Kevin Rabichow Claims Victory in the 2024 WPT Playground High Roller
Recent poker events have shown the immense talent within the poker community, and the 2024 World Poker Tour (WPT) Playground was no exception. The tournament weekend boasted not only a CAD $1,100 Prime Championship and a CAD $3,500 Championship Event but also a high-stakes CAD $10,500 High Roller tournament. This prestigious event drew 31 entries and, significantly, exceeded expectations by yielding a staggering CAD $640,000 prize pool—more than triple the promised CAD $200K guarantee.
Kevin Rabichow
A Final Table with Dominance
Among the competitors, the final table was notably characterized by the impressive presence of Canadian players, alongside Cooper Henry Bryant from Australia, who ultimately finished third. In a thrilling turn of events, Bryant’s journey ended just ahead of Chanracy Khun, who made headlines for his previous triumph over Doug Polk in the heads-up match of the 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Event #8: $25,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold’em Championship.
Khun’s performance, alongside Canadian poker legends, highlighted the fierce competition and showcased the depth of talent in the region.
The History of Pascal Lefrancois
Among those vying for the title was the illustrious Pascal Lefrancois, who has a storied history in poker, including a WSOP bracelet win in 2010 and several landmark finishes in other top-tier tournaments. Lefrancois, who took home CAD $154,640 for his second-place finish, is also known for his partypoker LIVE MILLIONS win in Barcelona in 2018. His formidable skills were on display in this event as well, but ultimately, he fell to his rival Kevin Rabichow during heads-up play.
Pascal Lefrancois went shirtless when he won his WSOP bracelet in 2010.
Kevin Rabichow’s Triumph
Kevin Rabichow emerged victorious, capitalizing on his extensive experience and strategic depth. Before this momentous win, he had already accumulated an impressive $4.15 million in lifetime tournament earnings. Notably, Rabichow’s remarkable achievements include a runner-up finish in the 2021 WSOP Event #87: $100,000 High Roller, where his play earned him $1,210,487. Previously, he also secured a second-place finish in the 2022 WPT Wynn $25,000 High Roller for an additional $518,940.
Rabichow’s connection to Playground runs deep. He previously finished second in the partypoker MILLIONS North America CAD $10,300 Main Event in May 2019, proving that he is no stranger to this competitive arena.
The Man Behind the Cards
Not just a skilled player, Rabichow is also recognized as one of the leading coaches in the poker circuit and a University of Chicago graduate with a degree in economics. His career took off in Toronto after the online poker landscape shifted post-Black Friday, allowing him to continue his passion and expertise on the virtual felt. In 2022, he further cemented his reputation by launching a poker training course titled "The Game Plan" through Run It Once, showcasing his dedication to education and mentorship within the poker scene.
2024 WPT Playground High Roller Results
The outcome of the tournament was as follows:
| Place | Player | Hometown | Prize (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kevin Rabichow | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | $211,120 |
| 2 | Pascal Lefrancois | St. Therese, Quebec, Canada | $154,640 |
| 3 | Cooper Henry Bryant | Sydney, Australia | $84,800 |
| 4 | Chanracy Khun | Blainville, Quebec, Canada | $57,600 |
| 5 | Stephen Nahm | Burnaby, British Columbia | $44,800 |
| 6 | Tommy Nguyen | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | $35,200 |
| 7 | Dustin Melanson | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | $28,800 |
| 8 | Joshua Andrew Justin | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | $23,040 |
Conclusion
The 2024 WPT Playground High Roller undoubtedly showcased some of the best talents in poker today. With Kevin Rabichow’s well-deserved victory and fantastic performances from players like Pascal Lefrancois and Chanracy Khun, the event was a stunning reminder of the skill, strategy, and excitement that defines high-stakes poker. As the poker world looks towards future tournaments, it will be fascinating to see how these standout players continue to shape their legacies.
Photos courtesy of Playground
Article by Chad Holloway, PR & Media Manager at PokerNews, Podcast host & 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner.
