Thursday, August 10th: Ronald Arena Goes Back-To-Back, H.O.R.S.E. And $20,000 GTD On Tap

ICYMI: Tournament players know that cashing in an event on consecutive days is not the easiest thing, and making a final table in the same manner is a feat in itself.  Winning a tournament on back-to-back days...now thats something special.  Ronald Arena (Boynton Beach, FL) accomplished the repeat win after taking down yesterday's $100 No Limit Hold'em "Monster Stack" ($3,000 GTD), besting a field of (40) entries.  Both days, Arena would head a five-way chop, but he would earn over $100 more in yesterday's deal.  So after five years without a tournament win on his resume, what does he do once he finally gets the first place next to his name...he does it again (posted below are the full results from the event).

1. Ronald Arena (Boynton Beach, FL) $796
2. Marco Rodriguez (Miami Beach, FL) $640
3. Robert Tanner (Wellington, FL) $575
4. Nachum Lumelski (Pembroke Pines, FL) $538
5. Arnold Cohen (West Palm Beach, FL) $531

Last night's tournament was a $60 No Limit Hold'em event, which got underway at 6:00pm.  The field was comprised of (109) entries, and after the optional add-ons were tallied, the official prize pool would close at $5,251.  The tournament would follow in the afternoon event's footsteps, also ending in a five-way chop.  Ferederique Nathaniel (Aruba) made sure that he started his Hendon Mob resume off strong, with a first place as his first ever recorded cash.  Nathaniel earned $886 for his share of the deal, just two dollars more than John Bilas, who was the tournament's "runner-up" finisher.

1. Ferederique Nathaniel (Aruba) $886
2. John Bilas (Wilton Manor, FL) $884
3. Michael Braverman (Boca Raton, FL) $860
4. Anthony Vulpis (Lauderdale By The Sea, FL) $659
5. Jeffrey Shepard (Westin, FL) $515
6. Linzell Borders (Tamarac, FL) $242
7. Alexandros Cantantinou (Boca Raton, FL) $205
8. John Sarappa (Lantana, FL) $179
9. Justin Walker (Sunrise, FL) $158
10. Steven Winslow (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) $139

Tournaments: There are two events on the tournament schedule for Thursday, the first of which sees the return of the "mixed events."  After last week's successful O.E. (Omaha/Stud 8B) tournament, a $130 H.O.R.S.E. ($3,000 GTD) event is in the afternoon time slot.  The structure is great for the players, as things start off quickly (with 15 minute levels), but transition to (20) minute levels after registration closes.  Players start with 16,000 in chips, allowing for some surprisingly deep play in the later stages of the day.

The evening tournament is the $130 buy-in No Limit Hold'em event, which carries with it a $20,000 guaranteed prize pool.  The numbers are always great when this tournament is slotted in the evening time slot, with tonight's installment expecting to bring big numbers.  Players start with 16,000 units, and play (20) minute levels over the course of the night.

Promotions: The Full House Early Bird promotion is in it's regularly scheduled spot this morning, but it's no longer just for limit hold'em players.  Every table in the poker room (excluding time raked games) is eligible for the promotion, which pays out the first (50) full houses (payout depends on which stakes are being played).  Similar to what is run on Friday's, there will also be $300 awarded to qualifying high hands every (15) minutes (from 12:00pm-4:00pm).

11:00am - $130 H.O.R.S.E ($2,000 GTD)

- Players will begin with a 16,000 starting stack

- Late and re-entries for the first (8) levels

- Alternates and late entries will receive full stacks

- Levels 1-8 are (15) minutes in length, with Levels 9+ lasting (20) minutes

6:00pm - $130 No Limit Hold'em ($20,000 GTD)

- Players will begin with a 16,000 starting stack

- Late and re-entries for the first (8) levels

- Alternates and late entries will receive full stacks

- Levels are (20) minutes in length throughout