Poker Superstar Jason Koon Wins Triton Cyprus Main Event for a Nice Cool $2.4m

Poker Superstar Jason Koon Wins Triton Cyprus Main Event for a Nice Cool $2.4m



Jason Koon continued his brilliance on the high-stakes scene with a dominant victory in the $100,000 buy-in Triton Cyprus High Roller Series Main Event for $2,451,082.

The GGPoker ambassador beat out 65 of the top high rollers in the world, including his heads-up opponent, Sam Greenwood, who received $1,923,918 as a consolation prize.

Koon has been quite impressive during the series with four final table appearances, including two titles. He also won Event #2: $20,000 No-Limit Hold’em 7-Handed for $663,000. In total, the West Virginia native has for just under $3.6 million during the series in North Cyprus with just a couple events remaining.

Emotional Poker Pro Crushes Stacked Final Table

jason koon triton poker
An emotional Jason Koon following his Triton Cyprus Main Event title.

The Triton Cyprus Main Event final table was stacked with some high roller superstars, including Dan Smith, who finished in fifth place for $762,000. Earlier in the day, however, he engaged in a heated argument at the table with the eventual champion.

Smith, as seen in the video below from the Triton live-stream and posted by Rob Kuhn, had asked the others at the table to be quiet while he was in the middle of a hand. Koon didn’t take too kindly to his opponent’s comments.

“Buddy, I had two VIP’s, not one, but two come up to me and say how awful it was playing with you because you berated them for having a conversation at a live poker table,” Koon said to Smith.

Koon then criticized Smith for taking too long to act and told him it’s a repeated issue and referred to the tanking as “obnoxious.”

After Smith was eliminated, Henrik Hecklen took fourth place for $946,000, followed by the Steve O’Dwyer elimination in third place ($1,171,000). That set up a heads-up match between Koon and Greenwood. Both players agreed to a chop based on chip value and stack at the time. Koon was in the lead so he received the largest payout. They left behind an extra $84,000 following the chop to be awarded to the winner.

Koon’s lead was about 4-1, but he was all in and ahead on the first hand of heads-up play with Q10 on a flop of Q9J against the AK of Greenwood. The turn was J, no help to either player, and then Koon wrapped up the tournament title when the 7 appeared on the river.

Both players shook hands and Koon was brought to tears of joy. Koon, a Triton brand ambassador, will likely end up winning Triton’s Ivan Leow Player of the Year trophy, named in honor of the late Ivan Leow, the Triton co-founder who tragically passed away last year at age 39.

“I was here a little under a year ago when we lost Ivan,” Koon said, choking back tears after the tournament wrapped. “Ivan was a good friend of mine. And walking through these halls every day I feel a little bit emotional about that. Just the title of Player of the Year, it gets me emotional. I miss the guy.”

Koon’s victory brought his career live tournament cashes up to over $47.3 million, good for fifth all-time, according to Hendon Mob. He’s certainly at least in the conversation as the best player in the world right now.

Triton Cyprus Main Event Final Table Results

Place Player Stack
1 Jason Koon $2,451,082
2 Sam Greenwood $1,923,918
3 Steve O’Dwyer $1,171,000
4 Henrik Hecklen $946,000
5 Dan Smith $762,000
6 Sean Winter $595,000

*Images courtesy of Joe Giron/Triton Poker.





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Senator Jessica Ramos Blocks New York Mets Casino Bid

Citi Field


Senator Jessica Ramos has temporarily blocked plans by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen to build a casino resort beside the team’s ballpark in Queens. The project requires state lawmakers to approve legislation to allow for commercial operations in the lots adjacent to Citi Field. With just a few weeks remaining in the current legislative session, Senator Ramos told the media she does not plan to introduce such a bill.

will continue to work closely with local residents and politicians to get the project over the line

Ramos, the local senator for the area, estimated that about 65% of people at a town hall meeting on Friday opposed the casino project. A representative for Steve Cohen said that they will continue to work closely with local residents and politicians to get the project over the line.

Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry introduced a bill in March that would allow them to redevelop overflow parking lots into an entertainment and casino complex.

Three downstate New York casino licenses are currently up for grabs. Competition is heating up in the battle among casino companies and property developers to gain approval. Each license will cost at least $500m.

The post Senator Jessica Ramos Blocks New York Mets Casino Bid appeared first on VegasSlotsOnline News.

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BTG Goes Live With Las Vegas Casino-Inspired Vegas Rush

BTG Goes Live With Las Vegas Casino-Inspired Vegas Rush


Following the release of the hit The Race Megaways™, Big Time Gaming, a world-class casino games developer based in New South Wales, Australia, has released Vegas Rush, a Las Vegas casino-themed slot that features slots in a Las Vegas casino.

Extraordinary visual:

True to its name, the main theme of the slot is the aforementioned glittering Las Vegas casino. The background is a blurry image of slot machines on the casino floor, with a “25 Megaclusters” sign above the reels. In addition, 25 means that the reels are equipped with that number of symbols, which can increase to 100 when the player makes consecutive wins. To the left of the reels is the MegaTrail with 12 rungs. Each time a symbol participates in a win, it is removed and replaced by 4 smaller ones, aka a consecutive win is created. Therefore, for each consecutive win, the player climbs one rung on the MegaTrail, which rewards them with different awards as soon as they start climbing.

The slot is backed by the Megaclusters™ mechanic, which can generate winnings of up to 47,200x a player’s bet, and the aforementioned Megatrail™ mechanic.

To win, players must form a combination of 5 or more matching symbols in a cluster in adjacent positions anywhere on the screen on a dynamic 5×5 grid. Since each winning symbol creates 4 smaller ones as mentioned above, a player can play with 100 symbols on a 10×10 grid.

Regular paying symbols are classic gambling equipment. A winning cluster of 25+ is worth a 30x to 50x a player’s bet.

The game has high volatility, a maximum win of 47,200x a player’s bet, RTP of 96.44% and the game can be played on any device.

Slot features:

Wild symbol – the Wild, aka the W, substitutes for every other symbol in creating cluster wins. It may contain a multiplier of up to 5x in the Megatrail™.

Megaclusters™ –  during this feature, after creating a win, the winning symbols disappear and 4 smaller symbols replace each regular symbol, offering the player an extra chance to create consecutive wins as mentioned above. Small winning symbols will be replaced by symbols of the same size and all consecutive wins belong to the same spin. However, creating wins with all regular-size symbols will reward the player with a total of 100 small symbols. Each time a consecutive winning streak ends, the grid resets to 25 symbols.

Megatrail™ – during this feature, the Megatrail, located to the left of the reels, contains 12 rungs, as mentioned above. The player moves forward one step at a time in the track for each consecutive win and gets back to the bottom when they stop creating new wins.

The feature changes setup with each spin. However, it will always include Free Spins on the seventh rung and a cash reward on the top rung. Additionally, at least 3 random Bonuses will land on the trail on each spin, apart from the Free Spins and the cash reward, meaning that some rungs are sometimes empty. The 12 Trail Bonuses are:

  • Wilds – randomly adds up to 10 Wilds on the screen;
  • Multiplier Wilds – randomly adds Wilds with up to 5x multipliers;
  • Symbol Explosions – each instance of the displayed symbol will eliminate all symbols in its row or column;
  • Symbol Subdivide – each regular symbol of the displayed type will transform into 4 smaller symbols of the same type;
  • Symbol Upgrade – upgrades all symbols of the displayed type to another specified symbol;
  • Symbol to Wild – each symbol of the displayed type will transform into a Wild;
  • Mega Wild – adds a grid of 4 Wilds to the screen. Two grids of Wilds are added in the Free Spins;
  • Win Multiplier – adds a multiplier for the whole spin up to 10x. However, the Bonus Reward is not multiplied;
  • Explosions – up to 3 explosions, in the indicated form, will eliminate symbols from the screen;
  • Symbol Duplication – 5 regular-sized symbols of the displayed type will be added to a row or column on the screen;
  • 50:50 – removes each symbol in the top, bottom, left or right half of the screen;
  • Max Megaclusters – replaces each large symbol with 4 smaller symbols, offering the player a total of 100 symbols;

Furthermore, the Bonus Reward on the 12th rung is worth up to 1,000x during the base game and 2,000x a player’s bet in the Free Spins. In addition, the Free Spins are played with the enhanced Megatrail™ and the player returns to the regular one when the Free Spins are over.

Free Spins – reaching the 7th rung on the Megatrail™ during the base game activates 6 free spins. The player will get an enhanced Megatrail™ for the whole round as mentioned above with a Bonus Reward of up to 2,000x a player’s bet on top and at least 6 Bonus Rewards on the trail rungs. Furthermore, it will reward the player with 3 additional spins and they may get 99 spins if luck is on their side.

Bonus Buy – if the player chooses to activate the Free Spins immediately, they can buy 6 free spins at a cost of 60x of the bet.





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The Ten Best Casinos in the World

The Bellagio Casino in Vegas, the best land-based casino in the world.


When coming up with our list of the ten best casinos in the world, we took a number of different factors into account. Some of these factors included the reputation of the casino among players and the public at large, the variety of gaming options available, and the interior and exterior design of the casino. The location of the building, the entertainment on offer and the amenities were also considered. And of course we thought about the history of the casino as well as any awards or other recognition received. Finally, we researched the opinions of other publications and how they regarded each of the contenders.

Naturally any list like this will be subjective by its very nature, but for what it’s worth, here is our list of the ten best casinos in the world in 2023:

1. Bellagio (Las Vegas)

There could only be one choice for the best casino in the world, and that is the famous Bellagio in Las Vegas. Known for its elegance and sophistication, the casino offers a vast selection of table games, slot machines and poker rooms, providing an unforgettable gambling experience. Probably best known for its iconic dancing fountains, the Bellagio boasts luxurious accommodations, high-end dining options, and breath-taking art installations, making it a top destination for both casual and high-stakes gamblers. The movie Ocean’s 11 – set in the Bellagio – added some Hollywood glamour to the mix and introduced the casino to an international audience. The combination of all of these factors meant that the Bellagio was a clear choice to take the number one spot on our list.

  • Dress Code: Smart casual attire is recommended.

2. Venetian Macao

The Venetian Macao is a sprawling resort and casino complex that captivates visitors with its grandeur. As the name might have suggested, this casino was inspired by the city of Venice in Italy, and it features a remarkable replica of the Venetian canals, complete with gondolas and stunning architecture. The Venetian has been named the ‘World’s Leading Casino Resort’ (World Travel Awards) and been awarded Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Award on multiple occasions, among other decorations. The gaming floor of Asia’s top casino offers a wide range of table games and slot machines, while luxurious accommodations, world-class entertainment, high-end shopping, and gourmet dining establishments complete the Venetian Macao experience.

  • Dress Code: Smart casual dress code is preferred.

3. Monte Carlo (Monaco)

Grand Monte Carlo casino in Monaco.

The Casino de Monte Carlo in Monaco is a legendary establishment that exudes opulence and charm. Nestled in a breath-taking setting, this casino offers an array of classic table games, including roulette, blackjack, and poker. Visitors can immerse themselves in the glamorous ambiance of the Belle Époque era, explore the lavish interiors, and enjoy the thrill of high-stakes gambling while surrounded by the allure of Monte Carlo. While some casinos on this list are quite easy-going when it comes to what to wear, make sure you dress to impress before paying a visit to the Monte Carlo. After all, you may just run into a tuxedoed James Bond, who dropped by in movies such as ‘Never Say Never Again’ and ‘GoldenEye’.

  • Dress Code: Formal attire is customary.

4. Baden-Baden (Germany)

Baden Baden Casino in Germany

One of the oldest casinos in the world still active today, the Baden Baden is renowned for its elegant architecture and luxurious ambiance. Unusually for a casino of this vintage, the building was designed with the express purpose of housing a casino, meaning that it is ideally laid out to meet the needs of its sophisticated clientele. With its beautifully decorated interiors, chandeliers, and grand halls, Baden-Baden Casino provides a rarefied gambling experience. Guests can enjoy a variety of table games, slot machines, and poker rooms while soaking in the rich history and refined atmosphere of this iconic European casino.

  • Dress Code: Elegant dress code is expected.

5. Foxwoods (Connecticut, USA)

Inside the Foxwoods Casino in the United States.

Mashantucket, Connecticut may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of gambling destinations, but this is the home of the impressive Foxwoods Resort Casino. Besides its enormous gaming floor, Foxwoods offers a whole lot in terms of the amenities to be found around the resort. From golf courses to theatres, virtual reality experiences to zip-lines and dining experiences which range from fast food to gourmet, there is a lot to keep everyone entertained beyond the casino experience. As with all of the casinos on this list accommodation is available, varying according to your budget, and there are a lot of shopping outlets to browse around as well.

  • Dress Code: Smart casual attire is suitable.

6. Sun City (South Africa)

Sun City Casino in South Africa

Sun City Casino is probably as well known as an entertainment venue as for its casino. The artists to have played here include names like Bruce Springsteen, Peter Gabriel, Miles Davis and Lou Reed. Situated in the platinum mining region of Rustenburg, South Africa, Sun City is a premier resort and casino complex that combines wide-ranging gambling opportunities with stunning natural surroundings. The casino offers an extensive selection of table games, slots, and of course exclusive VIP lounges to keep the high-rolling visitors happy. Visitors can also enjoy championship golf courses, a water park, wildlife encounters, and luxurious accommodations, all of which makes it worthy to hold the title of Africa’s best casino resort.

  • Dress Code: Smart casual dress code is recommended.

7. Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)

Caesar's Palace Casino in Vegas, Nevada.

One of the most famous landmarks on the Las Vegas Strip, Caesars Palace is a legendary casino known for its Roman-themed architecture and star-studded entertainment. Note that this casino is spelt ‘Caesars’ and not ‘Caesar’s’; when Jay Samo was designing the building in the 1960s he wanted everybody to be able to feel like a Roman emperor when they paid a visit. The list of stars to have performed at the hotel is too lengthy to go into here in full, but includes Frank Sinatra, Liberace, Elton John, Dolly Parton, David Copperfield and many more. Boxing fans will associate the name Caesars Palace with legendary fight nights featuring the best pugilists on the planet – Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, George Foreman are just a few to have stepped into the squared circle here. Today the Palace retains an iconic reputation, offering top-class entertainment, dining and of course casino gaming to its patrons.

  • Dress Code: Smart casual attire is appropriate.

8. Marina Bay Sands (Singapore)

Marina Bay Sands resort in Singapore

Dominating the skyline of Singapore, Marina Bay Sands is an architectural marvel and an integrated resort featuring a high-end casino. Any visitor to this city state will have been struck by the incredible vista of what looks like a giant futuristic cruise ship hovering above the water. Inside, the gaming floor offers an extensive selection of table games and slot machines, catering to both casual players and high rollers. In addition to the casino, Marina Bay Sands boasts luxury accommodations, fine dining options, high-end shopping outlets, and a rooftop infinity pool with breath-taking views of the city.

  • Dress Code: Smart casual dress code is encouraged.

9. Winstar (Oklahoma, USA)

Winstar World Casino, Oklahoma, USA.

Boasting the title of the largest casino in the United States – and one of the largest in the world – Winstar offers an impressive array of game-playing options across its vast gaming floor. From classic table games like blackjack and roulette to an extensive selection of slot machines, there is something to cater to every taste. Slot gaming fans in particular will struggle to better this casino, since with more than 10,000 electronic gaming machines available Winstar lays claim to having the most slot machines of any land-based casino in the planet. Beyond the gaming experience, Winstar features multiple entertainment venues that host world-class concerts and performances, ensuring non-stop entertainment. With a variety of dining options, luxurious accommodations, and a welcoming atmosphere, Winstar Casino promises an unforgettable and thrilling experience for all who step through its doors.

  • Dress Code: Smart casual attire is recommended.

10. Hippodrome Casino London

Pedestrians walking outside the Hippodrome Casino in London.

Generally regarded as London’s best casino, the Hippodrome Casino is an iconic establishment that combines history, elegance, and entertainment. Housed in a stunning Grade II listed building, the casino offers a unique gambling experience. With multiple floors dedicated to gaming, visitors can enjoy a wide variety of table games, including roulette, blackjack, and poker. The Hippodrome also hosts world-class live performances in its acclaimed theatre, showcasing everything from musicals to comedy shows. As one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, the Hippodrome Casino continues to attract visitors with its vibrant atmosphere, luxurious interiors, and unforgettable entertainment offerings.

  • Opened: 2010 (as a casino, the building dates back to 1900)
  • Dress Code: Smart casual dress code is preferred.

We began this article by pointing out that any list like this one will be subjective, and while that remains the case I hope you will agree with at least some of our top ten choices. Every casino listed has luxury hotel accommodation available if you fancy taking a trip. Of course, not everybody will have the opportunity to visit one of these magnificent casinos, and most will count themselves very fortunate to make it to even two or three venues.

However, just about everyone will be able to enjoy the casino gaming options to be found at Casino.com, where registration is free and you can choose from over 2,500 games without setting foot outside of your door! Live dealer table games, jackpot slots, virtual sports and scratch cards are all available, with more games added every month. Sign up now for free to take advantage of our generous welcome bonus for new members, and enjoy the best online casino gaming experience around.

The post The Ten Best Casinos in the World appeared first on Casino.com Blog.

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Birthday Delight for Spragg; Veldhuis Looking to Shake Off SCOOP Hoodoo

Birthday Delight for Spragg; Veldhuis Looking to Shake Off SCOOP Hoodoo



PokerStars ambassadors Lex Veldhuis and Benjamin Spragg are coming towards the end of their 2023 Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) grind, with the series concluding in just over a weeks time. And as SCOOP inches closer to the start of its Main Events, Veldhuis and Spragg put in the reps over the weekend in various SCOOP events.

It was another good weekend on the orange virtual felt for Veldhuis, who scored numerous cashes across various events. His latest SCOOP showing also resulted in him making the final table for SCOOP 75-H: $5,200 PKO Titans, where he sits in fifth place from the nine remaining players.

Veldhuis is gunning for his first-ever SCOOP title and has gone agonizingly close on several occasions over the last few weeks. You will be able to see if Veldhuis can shake off his SCOOP hoodoo on PokerStars’ Twitch channel, with cards up coverage beginning at 6 p.m. BST.

Spragg, on the other hand, had a relatively muted Saturday and Sunday, with just one SCOOP cash recorded. It was for a sizeable $8,393 after a 21st-place finish in SCOOP 62-M $1,050 PKO Thursday Thrill, which wrapped up on Saturday.

However, the Englishman celebrated his 33rd birthday on Friday in spectacular style as Spragg took down the $530 Bounty Builder for $33,600 and played “one of the most incredible hands” of his career against Parker Talbot, who was also denied a SCOOP title over the weekend.

Birthday Delight for Spragg

There’s only one thing better than having quads, and that’s getting paid off with them. And it was even sweeter for Spragg, as it was his colleague and friend Talbot that helped propel him to victory.

From there on, Spragg sealed out the victory to start off his birthday weekend in the best way possible. However, the birthday run good would be shortlived as Spragg fell short of cashing the $5,200 PKO Titans and also found himself on the wrong side of a preflop cooler in the $1,050 PKO Thursday Thrill for his only SCOOP result of the weekend.

Veldhuis’ Wild Ride to $5,200 PKO Titans Final Table

As mentioned, Veldhuis returns in the middle of the pack for $5,200 PKO Titans final table, with Jonathan “x_zola25” Skovsen sitting in pole position. The event saw 154 entries, creating a $770,000 prize pool which bested the $600,000 guarantee.

Also still in contention are Felipe “lipe piv” Boianovsky, Patrick “pads1161” Leonard and Pedro “PadiLhA SP” Padilha.

They’ve all locked up $11,363 for getting to this stage, but of course, they will all be gunning for $71,023 for the winner plus any additional bounties.

$5,200 PKO Titans Final Table Standings

Place Player Country Bounty Chip Count Big Blinds
1 Jonathan “x_zola25” Skovsen Denmark $15,457 6,012,917 43
2 “retro_cheetah01” Poland $10,313 5,952,304 43
3 Felipe “lipe piv” Boianovsky Brazil $18,125 5,222,432 37
4 Patrick “pads1161” Leonard United Kingdom $20,781 5,090,584 36
5 Lex “L.Veldhuis” Veldhuis Netherlands $9,375 4,770,482 34
6 Pedro “PadiLhA SP” Padilha Brazil $15,781 3,736,676 27
7 “PAX176” Poland $0 3,665,344 26
8 “milanov888” Bulgaria $2,500 2,767,158 20
9 “Haringbuis” Malta $9,844 1,282,103 9

As we await for the final table to get underway, why not check out how Veldhuis navigated his way to the final table?





Veldhuis’ Weekend SCOOP Results

Event Position Payout
68-M $530 PLO 20/273 $1,466
SCOOP Edition: Big $109 94/1104 $244
70-H $215 8-Game PKO 8/240 $1,514
71-M $109 NLHE PKO 5/1663 $3,224
72-L $55 NLHE Turbo 126/2968 $197
Name Surname
Calum Grant

Editor & Live Reporter

Calum has been a part of the PokerNews team since September 2021 after working in the UK energy sector. He played his first hand of poker in 2017 and immediately fell in love with the game. Calum’s proudest poker achievement is winning the only tournament he has ever played in Las Vegas, the prestigious $60 Flamingo evening event.





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Talbot Falls Short as Dzivielvski Bags Second SCOOP Title of 2023

Talbot Falls Short as Dzivielvski Bags Second SCOOP Title of 2023


Date Start Time (BST) Event

22-May 17:30 SCOOP 79 L: $55 NLHE, $250K Gtd

22-May 17:30 SCOOP 79 M: $530 NLHE, $350K Gtd

22-May 17:30 SCOOP 79 H: $5,200 NLHE [High Roller], $400K Gtd

22-May 19:15 SCOOP 80 L: $11 Stud, $10K Gtd

22-May 19:15 SCOOP 80 M: $109 Stud, $20K Gtd

22-May 19:15 SCOOP 80 H: $1,050 Stud, $35K Gtd

22-May 20:05 SCOOP 81 L: $5.50 NLHE [5-Max, Progressive KO], $45K Gtd

22-May 20:05 SCOOP 81 M: $55 NLHE [5-Max, Progressive KO], $150K Gtd

22-May 20:05 SCOOP 81 H: $530 NLHE [5-Max, Progressive KO], $200K Gtd

22-May 21:30 SCOOP 82 L: $11 NLHE [Progressive KO, Freezeout], $40K Gtd

22-May 21:30 SCOOP 82 M: $109 NLHE [Progressive KO, Freezeout], $150K Gtd

22-May 21:30 SCOOP 82 H: $1,050 NLHE [Progressive KO, Freezeout], $200K Gtd

22-May 22:30 SCOOP 83 L: $22 PLO [6-Max, Progressive KO, Single Re-entry], $25K Gtd

22-May 22:30 SCOOP 83 M: $109 PLO [6-Max, Progressive KO, Single Re-entry], $20K Gtd

22-May 22:30 SCOOP 83 H: $530 PLO [6-Max, Progressive KO, Single Re-entry], $75K Gtd

23-May 11:05 SCOOP 84 L: $2.20 NLHE, $12.5K Gtd

23-May 11:05 SCOOP 84 M: $22 NLHE, $50K Gtd

23-May 11:05 SCOOP 84 H: $215 NLHE, $75K Gtd

23-May 16:30 SCOOP 85 L: $5.50 NL 2-7 Single Draw [7-Max, Progressive KO], $7.5K Gtd

23-May 16:30 SCOOP 85 M: $55 NL 2-7 Single Draw [7-Max, Progressive KO], $17.5K Gtd

23-May 16:30 SCOOP 85 H: $530 NL 2-7 Single Draw [7-Max, Progressive KO], $35K Gtd

23-May 17:30 SCOOP 86 L: $109 NLHE [Super Tuesday], $400K Gtd

23-May 17:30 SCOOP 86 M: $1,050 NLHE [Super Tuesday], $650K Gtd

23-May 17:30 SCOOP 86 H: $10,300 NLHE [Super Tuesday High Roller], $600K Gtd

23-May 19:15 SCOOP 87 L: $22 PLO8 [6-Max], $25K Gtd

23-May 19:15 SCOOP 87 M: $215 PLO8 [6-Max], $65K Gtd

23-May 19:15 SCOOP 87 H: $2,100 PLO8 [6-Max], $100K Gtd

23-May 20:05 SCOOP 88 L: $22 NLHE [7-Max, Frezeeout], $75K Gtd

23-May 20:05 SCOOP 88 M: $215 NLHE [7-Max, Frezeeout], $200K Gtd

23-May 20:05 SCOOP 88 H: $2,100 NLHE [7-Max, Frezeeout], $175K Gtd

23-May 21:30 SCOOP 89 L: $5.50 NLHE [6-Max, Progressive KO], $40K Gtd

23-May 21:30 SCOOP 89 M: $55 NLHE [6-Max, Progressive KO], $175K Gtd

23-May 21:30 SCOOP 89 H: $530 NLHE [6-Max, Progressive KO], $250K Gtd

24-May 16:30 SCOOP 90 L: $11 HORSE, $12.5K Gtd

24-May 16:30 SCOOP 90 M: $109 HORSE, $30K Gtd

24-May 16:30 SCOOP 90 H: $1,050 HORSE, $50K Gtd

24-May 17:30 SCOOP 91 L: $33 NLHE [Progressive KO], $175K Gtd

24-May 17:30 SCOOP 91 M: $320 NLHE [Progressive KO], $300K Gtd

24-May 17:30 SCOOP 91 H: $3,150 NLHE [Progressive KO], $350K Gtd

24-May 19:15 SCOOP 92 L: $11 FL Badugi [6-Max], $7.5K Gtd

24-May 19:15 SCOOP 92 M: $109 FL Badugi [6-Max], $15K Gtd

24-May 19:15 SCOOP 92 H: $1,050 FL Badugi [6-Max], $25K Gtd

24-May 20:05 SCOOP 93 L: $11 NLHE [Progressive KO, Frezeeout], $60K Gtd

24-May 20:05 SCOOP 93 M: $109 NLHE [Progressive KO, Frezeeout], $200K Gtd

24-May 20:05 SCOOP 93 H: $1,050 NLHE [Progressive KO, Frezeeout], $200K Gtd

24-May 21:30 SCOOP 94 L: $3.30 NLHE [Mini Fenomeno SE], $18K Gtd

24-May 21:30 SCOOP 94 M: $33 NLHE [Fenomeno SE], $80K Gtd

24-May 21:30 SCOOP 94 H: $320 NLHE [Fenomeno HR SE], $150K Gtd

25-May 15:05 SCOOP 95 L: $22 NLHE [9-Max, Early classic], $100K Gtd

25-May 15:05 SCOOP 95 M: $109 NLHE [9-Max, Early classic], $200K Gtd

25-May 15:05 SCOOP 95 H: $530 NLHE [9-Max, Early classic], $225K Gtd

25-May 16:30 SCOOP 96 L: $11 5-Card PLO [6-Max, Progressive KO], $15K Gtd

25-May 16:30 SCOOP 96 M: $109 5-Card PLO [6-Max, Progressive KO], $40K Gtd

25-May 16:30 SCOOP 96 H: $1,050 5-Card PLO [6-Max, Progressive KO], $85K Gtd

25-May 17:30 SCOOP 97 L: $55 NLHE [Progressive KO, Thursday Thrill], $400K Gtd

25-May 17:30 SCOOP 97 M: $530 NLHE [Progressive KO, Thursday Thrill], $650K Gtd

25-May 17:30 SCOOP 97 H: $5,200 NLHE [Progressive KO, Thursday Thrill High Roller], $600K Gtd

25-May 19:15 SCOOP 98 L: $22 8-Game [6-Max], $25K Gtd

25-May 19:15 SCOOP 98 M: $215 8-Game [6-Max], $45K Gtd

25-May 19:15 SCOOP 98 H: $2,100 8-Game [6-Max], $70K Gtd

25-May 20:05 SCOOP 99 L: $33 NLHE [6-Max, Frezeeout], $100K Gtd

25-May 20:05 SCOOP 99 M: $215 NLHE [6-Max, Frezeeout], $175K Gtd

25-May 20:05 SCOOP 99 H: $1,050 NLHE [6-Max, Frezeeout], $150K Gtd

25-May 21:30 SCOOP 100 L: $11 NLHE [7-Max, Progressive KO], $85K Gtd

25-May 21:30 SCOOP 100 M: $109 NLHE [7-Max, Progressive KO], $225K Gtd

25-May 21:30 SCOOP 100 H: $1,050 NLHE [7-Max, Progressive KO], $250K Gtd

27-May 15:05 SCOOP 101 L: $5.50 NLHE [Deep Stacks], $40K Gtd

27-May 15:05 SCOOP 101 M: $55 NLHE [Deep Stacks], $200K Gtd

27-May 15:05 SCOOP 101 H: $530 NLHE [Deep Stacks], $250K Gtd

27-May 17:30 SCOOP 102 L: $55 NLHE [Progressive KO], $325K Gtd

27-May 17:30 SCOOP 102 M: $320 NLHE [Progressive KO], $375K Gtd

27-May 17:30 SCOOP 102 H: $1,050 NLHE [Progressive KO], $500K Gtd

27-May 19:15 SCOOP 103 L: $11 NLO8 [6-Max], $15K Gtd

27-May 19:15 SCOOP 103 M: $109 NLO8 [6-Max], $35K Gtd

27-May 19:15 SCOOP 103 H: $1,050 NLO8 [6-Max], $80K Gtd

27-May 20:05 SCOOP 104 L: $11 NLHE [6-Max], $65K Gtd

27-May 20:05 SCOOP 104 M: $109 NLHE [6-Max], $150K Gtd

27-May 20:05 SCOOP 104 H: $1,050 NLHE [6-Max], $175K Gtd

27-May 21:30 SCOOP 105 L: $2.20 NLHE [7-Max, Progressive KO, Last Player Standing], $12.5K Gtd

27-May 21:30 SCOOP 105 M: $22 NLHE [7-Max, Progressive KO, Last Player Standing], $75K Gtd

27-May 21:30 SCOOP 105 H: $215 NLHE [7-Max, Progressive KO, Last Player Standing], $115K Gtd

28-May 13:05 SCOOP 106 L: $5.50 NLHE [Mini Sunday Kickoff], $45K Gtd

28-May 13:05 SCOOP 106 M: $55 NLHE [Sunday Kickoff], $225K Gtd

28-May 13:05 SCOOP 106 H: $530 NLHE [Sunday Kickoff], $350K Gtd

28-May 15:05 SCOOP 107 L: $5.50 NLHE [Progressive KO, Sunday Warm-Up, Freezeout], $40K Gtd

28-May 15:05 SCOOP 107 M: $55 NLHE [Progressive KO, Sunday Warm-Up, Freezeout], $250K Gtd

28-May 15:05 SCOOP 107 H: $530 NLHE [Progressive KO, Sunday Warm-Up, Freezeout], $450K Gtd

28-May 17:30 SCOOP 108 L: $109 NLHE [Main Event], $2M Gtd

28-May 17:30 SCOOP 108 M: $1,050 NLHE [Main Event], $4M Gtd

28-May 17:30 SCOOP 108 H: $10,300 NLHE [Main Event], $5M Gtd

28-May 18:30 SCOOP 109 L: $5.50 NLHE [Progressive KO, Women’s Event], $4K Gtd

28-May 18:30 SCOOP 109 M: $22 NLHE [Progressive KO, Women’s Event], $10K Gtd

28-May 18:30 SCOOP 109 H: $109 NLHE [Progressive KO, Women’s Event], $20K Gtd

28-May 20:05 SCOOP 110 L: $109 PLO [6-Max, PLO Main Event], $200K Gtd

28-May 20:05 SCOOP 110 M: $1,050 PLO [6-Max, PLO Main Event], $500K Gtd

28-May 20:05 SCOOP 110 H: $10,300 PLO [6-Max, PLO Main Event], $800K Gtd

28-May 21:30 SCOOP 111 L: $11 NLHE [Progressive KO, Mini Sunday Cooldown, Freezeout], $85K Gtd

28-May 21:30 SCOOP 111 M: $109 NLHE [Progressive KO, Sunday Cooldown, Freezeout], $300K Gtd

28-May 21:30 SCOOP 111 H: $1,050 NLHE [Progressive KO, Sunday Cooldown High Roller, Freezeout], $350K Gtd

29-May 17:30 SCOOP 112 L: $11 NLHE [Progressive KO, Series Saver], $150K Gtd

29-May 17:30 SCOOP 112 M: $109 NLHE [Progressive KO, Series Saver], $600K Gtd

29-May 17:30 SCOOP 112 H: $1,050 NLHE [Progressive KO, Series Saver], $1M Gtd

29-May 18:30 SCOOP 113 L: $215 NLHE, $350K Gtd

29-May 18:30 SCOOP 113 M: $2,100 NLHE, $350K Gtd

29-May 19:05 SCOOP 113 H: $25,000 NLHE [Super High Roller], $1M Gtd

29-May 19:15 SCOOP 01 L: $2.20 NLHE [Phase 2], $125K Gtd

29-May 19:15 SCOOP 01 M: $11 NLHE [Phase 2], $500K Gtd

29-May 19:15 SCOOP 01 H: $55 NLHE [Phase 2], $1M Gtd

29-May 20:05 SCOOP 114 L: $55 NLHE [Main Event 2nd Chance], $200K Gtd

29-May 20:05 SCOOP 114 M: $530 NLHE [Main Event 2nd Chance], $300K Gtd

29-May 20:05 SCOOP 114 H: $5,200 NLHE [Main Event 2nd Chance], $400K Gtd

29-May 21:05 SCOOP 115 L: $2.20 NLHE [6-Max], $15K Gtd

29-May 21:05 SCOOP 115 M: $22 NLHE [6-Max], $125K Gtd

29-May 21:05 SCOOP 115 H: $215 NLHE [6-Max], $225K Gtd

30-May 17:30 SCOOP 116 L: $11 NLHE [Super Tuesday], $100K Gtd

30-May 17:30 SCOOP 116 M: $109 NLHE [Super Tuesday], $300K Gtd

30-May 17:30 SCOOP 116 H: $1,050 NLHE [Super Tuesday], $350K Gtd

30-May 18:30 SCOOP 117 L: $33 NLHE [Progressive KO], $100K Gtd

30-May 18:30 SCOOP 117 M: $320 NLHE [Progressive KO], $135K Gtd

30-May 18:30 SCOOP 117 H: $3,150 NLHE [Progressive KO], $175K Gtd

30-May 19:15 SCOOP 118 L: $5.50 NLHE/PLO [6-Max, Progressive KO], $18K Gtd

30-May 19:15 SCOOP 118 M: $55 NLHE/PLO [6-Max, Progressive KO], $60K Gtd

30-May 19:15 SCOOP 118 H: $530 NLHE/PLO [6-Max, Progressive KO], $75K Gtd

30-May 20:05 SCOOP 119 L: $5.50 NLHE [Heads-Up TKO Zoom], $35K Gtd

30-May 20:05 SCOOP 119 M: $55 NLHE [Heads-Up TKO Zoom], $125K Gtd

30-May 20:05 SCOOP 119 H: $530 NLHE [Heads-Up TKO Zoom], $115K Gtd

31-May 17:30 SCOOP 120 L: $5.50 NLHE [Progressive KO, Final Freeze], $35K Gtd

31-May 17:30 SCOOP 120 M: $55 NLHE [Progressive KO, Final Freeze], $150K Gtd

31-May 17:30 SCOOP 120 H: $530 NLHE [Progressive KO, Final Freeze], $150K Gtd

31-May 20:05 SCOOP 121 L: $3.30 NLHE [7-Max, Progressive KO, Series Wrap-Up], $50K Gtd

31-May 20:05 SCOOP 121 M: $33 NLHE [7-Max, Progressive KO, Series Wrap-Up], $125K Gtd

31-May 20:05 SCOOP 121 H: $320 NLHE [7-Max, Progressive KO, Series Wrap-Up], $135K Gtd





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We Say Farewell to Poker Legend Doyle Brunson

We Say Farewell to Poker Legend Doyle Brunson


Doyle Brunson was The Godfather of Poker who has done much for the poker world. Join us as we say farewell and remember his many accomplishments.

We say farewell to Doyle Brunson, The Godfather of Poker and an exceptional player. At age 89, this iconic figure sadly passed away on May 14. 

His family released a statement, reading: 

 

It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of our father, Doyle Brunson. He was a beloved Christian man, husband, father and grandfather. We’ll have more to say over the coming days as we honor his legacy. Please keep Doyle and our family in your prayers. May he rest in peace.” 

Top Wins

Brunson was a regular at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) since 1970. Having played the game for years before starting his career in Las Vegas, it’s no surprise that this man became a legend all players strive to follow. He won 10 WSOP bracelets and more than $3 million over his career.

First WSOP Bracelet – 1976

While Brunson finished third in 1973’s Main Event, it wasn’t until 1976 that he won the Main Event and his first WSOP bracelet, bringing home $220,000 in prize money.

A Big Win in 1977

In 1977, Brunson won another World Championship title and bracelet, with prize money of $340,000. He won the title with a full house thanks to his starting hand of 10-2, which is now known as The Doyle Brunson.

No-Limit Hold’em in 1991

Doyle won his seventh bracelet in 1991, taking home a No-Limit Hold-em title with a prize pool of $208,000.

Beats Critics and Wins Almost $1.2 Million in 2004

Brunson won almost $1.2 million in 2004 at the Legends of Poker WPT event. While critics claimed he was too old, Doyle showed them that his title as The Godfather wasn’t for nothing.

Biggest WSOP Win in 2005

This legend’s largest WSOP win happened in 2005. He placed first in a short-handed No-Limit Hold’em Main Event, winning $367,800.

European Poker Tour 2011

Brunson’s only time scoring an EPT money finish was in 2011. He won £9,000 in this tournament and placed 77th in the £5,000 Main Event.

Top stories

Where did the nickname “Texas Dolly” come from?

It originated from a miscommunication. Jimmy Snyder, famously known for his show “The NFL Today,” used to write about gambling for the Las Vegas Sun. He was great friends with Doyle Brunson, who was from Texas, where gambling was frowned upon. Brunson asked Snyder not to use his real name in his articles, so Snyder referred to him as “Texas Doyle.” An Associated Press journalist overheard Snyder referencing him as “Texas Dolly” instead and misquoted the nickname in an article. It has stayed with him ever since.

T2 – the Doyle Brunson hand

Brunson dominated the ’76 WSOP Main Event with T2 cards. He held a commanding chip lead against his amateur opponent when the fateful flop came to A-J-T. Brunson bet all-in, and his rival called with two pairs. Disaster awaited, though, as a two arrived on the turn, giving Brunson two pairs. The ten on the river made him a full house for the win.

 

His luck with the same hand didn’t end there. A year later, he was again heads-up now with a professional player, Gary Berland. Brunson had T-2 and Berland 85. The flop was 8-5-T, Berland bet, Brunson called. The turn gave Brunson a two-pair, and he pushed all in. Berland called. A ten on the river sealed the deal for Brunson.

The $230 million mistake

Doyle Brunson missed out on a $230m offer for his online poker room and later lost it when the FBI raided it for violating US gambling laws. He had been warned of the risks of operating in a grey area but the offer was too good to refuse. He regretted his decision for years and ended his relationship with the Doyles Room after the incident.

Doyle Brunson and the Fort Worth times

Doyle Brunson often told tales from his early days as a poker player, recalling that the greatest challenge wasn’t in winning money, but in getting it out of town unscathed. 

 

Fort Worth, Texas was one of his haziest memories; an area well-known by locals for its dangerous illegal poker games. There were no guarantees that one would leave a table alive; a menacing threat of which Brunson could personally attest. 

 

“I had been a pro for a year when one night I was playing a game of pool in a hall, and the player next to me suddenly had his brains splattered all over the wall after someone walked in and shot him in the head,” Brunson recalled.

He beat cancer six times

Texas Dolly was diagnosed with cancer in 1962 when he was 29 years old. Doctors found a tumor in his neck and metastases. Five doctors declared the prognosis to be poor, and gave him only a few months to live. However, after surgery, there was no trace of cancer cells. Miraculously, Dolly has beaten various forms of cancer a total of six times since then, including squamous cell carcinoma in 2016. 

His Impact on Poker

Doyle Brunson isn’t just a poker legend; he also taught the industry much about the game. He wrote “Super System,” regarded as this game’s bible, along with a number of other books, and he made various television appearances over his career. 

 

Thanks to this revered figure, poker has continued to develop even further, and platforms like RakeRace.com can offer exclusive races and chases that players enjoy. We salute this legendary figure and thank him for all he’s done, knowing he’ll always be in our memories.





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888poker XL Spring Series Explodes Into Action

888poker XL Spring Series Explodes Into Action



The $2 million guaranteed XL Spring Series kicked off at 888poker on May 21 with the festival’s trio of opening events. Those tournaments came with buy-ins of $55, $109, and $530, with guarantees tipping the scales at $35,000, $120,000, and $40,000, respectively.

The $120,000 guaranteed Mystery Bounty Opening event attracted 1,061 entrants, which resulted in a sizeable $13,900 overlay. Thirteen 888poker players took home at least $1,000 worth of mystery bounties, but nobody took home more than Sweden’s “Dynamon.”

The Swede busted in 23rd place and collected $306 for their efforts. However, they pulled out $13,360 from the golden mystery bounty envelopes for a total haul worth $13,666; only the champion secured a larger payout.

That champion was “Iroquois” of Montenegro. They captured the $9,288 top prize, which was boosted by a juicy bounty haul worth $5,857, meaning they took home $15,145. Iroquois now has plenty of ammunition for the rest of the XL Spring Series.

$120,000 XL Spring #02 – Mystery Bounty Opening Final Table Results

Place Player Country Bounties Prize Total Prize
1 Iroquois Montenegro $5,857 $9,288 $15,145
2 Vraaa Brazil $1,636 $6,774 $8,410
3 DnkDdb Romania $184 $4,980 $5,164
4 BuOnAparte Thailand $2,444 $3,690 $6,134
5 LucaDoncic Armenia $1,292 $2,730 $4,022
6 kremen89 Ukraine $300 $2,040 $2,340
7 joaof6 Malta $484 $1,536 $2,020
8 stantheman89 Ireland $552 $1,164 $1,716
9 BrownBrit United Kingdom $4,153 $888 $5,041

888poker Guarantees $2 Million for the XL Spring Series; Starts May 21

High Roller Champion Cleans Out the Mystery Bounties

Germany’s “riclam02” ran super-hot in the $530 buy-in Mystery Bounty HR Opening event. Not only did riclam02 outlast all of their 75 opponents but they also captured most of the mystery bounties in play.

First place came with a $6,000 payday, but the champion won an additional $10,880 from the mystery bounty prize pool, which included the $4,000 top bounty amount and both of the $2,000 bounties!

Sometimes, the stars align, and it is your day. riclam02 certainly took full advantage of variance being on their side, and it one to watch for the rest of the XL Spring Series.

$40,000 XL Spring #03 – Mystery Bounty HR Opening Final Table Results

Place Player Country Bounties Prize Total Prize
1 riclam02 Germany $10,880 $6,000 $16,880
2 Scholomance Montenegro $3,680 $4,000 $7,680
3 d5t6y7 United Kingdom   $2,820 $2,820
4 tehnats   $3,160 $2,060 $5,220
5 R2Rka Ukraine   $1,540 $1,540
6 Sly_81 Germany   $1,140 $1,140
7 yyrvyyn Mexico   $920 $920
8 KeepItSecret Montenegro   $800 $800
9 SpielerKind Ukraine $1,200 $720 $1,920

Incredible: Second $10K Mystery Bounty for the Same Player in a Month at 888poker

British Grinders Dominate the $35,000 Gtd Mini Opening Event

Some 779 players bought into the Mini Opening Event for $55 and created a guarantee-busting $38,950 prize pool. It was players from the United Kingdom that shone the brightest in the tournament, with four of them navigating their way to the nine-handed final table.

“WalnutPix” bowed out in eighth for $649, leaving a trio of Union Jacks in the hunt for the title. Those three British stars ultimately finished in the top three finishing positions, taking home the bulk of the prize money.

“splors2” finished in third for $2,135 before “Geebotics” defeated “zecheese” heads-up to reel in a $4,249 score and resign the runner-up to a $3,271 consolation prize.

$35,000 XL Spring #01 – Mystery Bounty Mini Opening Final Table Results

Place Player Country Bounties Prize Total Prize
1 Geebotics United Kingdom $538 $3,711 $4,249
2 zecheese United Kingdom $564 $2,706 $3,271
3 splors2 United Kingdom $157 $1,977 $2,135
4 HayashiJoao Brazil $625 $1,443 $2,069
5 WinTheGame15 Germany $503 $1,061 $1,565
6 stayperfect Ukraine $118 $787 $905
7 Team4BetLit Canada $538 $583 $1,121
8 WalnutPix United Kingdom $214 $435 $649
9 CRAIBaby Canada $157 $326 $483

$200,000 Gtd and $500,000 Gtd Main On the Horizon

There are two other XL Spring Series events that have guaranteed prize pools worth six-figure amounts. Event #19 is a $160 buy-in 8-Max Mystery Bounty affair that has a cool $200,000 guaranteed to be won. The first of this event’s Day 1s start on May 24 and runs through to May 29.

The XL Spring Series Main Event commands a $250 buy-in unless you win your seat via one of the many satellites. For your $250 investment, you get a shot at a $500,000 guaranteed prize pool, which includes a top mystery bounty of a cool $50,000! Day 1s run May 31 through June 5.

Remaining 888poker XL Spring Schedule

Date Time Event Buy-in Guarantee
Mon 22 May 7:00 p.m. #4 KO 8-Max Mini $22 $12,000
  7:30 p.m. #5 PKO 8-Max $109 $15,000
Tue 23 May 7:00 p.m. #06 Mystery Bounty Turbo Deep Mini $33 $6,000
  7:30 p.m. #07 Mystery Bounty Turbo Deep $320 $15,000
Wed 24 May 7:00 p.m. #08 6-Max Mini $22 $12,000
  7:30 p.m. #09 6-Max $109 $12,000
Thu 25 May 7:00 p.m. #10 Super KO $55 $12,000
  7:30 p.m. #11 Super KO Mini $5.50 $5,000
Fri 26 May 7:00 p.m. #12 PKO Turbo Deep Mini $22 $12,000
  7:30 p.m. #3 PKO Turbo Deep $109 $12,000
Sun 28 May 6:30 p.m. #14 Mystery Bounty 8-Max $55 $35,000
  7:00 p.m. #15 Mystery Bounty Mini 8-Max $11 $10,000
  7:30 p.m. #16 Mystery Bounty HR 8-Max $525 $35,000
Mon 29 May 7:00 p.m. #17 Mini PKO $22 $12,000
  7:30 p.m. #18 PKO $109 $12,000
  9:00 p.m. #19 Mystery Bounty 8-Max Day 2 $160 $200,000
Tue 30 May 7:00 p.m. #20 8-Max Mini $55
  7:30 p.m. #21 8-Max Grand $320 $15,000
Wed 31 May 7:00 p.m. #22 Super KO 8-Max Mini $22 $12,000
  7:30 p.m. #23 Super KO 8-Max $109 $12,000
Thu 1 Jun 7:00 p.m. #24 PKO 6-Max Mini $5.50 $6,000
  7:30 p.m. #25 PKO 6-Max $320 $15,000
Fri 2 Jun 7:00 p.m. #26 PKO Turbo Deep 8-Max Mini $22 $12,000
  7:30 p.m. #27 PKO Turbo Deep 8-Max $109 $12,000
Sun 4 Jun 6:30 p.m. #28 Mystery Bounty 8-Max $55 $35,000
  7:00 p.m. #29 Mystery Bounty 8-Max Mini $22 $25,000
  7:30 p.m. #30 High Roller 8-Max $525 $35,000
Mon 5 Jun 7:30 p.m. #31 After Party $109 $15,000
  9:00 p.m. #32 Main Event Mystery Day 2 $250 $500,000





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Girish Reknar Leads Day 1a of WPT Gardens Poker Championship

Girish Reknar Leads Day 1a of WPT Gardens Poker Championship



The first of two starting flights in the World Poker Tour (WPT) $5,250 buy-in Gardens Poker Championship in southern California wrapped up on Sunday evening after ten levels of play with just 54 players remaining. Leading the star-studded field that includes multiple WPT champions is Los Angeles native Girish Reknar with a stack of 459,500.

Day 1a drew 162 players as WPT made its return to Gardens Casino, one of the biggest poker rooms in the country. Those who advanced to Day 2 included WPT champions Adam Weinraub, Joshua Pollock, Anthony Zinno, Matthew Wantman and Frank Stepuchin, who took down the 2019 $10,000 WPT Gardens Poker Championship for $548,825.

Others who bagged in Day 1a include southern California pro Gal Yifrach, seven-time WPT final tablist David “The Dragon” Pham and high-stakes investor Dan Shak.

WPT Staff
Vince Van Patten speaks at the WPT Gardens Poker Championship

Check Out the WPT Hub on PokerNews!

Big Personalities at Gardens

It was an exciting morning inside the Gardens Casino as a handful of big personalities made their way to the tournament area and quickly made their presence known.

Stepuchin, who PokerNews spoke with earlier in the day, received a personal introduction from Gardens Casino Tournament Manager Cavin Quintanilla over the tournament area speakers, while Buckner wasted no time shouting at a player on the other side of the table.

“You play poker so bad!” Buckner yelled in one of the early levels.

Steven Buckner
Steven Buckner

Buckner was after his first WPT title after two runner-up finishes in 2022, first in the WPT Choctaw Main Event and then in the Five Diamond World Poker Classic. Unfortunately for “Cuz,” he was eliminated in the final level of the day when he check-raised all-in with queen-nine on a nine-high flop, only to be called by the ace-nine of Jim Collopy, according to WPT live updates.

A different WPT star who knows a thing or two about close calls, six-time final tablist Ray Qartomy, was another character in the Gardens Casino on Sunday. He and Stepuchin, who both made the 2019 WPT Gardens Poker Championship final table, once again shared a table for the early part of the day. At one point, Qartomy chased “Frank the Tank” around the table as the two played an impromptu game of casino football.

Qartomy, who is after his first WPT title despite a lengthy resume, as highlighted in this WPT feature, was eliminated when his four-five was dominated by the ace-five of his opponent.

Ray Qartomy
Ray Qartomy

Others who fell on Day 1a include WPT ambassador Brad Owen, southern California high-stakes regular Bill Klein and WPT Rolling Thunder final tablist Albert Tapia.

The 54 players who survived Day 1a will return for Day 2 on May 23. Before that, Day 1b will take place on May 22 and will follow a similar structure of the first starting flight with ten 60-minute levels and a 90-minute dinner break after Level 6.

PokerNews is here in southern California and will continue bringing you stories from the WPT Gardens Poker Championship.

*Images courtesy of WPT.





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A Look Back at Doyle Brunson’s Greatest Twitter Moments

A Look Back at Doyle Brunson's Greatest Twitter Moments



With a legendary career that spanned more than five decades, Doyle Brunson picked up plenty of wisdom and life experience that he often shared with his nearly 400,000 followers on Twitter.

Brunson, who passed away this past Sunday at age 89, also had razor-sharp wit and a keen sense of humor that often came out whenever @TexDolly typed up a tweet.

From his hilarious back-and-forths with longtime friend Lex Veldhuis to his recollection of run-ins with notorious mobster Anthony “Tony the Ant” Spilotro, here is a look back at some of the late poker legend’s greatest Twitter moments.

The “Godfather of Poker,” Doyle Brunson has Passed Away at 89

A Final Message From The Poker Godfather

Many players were touched in the week following Brunson’s death when his Twitter account left the poker world one last message. And, in typical Brunson fashion, that message included a needle to Mike Matusow.

“I’ll save you all a seat in Dolly’s game in Heaven,” the final message from Brunson reads.

Strangest Pot He Ever Played

Brunson played hundreds of thousands of poker hands throughout his poker career, but one stood out to Texas Dolly as the strangest of them all. The hand took place against a casino owner who called a $60,000 river bet “with the worst hand possible.”

Here is Brunson’s recollection in June 2021 of what he called one of the “strange(st) pots I’ve played.”

Putting Brutal Beat on Crandell Addington

When Jonathan Little asked players to share the worst bad beat they ever put on someone, one hand with Poker Hall of Famer Crandell Addington stood out to Brunson.

A Look at Doyle Brunson Through the Lens – PokerNews’ Best Photos of Texas Dolly

Doyle Versus The Mob

Brunson frequently tweeted about his run-ins with Anthony “Tony the Ant” Spilotro in the 1970s and 80s, a feared Las Vegas mobster who served as the inspiration for Joe Pesci’s character Nicky Santoro in Casino.

“The SOB that tried to kill me,” Brunson tweeted in February 2022 with a photo of Spilotro.

Brunson noted that Spilotro, who was murdered in 1986, “was certainly an ‘enemy’ of mine because I refused to go his way of cheating poker players.”

“I told him I didn’t have to cheat to win,” Brunson tweeted in May 2020. “That seemed to infuriate him but I believe he respected me. He had numerous opportunities to stiff me but never did.”

Getting Robbed at Gunpoint

In his 2009 autobiography Godfather of Poker, Brunson told stories from his early career as a Texas road gambler where games would occasionally end with gunfire. Brunson also shared many of these stories on Twitter.

Poker Players From All Eras Pay Tribute After Doyle Brunson’s Passing

Personal Security

Ever wonder how Brunson stayed safe during the road gambling days while carrying around tens of thousands of dollars? He gave the answer in January 2019.

Good Times With Poker Legends

It wasn’t all robbery and gunfire in the early days. Here are some light-hearted stories Brunson has tweeted about involving fellow poker legends Stu Ungar, Chip Reese and Brian “Sailor” Roberts.

Golf Prop Bet

Speaking of fun times with poker legends, here’s a golf prop bet story involving Jack Strauss and Billy Baxter that Brunson shared in April 2021.

Doyle Doesn’t Hold Back

A lifelong Texan, Brunson always liked to tell it how it was. Here was his response when someone asked if Brunson had any fond memories of their uncle.

Doyle Doesn’t Like Your Fan Art

Brunson didn’t go any easier on those he knew. Here’s how Brunson reacted in March 2019 when his friend Mike Gorodinsky shared his drawing of the Poker Godfather.

Thanks For the Escalade

After winning some money off of his opponents in Bobby’s Room in the summer of 2018, Brunson took to Twitter to let them know that they helped finance his new Cadillac Escalade.

Brunson later that the tweet was a “tongue in cheek” remark and that he had actually “traded in my 10 year old Escalade.”

Doyle and Lex

Perhaps the greatest demonstration of Brunson’s sense of humor was his banter with PokerStars streamer Lex Veldhuis, who Brunson tangled with on shows like The Big Game during the Poker Boom.

The Texan and Dutchman would frequently needle one another on Twitter over the years, but both were also sure to make clear that it was all in good fun and that they were friends.

Doyle Brunson’s Best Televised High Stakes Poker Hands

$1 For An Autograph

After Brunson’s death, James McManus wrote that Brunson was “one of the greatest players ever but without an arrogant cell in his body.”

Brunson confirmed his humility years earlier when he shared a story of a Polish fan who sent him three pictures to sign and a $1 bill.

“I found out what my autograph is worth today,” he joked.

Doyle the TV Critic

After largely retiring from poker in 2018, Brunson became an amateur TV critic and would frequently tweet his thoughts on shows like Game of Thrones, Better Call Saul and Justified.

The Value of Time

Brunson’s cancer diagnosis in his 20s gave him a unique outlook on life and perspective on “how valuable our time is.” Brunson shared his wisdom on the subject in January 2020.

Texas Dolly Signs Off

In announcing his retirement from poker in 2018, Brunson tweeted about “probably the last (tournament) I’ll ever play,” the $10,000 2-7 Lowball Draw Championship that he ended up finishing sixth in for $43,963. Making the deep run sweeter, his son, Todd Brunson, finished tenth for $18,955.

Though Brunson did end up returning to the WSOP in 2021, the tweet serves as a somber signoff from the most important and iconic player in poker history.





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