Monday, August 27, 2018

CPPT Main Event (Day 3): Card Player Poker Tour Main Event Ends In Five-Way Deal, Matt Bretzfield Takes Home The Trophy

2018 Card Player Poker Tour (Isle Casino Pompano Park)
Event #8 | $1,100 No Limit Hold'em ($250,000 GTD)
Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/40,000)
Total Event #8 Entries: 310
Event #8 Players Remaining: 5


The five players to evenly chop Event #8 of the Card Player Poker Tour ($1,100 No Limit Hold'em Main Event $250,000 GTD): (from left to right) AJ Gambino, Matt Smith (standing), Matt Bretzfield, Gautam Lillaney (standing), Ernest Bush.

Just a few moments after AJ Gambino's fourth double-up of the level, discussions of a deal began amongst the remaining players.  Players looked at the chop value number on the clock ($35,443), and while some started looking at the ICM numbers, they were eventually bypassed.  The final five players agreed to an even deal, where each would earn that $35,443, with Matt Bretzfield taking home the tournament's trophy (he had the largest stack at the time of the chop).  The official numbers from the deal are posted below:
  1. Matt Bretzfield (Kings Park, NY) $35,443
  2. Ernest Bush (Germantown, TN) $35,443
  3. Gautam Lillaney (Kingston, Jamaica) $35,443
  4. Matt Smith (Margate, FL) $35,443
  5. AJ Gambino (Royerdford, PA) $35,443
Card Player Poker Tour Isle Casino Pompano Park Winner - Matt Bretzfield (Kings Park, NY) 


CPPT Main Event (Day 3): AJ Gambino Goes From 15,000 To Over 1,100,000...The Good Old "Chip And A Chair Story"

2018 Card Player Poker Tour (Isle Casino Pompano Park)
Event #8 | $1,100 No Limit Hold'em ($250,000 GTD)
Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/40,000)
Total Event #8 Entries: 310
Event #8 Players Remaining: 5

AJ Gambino just pulled off a magic act, turning a 15,000 stack into over 1,100,000.

After being left with 17,000, AJ Gambino scored three consecutive doubles, which brought his stack back above 500,000.  Those chips would find their way to the middle moments ago, as Gambino was all-in against Ernest Bush:

Gambino: 10 9
Bush: Q♣ Q

Runout: K 8♣ 7♠ 8 J♠

In just an incredible turn of events, Gambino manages to double through Bush, bringing his stack back above 1,100,000.

Ernest Bush - 1,900,000
AJ Gambino - 1,100,000

CPPT Main Event (Day 3): AJ Gambino Falls To Gautam Lillaney, Left With Less Than The Small Blind

2018 Card Player Poker Tour (Isle Casino Pompano Park)
Event #8 | $1,100 No Limit Hold'em ($250,000 GTD)
Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/40,000)
Total Event #8 Entries: 310
Event #8 Players Remaining: 5


AJ Gambino now find himself in a very poor spot, with just over one big blind remaining in front of him, after doubling up Gautam Lillaney.

Just a few hands after Matt Smith's double, AJ Gambino (Royerdford, PA) opened the action with a raise to 85,000, and was called by both Ernest Bush, and Gautam Lillaney.  The two checked to Gambino after a Q 6 2♠ flop, with AJ continuing for 100,000.  Both players made the call, and the three then saw the Q on the turn.  Action went check-check once again, with Gambino then betting 300,000.  Bush released his hand, followed by Lillaney check-shoving, to which AJ would call:

Gambino: A♣ Q♣ (trip queens)
Gautam: 6 6♠ (full house)

River: K

Gambino's trip queens still needed help to win the hand, which would not arrive on the river.  After the dealer counted down both stacks, AJ would be left with just over 15,000, while Gautam chipped up to 2,000,000.

CPPT Main Event (Day 3): Matt Smith Doubles Through Bretzfield, Vaults To Third In Chips

2018 Card Player Poker Tour (Isle Casino Pompano Park)
Event #8 | $1,100 No Limit Hold'em ($250,000 GTD)
Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/40,000)
Total Event #8 Entries: 310
Event #8 Players Remaining: 5


Matt Smith (Margate, FL) found himself in a solid position to double up, and would do just that, as he took a sizable chunk of Matt Bretzfield's stack.

Matt Smith was the shortest of the five players remaining, and after he opened the button with a raise, Matt Bretzfield announced he was all-in (having Smith well covered).  Smith verified that Bretzfield was indeed all-in (as it did sound like more of a question, than a statement from Bretzfield), and made the call, after peering back at his cards:

Smith: J♣ J
Bretzifled: 5 5♠

Runout: 10♠ 9 8♣ 2 3♣

"Bink," Bretzfield said, as the dealer prepared the runout...knowing he'd need a to spike something special to eliminate Smith.  The flop was a very favorable one for Smith, who held through the turn and river, and now has 1,700,000.

CPPT Main Event (Day 3): The Spin-Up Is Real For Lillaney, As He Eliminates Fernando Halac In 6th Place ($12,122)

2018 Card Player Poker Tour (Isle Casino Pompano Park)
Event #8 | $1,100 No Limit Hold'em ($250,000 GTD)
Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/40,000)
Total Event #8 Entries: 310
Event #8 Players Remaining: 5


Fernando Halac (Aventura, FL) was one of the quieter players at the final table (in terms of action, not speech), unable to find many spots throughout the afternoon.

Fernando Halac (Aventura, FL) and Gautam Lillaney were the two shortest stacks remaining, with the two just getting it all-in pre.  Halac shoved for 580,000 after folds from Smith and Gambino, with Lillaney making the call out of the big blind:

Halac: 9 9
Lillaney: A♣ K♣

Runout: A 7 4♠ 4 10♠

The two players held just a 5,000 chip difference in stacks, so the race was going to basically determine the fate of eventual winner/loser.  Gautam spiked an ace on the flop to grab a commanding lead, which held up through the runout.  Halac was then eliminated the next hand, earning $12,122 for his sixth place finish.  The result is Halac's largest since the 2016 PCA.

Lillaney is now over 1,000,000, after sitting with just three big blinds a few hours ago.

CPPT Main Event (Day 3): Final Table Chip Counts At The Day's First Break, Bretzfield Still In Command

2018 Card Player Poker Tour (Isle Casino Pompano Park)
Event #8 | $1,100 No Limit Hold'em ($250,000 GTD)
Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/40,000)
Total Event #8 Entries: 310
Event #8 Players Remaining: 6


Players are currently heading on their first break of the day, and will be returning to Level 25, with new blinds of 20,000/40,000/40,000.  AJ Gambino had been pretty quiet to start Day 3, and was seeing his stack slip, before finding a little heat to end Level 24.  Updated chip counts from the six remaining Event #8 players are listed below:
  1. Matt Smith - 880,000 (22bb)
  2. AJ Gambino - 960,000 (24bb)
  3. Fernando Halac - 540,000 (13bb)
  4. Matt Bretzfield - 3,530,000 (88bb)
  5. Ernest Bush - 2,490,000 (62bb)
  6. Gautam Lillaney - 900,000 (22bb)

CPPT Main Event (Day 3): Zachary Mullennix Runs Into A Cooler, Departs In 7th Place ($10,183)

2018 Card Player Poker Tour (Isle Casino Pompano Park)
Event #8 | $1,100 No Limit Hold'em ($250,000 GTD)
Level 24 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/30,000)
Total Event #8 Entries: 310
Event #8 Players Remaining: 7


Zachary Mullennix (Pittsburgh, PA) would normally be in good shape turning aces-up in an all-in spot, but found himself drawing dead moments ago.

With just six minutes remaining in Level 24, Ernest Bush opened the action from under-the-gun, with a raise to 75,000.  Gautam Lillaney was next to act, and he would slide his stack in front of his cards, going all-in for 375,000.  Zachary Mullennix (Pittsburgh, PA) sat still with the action on him, taking a look up at the clock, before announcing that he was all-in as well (for 435,000).  The rest of the players folded behind, including the original raiser (Ernest Bush):

Lillaney: A A♠
Mullennix: A K

Runout: A♣ 10 3♣ K 7

Zachary quickly tabled his hand, but would see the bad news, as Gautam had him in very rough shape.  Even though Lillaney flopped top set, Zachary still had running broadway outs, but was drawing dead on the turn.  Zachary was then eliminated on the last hand of Level 24, as he couldn't triple his 60,000 chip stack.  Mullennix earned $10,183 for his 7th place finish, which is his largest score since May.


CPPT Main Event (Day 3): After Blinding Down To Three Bigs, Lillaney Triples Up

2018 Card Player Poker Tour (Isle Casino Pompano Park)
Event #8 | $1,100 No Limit Hold'em ($250,000 GTD)
Level 24 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/30,000)
Total Event #8 Entries: 310
Event #8 Players Remaining: 7

Gautam Lillaney (Kingston, Jamaica) was one card away from elimination, but was able to triple up, after rivering trip threes.

Gautam Lillaney (Kingston, Jamaica) hadn't been able to find any traction during today's final table, and would see his stack dwindle down to three big blinds.  With the big blind impending (for a total of 60,000), Lillaney shoved from under the gun for 110,000, and would be called by both blinds (Bretzfield and Bush). 

The two active players would check down the 8 3 7♣ 4♠ 3 runout, with Lillaney quickly slamming his hand on the table.  "I got it," Guatam said loudly, as he showed A♠ 3♠ (having made trips on the river).  He needed every bit of it, as Bush turned a pair of fours, which would have knocked out Gautam.

Gautam Lillaney - 360,000 (12bb)

CPPT Main Event (Day 3): Updated Chip Counts After First Level Of Day 3

2018 Card Player Poker Tour (Isle Casino Pompano Park)
Event #8 | $1,100 No Limit Hold'em ($250,000 GTD)
Level 24 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/30,000)
Total Event #8 Entries: 310
Event #8 Players Remaining: 7



As expected, we saw some action during the first level of play, as the two shortest stacks were eliminated in succession.  The tournament clock just saw the level go up, with players now posting blinds of 15,000/30,000/30,000 in Level 24.  Listed below, are the updated chip counts from the final seven:

  1. Zack Mullinex - 470,000 (15bb)
  2. Matt Smith - 800,000 (26bb)
  3. AJ Gambino - 1,100,000 (36bb)
  4. Fernando Halac - 500,000 (16bb)
  5. Matt Bretzfield - 3,425,000 (114bb)
  6. Ernest Bush - 2,650,000 (88bb)
  7. Gautam Lillaney - 270,000 (9bb)

CPPT Main Event (Day 3): Mark Wiser The Next To Go, Eliminated In 8th Place ($8,367)

2018 Card Player Poker Tour (Isle Casino Pompano Park)
Event #8 | $1,100 No Limit Hold'em ($250,000 GTD)
Level 23 (Blinds 15,000/25,000/25,000)
Total Event #8 Entries: 310
Event #8 Players Remaining: 7


Mark Wiser (Boca Raton, FL) came into the day as the second shortest stack, and would be eliminated in that respective spot from the final nine. (Photo Courtesy: WPT)

After the elimination of Albert Destrade, it would be Mark "Bud" Wiser (Boca Raton, FL) assuming the unenvious position of final table short stack.  Just a few moments ago, Matt Bretzfield would open the action with a raise to 60,000, with Wiser three-bet shoving for his remaining 130,000.  The remaining players folded behind, and Bretzfield quickly made the call:

Bretzfield: A 8
Wiser: K♠ 10♠

Runout: 7 5 3♣ J 8

While Mark was behind, he did find himself some favorable equity, but was unable to steal the lead away from Bretzfield.  Wiser collected $8,367 for his 8th place finish, bringing his career earnings north of $135,000.

CPPT Main Event (Day 3): Albert Destrade First To Depart On Day 3, Eliminated In 9th Place ($6,672)

2018 Card Player Poker Tour (Isle Casino Pompano Park)
Event #8 | $1,100 No Limit Hold'em ($250,000 GTD)
Level 23 (Blinds 15,000/25,000/25,000)
Total Event #8 Entries: 310
Event #8 Players Remaining: 8


Albert Destrade (Plantation, FL) would reach his second Card Player Poker Tour final table, but the former Survivor contestant could not overcome the short stack he returned with.

Albert Destrade (Plantation, FL) came into Day 3 as the shortest stack, and would need to double his sub-ten big blind stack, if he had any thoughts of making a deeper run.  Just a few hands into the day, Destrade would find himself all-in and at risk against Matt Smith, who held a lead when the cards hit their backs:

Smith: J J♣
Destrade: A♠ 10

Runout: K J♠ 5 9♣ K♣

Smith flopped a set to grab an even more commanding lead, but Albert still had outs to a win.  Unfortunately for Destrade, there would be no appearance from one of the four queens in the deck, and he would be eliminated from his second Card Player Poker Tour final table.

CPPT Main Event (Day 3): Final Nine Ready To Crown The Newest Card Player Poker Tour Champion

2018 Card Player Poker Tour (Isle Casino Pompano Park)
Event #8 | $1,100 No Limit Hold'em ($250,000 GTD)
Level 23 (Blinds 15,000/25,000/25,000)
Total Event #8 Entries: 310
Event #8 Players Remaining: 9


The final nine players that remain in Event #8 of the Card Player Poker Tour are unpacking their chips, and just moments away from the first Day 3 hand being dealt.  Matt Bretzfield (Kings Park, NY) returns as the chip leader, continuing the torrid run he has been on over the past three weeks.  There are three players returning to stacks that are below twenty big blinds, so we should see some quick action to open the day.  Posted below, is a reminder of the Day 3 chips counts, as well as the seating assignments for the remaining nine players:



Monday, August 27th: Day 3 Of CPPT Main Event Resumes At 12:00PM, Ready To Crown A Champion

ICYMI: The final table of the inaugural Card Player Poker Tour Isle Casino main event is officially set. A total of 310 entrants has been whittled down to just nine competitors, all hoping to win the title, the trophy, and of course, the top prize of $66,707.  Leading the way going into Day 3 of the tournament is the red-hot Matt Bretzfield, who bagged up an  impressive 2,785,000. The New York-native is coming off of a pair of great runs in South Florida this month. After finishing tenth In the $5,000 buy-in Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open main event for $62,415, Bretzfield traveled to Pompano Park for the opening event of this CPPT series. He ended up getting second place, banking another $22,374.

Bretzfield used a pair of tough calls to launch his way up the leaderboard, but it was a fortunate river card against tenth-place finisher Rami Singh that saw him separate from the pack. Bretzfield raised preflop, raised on the flop, and then bet the turn and river before revealing a rivered full house with his pocket eights. Singh showed down trips and busted a few hands later to set the official final table of nine.
Sitting in second place is AJ Gambino with 1,615,000. Gambino has put together quite a tournament resume himself, including a six-figure score in Las Vegas at the Venetian Deep Stack Extravaganza series.
Gambino knocked out several players to start the day and build a big stack. He then took a huge chunk of out fellow big stack Fernando Halac by making two pair with 3-2, and busted Scott Baumstein when his A-K outran pocket jacks.
Third place belongs to Ernie Bush, who was actually one of the short stacks during ten-handed play before finding a few double ups. On his final double up, Bush actually didn’t see that Halac had moved all in in front of him, and wound up calling off the rest of his stack accidently. The move worked out however, when he won a flip to finish the night with 1,525,000.
Notables who finished in the money included Steve Karp (34th), Joey Couden (32nd), Phillip Hui (31st), Michael Merisier (25th), Raj Vohra (22nd), Scott Baumstein (17th), and Brian Hastings (15th).
The final table will resume Monday at noon ET at the Isle Casino at Pompano Park. Card Player will be on hand to bring you updates until a winner is crowned.
(The above recap is courtesy of Julio Rodriguez, and Card Player Media...who we have to thank so very much, for offering up some incredible coverage the past three days)
Live blogged coverage of the final table will once again be available here on the blog, with the updates beginning at 12:00pm.
Tournaments: As we mentioned above, Monday's tournament schedule begins at 12:00pm, with Day 3 of the Card Player Poker Tour $1,100 Main Event ($250,000 GTD).
At 6:00pm, there will be a $45 No Limit Hold'em Satellite into the $175 No Limit Hold'em ($25,000 GTD), which is scheduled for Tuesday (August 28th) at 6:00pm.  The satellite guarantees (5) seats into the event, and is structured with 8,000 unit starting stacks, along with (15) minute levels.  Registration for the satellite is open through Level 8.
Promotions: From (9:00am-10:00am), the high hand will award $150 every (30) minutes.  The high hands will then transition from 10:00am-6:00pm, with the opportunity to win $400 every (30) minutes.  During that period, the promotion sees tournament players eligible each half-hour for $100 high hands, 2/2 limit hold'em players eligible for $200 high hands, 2/4 limit hold'em players eligible for $300 high hands, and all other raked games (1/2-5/10 NLH, 4/8 Omaha 8B, 6/12 O.E., etc.) eligible for $400 high hands.  

It should also be noted that players are able to win the high hand using only one card in their hand.  The payouts for those that use one card are different than the standard numbers listed above, and can be found (full listing of one-card payouts on flyers in the poker room).

12:00pm - Card Player Poker Tour Event #8 (Day 3) | $1,100 No Limit Hold'em Main Event ($250,000 GTD)

- Players start with 30,000 in tournament chips
- Late and re-entries for the first (13) levels, with registration open through the first hand dealt on Day 2 (Sunday at 2:00pm).
- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack
- Levels 1-13 will last (30) minutes, transitioning to (40) minutes Level 14+

6:00pm - $45 No Limit Hold'em Satellite Into $175 No Limit Hold'em ($25,000 GTD) (August 28th at 6:00pm)

- Players start with 8,000 in tournament chips
- Late and re-entries for the first (8) levels
- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack
- Levels will last (15) minutes

CPPT Main Event (Day 3): Official Day 3 Numbers (Chip Counts, Seating Assignments, Payout Reminder)

2018 Card Player Poker Tour (Isle Casino Pompano Park)
Event #8 | $1,100 No Limit Hold'em ($250,000 GTD)
Level 23 (Blinds 15,000/25,000/25,000)
Total Event #8 Entries: 310
Event #8 Players Remaining: 9




CPPT Main Event (Day 2): Official Day 2 Payouts

2018 Card Player Poker Tour (Isle Casino Pompano Park)
Event #8 | $1,100 No Limit Hold'em ($250,000 GTD)
Level 23 (Blinds 15,000/25,000/25,000)
Total Event #8 Entries: 310
Event #8 Players Remaining: 9


10Raminder SinghDelray Beach, FL$5,618
11Michael GaravusoCoral Springs, FL$5,618
12Bernie LubitzW Palm Beach, FL$5,618
13Manelic MinayaTampa, FL$4,779
14Edgar VarasMiami, FL$4,779
15Brian HastingsFt. Lauderdale, FL$4,779
16Mirco ScharenSunny Isles, FL$3,985
17Scott BaumsteinNew York, NY$3,985
18Kharlin SuedPemproke Pines, FL$3,985
19Brett BaderJericho, NY$3,258
20Scott CaraccioloTampa, FL$3,258
21Erik ChristensenMiami, FL$3,258
22Raj VohraLake Worth, FL$2,669
23Thomas MillwardBoca Raton, FL$2,669
24Tom GityPompano Beach, FL$2,669
25Michael MerisierPlantation, FL$2,321
26Luciano NardiDelray Beach, FL$2,321
27Scott ZakheimDavie, FL$2,321
28Donald FrancoisDelray Beach, FL$1,985
29Jonah MillerHollywood, FL$1,985
30Joseph RitzieHamilton. OH$1,985
31Phillip HuiTamarac, FL$1,985
32Joseph CoudenCoconut Creek, FL$1,985
33Carlos RodriguezMiami, FL$1,985
34Steven KarpNorth Miami Beach, FL$1,985
35Noel AtherleyLantana, FL$1,985
36Oleg GaidoukMiami, FL$1,985
37Matthew ZarcadoolasPembroke Pines, FL$1,679
38Andrew BlakeBoynton Beach, FL$1,679
39Larry BernsteinBoca Raton, FL$1,679