Brandon Mitchell Crowned Arizona State Poker Champion with $525,700 Win

Former Highway Patrol Officer Beats Record Field in Scottsdale

Brandon Mitchell has etched his name in poker history by winning the 2025 Arizona State Poker Championship at Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale. The 38-year-old former highway patrol officer overcame a massive field of 3,546 players to secure the top prize of $525,700 on Sunday evening.

The $1,100 buy-in no-limit hold ’em event not only broke attendance records but also delivered life-changing money to several players. For Mitchell, the victory adds to an already impressive resume and takes his live tournament earnings to nearly $1.5 million.

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Brandon Mitchell Turns the Tables in Arizona

Entering the final table, David Levy held a commanding chip lead with more than double the stack of his nearest rival. Mitchell, meanwhile, was in the middle of the pack, but he stayed patient and picked his spots wisely.

The turning point came when Mitchell won a monster pot against Levy, seizing control of the game. From that moment, momentum swung in his favor. The championship was sealed when Mitchell’s K-5 outlasted Levy’s K-2, sparking cheers from the Arizona crowd.

With the win, Mitchell earned the biggest payday of his career and the admiration of fans across the state. “This is home. To win it here, it means the world,” he said after lifting the trophy.

Final Table Drama

The final table delivered plenty of action and emotional moments. The top nine players all walked away with at least five-figure payouts, and six players secured six-figure scores.

• 9th Place – Mark Evangelista ($52,600)
• 8th Place – James Pausch ($65,800)
• 7th Place – Senh Cong ($78,900)
• 6th Place – Christopher Collins ($105,300)
• 5th Place – Zachary Powers ($131,600)
• 4th Place – Hayley Hanna ($157,900)
• 3rd Place – Nicholas Rogers ($210,500)
• 2nd Place – David Levy ($310,000)
• 1st Place – Brandon Mitchell ($525,700)

Among the standout performers was Hayley Hanna, fiancée of high-stakes pro David Peters. Despite her relative inexperience, Hanna captured the attention of poker fans worldwide. Her fourth-place finish for $157,900 multiplied her previous career earnings several times over.

A Champion’s Growing Legacy

Mitchell’s latest win adds another highlight to his growing poker legacy. His first major title came in June 2023, when he claimed victory at a $1,100 Wynn Las Vegas event for $327,817. Earlier this summer, he finished fifth in the 2025 WSOP $25,000 High Roller, cashing for $303,773.

Now, with this Arizona championship, Mitchell has become one of the state’s most decorated poker players.

StakeKings Backers Celebrate Too

Mitchell wasn’t just playing for himself. He represented Team Mitchell on the poker staking platform StakeKings, where fans could buy a share of his tournament action. Those who supported him had reason to celebrate, as they shared in his record-breaking score.

Even more, Mitchell’s team defeated Team Jones, led by World Series of Poker Main Event finalist Steven Jones, in the Arizona Team Battle. For many fans, it was the perfect underdog story—Mitchell not only took home the title but also brought his supporters along for the ride.

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Why This Win Matters

The Arizona State Poker Championship has always been a major event on the U.S. poker calendar. However, this year’s edition raised the bar with its record turnout and massive prize pool.

Mitchell’s triumph shows the continuing strength of regional poker tournaments and the opportunities they provide for new champions to emerge. It also highlights how platforms like StakeKings allow fans to feel directly involved in the action, sharing both the risks and rewards.

FAQs

Q1: How much did Brandon Mitchell win?
He won $525,700 at the 2025 Arizona State Poker Championship.

Q2: Where was the tournament held?
The event took place at Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Q3: Who finished second in the tournament?
David Levy finished second, taking home $310,000.

Q4: Has Brandon Mitchell won big before?
Yes, he won $327,817 at Wynn Las Vegas in 2023 and $303,773 at the 2025 WSOP High Roller.

Q5: What is StakeKings and why is it mentioned?
StakeKings is a poker staking platform where fans can buy a share of a player’s action. Mitchell’s backers shared in his victory winnings.

Content Courtesy: POKERNEWS