Potomac World Series Poker Player Wins $19K

A Potomac man cashed out with just over $19,000 in the 2012 World Series of Poker Main Event.

Eight players from Maryland, including three from Montgomery County, finished in the Main Event's top 666, earning a payout on their $10,000 buy-in.

• Aaron Kaiser, of Silver Spring, finished 104th and was awarded $52,718
• Kent Goulding, of Potomac, finished 604th and was awarded $19,227
• Brock Parker, of Silver Spring, finished 614th and was awarded $19,227

Now, a Derwood man's skill, luck and $10,000 investment are about to pay off big in the World Series of Poker.

With the final days of the 2012 WSOP Main Event—a $10,000 buy-in, No Limit Texas Hold'em tournament—approaching, Percy Mahatan has survived the field of 6,598 players and is among the tournament's final 27.

Even if Mahatan is the first player eliminated, he is guaranteed a payout of $294,601. If he were to survive to the end, the champion takes home $8,527,982. He would have to advance into the Top 7 to earn a payout of more than $1 million.

Mahatan, 32, was in 16th place with 6.75 million chips prior to play restarting on Monday evening in Las Vegas. As a government contractor working in finance, he qualified for the Main Event by winning a satellite tournament hosted by his company.

The WSOP Main Event winner won't be determined until October, when the field of play resumes after being dwindled down to the final table, consisting of nine players. The minimum payout for all "October 9" players is $757,798.

Joining Mahatan in the "Terrific 27" from Maryland is Laurel's Greg Merson, who was in 12th place with over 7.4 million chips heading into the tournament's final day.

Play resumed at 4 p.m. Monday. Chip counts can be tracked for Day 7 and the WSOP provides live updates after big hands and eliminations.

Visit the official website of the World Series of Poker for more information.