Already leading the Global Poker Index’s Player of the Year standings, Keven “Stammdogg” Stammen vaulted himself even further ahead of the competition last night by winning the Season XII WPT World Championship along with $1.35 million.

Stammen beat out a 328-player field to top the World Poker Tour’s most prestigious tournament. Interestingly enough, though, it looked like Stammen wouldn’t even make it out of Day 3 since he had the fourth shortest stack. However, the Coldwater, Ohio native doubled-up a few times and got himself back into the game.

He eventually rolled into the 6-player final table with a chip lead. And he’d need it because all five of his opponents were skilled pros. Tony Dunst was the most notable because he hosts the WPT’s Raw Deal segment. And Dunst made a strong run at the title, rising from fifth in chips to make three-handed play. However, Stammen would end Dunst’s run when the board failed to provide the latter’s A-2 combo with any help.

This left Stammen pitted against Byron Kaverman, who’s from Fort Jennings (OH), which is just an hour away from where his heads-up opponent lives. But while these two may have been from each other’s backyard, they weren’t about to concede anything with $1.35 million on the line. Stammen started with a big lead, but Kaverman fought back to even the chip count. Stammdogg would take back control, though, and eventually run away with the tournament.

A longtime standout in the online poker realm – thanks to his $5.5 million in winnings – Stammen is now a force in the live world too since he’s won a WSOP bracelet, WPT title and over $3.5 million.

WPT Championship Final Table Payouts
1st. Keven Stammen – $1,350,000
2nd. Byron Kaverman – $727,860
3rd. Tony Dunst – $452,729
4th. Ryan D’Angelo – $363,930
5th. Curt Kohlberg – $286,292
6th. Abe Korotki – $235,341