A rare three way ICM deal abruptly ended the Maryland State Poker Championship Main Event as Justin Arnwine secured the largest payout while Daniel Iachan claimed his first trophy and Aaron Pinson locked in a major cash
What was set up to be a marathon showdown for the Maryland State Poker Championship $1,700 Main Event title instead ended in a flash. With all three finalists holding deep stacks and the $111,000 top prize still in play, Justin Arnwine, Daniel Iachan, and Aaron Pinson halted the action and agreed to an ICM chop—splitting the remaining prize pool and closing the tournament before a single hand of three handed play could escalate into a drawn out battle.
Deal Terms and Payouts
The final agreement saw Arnwine take home the largest share at $86,167, Pinson secure $76,221, and Iachan claim $78,112 along with the event trophy. The deal was not just about the money—by mutual consent, Iachan was awarded the official winner’s hardware, a first in his career after multiple deep runs in major events. The payouts for the rest of the final table ranged from $41,000 for fourth place down to $11,100 for ninth, with the top three all marked by the asterisk of a deal rather than a traditional finish.
How the Final Table Unfolded
Six players returned to the final table at Live! Casino Maryland after a field of 380 entries. Arnwine and Iachan entered as chip leaders, with Pinson close behind. Arnwine quickly eliminated Robert Salera, while Iachan’s call sent Valentin Lita to the rail in fifth. After a key pot between Arnwine and Kevin Grabel, Pinson finished off Grabel to set up the three way standoff. At that point, all three players held more than 80 big blinds—an unusually deep situation for a late stage live tournament, making the prospect of a lengthy contest very real. Instead, the trio opted for the pragmatic route, locking in their winnings and sidestepping the variance of extended play.
Player Reactions and Motivations
For Iachan, the trophy was the missing piece after back to back deep runs in the WSOP Main Event. He acknowledged he would have preferred to win outright, but accepted the deal as a mark of respect from his peers. Arnwine, a local tournament fixture, was content to maximize his payout and credited his wife Caitlyn and fellow pro Bin Weng for shaping his approach—citing Caitlyn’s own runner up finish as inspiration for his aggressive style. Pinson, already a seven figure earner from a previous WPT Prime Championship result, added another major score to his resume. The decision to chop was driven by the deep stacks and mutual recognition of each player’s skill, a dynamic that has become more common in high level poker as players seek to manage risk and secure tangible results.
Context in the Tournament Landscape
ICM deals—where remaining prize money is split according to each player’s chip equity—are not new to poker, but awarding the trophy as part of the negotiation remains rare. The Maryland State Poker Championship’s early finish echoes trends seen in other major events, where player led deals can override the drama of a traditional heads up conclusion. For those interested in the strategic side of tournament play, a recent analysis breaks down the factors that drive high stakes decision making at the table.
Understanding ICM (Independent Chip Model) is essential for following modern poker tournaments. ICM calculates each player’s share of the remaining prize pool based on their current chip stack, factoring in payout structure and risk of elimination. This model often leads to deals in live events, especially when stacks are deep and pay jumps are significant. For players, ICM chops can reduce variance and guarantee a payout, but they also shift the focus from pure competition to negotiation and risk management—a tradeoff that continues to shape the evolution of tournament poker.
