WSOP & WPT Tournament Blog

2009-2010 World Series of Poker Circuit
Season Six
Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City
Event #4
Buy-In: $200 (+30)
Game: No-Limit Hold’em
Number of Entries: 815
Net Prize Pool: $158,110
First Place Prize: $31,622
Places Paid: 81

Final Results:

Place Name Hometown Payout
1 Joe Gillies Blackwood, NJ $31,622
2 Gary Wright Annandale, VA $15,953
3 Norman Hu New York, NY $14,230
4 Le Kimhoan Aldie, VA $12,649
5 John Webb Pottstown, PA $10,277
6 Anthony Fung Fairfax, VA $8,696
7 Eric Lisica Baltimore, MD $7,906
8 Brian Allan Downingtown, PA $5,534
9 Lee Strueck Kingston, PA $3,953
10 Walter Writt Roseland, NJ $1,581
11 William Dohegan East Hartford, CT $1,581
12 Joseph Catania Newtown Square, PA $1,581
13 Adam Chipiuk Edmonton, AB $1,265
14 Rayshawn Hamilton Richmond, VA $1,265
15 Raphael Tal Roslyn, NY $1,265
16 Fred Meyer West Islip, NY $1,107
17 Jose Gonzalez Woodbridge, VA $1,107
18 David King Brooklyn, NY $1,107
19 May Chin Jamaica, NY $870
20 Scott Beckett Stratford, NJ $870
21 James Pimonte Barnegat, NJ $870
22 Ryan Miller New Brunswick, NJ $870
23 Salvador Robles Jamaica, NY $870
24 Adele Sinowaybarnett Manchester, NJ $870
25 Edward Sullivan Durham, NC $870
26 Joseph Gallinard Brooklyn, NY $870
27 Doyle Yoon Plaisades Park, NJ $870
28 Ronald Brown Street, MD $632
29 Charles Kazak Staten Island, NY $632
30 Howard Crash Weston, CT $632
31 Ross Rehnig Franklin, TN $632
32 Sherry Herman Farmingdale, NJ $632
33 Thomas Bessoir New York, NY $632
34 Edward Tucker Lindenhurst, NY $632
35 Paul Silver Roslyn, NY $632
36 Joshua Plummer Salisbury, NC $632
37 Travis Marion Sussex, NJ $561
38 Joseph Polzer Coopersburg, PA $561
39 Robert Albert Manalapin, NJ $561
40 Ernest Myers Plano, TX $561
41 Richard Marchese Bridgewater, NJ $561
42 Vincent Tittel Cranford, NJ $561
43 Joseph Lopresti East Brunswick, NJ $561
44 Daryl Black Voorhees, NJ $561
45 Gregory Lolo Rocky River, OH $561
46 Wei Zhou Germantown, MD $514
47 Kenneth Chapman LaGrange, MO $514
48 Steven Shapiro Rockaway, NJ $514
49 Geoffrey Desobry Bethesda, MD $514
50 Craig Syhes Clifton, NJ $514
51 Jefferson Morrill Franklin, TN $514
52 Travell Thomas Buffalo, NY $514
53 Lorne Kanover Bellmore, NY $514
54 Brian Adragna East Meadow, NY $514
55 Batkhan Bagarsaikhan Arlington, VA $474
56 Daniel Lebel Dundas, ON $474
57 David Shaver PA $474
58 Gail Ellspermann Katonah, NY $474
59 Yizhak Nematnejad Brooklyn, NY $474
60 John Regan Leesburg, VA $474
61 Anthony Mason Waldorf, MD $474
62 Patrick Chahmirian St. Maxime, France $474
63 Christopher Ridente New Hyde Park, NY $474
64 Francis Sirico West Keansburg, NJ $459
65 Daniel Deagenio Punta Gorda, FL $459
66 Jeffrey Graupp Reading, PA $459
67 Jonathan Robles Jamaica, NY $459
68 Menan Saydam Arlington, VA $459
69 Frank Martin Staten Island, NY $459
70 Ivring Good Bethlehem, PA $459
71 Todd Richter Glen Gardner, NJ $459
72 Michael Dentale Brooklyn, NY $459
73 Joseph Miranda Bethpage, NY $427
74 Steven Sparaco New Paltz, NY $427
75 Robert Crain Lititz, PA $427
76 Richard Ross Emmaus, PA $427
77 Darrell Kandauce Butler, PA $427
78 Ivonne Hernandez Holbrook, NY $427
79 Anthony Calabrese West Hampon, NJ $427
80 Yevgeniy Belnkh Brooklyn, NY $427
81 Vincent Devita Bayville, NJ $427

Down to a Draw

After a deal is made, Joe Gilles beats Gary Wright in high-card draw for the ring in event #4

Atlantic City, NJ (December 8, 2009) – Joe Gilles is the official winner of event #4 at the World Series of Poker Circuit Events at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City.

The ballroom at Harrah’s Atlantic City was packed shortly before the Monday morning 11 am start time, with a line of late-registrants snaking out of the lobby for a chance to win over $30,000 and a WSOP Circuit Event ring.

The event is one of four open turbo events of the Harrah’s AC circuit. Players began play with 8,000 chips each with 25-minute blind levels. The structure of the one day event saw a field of 815 players dwindle down to 10 around 2:00am.

Name Hometown Seat Chip Count
Walter Writt Roseland, NJ 1 455,000
Anthony Fung Philadelphia, PA 2 585,000
Lee Strubeck Kingston, PA 3 430,000
Joe Gilles Philadelphia, PA 4 825,000
Eric Lisica Baltimore, MD 5 410,000
John Webb Pottstown, PA 6 400,000
Brian Allan Downigtown, PA 7 250,000
Gary Wright Annandale, VA 8 680,000
Hao Le Alde, VA 9 443,000
Norm Hu Hoboken, NJ 10 1,700,000

The official final nine players were not determined until after nearly an hour of play, when Walter Writt, a police officer from Roseland, NJ was the first to be eliminated. Play picked up as the remaining nine were eliminated one by one.

Heads-up was between 50-year old Annandale, VA attorney Gary Wright and Joe Gilles, a 58-year old accountant from Philadelphia, PA.

The two made a deal to split the pot and after over 12 hours of play, decided that they would each draw from the deck to determine who would take the ring. Gilles came out on top to win the fourth WSOP Circuit Event ring of the series.

While the remaining prize pool was split, Wright is officially recorded as earning $15,953 for second place while Gilles official cash is listed as $31,622.

Still to come are 13 more events and 25 nightly (single-day) satellites which begin at 3 pm and 7pm. The WSOP Circuit at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City continues through December 20th.
Ty Stewart – Director, Sponsorship and Licensing, WSOP
Craig Abrahams – Director, Broadcasting and New Media, WSOP
Seth Palansky – Communications Director, WSOP

Executive Staff, World Series of Poker Circuit – Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City

Jay Snowden – Senior Vice President and General Manager
Alyce Parker – Director of Public Affairs
John Arthur – Poker Room Manager and Tournament Director

2009-2010 World Series of Poker Circuit
Season Six
Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City
Event #3
Buy-In: $300 (+40)
Game: No-Limit Hold’em
Number of Entries: 567
Net Prize Pool: $164,997
First Place Prize: $34,649
Places Paid: 54

Final Results:

Mark “Pegasus” Smith Georgetown, KY $34,649
Shaun Gonzales Staten Island, NY $18,232
John Shimansky West Caldwell, NJ $14,850
Jeffrey Vanchiro Brooklyn, NY $13,200
Steven Wendpetren Herndon, VA $11,550
Andrew Badecker Vernon, CT $9,900
Andrew Robertson Raleigh, NC $8,250
Dylan Mich Tuckerton, NJ $6,600
Timothy Crawford Virginia Beach, VA $4,950
Nelson Rodriguez Brooklyn, NY $1,650
Busri Velin Wyckoft, NJ $1,650
Christopher Isern Philadelphia, PA $1,650
Brett Borgersen West Palm Beach, FL $1,155
Miguel Borrero Jersey City, NJ $1,155
Jose Trapote Las Vegas, NV $1,155
Eugene Fouksman Manalapan, NJ $1,072
Edward Sweet Shoreham, NY $1,072
Julian Heinrich Boardman, OH $1,072
Robert Brooks Dale City, VA $990
James Salters West Hempstead, NY $990
Jack Walton Arlington, VA $990
Jason Min East Meadow, NY $990
Christopher Davidson Brick, NJ $990
Peter Young Plainview, NY $990
Jennifer Kasten Star City, IN $990
Sudhish Suryawansi Manassas, VA $990
Matthew Chang Rockville, MD $990
Nectalier Gonzalez Davie, FL $907
Michael Scott Broad Channel, NY $907
Philip Sparta Fairfax, VA $907
Eli Beckerman Flushing, NY $907
Sachin Jain Newark, DE $907
Jerry Hufton Virginia Beach, VA $907
George Yassopoulos Port Jeff Sta, NY $907
Kam Chin Brooklyn, NY $907
Gary Patanjo East Patchogue, NY $907
Michael Brooks Greensboro, NC $825
Samuel Carioti New York, NY $825
Peter Sullivan Roscoe, IL $825
Robert Blescia West Chester, PA $825
Kevin Mui Brooklyn, NY $825
Leomid Vernik Toronto, ON $825
David Vasquez Brooklyn, NY $825
Gerald Munley Linglestown, PA $825
Steven Yoder Stoystown, PA $825
Allen Chang Brooklyn, NY $742
Tracey Taylor Smyrna, GA $742
Arthur Maddalena Reston, VA $742
Christopher Kennedy Harrisburg, PA $742
Peter Gaetano Highland, NY $742
Allen Morrow Harveys Lake, PA $742
Timothy O’Donnell Valley Cottage, NY $742
Michael Scipion Philadelphia, PA $742
Robert Thornhill Spring, TX $742

Champion Breed

Thoroughbred Racer Mark “Pegasus” Smith Ties Men Nguyen’s Record with Fourth WSOP Circuit Win in event #3

Atlantic City, NJ (December 8, 2009) – Mark “Pegasus” Smith made World Series of Poker history just after midnight Monday, December 8th after winning his fourth Circuit Event ring in event #3 at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City.

With his latest win, Smith ties Men “The Master” Nguyen for the most rings in circuit event history. For Smith, the circuit events have been nothing short of free-for-all as he has made five final tables at four different circuits in the past year. As Nguyen would say, “All you can eat baby!”

What makes Smith’s accomplishment even more incredible is that the 57-year old public utility owner and thoroughbred racer only began playing poker in 2004.

“Five years ago, I never even heard of Texas Hold’em,” said Smith of his late induction to the game.

“A buddy of mine invited me to a home game. I went over there and had a nice time though they beat my brains out. But I went back and the more I went, the better I got.”

Event #3 was Smith’s first event of the Harrah’s Resort AC circuit. With play down to two tables, he found himself the short stack of his table, but managed to chip back up to the top of the leader board going into the final table which began shortly before 8:00 pm

Name Hometown Seat Chip Count
Shaun Gonzalez Staten Island, NY 1 950,000
Mark “Pegasus” Smith Georgetown, KY 2 995,000
Andrew Robertson Raleigh, NC 3 262,000
Jeffrey Vanchiro Queens, NY 4 345,000
Steve Wenpetren Herndon, VA 5 315,000
Dylan Mich Tuckerton, NJ 6 970,000
John Shimansky Jr. West Caldwell, NJ 7 806,000
Tim Crawford Virginia Beach, VA 8 330,000
Andrew Badecker Vernon, CT 9 645,000

Tim Crawford was the first elimination of the night. With blinds and antes at 3,000/12,000/24,000, Crawford led out from the big blind after a flop of 4c-2s-7c. The small blind, John Shimansky re-raised all-in and Crawford made the call, showing Jd-Jc. Shimansky turned over Ad-Kd.

Things were looking rosy for the 32-year old produce manager from Virginia Beach, VA after a 6 hit the turn, but an ace on the river spoiled his run. Crawford took home $4,950.

Later in the tournament, Steve Wenpetren raised to 85,000 from middle position only to see Dylan Mich re-raise to 230,000. Wenpetren made the call and the flop came 6d-8s-9d. Mich moved all-in with pocket kings but was dismayed when Wenpetren made the call, showing 9c-9h for the flopped set. The turn and flop did not help Mich, who had earlier taken a few hits to his stack.

Crippled to under 100k, he was eliminated a couple of hands later after his ducks could not hold up all-in against Andrew Robertson’s Kd-10s. The 24-year old former postal worker turned grinder received a parcel of $6,600 for eighth.

Robertson soon found himself on the other side of the coin when his own pocket pair failed to hold up all-in against the Ad-6h of Mark Smith. Robertson, who claims to have broken 22 bones in his life, suffered yet another setback when an ace hit the river. Seventh paid $8,250.

In sixth place was Andrew Badecker. A series of pre-flop raises and re-raises found him all-in with queens vs. the Kd-As of Shaun Gonzalez. A flopped ace sealed it up for Badecker, who failed to improve on the turn or river. The 22-year old former salesman with over $300,000 in online poker earnings added another $9,900 to his bankroll for his efforts.

Wenpetren was next to be eliminated after. After a flop of Qh-8d-9s, he moved all in with Ad-Qs and was well-ahead when Shimansky called with Js-Jc. But Shimansky hit his gutshot straight when a 10 came on the turn. Wenpetren, a former University of Maryland assistant golf coach and pro, took $11,550 back to the clubhouse for fifth.

With blinds and antes at 5k/20k/40k, fourth place went to Jeffrey Vanchiro. The Queens, NY native and 1994 Wyoming poker open champion moved his short stack all-in with Ah-8h pre flop and was called by Shimansky who turned over 5c-3c. Two clubs on the turn and a third on the river gave Shimansky the flush, ending Vanchiro’s run with a $13,200 payday.

Shimansky was next to be eliminated. The 50-year old entrepreneur re-raised Mark Smith’s 160,000 bet all-in. Smith called, showing Ah-As which trumped Shimansky’s pocket sevens. The board was meaningless and Shimansky’s impressive run was over, paying him $14,850 for third.

While the details were not disclosed, a deal was made between the final two players, who agreed to play it out for the ring.

Heads up was between Gonzalez and Smith. Gonzalez, who earlier in the tournament, took a massive stack from Smith, held a substantial chip lead over Georgetown, Kentuckian, however a big swing went Smith’s way after both players when all-in with Smith holding a 9 kicker over Gonzalez’s Kd-5d.

The final hand saw both players all-in after a flop of 8h-4c-3s. Smith’s 8c-2s was dominated by Gonzalez’s 8s-Jd. Gonzalez was riding high until a deuce on the river ended what was otherwise an amazing run for the 31-year old from Staten Island. Gonzalez officially took home $18,232 while Smith was inducted into WSOP Circuit history.

When asked about aspirations to play higher stakes tournaments, Smith insists that he is right at home at the WSOP Circuit Events.

“I love playing the circuit.” said Smith.

“Take Doug Carli. No one will be able to catch him for the most cashes, but now he’s two rings behind me. Maybe at some point in time, nobody will be able to catch me on the rings.”

Still to come are 14 more events and 27 nightly (single-day) satellites which begin at 3 pm and 7pm. The WSOP Circuit at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City continues through December 20th.

Ty Stewart – Director, Sponsorship and Licensing, WSOP
Craig Abrahams – Director, Broadcasting and New Media, WSOP
Seth Palansky – Communications Director, WSOP

Executive Staff, World Series of Poker Circuit – Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City

Jay Snowden – Senior Vice President and General Manager
Alyce Parker – Director of Public Affairs
John Arthur – Poker Room Manager and Tournament Director