One Card, Shortest Stack: Andrew Chang's Unbelievable Poker Trophy Win

In a twist that has the poker world buzzing, Andrew Chang, despite holding the shortest chip stack during a five-handed deal, was declared the champion of the $500 Monumental Stack event at the 2026 Potomac Summer Poker Open. It took just one dealt card—an ace, to be exact—after players agreed to chop the prize money based on chip counts and then randomly draw for the coveted trophy. This unique outcome, happening at the MGM National Harbor, saw Chang secure his first career trophy, even as chip leader Jack Arnal walked away with a larger share of the $22,882 prize money. Chang, a Virginia native with a history of reaching final table, including a runner-up finish in Las Vegas in 2024, had seen his chip lead at the final table dwindle, making his eventual trophy win an even more improbable feat driven by an unusual agreement. The poker community is now weighing in on the fairness and excitement of such tie-breaking methods in tournament chop. While Chang is still deciding if he'll play the Main Event, his 'one card' victory underscores poker's inherent variance and the unexpected routes to glory, reminding players that sometimes, luck trumps chips in the final moments.