The 22-year-old player is following in his father’s poker footsteps
Joseph Osterbauer capped off a memorable run at the Roughrider Poker Tour (RPT) Jackpot Junction Main Event in Morton, Minnesota, by winning his first major poker title. The 22-year-old secured the top payout of $38,000—his largest career score—after agreeing to a three-way ICM deal before going on to claim the RPT bracelet in heads-up play.
The tournament, which marked the RPT’s Minnesota debut, attracted 474 entries and built a prize pool of $255,960. Osterbauer topped Chandra Kontham after a competitive final battle, with Michael Dehen finishing third. All three players were Minnesota locals, making the event’s first edition a hometown showcase.
Osterbauer’s win was made even more special with his father, Joseph Osterbauer Sr., on the rail throughout. The two have shared a passion for poker for years, often traveling and playing tournaments together. “It’s kind of what we do. It’s our father-son bonding,” Osterbauer said, reflecting on the impact his dad has had on his poker journey.
The deal between the final three players locked up prize money, but they decided to keep playing for the bracelet. For Osterbauer, winning the first RPT bracelet in Minnesota meant a lot. “I’m expecting this series to keep coming back, and it’s cool to be the first name on the list,” he said.
The timing couldn’t have been better, either. Osterbauer’s win came just hours before his 22nd birthday. He joked that the celebration would be low-key, likely heading home, catching some sleep, and getting back to his routine.
A senior at the University of St. Thomas, Osterbauer plans to continue grinding mid-stakes events across the Midwest while preparing for law school. With a major title now under his belt, it’s safe to say the poker tables will be seeing more of him.
