How a Short Stack Became the Champion at the Potomac Summer Poker Open 2026

At the Potomac Summer Poker Open $500 Monumental Stack tournament, the player with the shortest stack emerged as the winner thanks to an unusual outcome after a deal.

The final table of the Potomac Summer Poker Open $500 Monumental Stack tournament ended in an unusual way: despite having the shortest stack among the remaining players, it was Andrew Chang who claimed the trophy thanks to a lucky card draw after a deal was made between the five finalists. Quick Overview of the Potomac Summer Poker Open $500 Monumental Stack The Monumental Stack tournament with a $500 buy-in took place as part of the Potomac Summer Poker Open 2026 series at MGM National Harbor. The tournament attracted 403 entries, creating a prize pool of $167,245. The event drew both local and visiting players, and the battle for the title and impressive prizes unfolded over two days. Fifty-two players advanced to Day 2, each already guaranteed a payout. Among those eliminated before the final table were Dennis Backhaus (37th place), Matt Mullins (22nd place), and Kash Corpening (17th place). The Day 2 starting chip leader, Shahab Shirazi, finished in 18th place. Andrew Chang’s Path to the Long-Awaited Trophy Andrew Chang, a Virginia native, is known for his regular appearances at final tables. Before this tournament, he had ten final table finishes, including a runner-up spot in Las Vegas in 2024 and third place in the $3,500 High Roller at the 2023 Potomac Poker Open, also held at MGM National Harbor. This time, Chang started the final table as the chip leader, giving him a strong chance at victory. He managed to strengthen his position by knocking out Linda Swears in seventh place with pocket queens. Linda stood out for using an unusual card protector during play. However, after this successful hand, things took a turn for the worse for Chang: a series of unlucky hands left him with the shortest stack among the five remaining players by the time a deal was made. Chang himself noted that despite the unfortunate turn of events, he considers himself lucky to have made it to the deal: “I started the final table as the chip leader, but then things went wrong. Still, I was very lucky to end up where I did.” How the Deal Was Made and Why the Shortest Stack Won the Trophy When five players remained at the table, they decided to pause the game and discuss the possibility of making an ICM deal (dividing the prize money based on chip stacks). The first attempt to reach an agreement was unsuccessful, and play continued for another 20 minutes. However, before the 45-minute dinner break, the players returned to negotiations and this time reached a consensus. As a result of the deal, the prize money was distributed as follows: Jack Arnal — $22,882 (chip leader at the time of the deal) James Freeman — $19,500 Kyle Dishongh — $18,000 Valentin Lita — $17,000 Andrew Chang — $16,600 (shortest stack) After that, the finalists decided to determine the trophy winner randomly—by drawing cards. Andrew Chang drew an ace, which earned him the tournament title and the chance to be photographed with the trophy. Jack Arnal, who took home the largest payout, offered Chang an extra $500 to let him be photographed with the trophy instead, but Chang declined, deciding it was his time to be in the spotlight. According to him, this tournament win means a lot: “In the end, we decided to chop the prize money, and then just drew cards for the trophy. I was lucky to win. The final table started off tough for me, but in the end, it all came down to luck.” Final Results of the Potomac Summer Poker Open $500 Monumental Stack 1. Andrew Chang — $16,600* 2. Jack Arnal — $22,882* 3. James Freeman — $19,500* 4. Kyle Dishongh — $18,000* 5. Valentin Lita — $17,000* 6. Rick Aasen 7. Linda Swears * — prize money according to the deal (chop) Players who did not make the top 5 were not part of the prize pool chop and received payouts according to the standard tournament payout structure, but those amounts were not specified in the original material. Key Moments and Player Quotes Andrew Chang noted that despite frequent final table appearances, he had long struggled to win a trophy. He emphasized that even with a chip lead, you can never be sure of victory due to poker’s high variance: “I’ve been the chip leader heads-up before, but variance is just crazy.” Chang also said he’s not sure if he’ll continue playing in the series: “Maybe I’ll play the main event tomorrow, but I also have a bachelor party this weekend. We’ll see.” So, if the Monumental Stack ends up being his last tournament of the series, he’ll still finish it with a long-awaited trophy. Context: Potomac Summer Poker Open Series and MGM National Harbor The Potomac Summer Poker Open is an annual tournament series held at MGM National Harbor. This venue is known as one of the largest poker rooms in the region, regularly hosting major regional and national events. The $500 Monumental Stack tournament traditionally attracts a large number of players thanks to its affordable buy-in and solid prize pool. Many of the finalists and participants are experienced players who regularly compete in various series. For example, Andrew Chang has cashed here and at other major events multiple times, while Jack Arnal, James Freeman, and Kyle Dishongh have also been mentioned among the prize winners of various tournaments. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players This story clearly shows that even with the shortest stack at the final table, you can not only make the money but also win the trophy—even if luck plays a part. For PPPoker club players, it’s a reminder of the importance of never giving up until the very end: poker often brings unexpected surprises, and the outcome of a tournament can be decided by a single card. The situation with the ICM chop and randomly awarding the trophy is not uncommon in live tournaments, and similar agreements can also happen in online clubs. For PPPoker participants, it’s a good idea to familiarize themselves with chop rules in advance and to discuss with opponents the terms for splitting not only the prize money but also symbolic awards, if any are offered. Finally, Andrew Chang’s experience shows that regular participation in tournaments and perseverance will eventually lead to success. Even if you don’t win right away, every final table is valuable experience and a step toward future victories. For PPPoker players, this is great motivation to keep improving their game and not be afraid to take part in major club events.