The tournament ended in a heads-up deal between Jesse Lonis, one of the hottest players in tournament poker, and Idaho’s Sean Banahan. That tournament attracted a massive 2,999 runners and more than tripled the guarantee by generating a $1,559,480 prize pool.Īmong those to make deep runs were Eric Baldwin (14th - $13,800), Elvis Toomas (24th - $8,455), Thomas Middleton (34th - $7,430), Jose Barbero (43rd - $6,575), Dan Shak (52nd - $5,860), Mitchell Halverson (63rd - $4,743), and Ryan Riess (69th - $4,743).

The series actually kicked off with a $600 buy-in, $500K GTD No-Limit Hold’em event from December 1-4. Massive Opening Event Ends in Heads-Up Deal Sean Banahan The victory was good for $52,104 and a bit of redemption for the “Chainsaw” as he claimed a desired trophy. Much to the delight of many poker fans worldwide, Allen Kessler, who has finished runner-up in four WSOP gold bracelet events, closed it out by besting Clyde Gaskins in heads-up play. With 228 entrants, the $100K guarantee was more than doubled as a $221,160 prize pool was on offer to the top 23 finishers.Īmong those to cash but fall short of the final table were Esther Taylor (10th - $4,578), Nathan Gamble (11th - $4,578), Calen McNeil (16th - $3,178), Ari Engel (18th - $2,864), and Barry Shulman (22nd - $2,596). Here are some other big winners from the series thus far.Ĭheck out the WPT Hub on PokerNews here! Allen Kessler Wins Limit Omaha 8B Championship Allen Kesslerįrom December 13-14, the $1,100 Limit Omaha 8B Championship took place. Among those to win side event titles were Ethan “Rampage” Yau ( $25K High Roller for $894,240), Calen “Big Wheel” McNeil ($600 Limit Omaha 8/B for $21,305), Sergio Grosso ($1,100 Seniors NLH for $130,806), Lawrence Berg ($600 PLO Turbo for $46,307), and Christopher Puetz ($1,600 NLH Bounty Turbo for $79,576). While all eyes are currently on the $10,400 World Poker Tour (WPT) World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas, it’s important to remember that it is just one tournament in a long festival that runs December 1-20.ĭuring that time there are more than $22 million in guaranteed prize pools being offered across 23 events. Esther Taylor Bests Benny Glaser to Win 8-Game Mix.$600 NLH Opening Event Final Table Results.Massive Opening Event Ends in Heads-Up Deal.$1,100 Limit Omaha 8B Final Table Results.Allen Kessler Wins Limit Omaha 8B Championship.