How Brad Owen and Matt Vengrin Showed Poker’s Heart at the WPTWC

Poker has always had its fair share of colorful and sometimes questionable characters. When big money is on the table, it’s no surprise that a few shady figures might pull up a chair.

Just look at the recent headlines: Lenard “Lucky” Adams facing allegations of scamming poker players or the indictment of Tom Goldstein—Al Gore’s former lawyer—who stands accused of dodging taxes and funnelling law firm fees into his personal account to cover poker debts.

But for every scandal, there are stories that remind us of the good still alive in the game. One such story came to light in WPT Global ambassador Brad Owen’s latest vlog, featuring a heartwarming act of generosity during December’s World Poker Tour World Championships (WPTWC).

Owen on the Verge of His First Losing Year

Owen kicked off his vlog by recounting his rollercoaster experience in the $25.8K Alpha 8 High Roller at the WPTWC. Unfortunately, his run ended quickly, as two bullets went up in flames. First, his ace-king failed to crack “Jiggities,” and then his pocket nines couldn’t overcome pocket jacks on his second entry.

“That hurts,” Owen confessed to his audience. “Two bullets gone in the $25K to pretty much end the year. I’m not sure I’m going to play anything else and can have my first-ever losing year. Not feeling good.”

After a night’s rest and some encouragement from his partner Amber, Owen decided to return to the tables at Wynn, Las Vegas. He entered a $3,000 buy-in tournament but found no luck there either, busting out within an hour. Determined not to give up, he made a bold move and joined the $2,200 HORSE Championship, only his third time playing the mixed-game variant.

Owen’s decision raised some eyebrows in his group chat, as his friends doubted his mixed-game experience. However, he quickly proved them wrong, running his 40,000 starting stack up to 200,000 by the time only 50 of the 138 entries remained. Owen bagged chips at the end of Day 1 and advanced to Day 2 with 28 players left, aiming for the top prize of $74,521 that would put him back in the black.

A Lesson in Generosity

Enter Matt Vengrin, a seasoned mixed-game specialist. Vengrin reached out to Owen with an unexpected offer: help with HORSE strategy. Owen, eager to improve, agreed, and Vengrin followed through with an impressive gesture. At 3 a.m., Owen received a five-page document filled with detailed tips for each game in the HORSE rotation.

Vengrin’s random act of kindness turned out to be the spark Owen needed as he battled his way to the final table. There, he faced an elite lineup of crushers, including Bradley Smith, Mike Leah, Christopher Vitch, and Jeff Madsen. Owen held his ground as Madsen, Vitch, and Leah hit the rail, ultimately setting the stage for a heads-up showdown with Smith, where the vlogger entered with a 3:2 chip lead. But as it was late into the night, the final two players came to a heads-up that saw Owen walk away with $60,530 and the trophy.

What is HORSE Poker and How to Play

“Here with Matt [Vengrin]. We played yesterday for a little while in the HORSE, and I advanced to Day 2,” Owen said at the end of his vlog. “Matt was nice enough to approach me and just said, ‘If you need any help, I’m happy to give you some pointers.’ Last night, I get an email at 3 a.m. with about five pages of notes on all the games. I just really appreciate you doing that, dude. Thank you.”

Vengrin, stood next to Owen and humbly replied, “No worries. Mixed games are great, and more people need to learn them. Look how quickly Brad picked them up. They’re so fun.”

Owen’s gratitude didn’t stop at words. He had initially agreed to give Vengrin 5% of any winnings from the HORSE tournament as a token of appreciation. However, he went above and beyond, giving Vengrin more than $5,000, a gesture that exceeded the original agreement.

The camaraderie between Owen and Vengrin served as a wholesome reminder of what can make the game truly special. It’s not always just about the cards, or the money—it’s about the people who make up the community.

Stories like this prove that poker still has heart, even amid its unsavory drama and controversies.

Help Yourself to a Massive WPT Global Welcome Bonus

WPT Global is one of the most generous online poker operators in the industry, as shown by its huge welcome package. Not only do new depositing players receive a 100% up to $1,500 first deposit bonus, but they also receive a bunch of tickets based on the size of their initial deposit.

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Don’t delay, download WPT Global today, create your free account, secure your potentially lucrative welcome offer, and get involved in the New Spring Series Lunar Edition throughout January and early February.

Calum has been a part of the PokerNews team since September 2021 after working in the UK energy sector. He played his first hand of poker in 2017 and immediately fell in love with the game.

Calum has written for various poker outlets but found his home at PokerNews, where he has contributed to various articles and live updates, providing insights and reporting on major poker events, including the World Series of Poker (WSOP).