What do you get when you mix a top Instagram influencer, a five-minute crash course, and a room full of poker pros and celebrities? A viral, underdog victory like no other. That’s exactly what happened when ‘King 6’8 The Great,’ an influencer with a whopping 1.9 million followers, won the Celebrity Poker Tour Invitational VII. His journey from poker novice to champion is the kind of story you can’t make up.
While most poker professionals spent years mastering their craft, King had just one advantage: beginner’s luck. On a whim, and mere moments before the tournament kicked off at the PokerGO Studio inside ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, King watched a quick, five-minute YouTube video to prepare himself. It’s safe to say that this last-minute crash course did wonders—he clinched victory against a fierce field of more than 50 players, taking home a $20,000 prize, a coveted CPT champion’s belt, and a luxury bottle of Louis XIII cognac, worth thousands.
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A Wild, Lucky Ride to the Top
The tournament itself was packed with an all-star roster of influencers, celebrities, and professional athletes. With seasoned poker players and entertainers at the table, no one would have bet on King winning it all, but poker is about more than just skill—it’s about reading the game and, sometimes, embracing the chaos. King managed to outlast some of the fiercest competition, including Alan Bersten, a well-known Dancing With the Stars pro, who took second place.
The most dramatic moment came when it was just King and Bersten left standing at the heads-up stage. As the final hand approached, they both decided to go all-in blind—a high-stakes move that would determine the victor. Bersten had a slight edge with K♣10♠ against King’s 7♠4♣. But as the flop and turn rolled out, Lady Luck smiled on King. The turn card, 7♣, propelled King to the front, and the final river, the A♠, sealed his fate as the unlikeliest of champions.
Other Notable Finishes and Participants
While King’s victory may have stolen the spotlight, the final table saw a number of other notable figures battling it out. Damian Powers, the star of Netflix’s Love is Blind, finished in third place, while rapper 24kGoldn took fourth. Former UFC middleweight title contender Paulo Costa secured fifth, and PAS Magic, a rising magician and influencer, finished sixth.
The event also saw a strong presence from the world of MMA, with Tito Ortiz, Aljamain Sterling, and Colby Covington joining Costa in the competition. Brandon Rush and Mario Chalmers, the legendary duo from the 2008 University of Kansas basketball team, were also in attendance. Their team had famously won a national championship together, and both have their jerseys retired at the university.
Professional wrestlers Saraya and Deonna Purrazzo brought their competitive spirit to the table, and reality TV stars Nev Schulman (from Catfish) and Chumlee (from Pawn Stars) added to the eclectic mix. Not to mention, Bryce Hall, a popular influencer recently named in the National Heads-Up Poker Championship, joined the celebrity poker crowd, along with Princess Love, magician Mat Franco, MLB star Jose Canseco, and former NBA player Will Bynum.
The Chrisley Family’s Poker Moment
Among the most intriguing faces in the crowd were the four members of the Chrisley family, who made waves not only for their poker skills but also for their turbulent personal history. The Chrisley Knows Best stars, Todd and Julie Chrisley, recently received presidential pardons for their convictions related to tax evasion and bank fraud. Their appearance in the tournament was a particularly poignant moment for fans of the reality show, as they were joined by their daughter, Savannah and Todd’s mother, Faye, at the starting table.
Final Thoughts: Poker, Luck, and Celebrities Collide
King’s story is a reminder that in poker, anything is possible. With a bit of luck, an impromptu crash course, and the determination to roll with the punches, even a first-timer can emerge victorious. The Celebrity Poker Tour Invitational VII has certainly solidified itself as a tournament where anything can happen—and it will undoubtedly leave fans eagerly awaiting the next star-studded event.
Also Read: Why More Poker Players Are Turning to Cold Showers – And How It Can Boost Your Game
FAQs:
1. Who is King 6’8 The Great?
King is an Instagram influencer with 1.9 million followers who won the Celebrity Poker Tour Invitational VII after a five-minute YouTube tutorial on poker.
2. What was the grand prize for winning the Celebrity Poker Tour Invitational VII?
The winner, King, took home $20,000, a CPT champion’s belt, and a bottle of Louis XIII cognac.
3. Who finished in second place at the event?
Alan Bersten, a professional dancer from Dancing With the Stars, finished in second place.
4. Were there any notable athletes in the tournament?
Yes, Paulo Costa, Tito Ortiz, Aljamain Sterling, and Colby Covington, among others, competed in the tournament.
5. Did any reality TV stars participate in the event?
Yes, Nev Schulman from Catfish and Chumlee from Pawn Stars were among the celebrity participants.
Content Courtesy: Card Player
