Event 8 (Day 3): Event 8 Ends In Heads-Up Chop, Amato Declared Winner

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 8 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $200,000 GTD)

Level 32 (Blinds 80,000/160,000/20,000)

Total Entries: 1,143

Players Remaining: 2

Event 8 "Winner" Michael Amato (left), and "Runner-Up" Marty Mordechai

After about ten minutes of numbers breakdown, the pair of players decided to a heads-up chop, with Michael Amato taking home first place money, as well as the trophy.  Posted below are the numbers that they agreed to:

1. Michael Amato - $70,766
2. Marty Mordechai - 55,100

Event 8 (Day 3): 3rd Place - Brown ($31,924)

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 8 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $200,000 GTD)

Level 32 (Blinds 80,000/160,000/20,000)

Total Entries: 1,143

Players Remaining: 2

Rafiki Brown (Pembroke Pines, FL) 3rd Place - $31,294

After calling an open from Michael Amato (on the button), Rafiki Brown (big blind) would watch as the dealer fanned out a flop of 8♣ 6♠ 3♣.  Rafiki checked to Amato, who placed out a bet of 350,000, and the proceeded to check-raise to 950,000.  Amato made the call, and after the 9♥ on the turn, Brown would now lead for 1,100,000.  Amato once again made the call, with both players intently watching as the board paired with an 8♠ on the river.

Rifiki led out once again, this time for 2,000,000, with Amato's head perking up to eye down what was left of Rifiki's stack.  Michael would announce himself all-in, putting Brown at risk, with Rifiki taking little time before announcing a call.  

Amato: 8♦ 9♦ (rivered full house)

Brown: 5♦ 7♦ (turned straight)

Brown seemed to know what Amato was going to turn over..."Do you have boat," Rifiki asked, watching as Amato rolled over his hand.  This would be Brown's largest career cash, actually eclipsed his total earnings coming into the day.  

The remaining two players are discussing a potential deal, with the clock paused until the a decision has been made.

Event 8 (Day 3): Rafiki Doubles Through Marty Once Again, We Are All Even

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 8 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $200,000 GTD)

Level 32 (Blinds 80,000/160,000/20,000)

Total Entries: 1,143

Players Remaining: 3

Marty Mordechai and Rafiki Brown got involved in an all-in pot once again, will Rafiki the aggressor on a flop of J♠ 3♠ 5♠, shoving 4,300,000 over a flop bet of 1,300,000 from Marty. "I have a really bad hand, but I just don't think you're there yet," Mordechai said before calling:

Flop: J♠ 3♠ 5♠

Mordechai: 2♠ 4♣

Brown: K♣ J♦

Turn: Q♦

River: 2♦

Marty's hand wasn't as bad as he made it out to be, especially considering there were no spades in Rafiki's hand.  The turn and river would brick Marty's combo draw, and he'd ship 4,300,000 over the way of Brown.

1. Raffia Brown - 9,200,000
2. Michael Amato - 11,100,000
3. Marty Mordechai - 8,200,000

Event 8 (Day 3): 4th Place - Uehara ($21,226)

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 8 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $200,000 GTD)

Level 32 (Blinds 80,000/160,000/20,000)

Total Entries: 1,143

Players Remaining: 3

Eddie Uehara (Lake Worth, FL) 4th Place - $21,226

Eddie Uehara (Lake Worth, FL) opened from the button to 325,000, with Michael Amato three-betting to 950,000 out of the big blind.  After Uehara got the exact amount of the raise, he tossed the chips forward for a call, and the two would see a flop of 5♣ 2♠ 2♦.  Amato checked to Uehara, who announced himself all-in for just over 3,000,000.  Having Uehara covered, Amato would make the call and put Eddie at risk:

Flop: 5♣ 2♠ 2♦

Uehara: 3♥ 3♠

Amato: 2♥ 8♦

Turn: 6♠

River: 10♣

"Wooowww...," Uehara exclaimed as the cards were turned over, seeing the rough shape he was in.  The turn would bring Eddie extra outs to a straight, but a river ten would mean the end of Day 3 for Uehara.  Amato is now up to 9,200,000, and closing the gap between himself and Marty MOrdechai.

Event 8 (Day 3): Mordechai Begins To Gain Seperation

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 8 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $200,000 GTD)

Level 32 (Blinds 80,000/160,000/20,000)

Total Entries: 1,143

Players Remaining: 4

Marty Mordechai sits with close to half of the chips in play

The second half of Level 31 has been all Marty Mordechai, as his constant aggression has won him pots without many showdowns, and when the few hands went to showdown...he had it.  Mordechai was up to 15,600,000 just moments ago, but doubled up Rafiki Brown after his A♠ K♥ < 10♦ 10♠ on a runout of 10♣ 8♦ 6♠ J♥ 7♣.  Brown's all in was for just under 3,000,000, putting him in second position after the double.

1. Eddie Uehara - 5,000,000
2. Rifiki Brown - 6,300,000
3. Michael Amato - 5,300,000
4. Marty Mordechai - 12,500,000

Event 8 (Day 3): Updated Four-Handed Chip Counts (Mid Level 31)

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 8 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $200,000 GTD)

Level 31 (Blinds 60,000/120,000/20,000)

Total Entries: 1,143

Players Remaining: 4

1. Eddie Uehara - 5,500,000
2. Rifiki Brown - 4,800,000
3. Michael Amato - 8,500,000
4. Marty Mordechai - 9,000,000

Event 8 (Day 3): Updated Chip Counts At Break

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 8 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $200,000 GTD)

Level 31 (Blinds 60,000/120,000/20,000)

Total Entries: 1,143

Players Remaining: 4

Players are currently on their first break of the day, and will be returning to Level 31, with new blinds of 60,000/120,000/20,000.  With Rifiki Brown's double up just moments before break (through Eddie Uehara), we are looking at some fairly even stacks with four remaining:

1. Eddie Uehara - 6,400,000
2. Rifiki Brown - 5,200,000
3. Michael Amato - 8,500,000
4. Marty Mordechai - 8,200,000

Event 8 (Day 3): 5th Place - Kessler ($14,603)

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 8 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $200,000 GTD)

Level 30 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)

Total Entries: 1,143

Players Remaining: 4

Jeffrey Kessler (Plantation, FL) 5th Place - $14,603

"I really wanted to win this one," Jeffrey Kessler said moments ago as he exited the tournament area.  Kessler found himself in a handful of spots where he was put to tough decisions, and the first time he went with a spot this afternoon, it would be his last.

Michael Amato opened to 225,000 from early position, with Kessler calling out of the big blind.  After the Q♠ 7♠ 6♦ flop, Kessler shoved for his remaining 1,400,000, with Amato calling fairly quickly:

Kessler: 4♠ 6♥

Amato: A♣ Q♦

Turn: 9♦

River: K♥

Kessler's aggression may have gotten a lot of hands to fold that flop, but Amato happened to be holding one hand that wasn't going anywhere.  Kessler earns $14,603 for fifth place, which is his largest cash since 2013.

Event 8 (Day 3): 6th Place - Salmon ($11,207)

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 8 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $200,000 GTD)

Level 30 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)

Total Entries: 1,143

Players Remaining: 5

James Salmon (Davie, FL) 6th Place - $11,207

James Salmon (Davie, FL) had the most impressive tournament resume of the group returning for Day 3, and was definitely in a comfort zone with this "major-like" structure.  He was able to get two all-ins through during this level, teetering between 10-15 big blinds since the day started.  Salmon open shoved for 1,100,000 just moments ago, but ran into the buzzsaw that has been Marty Mordechai:

Salmon: A♣ Q♦

Mordechai: K♦ Q♠

Runout: K♣ Q♥ 8♦ 10♣ 10♠

James was in great shape to double up to a manageable stack, but watched as the dealer fanned out a flop giving Mordechai two pair.  The 10♣ on the turn gave Salmon some extra outs, but the board would pair on the river with the 10♠, sealing Salmon's fate.  James earns $11,207 for his sixth place finish, his largest cash since June of last year.  Marty is back up to 8,000,000, and sits behind only Eddie Uehara in chip counts.

Event 8 (Day 3): Mid-Level Chip Counts (Level 30)

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 8 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $200,000 GTD)

Level 30 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)

Total Entries: 1,143

Players Remaining: 6

1. Eddie Uehara - 9,500,000
2. Rifiki Brown - 1,200,000
3. Jeffrey Kessler - 2,400,000
4. James Salmon - 1,200,000
5. Michael Amato - 6,100,000
6. Marty Mordechai - 8,300,000

Event 8 (Day 3): 7th Place - Williams ($8,490)

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 8 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $200,000 GTD)

Level 30 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)

Total Entries: 1,143

Players Remaining: 6

Ariel Williams (Miami, FL) 7th Place - $8,490

Ariel Williams (Miami, FL) used her aggressive, unorthodox style to vault up the leaderboard during yesterday's Day 2, and basically cruised to this final table.  She did have a crucial hand on the final table bubble (out flopping pocket aces with her pocket kings), and came into the day sixth in chips (of the eight players that returned).  

Williams never found any traction at today's final table though, and was left with just (5) big blinds after having to fold to a river-shove from Marty in a heads-up pot (worth close to 2,500,000).  The $8,490 third place money is the third largest live tournament cash of Williams's career, and she already confirmed that she'll be looking to best this effort in this weekend's $1,500 Battles At The Beach Main Event.

Event 8 (Day 2): First Level Winding Down, Updated Chip Counts

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 8 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $200,000 GTD)

Level 29 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)

Total Entries: 1,143

Players Remaining: 7

The final few minutes are winding down in the first level of the day (Level 29), with blinds about to transition to 50,000/100,000/10,000 (4,000,000).  Play is still deep with a (40bb) chip average, and since the elimination of Patrick Peduto, the table has been fairly quiet.  Here are the updated chip counts with under (7) minutes remaining in Level 28:

1. Eddie Uehara - 6,900,000
2. Rifiki Brown - 925,000
3. Ariel Williams - 1,600,000
4. Jeffrey Kessler - 4,800,000
5. James Salmon - 1,800,000
6. Michael Amato - 4,900,000
7. Marty Mordechai - 6,800,000

Event 8 (Day 3): 8th Place - Peduto ($6,249)

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 8 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $200,000 GTD)

Level 29 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)

Total Entries: 1,143

Players Remaining: 7

Patrick Peduto (Delray Beach, FL) 8th Place - $6,249

It didn't take long for the chips to fly at this Day 3 final table, as Marty Mordechai scores the day's for knockout.  After Patrick Peduto (Delray Beach, FL) called an open from Mordechai, the two would watch the dealer fan out a flop of 6♣ 2♥ 8♦.  Peduto then check-called a bet from Mordechai, but then changed his line on the turn, deciding to check-shove after the 3♥ (for over 2,500,000).  Patrick, along with the table, was shocked when Marty made the call and turned over 3♣ 3♠.

Peduto then rolled over 2♠ 2♣, looking for the last remaining deuce in the deck to steal the pot away, and hopefully double up.  The A♣ on the river was not the no-spotter Patrick was looking for, and he'd be eliminated first from this Day 3 final table.  With that set-over-set pot, Marty takes the chip lead with over 8,000,000, while Peduto heads to collect his $6,249 for eight place.

Event 8 (Day 3): First Ever Blogged Day 3 Is Underway

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 8 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $200,000 GTD)

Level 29 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)

Total Entries: 1,143

Players Remaining: 8

The cards are in the air for Day 3 of Event 8, and we promise you...they will be playing down to a winner today (unless they agree to a deal).  Live updated will be provided throughout the day, including updated chip counts from each level's conclusion, along with eliminations and key hands.  Listed below is a reminder of what these players are competing for, as well as the position they started the day in:

Monday, February 27th: Event 8 Final Table Front And Center, "Battles" Continue

Event 8 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $200,000 GTD) was scheduled to end last night, but with the unexpected size of the tournament's field (coupled with the amount of chips in play), the event wrapped up at 2:05am with (8) players still remaining.  Those still left bagged their chips for Day 3, which will begin this afternoon at 12:00pm.  Here is a look at the players remaining, their updated chip counts heading into the afternoon, and a payout reminder for those eight spots:

1. Eddie Uehara - 4,640,000
2. Rifiki Brown - 1,640,000
3. Ariel Williams - 2,795,000
4. Patrick Peduto - 3,350,000
5. Jeffrey Kessler - 3,965,000
6. James Salmon - 1,795,000
7. Michael Amato - 3,925,000
8. Marty Mordechai - 6,255,00

1. $79,678
2. $46,188
3. $31,924
4. $21,226
5. $14,603
6. $11,207
7. $8,490
8. $6,249

Event 9 Winner Tony Burns (Coconut Creek, FL)

While the Event 8 final table was being reached, Event 9 ($75 No Limit Hold'em $5,000 GTD) was also at it's final table, but that tournament would play out to a conclusion.  There would be no deal struck between players though, Tony Burns (Coconut Creek, FL) won the event outright, steamrolling the final table (after grinding a short stack through the money bubble).  If you're asking yourself if it's "that" Tony Burns...you'd be correct.  Tony is the Tournament Director at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood, and is well known by most all of the players in this South Florida community.  Tony returned from the American Poker Awards late Saturday night, but couldn't pass up the opportunity to jump in the event.  He's added not just the first place prize money to his resume, but earned the first piece of tournament poker hardware in his career (according to Hendon Mob).

The Battles At The Beach series rolls on today as well, with two events on the schedule.  The first tournament begins at 11:00am (Event 10), and is a $75 No Limit Hold'em ($10,000 GTD).  That tournament is followed at 6:00pm by a $130 No Limit Hold'em ($20,000 GTD).


11:00am - Event 10 (Battles At The Beach) $75 No Limit Hold'em $10,000 GTD

- Players receive 12,000 in tournament chips
- All late registrants and re-entries receive a full stack
- Level are (20) minutes in length
- Late and re-entries for the first (8) levels
- Optional add-on at the end of Level 8 ($20 for 10,000 units), 100% goes towards the prize pool)

6:00pm - Event 11 (Battles At The Beach) $130 No Limit Hold'em $20,000 GTD

- Players receive 18,000 in tournament chips
- All late registrants and re-entries receive a full stack
- Level are (20) minutes in length
- Late and re-entries for the first (8) levels

ICYMI: Official Battles At The Beach Event 9 Results

Event 8 (Day 2): It Wasn't Planned This Way, But Day 3 Tomorrow At 12:00pm

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 8 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $200,000 GTD)

Level 28 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/5,000)

Total Entries: 1,143

Players Remaining: 8

This event was scheduled to end this evening, but after the size of the field (along with the size of the field returning for Day 2), stacks were just too deep to see this tournament play out to a winner (before 2:30am).  The remaining eight players just finished up with Level 28, and will bag their chips for tomorrow's impromptu Day 3.  Action will get underway at 12:00pm, with live blogged coverage back again, updating followers on the "happenings" in regards to this event's final table.  Posted below are the chip counts (and seating assignments) for the players heading into Day 3:

1. Eddie Uehara - 4,640,000
2. Rifiki Brown - 1,640,000
3. Ariel Williams - 2,795,000
4. Patrick Peduto - 3,350,000
5. Jeffrey Kessler - 3,965,000
6. James Salmon - 1,795,000
7. Michael Amato - 3,925,000
8. Marty Mordechai - 6,255,000

Event 8 (Day 2): 9th Place - Gross ($4,517)

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 8 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $200,000 GTD)

Level 28 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/5,000)

Total Entries: 1,143

Players Remaining: 8

Sheldon Gross (Hillsboro Beach, FL) 9th Place - $4,517

Sheldon Gross (Hillsboro Beach, FL) was one of the shortest stacks at the final table, but still had some room to play with just under (17) big blinds.  After calling an open from Jeffrey Kessler, the two would see a flop of 3♠ 6♣ Q♠.  Kessler would check-call a 300,000 bet from Gross on the flop, and then announce himself all-in after the K♠ on the turn.

Gross made the quick call, with Jeffrey asking, "Did you turn the flush"  Before Gross could answer, Kessler rolled over 6♠ 6♦, having flopped middle set, and turned a spade draw.  Gross followed by turning over K♥ Q♥, and would need to make a full house to steal the pot away.  The 2♣ came on the river, and Gross would be the first players eliminated from this Event 8 final table.

Jeffrey Kessler - 3,100,000

Sheldon Gross - 9th Place ($4,517)

Event 8 (Day 2): Official Event 8 Final Table

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 8 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $200,000 GTD)

Level 28 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/5,000)

Total Entries: 1,143

Players Remaining: 9

After Marty Mordechai knocked out both Steven Bennet and William Napier (hand history to follow), Event 8 is down to it's final table.  Here are the new seating assignments post redraw:

1. Eddie Uehara - 3,400,00
2. Rifiki Brown - 2,600,000
3. Ariel Williams - 3,100,000
4. Patrick Peduto - 3,200,000
5. Jeffrey Kessler - 800,000
6. Sheldon Gross - 1,200,000
7. James Salmon - 1,000,000
8. Michael Amato - 5,800,000
9. Marty Mordechai - 7,000,000

Event 8 (Day 2): 10th-12th Places ($3,226)

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 8 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $200,000 GTD)

Level 27 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)

Total Entries: 1,143

Players Remaining: 9

The following players have been eliminated from Event 8 of the 2017 Battles At The Beach, and have cashed for $3,226:

10. Steven Bennett (Deerfield Beach, FL)

11. William Napier (Hollywood, FL)

12. Peter Garijanian (Atlanta, GA)

Event 8 (Day 2): 13th-15th Places ($2,513)

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 8 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $200,000 GTD)

Level 27 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)

Total Entries: 1,143

Players Remaining: 12

The following players have been eliminated from Event 8 of the 2017 Battles At The Beach, and have cashed for $2,513:

13. Guillermo Irving (Miami, FL)

14. Rafael Reis (Kent, WA)

15. Arnaldo Alzualde (Hialeah, FL)

Event 8 (Day 2): "He Keeps Check...Check," Leading To Reis's Elimination

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 8 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $200,000 GTD)

Level 27 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)

Total Entries: 1,143

Players Remaining: 13

Table 5 was caught a little off guard moments ago, as Rafael Reis (Curitiba, Brazil) was eliminated in 14th place ($2,513).  The hand (between Reis and Marty Mordecai) was already over when we walked over, with a board of K♦ 3♠ 10♥ 10♦ J♠, and the two player's hands face up.  Reis stood behind his A♠ 2♠, while Mordecai had 10♣ 9♣ in front of him.

Reis then replayed the hand for us, as he opened on the button, with Mordechai calling out of the big blind.  On the flop of K♦ 3♠ 10♥, Mordechai check-called Reis's continuation bet, with the two seeing the board pair with a 10♦ on the turn.  The action would go check-check, and after the river J♠, Mordechai would check once again.  This time Reis would announce himself all-in, with Marty calling fairly quickly.  The stacks were counted down, and Reis would head to the payout podium..."You couldn't win by checking," Mordechai said to Reis as they discussed how the hand played out.

Event 8 (Day 2): Chip Counts At Break, Schedule Update

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 8 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $200,000 GTD)

Level 27 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)

Total Entries: 1,143

Players Remaining: 15

Posted below are the updated chip counts from break, with two levels remaining in the night.  Once Level 28 ends, the remaining players will have to decide between returning tomorrow for a Day 3, or coming to an agreement in regards to a chop.

Table 5:

1. Rafael Reis - 1,200,000
2. Eddie Uehara - 1,350,000
3. Marty Mordechai - 2,000,000
4. Guillermo Irving - 1,100,000
5. Peter Garijanian - 900,000
6. Jeffrey Kessler - 800,000
7. Arnaldo Alzualde - 1,300,000
8. Steve Bennett - 2,500,000

Table 3:

1. Ariel Williams - 2,800,000
2. Patrick Peduto - 3,400,000
3. Raffia Brown - 1,200,000
4. Michael Amato - 4,300,000
5. James Salmon - 2,600,000
6. Bill Napier - 500,000
7. Sheldon Gross - 2,100,000