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2009 Horseshoe Hammond
Event 1 - $300 Buy-in No Limit Holdem Final Results. 2009 Horseshoe Hammond WSOP Circuit Events.

2009 Horseshoe Hammond
World Series of Poker Circuit Events
Official Results
World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit Results
2009 Horseshoe Hammond Event #1 Results
2009-2010 World Series of Poker Circuit
Horseshoe Hammond
Oct. 16-27
Event #1
No Limit Holdem
Buy-In: $300 + $45
Number of Entries: 1,412
Total Prize Money: $405,692
Josh Shmerl
Final Results:
Place
Name
Hometown
Prize
To view the complete schedule and results for the 2009 Horseshoe Hammond WSOP Circuit Events, click on the link below:

2009 WSOP Circuit Horseshoe Hammond Schedule and Results
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127
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129
130
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133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144T
144T
Josh Shmerl
Aaron Massey
C.J. Sullivan
Chris Vankirk
Stuart Marshak
Elvin Simpson
George Snow
Nick Frost
Jeff Lou
Jason Chappell
Chad Hancock
David Kim
Marty Liebe, Jr.
Rosell Solis
Bryan Gibson
Brian Bishop
Howard Friedman
Rostislav Chizhevsky
Tahir Vora
Bret Martin
Angela Valencia
Jason Glass
David Ouellette
Charles Worthington
Christensen Kip
Justin Clark
Kenneth Baime
Ellis Elliott
Jeffrey Welch
Keenan Ballo
Rodney Doran
Darrell New
Anthony Storti
Joseph Michaels
Ivan Rivera
Robert Lafluer
Christopher Regas
Frank Bourelle
Edward Ochana
Robert Hanson
Porfiro Mendez
Mark Morris
Nick Tsimouris
Paul Grabowski
Nathaniel Emrich
Austin Sparks
Larry Foster
Delane Smith
Matthew Dolce
Daniel Germek
Alec Milam
Mark Breon
Aber Saleh
Joshua Aramburu
Gary Tsui
Edward Rokosik
Andrew Kline
Christopher Timmons
Daniel Malas
Henry Wu
Rado Boltryk
Thomas Matteucci, Jr.
R Michael Stebnicki
Peter Sullivan
Kenneth Glowski
Daniel Campagna
Christopher Zurawski
Neil Yates
Steven Gilletly
Charlie Cibula
Michael Venturelli
Adam Lippert
Michael Coglianese
David Zell
Kurt Jewell
Michael Burge
David Armintrout
David Hayes
Jack Torcolese
Philip Fairley
Stephen Gatses
Donna Behnke
Sun Hahm
Bellerive Luc
James Wheeler
Saengkeo Chanmavong
Kyu Park
John Hendrixson
Mario Beltran
Spiro Poulos
Ravi Raghavan
William Oswald
Harley Sroka
Ralph Fisher
Shamar Sawnigan
Danie Hampton
Joyce Ketelhut
Brian Weissenburger
Patrick Peercy
John Kleine
Daniel Blazek
David Cannon
Jeffrey Latka
Thomas Faino
Lafrance Guillaume
George Filippidis
Robert Grim
Sheera Eby
Jared Brubaker
William Leahy
Scott Gottlieb
Alfredo Matthews
Alexander Balcerzak
Kennii Nguyen
Brian Brown
Ryan Hunsinger
Jeremy Saunders
Terry Moore
George Mesi
Dennis Cho
Vineet Pahuja
Christopher McMillian
Ross Graham
Anthony Harb
Michael Parisi
Eric Ellis
Michael Juliano
Timothy Webb
Terry Bell
Donnie Thompson
John Arenson
Michael Kroll
Joseph Kunst
Chad Anderson
Marcos Godfrey
Bryja Przemyslaw
Linas Venslovas
Michael Carlson
Robert Lies
Chris Clark
Stewart Thomas
Joseph Urbanczyz, Jr.
Pandkep Wangsawasdi
Constandinos Vasos
Bryja Przemyslaw
Wauconda, IL
Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL
Woodridge, IL
Chicago, IL
Downers Grove, IL
Joliet, IL
Chicago, IL
Libertyville, IL
Addison, IL
Chillicothe, IL
Glenview, IL
S. Milwaukee, WI
Chicago, IL
Portage, IN
Toledo, OH
Palatine, FL
Northbrook, IL
Carol Stream, IL
Rolling Park, IN
$79,107
48,683
31,997
22,313
16,431
12,698
10,345
8,804
7,854
5,554
5,554
5,554
3,923
3,923
3,923
2,771
2,771
2,771
2,061
2,061
2,061
2,061
2,061
2,061
2,061
2,061
2,061
1,801
1,801
1,801
1,801
1,801
1,801
1,801
1,801
1,801
1,493
1,493
1,493
1,493
1,493
1,493
1,493
1,493
1,493
1,278
1,278
1,278
1,278
1,278
1,278
1,278
1,278
1,278
1,120
1,120
1,120
1,120
1,120
1,120
1,120
1,120
1,120
1,002
1,002
1,002
1,002
1,002
1,002
1,002
1,002
1,002
909
909
909
909
909
909
909
909
909
819
819
819
819
819
819
819
819
819
746
746
746
746
746
746
746
746
746
686
686
686
686
686
686
686
686
686
686
686
686
686
686
686
686
686
686
641
641
641
641
641
641
641
641
641
641
641
641
641
641
641
641
641
641
641
641
641
641
641
641
641
641
320.5
320.5
Official Report

Event #1 Headlines

1.  23-Year-Old Poker Pro Josh Shmerl Wins First Major Poker Tournament and $79,107
Cash Prize

2.  Horseshoe Casino (Chicago) Sets New Attendance Record as Largest Poker Tournament
in WSOP Circuit History, with 1,412 Entrants

3.  Bad Economy?  Sixth WSOP Circuit Season Begins in Grand Style with Record-Setting
Turnout

4.  Horseshoe Casino (Chicago) Proves Yet Again to be One of Tournament Poker’s Hottest
Markets


World Series of Poker Circuits (History)

The World Series of Poker Circuits began in January 2005.  WSOP Circuits were designed to
bring the excitement of the world’s largest and most prestigious poker series to more
players and fans in various regions throughout the United States.  Over the past five years,
WSOP Circuits have taken place at Harrah’s Entertainment properties in the following
locations:

Las Vegas, NV (Caesars Palace, Harrah’s, and Bally’s/Paris)
Lake Tahoe, NV (Harvey’s Lake Tahoe)
San Diego, CA (Rincon)
New Orleans, LA (Harrah’s)
Tunica, MS (Tunica Grand)
Council Bluffs, IA (Harrah’s)
Elizabeth, IN/Louisville, KY (Horseshoe Southern Indiana)
Hammond, IN/Chicago, IL (Horseshoe Casino)
Atlantic City (Caesars, Harrah’s, Showboat)

This begins WSOP Circuit season number six.  This season officially began on October 16,
2009 at the Horseshoe Casino (Chicago) and will conclude seven months later on May 19,
2010 at Harrah’s New Orleans.  This year, there are 11 WSOP Circuit stops held at the
following locations:

Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland)
Horseshoe Southern Indiana
Harvey’s Lake Tahoe
Harrah’s Atlantic City
Tunica Grand
Harrah’s Council Bluffs
Caesars Atlantic City
Harrah’s Rincon
Harrah’s St. Louis (new location)
Caesars Palace Las Vegas
Harrah’s New Orleans

Only three locations have hosted WSOP Circuits during all six seasons.  They are:

Harrah’s Atlantic City
Harrah’s New Orleans
Harvey’s Lake Tahoe

WSOP Circuit stops typically include 10-15 tournaments played over a two-week period
(some of the more popular events run longer and include as many as 23 events).  Buy-ins
range from $200 for the lower tournaments up to $5,000 for championship events.  During
the first two years of WSOP Circuits, all championship events had a $10,000 buy-in.  This
has been reduced to a $5,000 buy-in since the 2006-2007 season began.

WSOP Circuits consistently attract large fields and payout impressive prize money.  Here
are the ten largest poker events in WSOP Circuit history:

1,412 -- Horseshoe Casino (Chicago), Oct. 16-17, 2009 -- Event #1
1,345 -- Tunica Grand (Mississippi), Jan. 7-8, 2006 – Event #3
1,187 -- Horseshoe Casino (Chicago), Oct. 24-25, 2008 – Event #1
1,181 – Harrah’s Atlantic City, Dec. 5-6, 2008 – Event #1
1,106 -- Caesars Atlantic City, Mar. 5-6, 2007 – Event #1
1,056 -- Caesars Atlantic City, Mar. 5-6, 2008 – Event #1
1,050 -- Caesars Atlantic City, Mar. 7-8, 2008 – Event #3
983 -- Caesars Atlantic City, Mar. 6-7, 2009 – Event #3
940 -- Tunica Grand (Mississippi) Jan. 5-6, 2006 – Event #1
905 -- Tunica Grand (Mississippi) Jan. 24-25, 2009 – Event #5

Winners of WSOP Circuit tournaments receive a gold ring as the token of their
achievement.  This prize is patterned after the coveted gold bracelet, which is awarded to
all winners of WSOP events in Las Vegas.  

The player who has won the most WSOP Circuit gold rings is Men “the Master” Nguyen,
with four victories.  Nguyen also has 12 WSOP Circuit career cashes.

The player who has won the most WSOP Circuit championship events is Chris “Jesus”
Ferguson, with three Main Event victories.  Ferguson won Main Events at Harrah’s Rincon
(2005), Harrah’s Las Vegas (2005), and Harvey’s Lake Tahoe (2007).

The player with the most prize money winnings in WSOP Circuit history is Chris “Jesus”
Ferguson.  His combined career earnings currently total $1,359,143.  Ferguson has cashed
six times.  


World Series of Poker Circuit at Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland)

This marks the second year that the Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland) has hosted a WSOP
Circuit stop.  Last year’s field came close to setting attendance records.  A big turnout is
also expected this year, and the first event of the new 2009-2010 season did not
disappoint.  The Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland) has now hosted two of the three largest
WSOP Circuit tournaments in history.

The Horseshoe Casino poker room regularly holds 34 tables.  However, the WSOP Circuit
took over the special events center called “The Venue.”  This additional floor space holds 78
more poker tables.  This means the Horseshoe Casino holds up to 112 poker tables
combined, making it the largest capacity facility of any WSOP Circuit event.

“The Venue” is regularly used for shows and attracts many of the biggest names in music
and entertainment.  The Venue holds up to 3,000 people.  But most of the theatre seating
was moved aside in favor of poker tables, all packed with players.

This is one of two major poker tournaments held annually at the Horseshoe Casino.  In
addition to the WSOP Circuit, the casino will be hosting the “Chicago Poker Classic,” to be
held February 26 through March 7, 2010.  This tournament is expected to offer nine major
events, plus several second chance tournaments.  Attractions include $350,000 in added
prize money, plus a brand new Porsche Cayman luxury car as the grand prize.  A complete
schedule of the 2010 Chicago Poker Classic will be forwarded to media at the completion of
this year’s WSOP Circuit events.

More information about the Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland) and poker in Chicago area will
be posted in future reports.


Event #1 Champion (Josh Shmerl)

The 2009 World Series of Poker Circuit winner at the Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland) for
Event #1 is Josh Shmerl, from Wauconda, IL.

Shmerl’s hometown of Wauconda is a small community of 12,000 residents located in a lake
resort area, northwest of Chicago.

Shmerl is a 23-year-old professional poker player.  

Shmerl admits to not doing much else, other than playing poker.  He did not attend college
and has never worked a conventional job.  Shmerl began playing poker while in his teens.  
He has been playing professionally for nearly five years.  Shmerl initially played poker
online, but has since opted for live play.  He also travels regularly to tournaments held
throughout the Midwest and Las Vegas.

Shmerl first attended a WSOP Circuit event two years ago at Council Bluffs, IA, when he
turned 21 (legal age).  He has also played in many Heartland Poker Tour events since then.

Shmerl had previously finished as the runner up twice in major tournaments.  He took
second place at the Venetian Deep Stack series held last year in Las Vegas.  Shmerl also
finished second at the WSOP Circuit held at Council Bluffs in 2008.

Shmerl officially collected $79,107 in prize money for first place.

According to official records, Shmerl now has 1 win, 2 final table appearances, and 2 in-the-
money finishes at WSOP Circuits.  His total prize money earnings now total $96,520 in
WSOP-related tournaments.

Shmerl says he plans to play more poker and enter more tournaments in the future,
including this year’s Main Event at the Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland).


Winner Quotes (Josh Shmerl)

On winning the largest WSOP Circuit tournament in history:  “I really can’t believe it.  It’s a
great feeling.  It’s awesome – that’s all I can say.”

On his mental and physical state after playing poker for two straight days in an event that
lasted over 26 hours from start to finish:  “I’m not tired at all.  It’s just the thrill of winning
this.  I finished second in a Circuit event before.  I finished second in a couple of other
tournaments, too.  So, to be able to take the title in a field like this is awesome.”

On winning his first WSOP Circuit gold ring:  “This is the title.  I am glad I have something to
show for it.  I am going to keep it for sure.”

On his current status as a professional poker player:  “I play pretty much wherever I can,
wherever the WSOP Circuit events are going on.  The Heartland Poker Tour, too.  Wherever
the action is good.”

On what motivates him to travel around the Midwest and to Las Vegas to play poker:  “It all
depends on if I can get some friends to go with me, I’ll go anytime.”

Other how he became a poker pro:  “I started out playing poker with my buddies when I
was younger.  I got lucky in an online tournament, and had the bankroll to start doing my
own thing.”

On losing his chip lead at one point at the final table, then coming back to win:  “I kind of
leaked off a little bit.  But my stack size was always pretty big.  I was still right there in first
or second, so I was not too worried.”

On whom he wants to give a shout out to, following his first major win:  “To all my friends
from Wauconda.”

On what he plans to do with nearly $80,000 in winnings:  “It goes right back into the
bankroll.”

On which November Nine player he hopes will win at the 2009 WSOP Main Event
championship:  “I have no idea who will win.  But I want Phil Ivey to win because I think he
deserves it.”

On his goal for the future:  “To be sitting at the November Nine next year in Las Vegas.”


The Final Table / In-the-Money Finishers

The chip leader when final table began was Josh Shmerl.  He enjoyed a slight advantage
over Jeff Lou, who began play in second place.  The remaining players were all within
striking distance, but from the start it appeared that Shmerl and Lou would be the two
players to beat.

The ninth-place finisher was Jeff Lou, a 23-year-old poker player originally from Buffalo, NY
who now lives in Libertyville, IL.  It was a disaster for Lou, who had aspirations of a much
higher finish.  But Lou ended up losing a few devastating early pots and exited with $7,854
in prize money.

The eighth-place finisher was Nick Frost, a 23-year-old poker pro from nearby Chicago.  
Frost previously won an online tournament called the “Sunday Million.”  He ended up with
eighth place in this tournament, worth $8,804.

The seventh-place finisher was George Snow, a 28-year-old carpenter from Joliet, IL.  
Seventh place paid a very respectable $10,345.

The sixth-place finisher was Elvin Simpson, a 29-year-old poker pro from Downers Grove,
IL.  The former industrial engineer carted away $12,698 in prize money.

The fifth-place finisher was Stuart Marshak, a 32-year-old risk manager from Chicago.  This
was Marshak’s second WSOP Circuit final table appearance at the Horseshoe.  He also
made two WSOP final tables in Las Vegas.  Marshak’s payout amounted to $16,431.

The fourth-place finisher was Chris Vankirk, a former salesman from Woodridge, IL.  He
collected $22,313 in prize money.

A deal was struck when play became three-handed.  Terms were not disclosed.  The official
third-place finisher was C.J. Sullivan, a 33-year-old comedian from Chicago.  Sulllivan hosts
a sports and comedy radio show called “Visitors Locker Room,” which can be heard at www.
visitorslockerroom.com  He earned an official payout totaling $31,997.

When heads-up play began, the two stacks were about even.  But Aaron Massey took and
early lead and held a slight advantage.  The biggest hand of the tournament came when
Massey moved all-in with A-J against Josh Shmerl, who made a crying call with 5-5.  The
pocket pair held up, giving Shmerl a massive chip lead.  The tournament ended a few
minutes later.

The final hand came when Massey hopelessly moved all in with 5-3 versus Shmerl’s K-Q.  A
king on the river solidified the victory, giving Shmerl the win and Massey the second-place
finish.

The runner up was Aaron Massey, a 25-year-old financial services representative from
Chicago.  Massey came very close to another tournament victory (just one card away, when
he held A-J versus Shmerl’s pocket fives).  Massey has previous wins at the Horseshoe,
Majestic, and Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.  Runner-up prize money amounted to $48,683.

The winner was Josh Shmerl.  This was his first WSOP Circuit gold ring victory.

The early part of the finale was viewed nearly one hundred spectators, despite the
midnight hour.  The tournament officially ended at 3:55 am, in front of a viewing audience
which had become considerably smaller and far more weary.    


The Tournament

This was the very first tournament of the new WSOP Circuit season.

The game played was No-Limit Hold’em.  The buy-in was $300 (+45).  The total prize pool
amounted to $405,692.  The top 144 finishers collected prize money.

A record 1,412 players entered the tournament, which is the largest turnout in WSOP
Circuit history for any event.  Attendance eclipsed last year’s near-record for the same
event, which was 1,187 entries.  The previous all-time record attendance mark for any
WSOP Circuit event had been 1,345 players, at the Tunica Grand Resort and Casino (in
Mississippi) set on January 7, 2006.

The tournament began at noon on October 16th and was scheduled for two days.  Because
of the huge field size, tournament officials considered making the event a three-day
competition.  But action was fast on the second day, which allowed the final table to be
completed.  The entire duration of the tournament lasted about 26 hours.

After Day One, there were 99 survivors who returned for Day Two.  Play resumed at 2 pm
and played down to the final nine, which occurred at about midnight.  The final table was
completed in slightly less than four hours.
__________________________________

WORLD SERIES OF POKER

World Series of Poker President and Commissioner – Jeffrey Pollack
WSOP Vice President -- Ty Stewart
Director of Communications – Seth Palansky
Regional Vice President of Specialty Gaming -- Howard Greenbaum
WSOP Events Manager -- Angele Marshall
WSOP Marketing Manager – Elizabeth Anne Hill
WSOP Tournament Director – Jack Effel
WSOP Media Director – Nolan Dalla
2009 Horseshoe Hammond WSOP Circuit Event #1 Winner