In the poker world possibilities for generating a fortune are not in any way scarce as more and more poker festivals are able to make players millionaire if they manage to go far in the structure of a given poker event. The World Series of Poker is probably the most prestigious festival and as it is approaching its final stages it introduced Event #75: The Closer – $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em.
This is one of the last events featuring a truly impressive total prize pool which amounts to some $4,212,000. Featuring three starting flights the 75th tournament in the rich schedule of the poker festival succeeded in attracting a total of 3,120 entries willing to make their way all the way to the top where the generous payouts are, in addition to the desired by many WSOP gold bracelet.
When it comes to the structure of this event, levels of poker actions last for 30 minutes each, guaranteeing a fast-paced style of game. Time is precious for the players and the first starting flight introduced 502 of them to the overall player pool. There was one player who once again demonstrated his poker skills on the felt and that was Bertrand ‘Elky’ Grospellier who has total live earnings amounting to some $13,603,278.
Day 1A showcased his excellent performance and made him the chip leader with some 583,000 in chips which were amassed over the span of 18 half-hour levels. He also has one WSOP bracelet which was claimed in 2011 when he participated at the $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship, but unfortunately, he ran out of luck further in The Closer tournament and had to settle for the 52nd place with $10,933 coming with it. Other well-known names featured in the first starting flight were Kristen Bicknell, Ari Engel, and Matt Stout.
The second starting flight for this event drew some 947 entries willing to make it far in it, but only 96 of them made it to the other side of Day 1B. Jeffrey Tanouye was the player who bagged a considerable amount of the chips available, amounting to some 601,000 which was also the largest chip stack over the span of the three starting flights.
He was determined to go far and eventually, he succeeded. This Day 1B also brought renown players to the liking of Scott Bohlman, David “ODB” Baker, and the iconic Phil Hellmuth with his signature vocal style of playing.
Fourth WSOP Gold Bracelet for the Poker Player
The latter had to leave after the final hand for the night, which was an unexpected turn of events for the leading pro who could not make it to Day 2. Regardless of this, he claimed his WSOP gold bracelet #15 at another 30-minute levels event, this time Event #71: $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em.
The third starting flight for this event introduced new 1,671 players to the field, elevating the overall number even more. They were all willing to make it in since this could be their last chance to bag a bracelet and to increase their total live earnings with several digits. Allen Kessler was the participants with the largest amount of chips to his name, reaching some 576,000. This starting flight also witnessed another well-accomplished player to make it in and that was Jonathan Abdellatif who claimed the fourth position at Event #54: $3,000 No-Limit Hold’em, bagging $163,404.
All remaining players who managed to survive their respective starting flights are currently making their way through the official Day 2 of the poker tournament which has already reached its heads-up duel. Richard Cox defended his poker skills and made it as far as the sixth position claiming $116,595 At the end of the poker table the chip leader of Day 1B Tanouye was eliminated and claimed the third position on the official leader board bagging some $278,774 for his deep run.
The heads-up duel took place between Joe Cada and Indian poker pro Paawan Bansal who provided a heated battle on the felt. At the end of the heads-up duel which lasted only one hand, Cada won his fourth WSOP gold bracelet which is also the second one over the span of this 49th edition of the poker festival.
He deserved the cash prize coming with it, amounting to some $612,886. As for the consolation prize which Bansal had to settle for, it reached $378,765. Only a couple of days are left until the poker festival comes to an end closing the chapter for this summer.
