martin Zentner - 3,570,000 (60 BBs)
Hank Sitton - 2,470,000 (41 BBs)

Boston Rob Mariano makes it 120,000 from the button and Hank Sitton folds his small blind while Martin Zentner defends his big blind.

We're heads-up to the flop and it brings     and Zentner leads for 100,000. Mariano moves all-in over the top for 975,000 total and Zentner calls.

Mariano:   
Zentner:   

Both players hold a pair of jacks, but Zentner's kicker is better and Mariano needs help heading to the turn. The turn and river bring the   and   improving neither player's hand and sending Mariano home in third.

Martin Zentner - 3,130,000 (52 BBs)
Rob Mariano - eliminated in third place ($47,805)

"It'll never get that big again," Sitton predicts, referring to the record field of 8,773 players.

Sitton was there for the event and actually made the money, cashing in 673rd place for $17,730. He continues to reminisce, offering two ways of looking at his result.

"I beat 8,200 people," he explains. "Which sounds a hell of a lot better than saying I came in 600-somethingth place."

Martin Zentner raises to 125,000 from the button and Rob Mariano calls from the small blind. The flop comes     and both players check. The turn brings the   and Mariano check-calls 125,000.

The   hits the river and Mariano checks again. Zentner bets 225,000 and Mariano goes into the tank. Eventually, he opts to fold and Zentner picks up the pot.

Martin Zentner - 2,555,000 (51 BBs)

Rob Mariano - 1,060,000 (21 BBs)

The flop reads     and Rob Mariano checks. Sitton promptly moves all in for 825,000 and the action is back on Mariano.

Unlike many of his big decisions today, Mariano sits quite still while he ponders his options against Sitton. He decides on a call after only brief deliberation and shows    for a flush draw and a gutshot straight draw. Sitton tables   , for top pair and a better heart draw. Mariano is drawing to a non-heart king for a straight.

The turn and river come    and, leaving Mariano with queen-high and sending 825,000 of his chips to Sitton who holds a pair of aces.

Marin Zentner - 2,645,000 (53 BBs)
Hank Sitton - 1,765,000 (35 BBs)
Rob Mariano - 1,555,000 (31 BBs)