Edwards Muñiz Plays His First Omaha Tournament and Wins the Big O Title

2020 Lucky Hearts Poker Open
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Hollywood, Florida
Event 5
$400 Big O (Re-Entry)
Entries:  87
Prize Pool:  $29,580
January 11, 2020

Event 5 Champion Edwards Muñiz
Event 5 Champion Edwards Muñiz

Edwards Muñiz came to Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood for the weekend to play the $1,100 WPTDeepStacks event, and on Friday night he bagged up the Day 1B chip lead with 412,000 in chips.

That left Muñiz with a day off on Saturday, and there was only one other trophy event running that day — $400 Big O, a five-card version of PLO-8.

There was only one problem for Muñiz, who is a self-proclaimed hold’em player. “I’ve literally never played Big O before.”

“I’ve played dealer’s choice at home games with friends where Omaha would come up,” said Muñiz, “but I’ve never played an Omaha tournament, and I’ve never played an Omaha cash game.”

But beginner’s luck worked in Muñiz’s favor today, and he wound up with a massive chip lead when the final three players made a deal to end the tournament. As chipleader, Muñiz was declared the winner, receiving the title and the trophy.

The final hand of the tournament, where Muñiz eliminated Claudangelo Beaudouin in fourth place, was the most memorable for him.

“I can’t believe I hit that miracle three on the river,” said Muñiz. “I have no idea how I won, but I will take it.”

Muñiz will be back tomorrow at 12:00 noon for Day 2 of the WPTDeepStacks event, where he will start the day 10th in chips. Will playing a full day of Big O have any effect on Muñiz’s hold’em game?

“I’m sure my brain is a little bit scrambled,” said Muñiz. “I hope I can get some rest and be prepared for tomorrow. I’m going to have to reset my brain altogether.”


Final Results:

1st:  William Edwards Muñiz  –  $8,725 + LHPO Trophy*
2nd:  Harry Eisenberg  –  $5,815*
3rd:  Miami John Cernuto  –  $3,940*
4th:  Claudangelo Beaudouin  –  $2,775
5th:  Gabriel Ramos  –  $2,025
6th:  Barak Zaken  –  $1,540
7th:  Bobbi Smith  –  $1,220
8th:  Kevin Love  –  $1,010
9th:  Stephen Allen  –  $870
10th:  Joseph Treffiletti  –  $870
11th:  Barry Levy  –  $790

* Denotes results of a three-way deal.