San Diego Poker Classic: Scott Aulds rallies from a 5-1 deficit to claim the title, avenging his defeat three years later by winning the Main Event.

On August 10, 2026, the San Diego Poker Classic (SDPC) $600 Main Event concluded at Jamul Casino Resort. Scott Aulds, who finished as runner-up in this Main Event three years prior, finally achieved his goal, emerging victorious from a field of 434 players to defeat Ediberto Pilotin and claim the $45,311 champion prize.

This event generated a total prize pool of $225,680. For Aulds, a long-time fixture at Jamul Casino Resort, this is his 12th tournament win at the venue and his fifth San Diego Poker Classic title.

434 entries, Aulds wins the main event title three years later.

Aulds finished as runner-up in the San Diego Poker Classic Main Event in 2023. At that time, he had not yet accumulated his current record of numerous championships, so this Main Event title was always one of the ones he most wanted to add to his resume. Three years later, returning to the same venue, he finally upgraded his runner-up finish to a championship.

2026 SDPC Main Event Final Table Results

Day 2 started with 52 players, and by the first break, only 22 remained.

On Day 2, 52 players returned to the tables, and the elimination rate increased rapidly after the start of the game. By the time the first break arrived, the number of participants had decreased from 52 to 22.

Day 1B chip leader Pablo Costorda failed to maintain his lead until the final table, ultimately being eliminated in 15th place by Robert Fortuno. After approximately six hours of Day 2 competition, the nine-player final table was officially formed, but from this moment on, the previously rapid pace of elimination suddenly slowed down.

Fortuno, the chip leader in the FT, was the first to suffer a major blow.

Robert Fortuno started as the chip leader at the final table, but his good fortune didn't last long. After losing several pots in a row, he quickly fell from the lead into the danger zone, eventually becoming the first player eliminated at the final table, finishing in ninth place with $4,531.

Wesley McGraw then left in eighth place, but the competition then became a long and drawn-out affair, with no further eliminations for about two hours, until Kenneth Hirose finished in seventh place.

Desmond Teal eliminated two players in a row, and Pilotin took over the four-player table.

With six players remaining, Desmond Teal eliminated Cary Williams and Michael Starek in succession, reducing the number of players on the field to four.

Next, Ediberto Pilotin took over the elimination rounds. He first sent Kyler Somers to fourth place, then eliminated Teal, and entered heads-up play against Aulds with a nearly 5-1 chip lead.

Trailing 5-1, Aulds doubled his bet on his first all-in.

When the heads-up match began, Aulds faced the toughest situation of the entire tournament. Pilotin had nearly five times the scoreboard and was just one elimination away from the championship.

With blinds at 100,000/200,000 and a big blind ante of 200,000, Pilotin went all-in from the BTN position, and Aulds called with the remaining 2,650,000.

Aulds: A♦5♦
Pilotin：K♥10♦

The community cards dealt were 8♠Q♥6♠, Q♦, and 4♦. Aulds successfully defended his Ace-high, completing the crucial first doubling-up for the heads-up championship.

Aulds said after the match that it was this doubling that made him feel for the first time that he had a real chance to avoid the runner-up result three years ago and turn the game around to win the championship.

The flop came in a straight with a 4-2 score, and the three streets established a 3-1 lead.

After doubling up, Aulds quickly took down another large pot from Pilotin.

Pilotin limped in from the button, and Aulds checked from the big blind. The flop came 3♥5♥6♣, and Aulds, holding 4♣2♣, had a straight. He immediately bet 350,000, and Pilotin called.

On the turn, the card was 10♦. Aulds bet 1,100,000, and Pilotin called again. On the river, the card was 9♦. Aulds bet 2,300,000 for the third time, and Pilotin called again. Aulds then showed up with 4♣2♣ to take the huge pot and extend his heads-up advantage to about 3 to 1.

Pilotin fought back tenaciously, bringing the championship battle back to a near tie.

Even after falling behind from a huge lead, Pilotin didn't give up. He then narrowed the gap again through several pots, including one hand on a 5♦3♠J♣4♦3♣ board where he beat Aulds' A♥K♣ with a pair of Jacks (K♦J♥), bringing the chip count close once more.

Facing a long final table and unpredictable heads-up matches, Aulds says he uses breathing exercises to lower his heart rate and refocus his attention when he feels anxious or bored. This method of maintaining a steady rhythm has become an important way for him to stay focused during long heads-up matches.

"Slow and Steady" became the key to Aulds' victory.

Aulds describes his playing style as consistent and patient. He believes he excels at maximizing the value of strong hands while controlling losses from weaker ones, without letting short-term chip count fluctuations disrupt his rhythm.

This strategy gradually proved effective in the later stages of the championship. After Aulds regained control, they chipped away at Pilotin's chips with one small to medium pot after another. Pilotin managed to double up twice during the short-stack phase, but he was never able to regain a stable lead.

A♣4♣ completed a flush with A-rank cards, securing the championship with the final move.

The final hand occurred at level 30, with blinds of 150,000/300,000 and a big blind ante of 300,000.

Pilotin raised to 875,000, and Aulds called from the big blind. The flop came:

K♦ 5♣ 10♣

Aulds went all in, Pilotin called, and the championship showdown officially began.

Pilotin：Q♣J♦
Aulds：A♣4♣

Pilotin had two straight draws, while Aulds held an Ace-high flush draw and a higher Ace-high card. The turn card allowed Aulds to complete his Ace-high flush, and Pilotin was unable to catch up, ultimately finishing as runner-up with $30,207.

Aulds has officially secured his first San Diego Poker Classic Main Event title, along with a $45,311 prize.

Three years after being runner-up, I've finally won the championship I've always wanted.

For Scott Aulds, this victory is not simply about adding another trophy.

He had already won 12 titles at Jamul Casino Resort and five titles at the San Diego Poker Classic, but his runner-up finish in the Main Event three years ago still makes this title particularly special.

This year's final table lasted over six hours, with Aulds facing a nearly 5-to-1 chip deficit in heads-up play. From doubling up with a short stack of 2,650,000, to establishing a lead with a flop straight, to withstanding Pilotin's comeback and regaining control of the game, he ultimately finished with an Ace-high flush to be eliminated.

The regret of finishing as runner-up three years ago finally came to an end in 2026. Scott Aulds became the last player out of 434 entries, and finally added the SDPC Main Event title to his Jamul Casino Resort resume.

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