Saturday, February 3, 2018

"February $100,000" (Day 2): Three-Way Deal Agreed To, Douglas Decker The Event's Declared Winner

"February $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 352
Players Remaining: 3

The three players to chop up the "February $100,000" (from left to right): Michael Marks, Erik Kolodny, and Douglas Decker.

After the elimination of Erik Christensen, the three players ran the ICM numbers, and quickly agreed to the amounts they heard.  The official numbers from the deal are listed below:
  1. Douglas Decker (Port St. Lucie, FL) $16,961
  2. Erik Kolodny (Sunny Isles, FL) $15,270
  3. Michael Marks (Boynton Beach, FL) $14,499


"February $100,000" (Day 2): Erik Christensen Falls To Douglas Decker, Out In 4th Place ($5,960)

"February $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 352
Players Remaining: 3


Erik Christensen (Miami, FL) found himself a critical double when seven players remained, and was able to jump three spots, before getting eliminated in fourth place.

Erik Christensen (Miami, FL) had an uphill climb in front of him, sitting with just fifteen big blinds, while his three opponents all had over forty bigs.  Erik shoved for 600,000, and after Douglas Decker got an exact count, he decided to make the call.  Christensen was at-risk and behind, with his Q J♠ up against the A♣ J♣ of Decker.  The dealer would run out a board of  9♣ 6 5♣ 2♠ K♠, and Christensen would be eliminated, leaving the final table in fourth place ($5,960).

"February $100,000" (Day 2): Sebastian Kos's Departure In 5th Place ($4,605) Continues A Flurry Of Bustouts

"February $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 352
Players Remaining: 4

Sebastian Kos (Czech Republic) continues a run of great tournament play, with three top five finishes (including a win) in the last month alone.

Sebastian Kos (Czech Republic) was the shortest of the remaining stacks, and after action folded to him, he would shove for just about ten big blinds.  Erik Kolodny made the call to put him at risk, and would be ahead with A 10, against Sebastian's Q J.  The 4♠ 2 2 5♠ 8 runout would be the last he'd see in this event, as he collected his things and walked away from the final table.  This is Sebastian's third straight final table finish, recording a first and a second during the most recent Lucky Hearts Poker Open series at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood.

"February $100,000" (Day 2): Luqman Alghanim Eliminated By Erik Colony In 6th Place ($3,815)

"February $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 352
Players Remaining: 5


With this final table finish, Luqman Alghanim (Tampa, FL) records his second largest tournament cash, and first since May of 2015.

Just a few moments after Brandon Markland's elimination, we would see the final hand for Luqman Alghanim (Tampa, FL).  On the turn of a board reading 2♠ 6 5 Q♠, both Luqman and Douglas Decker would check to Erik Kolodny.  Erik put out a pot sized bet of 300,000, with Luqman check-shoving for just over double that amount.  Douglas Decker folded after getting an exact count, with Kolodny begrudgingly making the call.  Erik was in much better shape than he thought, as his A♣ Q was well ahead of Luqman's 10♣ 10♠.  The river brought not help for the worse hand, and Alghanim would exit in sixth place, earning $3,815 for his efforts.

"February $100,000" (Day 2): Brandon Markland Eliminated In 7th Place ($3,205) By Michael Marks

"February $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 24 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 352
Players Remaining: 6

It's always difficult to watch someone celebrate after taking a bad beat in poker, but Brandon Markland (Dagsboro, DE) took his defeat with class, wishing his table mates luck as he departed the final table.

The final table was approached moments ago, with Michael Marks and Brandon Markland heads up, on a flop of Q♠ 7♠ 2.  Marks had opened the pot from late position, with Markland calling out of the big blind, leaving Brandon first to act on the flop.  Markland would announce himself all-in for about 450,000, which was close to ninety-percent of Michael's remaining stack.  Mark's made the call, and would need help, as his Q♣ 10 was dominated by Markland's A Q.  The 6 on the turn only strengthened Brandon's lead, but the 10♠ on the river would change everything.  "That's how you do it," Marks exclaimed, as he stood from his seat, and clapped his hands in celebration.  This was Markland's first cash since July of last year, when he finished 30th in Event #14 ($1,100 NLH) of the Florida State Poker Championships ($1,914).

"February $100,000" (Day 2): Sean Shah's Incredible Run Ends With An 8th Place Finish ($2,675)

"February $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 24 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 352
Players Remaining: 7

This eighth place finish makes back-to-back final table cashes for Sean Shah (Delray Beach, FL), with this one being particularly special, after having just over one big blind in Level 14.

At one point earlier in the afternoon, Sean Shah (Delray Beach, FL) was down to just over one big blind.  He managed to spin that up to close to forty big blinds, eventually eclipsing the chip average, and setting himself up for this final table run.  Returning from break with just over ten big blinds, Shah was looking for a double, and would shove for 300,000 just moments ago (after action folded to him).  Sebastian Kos was next to act, and after thinking for about a minute, also shoved (for 285,000).  Kos's A♣ J was ahead of Sean's A 10♠, with the runout bringing no help to the latter.  Sean was left with just 15,000 after absorbing the loss, and would be eliminated the very next hand.

"February $100,000" (Day 2): Updated Chip Counts On Break

"February $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 24 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 352
Players Remaining: 8




Players are about to head on a quick color-up break, as the tournament staff takes the 1,000 denomination chips out of play.  Action will resume with Level 24, and new blinds of 15,000/30,000/5,000 (704,000 chip average).  Updated chip counts from the final table are listed below:
  1. Sebastian Kos - 400,000 (13bb)
  2. Erik Kolodny - 1,100,000 (33bb)
  3. Michael Marks - 1,075,000 (32bb)
  4. Erik Christensen - 405,000 (13bb)
  5. Luqman Alghanim - 205,000 (6bb)
  6. Douglas Decker - 2,400,000 (80bb)
  7. Brandon Markland - 405,000 (13bb)
  8. Sean Shah - 310,000 (10bb)

"February $100,000" (Day 2): Flacco's Short Stack Runs Into Decker's Pocket Aces, Out In 9th Place ($2,195)

"February $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 23 (Blinds 10,000/20,000/3,000)
Total Entries: 352
Players Remaining: 8

Robert Flacco (Boca Raton, FL) had been hampered by a short stack since dinner break, but managed to navigate his way to the final table, eliminated moments ago in ninth place.

With the final minutes winding down in Level 23, Robert Flacco (Boca Raton, FL)  knew that he had to find a spot to double up.  He would get his sub-ten big blind stack all-in (with K Q) just moments ago, but ran into the A♠ A of Douglas Decker.  Flacco's reaction was understandably one of displeasure (after seeing the pocket aces), with Decker jokingly saying, "Don't blame me, I'm not the dealer."  Flacco ended up flopping a pair (K♣ 9♣ 2♠), but when the board paired on the turn (9♠), it left Robert looking for just two outs.  He would miss on the river, and end up the ninth place finisher ($2,195).

"February $100,000" (Day 2): Ronnie Safa First To Leave Final Table, Departs In 10th Place ($1,870)

"February $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 23 (Blinds 10,000/20,000/3,000)
Total Entries: 352
Players Remaining: 9


Ronnie Safa (Aventura, FL) came into the final table as one of the shorter stacks, and was unable to get his shove on the flop through, against one of the chip leaders (Douglas Decker).

We approached the final table at just the right time, as Ronnie Safa and Douglas Decker were on the a flop that read 10♣ 9♣ 3.  Safa was first to act, and would announce himself all-in, for just over 300,000.  Decker quickly verbalized a call, and watched as Ronnie tabled 4 4♠, a big underdog against Douglas's 8♣ 8♠.  The turn (2♣) and river (Q♠) were no help to Safa, who became the first player eliminated from this "February $100,000" final table.

Douglas Decker - 1,400,000 (70bb)
Ronnie Safa - Eliminated in 10th place ($1,870)

"February $100,000" (Day 2): Players Reach The Final Table, After The Departure Of Bill Farnan In 11th Place ($1,870)

"February $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 23 (Blinds 10,000/20,000/3,000)
Total Entries: 352
Players Remaining: 10

Bill Farnan (Jupiter, FL) had back-to-back scores of over $16,000, but fell just short of reaching his third final table in a row.

Just two hands after Robert Transue left the field on the final table bubble, Bill Farnan (Jupiter, FL) was eliminated in 11th place.  Farnan earned $1,870 for his efforts, and fell just one spot short of his third final table cash in a row.  Farnan's last two scores were a runner-up finish in a $130 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD) at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood ($16,395), and a win at the same property, taking down the $560 No Limit Hold'em event during the Fun In The Sun Series ($21,848).  

The remaining players would redraw for their final table seats, with the table lineup posted below:

  1. Sebastian Kos
  2. Erik Kolodny
  3. Michael Marks
  4. Erik Christensen
  5. Luqman Alghanim
  6. Douglas Decker
  7. Brandon Markland
  8. Ronnie Safa
  9. Sean Shah
  10. Robert Flacco

"February $100,000" (Day 2): Robert Transue's Exit In 12th Place ($1,870) Leaves The Field On The Final Table Bubble

"February $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 22 (Blinds 8,000/16,000/2,000)
Total Entries: 352
Players Remaining: 11

Robert Transue (N. Lauderdale, FL) made numerous attempts at bagging chips the past two days, and wasn't going to pass up on the Day 2 buy-in that was available.  The $1,870 he earned for 12th place helped him book a profit in this event.

In one of the more dramatic hands of the tournament, the field loses Isle Poker regular Robert Transue (N. Lauderdale, FL).  On a board of 2 3 4♣ 9♠, Transue was all-in and at risk, after being called by Erik Kolodny.  Transue held A 4, and was a sizable favorite with his pair and combo draw, against the 4 7♠ Kolodny.  The 7 would roll off on the river though, giving Erik two-pair, and eliminating Transue from play.  The rest of the table was in shock, as Transue collected his things and headed to the podium.  Also a Day 2 buy-in (and the final one remaining), Robert earned $1,870 for his 12th place finish.

"February $100,000" (Day 2): Tournament Veteran Ory Hen Exits In 13th Place ($1,605)

"February $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 22 (Blinds 8,000/16,000/2,000)
Total Entries: 352
Players Remaining: 12

After multiple attempts at bagging chips for Day 2, Ory Hen (Cooper City, FL) was one of a group of players to buy in this afternoon, and ended up securing a nice score for thirteenth place ($1,605).

Of the players left in the field, Ory Hen (Cooper City, FL) had the most decorated tournament resume (by far), with over $1,285,000 in career cashes.  Ory did an admirable job to get this far, considering that he bought in earlier this afternoon, with just (15) big blinds.  Hen was sitting with less than eight big blinds for most of the level, and was eliminated moments ago, exiting the field in 13th place ($1,605).


"February $100,000" (Day 2): Richard Leger Eliminated In 14th Place ($1,605)

"February $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 22 (Blinds 8,000/16,000/2,000)
Total Entries: 352
Players Remaining: 13

Richard Leger (Lighthouse Point, FL) just added to an already impressive tournament resume, which now has over $525,000 in recorded results.

Both Richard Leger and Brandon Markland got multiple raises through in the last orbit at Table 2, with Leger's much more critical, as he was one of the shortest stacks in the field.  Markland opened for the third hand in a row (from the button), with Richard Leger three-bet shoving out of the big blind (for just under 190,000).  Markland quickly made the call, and would be ahead with K♠ K, against Leger's 7 7.  The board ran out 10 5♠ 9 Q♣ 6♠, and Richard would be the first player eliminated since break.  Leger collected $1,605 for his efforts, while Markland chipped up to 670,000.

Brandon Markland - 670,000
Richard Leger - Eliminated in 14th place ($1,605)

"February $100,000" (Day 2): Updated Chip Counts At Break, Stacks Are Deep

"February $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 22 (Blinds 8,000/16,000/2,000)
Total Entries: 352
Players Remaining: 14

The remaining fourteen players are about to head on their first break since dinner, with the stack sizes super deep, considering the stage of the tournament.  The current chip average is 452,000, which after the transition in the blinds, is still over (28) big blinds.  

Table 1
  1. Douglas Decker - 595,000 (37bb)
  2. Bill Farnan - 315,000 (19bb)
  3. Ronnie Safa - 830,000 (51bb) 
  4. Sebastian Kos - 525,000 (32bb)
  5. Robert Transue - 228,000 (14bb)
  6. Erik Kolodny - 815,000 (50bb)
  7. Luqman Alghanim - 570,000 (35bb)
Table 2
  1. Brandon Markland - 430,000 (26bb)
  2. Robert Flacco - 210,000 (13bb)
  3. Michael Marks - 920,000 (57bb)
  4. Richard Leger - 80,000 (5bb)
  5. Ory Hen - 112,000 (7bb)
  6. Sean Shah - 280,000 (17bb)
  7. Erik Christensen - 490,000 (30bb)

"February $100,000" (Day 2): 16th-18th Places ($1,350)

"February $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 21 (Blinds 6,000/12,000/2,000)
Total Entries: 352
Players Remaining: 15

The following players have been eliminated from the "February $100,000" ($360 No Limit Hold'em), and have cashed for $1,350:

16. Myles German (Boca Raton, FL)
17. Frederico Dabus (Doral, FL)
18. Jorge Aristizabal (Coral Springs, FL)

"February $100,000" (Day 2): New Seating Assignments After Redraw (Updated Chip Counts)

"February $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 20 (Blinds 5,000/10,000/1,000)
Total Entries: 352
Players Remaining: 18

After the elimination of Dominic Cruz (Dominican Republic) in 19th place, the field experienced it's first redraw of the day (with another scheduled for the final table).  The players have found their new seating assignments, and the cards are back in the air.  The new draws for the final two tables in the field are listed below:

Table 1
  1. Douglas Decker - 730,000
  2. Bill Farnan - 90,000
  3. Ronnie Safa - 440,000
  4. Frederico Dabus - 170,000
  5. Robert Transue - 205,000
  6. Erik Kolodny - 300,000
  7. Luqman Alghanim - 900,000
  8. A. Nonymous - 194,000
  9. Zyad Qasem - 220,000
Table 2
  1. Sebastian Kos - 620,000
  2. Brandon Markland - 380,000
  3. Jorge Aristizabal - 260,000
  4. Robert Flacco - 100,000
  5. Michael Marks - 440,000
  6. Richard Leger - 300,000
  7. Ory Hen - 242,000
  8. Sean Shah - 315,000
  9. Erik Christensen - 410,000

"February $100,000" (Day 2): 19th-21st Places ($1,105)

"February $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 20 (Blinds 5,000/10,000/1,000)
Total Entries: 352
Players Remaining: 18

The following players have been eliminated from the "February $100,000" ($360 No Limit Hold'em), and have cashed for $1,105:

19. Dominic Cruz (Dominican Republic)
20. Elias Nassif (Davie, FL)
21. Damion Loli (Lake Worth, FL) 

"February $100,000" (Day 2): 22nd-24th Places ($870)

"February $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 20 (Blinds 5,000/10,000/1,000)
Total Entries: 352
Players Remaining: 20

The following players have been eliminated from the "February $100,000" ($360 No Limit Hold'em), and have cashed for $870:

22. Chris Lawson (Livingston, TX)
23. Michael Bonsignore (Hollywood, FL) 
24. Perry Werbel (Margate, FL) 

"February $100,000" (Day 2): Updated Chip Counts From The Field

"February $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 19 (Blinds 4,000/8,000/1,000)
Total Entries: 352
Players Remaining: 23



Listed below are the seating assignments for the remaining players in the February $100,000, as three tables are left in the field.

Table 1
  1. Douglas Decker - 740,000
  2. Ory Hen - 270,000
  3. Erik Christensen - 210,000
  4. Brandon Markland - 325,000
  5. Robert Flacco - 160,000
  6. Bill Farnan - 140,000
  7. Sebastian Kos - 620,000
Table 2
  1. Tracy Scala - 100,000
  2. Jorge Arisitzabal - 130,000
  3. Luqman Alghanim - 340,000
  4. Dominic Cruz - 310,000
  5. Chris Lawson - 200,000
  6. Mike Bonsignore - 60,000
  7. Ronnie Safa - 500,000
  8. Elias Nassif - 160,000
Table 3
  1. Zyad Qasem - 185,000
  2. Sean Shah - 250,000
  3. Frederico Dabus - 185,000
  4. Robert Transue - 80,000
  5. Damion Loli - 105,000
  6. Erik Kolodny - 415,000
  7. Richard Leger - 325,000
  8. Michael Marks - 305,000

"February $100,000" (Day 2): 25th-27th Places ($755)

"February $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 19 (Blinds 4,000/8,000/1,000)
Total Entries: 352
Players Remaining: 23

The following players have been eliminated from the "February $100,000" ($360 No Limit Hold'em), and have cashed for $755:

25. Patrick Biancone (Delray Beach, FL)
26. Donald Williams (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 
27. Ryan Galpern (Cooper City, FL)

"February $100,000" (Day 2): 28th-32nd Places ($660)

"February $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 19 (Blinds 4,000/8,000/1,000)
Total Entries: 352
Players Remaining: 27

The following players have been eliminated from the "February $100,000" ($360 No Limit Hold'em), and have cashed for $660:

28. Antonio Frey (Miami Beach, FL)
29. Zachary Mullinex (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 
30. Steven Sondak (Sunrise, FL)
31. Scott Zakheim (Davie, FL) 
32. Anthony Nassar (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)

"February $100,000" (Day 2): Three Tables Left On Dinner Break

"February $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 19 (Blinds 4,000/8,000/1,000)
Total Entries: 352
Players Remaining: 27

The remaining Day 2 players of the "February $100,000" are taking their scheduled dinner break, which will see action resume around 6:30pm.  When the cards get back in the air for Level 19, the new blinds being posted will be 4,000/8,000/1,000 (211,000 chip average).  Updated chip counts from the field will be posted once players return, with the results of the first pay group to be updated on the blog shortly.

"February $100,000" (Day 2): The "February $100,000" Field Is Now In The Money!!

"February $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 18 (Blinds 3,000/6,000/1,000)
Total Entries: 352
Players Remaining: 30

Ronnie Safa became the most well liked player in the field for just a brief moment, eliminating a player on the bubble, and sending the field into the money.

After eight hands on the bubble (hand-for-hand), Ronnie Safa eliminated a player that requested his name not be used...meaning that the "February $100,000" is now in the money.  There is just twenty minutes remaining in Level 18, with those still left heading on dinner break at the level's conclusion.  Everyone left in the field is guaranteed at least $660, with a reminder of the tournament payouts listed below:




"February $100,000" (Day 2): Field Approaching The Money Bubble

"February $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 17 (Blinds 2,500/5,000/500)
Total Entries: 352
Players Remaining: 36

Michael Bonsignore (Hollywood, FL) has helped the field get one step closer to the money, after eliminating Day 2 entry Joseph Conti (in 37th place).

Joseph Conti (Boynton Beach, FL) earned the nickname "Joey Mush" during his time playing in underground games (in New York City), and proudly talks about his time featured on a National Geographic Channel documentary on the subject (underground poker...not being a "mush").  Conti was one of the Day 2 buy-ins earlier this afternoon, and although he was able to survive over four hours, his day came to an end moments ago.  Conti's A♣ 6♣ fell to Mike Bonsignore's 9♠ 9, leaving the field with four nine-handed tables, only four spots from the money.  Hand-for-hand play will start when (33) remain, as (32) players are scheduled to reach the money.

"February $100,000" (Day 2): Michael Marks Vaults Up The Leaderboard, Potential For Back-to-Back Titles

"February $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 16 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)
Total Entries: 352
Players Remaining: 40


There aren't many greater things in tournament poker, than a player shoving in front of you, after looking down at pocket aces.  Michael Marks (North Lauderdale, FL) just experienced that exact scenario, and now sits well above the chip average.

The action at Table 4 would be picked up just as Erik Christensen opened the action with a raise to 10,000, from middle position.  Bill Farnan made the call, with an unknown player then three-bet shoving from the button, for close to 100,000.  After the small blind folded, Michael Marks (North Lauderdale, FL) re-shoved, holding a similar sized stack to that of the player on the button.  Christensen and Farnan folded behind, and Marks quickly turned over A A.  He would be up against K Q♠, and had his opponent drawing dead on the turn, after the 8 2♣ 4♠ 8 runout.  

Marks chipped up to 250,000 after winning with those pocket aces, and now finds himself in a very familiar position (with a very deep stack, over sixty big blinds).  Michael won last week's multi ($250/$100,000 GTD), heading a six-way deal that earned him $20,094.

Michael Marks - 250,000 (62bb)

"February $100,000" (Day 2): Updated Chip Counts From The Field

"February $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 16 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)
Total Entries: 352
Players Remaining: 53


Douglas Decker (Port St. Lucie, FL) just got back from Las Vegas, where he recorded a first and second place finish, in back-to-back recurring events at the Venetian (worth a combined $3,500).

Players are just returning from their second break of the day, now posting new blinds of 2,000/4,000/500 (119,000 chip average).  Douglas Decker (Port St. Lucie, FL), who came into Day 2 as the overall chip leader, returns from break in the top spot.  Erik Christensen (Miami, FL) has made a big move as well, more than doubling the stack that he started the day with.

Douglas Decker - 374,000
Erik Christensen - 370,000
Erik Kolodny - 255,000
Robert Flacco - 240,000
Luqman Alghahim - 225,000
Brandon Markland - 210,000
Frederico Dabus - 200,000
Bill Farnan - 200,000
Jorge Aristizabal - 200,000
Sebastian Kos - 190,000

"February $100,000" (Day 2): Aristizabal Is Back Where It All Began

"February $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 15 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/500)
Total Entries: 352
Players Remaining: 53

Jorge Aristizabal (Coral Springs, FL) is second a "second chance" that doesn't always happen in poker tournaments, losing half of his Day 2 starting stacks, and then recouping everything in one hand.

Jorge Aristizabal (Coral Springs, FL) started the day as one of the chip leaders, entering Day 2 with 222,200.  The first three hours of Jorge's day weren't particularly kind to him, as he found his Day 2 starting stack cut in half.  Moments ago, Aristizabal was all-in and at risk at Table 2, but was in dominating position with A A♣ against A♠ K♣.  The board would runout 3♣ 2♣ 7♣ 9♣ Q♣, helping him lock up the win before the river even hit the felt.  Jorge was all-in for 107,400, and after his stack was matched (and the rest of the pot was pushed his way), he'd find himself with 225,000.  Aritizabal gets a "restart" of sorts, and now sits comfortably with over seventy big blinds.

Jorge Aristizabal - 225,000 (75bb)




"February $100,000" (Day 2): Sean Shah Experiencing The "Spin-Up"

"February $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 14 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/400)
Total Entries: 352
Players Remaining: 61


Sean Shah (Delray Beach, FL) is back from a trip to Atlantic City, where he ended up chopping the final tournament on his schedule (a $240 No Limit Hold'em Deepstack during the Borgata Winter Poker Open).  The result would be worth over $18,000, and was his self-proclaimed "saver."

Table 3 was approached just as Mike Bonsignore (Hollywood, FL) opened the action with a raise to 6,000 (from middle position).  Action folded around to Sean Shah, who was in the big blind, and decided to three-bet shove (for 34,600).  After getting an exact count from the dealer, Bonsignore tossed in some chips to signify a call, with Sean racing for his tournament life.  Shah's 6♠ 6♣ got a fortunate flop against Bonsignore's K♠ Q, with the 6 3♠ 2 flop giving him top set.  The turn would pair the board with the 3, sealing the double for Shah.  

"I was down to 1.7 blinds just five hands ago," Sean said as he scooped up the pot, which was worth over 70,000.

Sean Shah - 71,000 (29bb)