Jonathan Hilton wins WSOP National Championship

Sunday May 26,2013 : HILTON TRIUMPHANT IN WORLD SERIES OF POKER NATIONAL
 
Bests entry field of 127
 
Jonathan Hilton has claimed his maiden, and the first World Series of Poker winner's bracelet awarded on U.S. soil away from the bright lights of Las Vegas, besting a field of 127 and a final table occupied by highly experienced professionals.
 
The third annual WSOP National Championship was held at Harrah’s New Orleans, and comprised 20 WSOP Circuit Main Event winners, 18 Casino Champions, 62 at-large qualifiers and 27 WSOP Payer of the Year $10,000 buy-ins, signalling the end of the 2012-2013 World Series of Poker Circuit season.
 
Hilton began final table action around the middle of a pack that included Max Steinberg, Robert Panitch, Brock Parker, Tim Bowman, Joe Tehan, Nicolas Vaca-Rondon and Jeremy Ausmus, but he fought his way to the top as one by one the contestants were eliminated.
 
When Illinois pro Panitch busted out in third place, it was left to Hilton and Max Steinberg to decide the winner in a heads up in which Steinberg held a sizeable chip lead. It turned out to be an exciting confrontation with the lead changing hands several times before Hilton was able to claim victory, the main prize of $355,599 and the winner's bracelet, leaving his opponent with a runner up prize of $219,799.