There was only one name at the final table of the 2016 Punta Cana Poker Classic Main Event. Eduards Kudrjavcevs dominated from the beginning to the end and became champion for a $143,675 prize. Eduards eliminated five of the eight players that returned for the final day at the beautiful Meliá Caribe Tropical.

Two and a half levels were needed to deliver the first elimination of the day when the Argentinian Fernando Gordo shoved with K Q and Eduards called with J 10. A J showed up on the turn and Fernando left the room with a $18,005 cash.

On the very next level, Jorge de Oliveira shoved with A 4 and found the call of Minaya with K 5. The board brought two kings and de Oliveira left the room with a $22,855 prize. A few hands later, Enrique Skiarki shoved with A 6 and Eduards called with 8 10. An 8 on the flop was enough and Skiarki left with a $27,705 prize.

One level later John Curcury was eliminated after announcing his all-in with K 7 against Eduards’ pocket eights. The board didn’t help Curcury who returned home with an extra $34,630. Carlos Sobenes left fourth after shoving with pocket fives but crashing against Cotton’s pocket aces. The Peruvian player took home a $46,406 prize.

When players were three handed, they decided to take the dinner break but when they returned only three hands were needed to crown a champion. First Chris Cotton (3° – $60,600) shoved with K 9 and Eduards called with J 7. The flop brought a K but the turn completed Eduards’ flush to eliminate Cotton.

On the very next hand, Manelic Minaya shoved with K 10 and Eduards called with an A Q. The board didn’t help the Dominican player who left the tournament as the runner-up with a $88,995 prize.