Nick Marchington didn’t just win the PokerStars North American Poker Tour (NAPT) 2024 Main Event — he owned it from start to finish. Entering the final table with nearly 10 million chips, the 26-year-old UK pro stayed firmly in control, turning his initial lead into a dominant, wire-to-wire victory.
The grand finale came down to a single heads-up hand against Joel Micka, wrapping up Marchington’s commanding run with a $765,200 payday and a trophy.
A Dream Run to NAPT 2024 Victory
With 9,990,000 chips, Marchington began the final table with a lead that was almost insurmountable, and he never looked back. The young pro seemed unfazed by the pressure, which likely came in part from experience: five years ago, he reached the final table of the WSOP Main Event at just 21, finishing seventh and earning his place in poker’s elite. Reflecting on the 2019 run, he noted the difference time had made, saying, “I was pretty much a spring chicken… Now I feel more like a veteran.”
From that early WSOP spotlight to today, Marchington has grown into a poised competitor. This maturity was evident as he methodically navigated a field of 895 entries in Las Vegas, demonstrating skill, control, and patience that belied his age. It all culminated with his wire-to-wire win in one of the year’s most prestigious tournaments.
Photo Credit: Matthew Berglund
Final Table Drama and Dominance
As the final table action kicked off inside Resorts World Las Vegas, Marchington’s lead appeared all but unshakable. However, the early going was far from uneventful. Short-stack Masato Yokosawa doubled up against Jeff Madsen with ace-queen over ace-eight, providing a temporary shift in the table’s momentum.
Still, Marchington’s strategy remained clear: stay aggressive and keep climbing. In a hand against Madsen, Marchington extended his lead, hitting two pair to win a sizable pot and cross the 11,000,000 mark.
Moments later, the table saw its first major bustout when Yokosawa moved all in with pocket tens, only to be bested by Marchington’s jacks. That elimination in sixth place marked the beginning of a series of rapid-fire knockouts.
Curt Kohlberg was next to go, as his ace-king failed to improve against Micka’s pocket nines. Shortly after, Micka found another knockout, besting Marco Johnson with a set of tens to Johnson’s two pair. Despite Micka’s knockouts, Marchington remained the table’s dominant force, crossing the 17,000,000 mark with well-timed bluffs and sizable bets, reminding everyone who held the reins.
In a dramatic hand with Madsen, Micka secured a straight on the turn, seemingly sealing Madsen’s fate, but Madsen struck back with a full house on the river for a last-minute double-up. However, Madsen’s resurgence was brief; shortly afterward, he moved all-in with pocket queens, only for Marchington to river an ace, eliminating Madsen in third place.
Photo Credit: Rachel Key Winter
Heads-Up Concludes in Just One Hand
With a 4-to-1 chip lead over Micka, Marchington entered heads-up play firmly in control. Surprisingly, it took just one hand to end it. Starting at 200,000/400,000, Marchington limped on the button with 7♠4♠, and Micka checked with 5♦4♦. On a 6♠5♠3♠ flop, Micka checked, and Marchington made a small bet, which Micka called. The turn, a 2♠, gave Marchington the nut straight, and Micka, unaware of the impending outcome, checked again. Marchington bet three-quarters of the pot, and Micka called.
When the river brought a 3♣, Micka’s check was met by Marchington’s all-in shove. After some deliberation, Micka called with his six-high straight, only to see Marchington’s seven-high straight. And with that, the NAPT Main Event was decided in less than a minute of heads-up play.
“I prepared myself for a potentially long heads-up match,” Marchington shared afterward, “and then… it was all over in a flash.”
This win brings Marchington’s live career earnings past $3 million and adds another trophy to his growing collection. After reflecting on his journey from his early WSOP run to his current success, Marchington concluded, “It feels great to win one [of the most prestigious events]. It’s a really cool trophy and will definitely be a memory for life.”
Photo Credit: Matthew Berglund
2024 NAPT Las Vegas Main Event Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nick Marchington |  |
$765,200 |
| 2 | Joel Micka |  |
$478,450 |
| 3 | Jeff Madsen | |
$341,750 |
| 4 | Marco Johnson | |
$262,900 |
| 5 | Curt Kohlberg | |
$202,250 |
| 6 | Masato Yokosawa |  |
$155,550 |
| 7 | Brock Wilson | |
$119,650 |
| 8 | Matt Affleck | |
$92,000 |
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