Steve Sung builds a chip fortress when heads-up.

The fourth largest live tournament and largest outside the World Series of Poker Main Event was swamped in anoynimity. 6,012 players took four days to complete and young pro Steve Sung won Event #4 ($1,000 No Limit Hold’em Stimulus Special) survived a mine field of amateurs, big swings at the final table, and heated tension with 2nd place finisher Pete Vilandos.

After winning his first bracelet, an excited and open Sung talked with reporters, in stark contrast to his quiet and reserved table image. The elated Sung was celebrating with a large contingent of top pros in his cheering section, including; Erick Lindgren, J.C. Tran, Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi, and Chino Rheem.

How do you feel after winning your first WSOP bracelet?

I feel amazing. I feel like the monkey is off my back, just amazing.

Did you feel that you would get it done this early in the series?

Absolutely not, I didn’t think so at all. I mean, 6,000 players. I was just trying to play like everyone else, we all had the same objective. I was lucky enough to be the one that won. 

Does the win feel a little sweeter after the tension you had with Vilandos?

Not exactly because I understand where he’s coming from. We both overreacted, no harm no foul.

Out of all the events is this one of the events that you wanted to win?

Actually, I didn’t even know about this tournament. I played in the 40k (Event #2 $40,000 No Limit Hold’em) and busted that, fairly bad. I was pretty bummed out, but the next day I played this tournament. I was like, “I’ve got to play better, I need to bounce back.”

When did you think you had a chance to win the tournament?

I have no idea… at heads-up I was the most confident.

You offered to play for all the money at heads-up, if Vilandos gets back to even in chips do you still make that offer?

Yeah, I was serious. My objective was to win a bracelet and I felt really confident about my game. I had him right where I wanted him. 

What’s the plan for the next few days?

Right back here tomorrow.

This was the fourth largest tournament in history, how did you prepare mentally and physically for something like this?

In such a huge field I try eat fruit at every break to keep me going. Usually I do go to the gym, but not during this tournament. Maybe I’ll never work out again.

How are your parents going to react to this?

They’re not going to be as happy as I want them to be. They’re a little against gambling. But I’m about to call my mom, she’ll be excited for me. She wants me to be happy, the money is superficial.

Is this something that has sunk in yet or do you think you’ll wake up tomorrow and realize it?

To be honest, it hasn’t sunk in yet. I’m still in awe. I feel like the 8 came on the river. The turn and river were both three-spotters and I felt he was a huge favorite to get there. I’m just speechless.

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