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Scott Aulds has captured his first San Diego Poker Classic Main Event title, three years after finishing as runner-up in the same event. The victory came at Jamul Casino Resort, a venue where Aulds already holds a dozen other titles.
Aulds topped a field of 434 entries in the $600 buy-in event, earning $45,311 from a $225,680 prize pool. The win marks his fifth SDPC title overall, but the first in the Main Event itself.
The final table stretched more than six hours, and Aulds began heads-up play against Ediberto Pilotin at nearly a 5-to-1 chip disadvantage. An early double-up gave him the confidence that he could avoid a repeat of his previous runner-up finish.
Aulds later won a large pot to flip the match, building a 3-to-1 lead, though Pilotin fought back to nearly even the counts. Aulds credited breathing exercises for keeping him calm and focused during the tense stretches of the match.
He eventually regained control, grinding down Pilotin’s stack. Despite two late doubles from Pilotin, Aulds sealed the win with an ace-high flush.
Day 2 saw a rapid pace of eliminations, including Day 1b chip leader Pablo Costorda in 15th. Robert Fortuno entered the unusually long final table as chip leader but exited in ninth. Desmond Teal knocked out two players before falling to Pilotin, who eliminated both Teal and Kyler Somers en route to his second-place finish.
