Blake Ellinghaus Rivers Straight to Secure First WPT Title and $294,900 at bestbet Jacksonville
TL;DR — Blake Ellinghaus won the WPT bestbet Scramble Championship for $294,900, topping a 294-entry field after qualifying via a $580 satellite. He overcame multiple final-table deficits to claim his first WPT title and more than double his prior $140,000 in live cashes. The result reflects solid turnout for the $1M guaranteed event.
SCCG Take — Strong field size and satellite access underscore sustained operator value in branded live poker events that convert entry-level qualifiers into six-figure outcomes.
Blake Ellinghaus defeated Jared Reinstein in heads-up play by rivering a straight to win the $5,000 WPT bestbet Scramble Championship. The Illinois native earned $294,900 and joined the WPT Champions Club in the process. This result more than doubles his prior live tournament cashes of $140,000.
The event at bestbet Jacksonville in Northern Florida attracted 294 entries and met its $1 million guarantee. Ellinghaus, who qualified via a $580 satellite, carried a big stack through most of the tournament. He finished second in chips after both Day 1a and Day 2 before seizing the lead on Day 3.
The final table tested that lead. Bryan Paris surged early to claim the chip advantage. Jared Reinstein won a large pot off Ellinghaus. Hugh Membrino doubled through the eventual winner in a 60/40 confrontation. Ellinghaus responded by flopping top pair top kicker to eliminate Membrino in sixth place for $57,000.
Final Table Results and Key Eliminations
Reinstein‘s pocket aces eliminated Michael Macchia in fifth place for $75,000. Skyler Dennis doubled through Ellinghaus before finishing fourth for $100,000. Ellinghaus then used pocket jacks to dispatch Paris in third place for $135,000, holding against pocket nines. All final-four finishers earned six-figure scores.
Heads-Up Resolution and Career Breakthrough
Ellinghaus began heads-up with a 6:1 chip lead. Reinstein doubled once to extend the match but ultimately called an all-in after flopping a straight draw and rivering only a pair. Ellinghaus‘s rivered straight ended the contest, awarding Reinstein $184,000 for second. As detailed in reporting by PokerNews, the win delivers Ellinghaus‘s largest career score and first WPT title in a field that rewarded patient stack management and timely recoveries.
Reporting: PokerNews
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
A $580 satellite entry turning into a $295K WPT title proves the ROI story that keeps live poker traffic flowing.
We've placed partners into the WPT ecosystem and advised operators on live poker strategy for decades. When a satellite qualifier more than doubles his career earnings in one event, that's the conversion funnel every casino operator wants — accessible entry, big headline, sticky players. bestbet's 294-entry turnout shows branded poker still delivers.
- Ellinghaus won $294,900 and first WPT title after qualifying via $580 satellite
- 294 entries at bestbet Jacksonville met $1M guarantee
- All final four finishers earned six-figure payouts
SCCG angle: SCCG has direct WPT relationships and decades advising properties on live poker economics. If you're evaluating a branded series or satellite structure to drive traffic and headlines, we connect you to the right tour partners and help you model the floor-space ROI before you commit.
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