While most eyes were on the WSOP Main Event, Jaka Coaching member Eric Dillon quietly carved out his own slice of poker glory. In Event #85: the $600 Ultra Stack, Eric outlasted 7,057 players to finish 9th, scoring a career-best $35,610.
The Field Was Massive—And Eric Rose to the Occasion
The Ultra Stack is one of the WSOP’s biggest minefields. With over 7,000 players, it demands more than just talent—it takes poise, precision, and a strong strategy from start to finish. Eric brought all of that to the table.
Before the WSOP, he had been focusing heavily on winning bigger pots, whether deep or short-stacked, after Jaka’s coach, Lachezar, flagged excessive small betting during a 1-on-1 review of Eric’s online final table win in January on Ignition. That session led him to dig into materials like the Overbets JakaMini, which sharpened his aggression in the early and middle stages. The adjustments paid off on poker’s biggest stage.
🔥 A Deep Run Fueled by Preparation
Since joining JAKAcoaching, Eric has been steadily improving his game. He committed to:
- Structured study sessions
- Reviewing key hands with coaches
- Drilling late-stage spots using tools like RangeTrainerPro and DTO
When the tournament reached its most intense moments, near the final two tables, his prep showed. The decisions got tougher, but Eric stayed sharp.
Eric Reflects on His WSOP Journey
Eric summed up his WSOP experience in a thoughtful Instagram post after the event:
“Poker is a funny thing. You can feel really good about losses and really bad about wins. I think the biggest thing is you take away something from each and every tournament. Busted the Main Event early getting in with the best hand possible against one of the best players in the world. Then made it through 7,000 other players, made a mistake and finished only 8 away from a WSOP bracelet. This was my most memorable trip yet. Until next year WSOP summer camp!”
For this reason, His reflection shows the mindset of a player focused not just on results, but on long-term growth.
A Teacher On and Off the Felt
Eric’s not just a grinder; he’s also been a Physical Education teacher for the last 23 years, proving that the poker table isn’t the only place he’s coached and inspired others.
His dedication to self-improvement stands out even more when you consider his limited volume in live events. He noted that over the past 12 months, he’s come up short (9th or 10th) in four big final table spots, including this WSOP run. Notably, he busted the Ultra Stack in a hand against Justin, another Jaka student, who went on to win the bracelet.
That experience has shaped his new direction:
“Since the WSOP, I’ve dedicated most of my study time to final table ICM. I don’t play a ton of live poker, so going forward, all my MTT focus will be on final table execution.”
What’s Next?
With this impressive milestone under his belt, Eric is setting his sights on more live events and major online tournaments. His result in the WSOP $600 Ultra Stack has ignited further ambition, proving that with the right preparation, your poker breakthrough is never far off. From the entire Jaka Coaching team, huge congratulations, Eric! Watching your growth and focus pay off on such a big stage inspires us all.
Start Your Climb Today
Eric’s story proves that when preparation meets opportunity, success follows. JAKAcoaching is here to equip you with the strategies and support you need for your own deep run at the tables.
Join now with a risk-free 7-day trial and take the first step toward your deep run. Your final table moment could be next.
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