American Poker Player Galen Hall Wins 2011 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure

A 24-year-old San Francisco native Galen Hall has won the 2011 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure. 

Hall had few cashouts on the live poker circuit prior to winning the big $2.3 million prize this weekend.  He ended up with an unprecedented 5:1 chip lead to beat 21-year-old Floridian Chris Oliver after a final lasting more than nine hours.

“I feel pretty awesome,” Hall said after the win.  “It still hasn’t set in yet. We played heads-up for a really long time so I haven’t been thinking about the win. Up until this event, I’ve been a very terrible live tournament player. I have a pretty impressive track record of busting on Day 1.”

Hall is looking to take part in future tournaments over the coming year despite an upcoming rigorous college schedule as he is set to attend Stanford University to study for an MBA. 

All eight finalists at this year’s PCA cashed out at more than $200,000 and up.   The top 4 cashouts paid $1 million and up. (see below ad)

1 Galen Hall USA $2,300,000

2 Chris Oliver USA PokerStars qualifier $1,800,000

3 Anton Ionel Romania PokerStars qualifier $1,350,000

4 Sam Stein USA PokerStars qualifier $1,000,000

5 Mike Sowers USA PokerStars player $700,000

6 Bolivar Palacios Panama PokerStars player $450,000

7 Max Weinberg USA $300,000

8 Phillipe Plouffe Canada PokerStars qualifier $202,000

- Ace King, Gambling911.com