ICYMI: "Spin To Win" Money Wheel Results (3/8/17)

From 12:00pm-11:00pm yesterday, the "Spin To Win" high hand promotion was running, one of the most popular poker promotions you'll find in the state (as well as one of the richest).  The player with the "winning" high hand from each half hour is awarded an opportunity to spin the "money wheel," which sits located in the "stage area" of the poker room, closest to the cashier.  There are over (70) different slots on the wheel, all with different monetary amounts.  The "major" amounts that can be won are $1,000, $2,000, $3,000, and $5,000.  If (and only if) the high hand that qualifies is a royal flush, the $5,000 "Jackpot' slice is worth $25,000.  Posted below are all of the results from yesterday's promotion (along with the game the player was playing):

12:30pm: $500 (2/5 NLH)

1:00pm: $550 (2/5 NLH)

1:30pm: $450 (2/5 NLH)

2:00pm: $425 (2/5 NLH)

2:30pm: $550 (1/2 NLH)

3:00pm: $2,000 (2/5 NLH)

3:30pm: $1,000 (2/5 NLH)

4:00pm: $250 (2/2 LH)

4:30pm: $750 (2/4 LH)

5:00pm: $450 (1/2 NLH)

5:30pm: $350 (2/4 LH)

6:00pm: $300 (2/5 NLH)

6:30pm: $475 (2/5 NLH)

7:00pm: $375 (2/5 NLH)

7:30pm: $325 (1/2 NLH)

8:00pm: $275 (2/5 NLH)

8:30pm: $250 (1/2 NLH)

9:00pm: $525 (2/5 NLH)

9:30pm: $225 (1/2 NLH)

10:00pm: $425 (2/2 LH)

10:30pm: $375 (2/4 LH)

11:00pm: $675 (1/2 NLH)

If you total all of those numbers up, that's $11,500 in high hand money awarded over the course of eleven hours yesterday!!  It should be mentioned that yesterday was one of the first Wednesdays in memory, that a jackpot winner ($5,000) was not awarded.  It was a good day to be a 2/5 NLH player yesterday, but that changes each and every week.  If there is ever a promotion that players should circle on their calendar, its Wednesday's "Spin To Win!"

Thursday, March 9th: Shuman Ships Final "Battles" Event, Full Schedule On Tap

Event 17 Winner Thelma Schuman (Boca Raton, FL)

Yesterday's "extension" of the 2017 Battles At The Beach saw (8) players return at 8:00pm to finish off the Event 17 ($40 No Limit Hold'em $10,000 GTD) final table.  With the amount of entries that the event attracted (421), the time would not allow for the final table to play out, with the players agreeing to return the following day (opposed to making a deal right there on the spot).  After just over (90) minutes, and five eliminations, the remaining three players began to talk a deal.  The numbers were agreed upon, with Thelma Schuman (Boca Raton, FL) declared the tournament's winner, earning herself $2,908.  That would be Thelma's second cash of the series (Event 9 - $100 No Limit Hold'em Deep Stack Turbo Bounty - 18th Place $180), and the largest tournament score of her career.  Also part of the three-way deal were Richard Bianchi ($2,258), and Daniel Shortly ($2,241).  Thelma's "winner's photo" would mean the end of the Battles At The Beach had been reached, one of the most successful series to date, and one that will not soon be forgotten.

The poker room transitioned to the "Daily Tournament Schedule" yesterday evening, with the $100 No Limit Hold'em  "Big Stack Turbo Bounty" ($5,000 GTD) getting underway at 6:00pm.  The tournament officially ended up with (54) entries, and concluded when heads-up play was reached, as Robert Lovett ($1,287) and Sergio Amato ($950) made a deal.

Tournament: The tournament schedule is back to two events today, with the afternoon tournament beginning at 11:00am ($80 No Limit Hold'em $2,000 GTD), and the evening event ($60 No Limit Hold'em $12,000 GTD) beginning at 6:00pm.  The evening event is very similar to the "Tuesday $10k," which has been attracting over (400) runners on a consistent basis.  Players should expect a prize pool above $15,000, and just a suggestion...arrive early.

Promotions:  Other than the "standard" high hand promotion that awards winner's every (30) minutes over the course of the day, the "No Limit Hold'em Early Bird Promotion" runs from 9:00-11:00am.  Players arriving during that window will be eligible to win $60 for each of the first (50) full houses made (no limit hold'em players only).

11:00am - $80 No Limit Hold'em w/ $10 Bounties $2,000 GTD

- Players will begin with a 10,000 starting stack

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

- Option player "add-on" at the end of Level 8 ($20 for 8,000 tournament chips), with 100% of the "add-on" going to the prize pool 

- Levels are (20) minutes in length

6:00pm - $60 No Limit Hold'em $12,000 GTD

- Players will begin with a 14,000 starting stack

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

- Levels are (20) minutes in length 

- Optional add-on at the end of Level 8 ($20 for 10,000 units), 100% goes towards the prize pool)

ICYMI: Official Battles At The Beach Event 17 Results

Wednesday, March 8th: Returning To "Regularly Scheduled Programming," Let's "Spin It To Win"

As Coach Lee Corso would say on ESPN's College Gameday..."Not so fast."  The 2017 Battles At The Beach was scheduled to end last night with Event 17 ($40 No Limit Hold'em $10,000 GTD), but opposed to making a deal prior to the poker room closing, the remaining (8) players decided to bag the chips up, and return this evening (8:00pm).  The chip counts (names) have not yet been made official, but when they are, a list will be posted here on the blog (including remaining payouts).

The afternoon event ($150 Omaha Hi/Lo 8B $5,000 GTD) drew a field of (56) total entries, as the "Omaha-lics" ended up with a prize pool of $6,720.  The tournament concluded when play reached four-handed, and those remaining agreed to a deal.  Joseph Haigh (Pompano Beach, FL) was the declared winner, taking home the trophy, along with the $1,832 first place prize.  Rounding out the players that were part of the deal were Errol Massey ($1,604), Barry Bindelglass ($1,138), and Gerald Blum ($1,134).

Tournament: The Isle Casino Poker Room now shifts back to the "Daily Tournament Schedule," with one tournament for players this evening (6:00pm), the $100 No Limit Hold'em "Big Stack Turbo" w/ $25 Bounties $5,000 GTD.  This has been one of the more popular daily tournament, being that it's the only one the schedule for the day.  One may ask why there is only one event on the Wednesday schedule....?

Promotion: ...Because Wednesday's are for the "Money Wheel," and the "Spin To Win" Promotion, affording qualifying players the opportunity to win up to $25,000.  From 12:00pm-11:00pm (every 30 minutes), the player with the qualifying high hand with spin the "Money Wheel," win over (70) different amounts of money to win.  The "jackpot" amount is normally $5,000, but if a player's qualifying hand is a "Royal Flush," the jackpot shifts to $25,000.  The have been big money winners each and every week of this promotion, so if there was ever a day to come in and play cash...this is it.

6:00pm - $100 No Limit Hold'em "Big Stack Turbo" w/ $25 Bounties ($5,000 GTD):

- Players will begin with a 18,000 starting stack

- Late and re-entries for the first (10) levels

- Option player "add-on" at the end of Level 10 ($25 for 10,000 tournament chips), with 100% of the "add-on" going to the prize pool 

- Levels are (15) minutes in length

ICYMI: Official Battles At The Beach Event 16 Results

Tuesday, March 7th: Kadosh Heads Main Event Chop, The "Battles" Finish Up

Battles At The Beach Main Event Champion Uri Kadosh

When the 2017 Battles At The Beach $1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event reached it's final table, it really was a "who's who" of tournament poker.  With the exceptions of David Bradshaw and Josias Santos (who both have over $200,000 in live tournament earnings), every player at the final table had over $500,000 in earnings.  There were three players coming off of major title wins (Michael Graffeo, Josias Santos, Darryl Fish), and others who had older major titles in their pocket.  The actual poker play at the final table was world class, with a recap of Day 3 (and the final table) to follow later today.  After close to six hours of play at the final table, only three players remained (Darryl Fish, Joseph Couden, and Uri Kadosh).  During the break between Level 30 and 31, the players began discussing a deal, and when they returned to the table, an agreement was made.  Uri Kadosh (Davie, FL) was declared the winner, and earned the largest payday of his very decorated career ($120,035).  It was Kadosh's sixth win of his career, and second "major" title.  As part of the three way deal, Joseph Couden earned $120,000, and Darryl Fish $98,000.

After close to a month, the 2017 "Battles At The Beach" comes to a close today, with a pair of events on the schedule.  The first begins at 11:00am, a $150 Omaha Hi/Lo 8B event, giving the non-no limit hold'em players one last chance for glory.  The evening event is the "Battles" version of the "Tuesday $10k." getting started just after 6:00pm.

11:00am - Event 16 (Battles At The Beach) $150 Omaha Hi/Lo 8B $10,000 GTD

- Players receive 15,000 in tournament chips
- All late registrants and re-entries receive a full stack
- Levels are (25) minutes in length
- Late registration and re-entries for the first (8) levels

6:00pm - Event 17 (Battles At The Beach) $40 No Limit Hold'em Deep Stack $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 8,000 units), 100% goes towards the prize pool)

ICYMI: Official Battles At The Beach Event 15 Results

ICYMI: Official Battles At The Beach Event 14 Results

Event 14 (Day 3): Battles At The Beach Main Event Ends In Three-Way Deal

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 14 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event $500,000 GTD)

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

Total Entries: 482

Players Remaining: 3

Chip Average: 4,820,000

Darryl Fish (pictured left), Uri Kadosh, and Joseph Couden

During the break, the three remaining players began running the numbers, and discussing a potential deal.  After the breakdown, the players agreed to their respective share of the deal, and the 2017 Battles At The Beach $1,500 Main Event would come to an end.  Posted below are the exact numbers each player agreed to, with Uri Kadosh declared the tournament winner:

1. Uri Kadosh $120,035
2. Joseph Couden $120,000
3. Darryl Fish - $98,000

Event 14 (Day 3): Updated Chip Counts At Break

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 14 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event $500,000 GTD)

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

Total Entries: 482

Players Remaining: 3

Chip Average: 4,820,000

The three remaining players are on a (15) minute break, and will return to Level 31, with blinds going up to 60,000/120,000/20,000 (4,820,000).  Posted below are the updated counts from break:

1. Darryl Fish - 2,900,000
2. Joseph Couden - 5,200,000
3. Uri Kadosh - 6,300,000

Event 14 (Day 3): Three-Handed Chip Counts (Mid Level 30)

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 14 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event $500,000 GTD)

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

Total Entries: 482

Players Remaining: 3

Chip Average: 4,820,000

Posted below are the updated chip counts from the midway point of Level 30:

1. Darryl Fish - 3,400,000
2. Joseph Couden - 6,960,000
3. Uri Kadosh - 4,100,000

Event 14 (Day 3): 4th Place - Santos ($45,549)

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 14 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event $500,000 GTD)

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

Total Entries: 482

Players Remaining: 3

Chip Average: 4,820,000

Josias Santos (Kissimmee, FL) was coming off a major victory at Parx Casino in Bensalem, PA, taking down the Big Stax 300 event ($68,250).  Santos was on top of the leaderboard for most of the day, but spent two levels dropping pots, and seeing his stack dip down to (10) big blinds (at the beginning of Level 30).  

After Darryl Fish opened, both Uri Kadosh and Josias came along, with the flop coming down J♦ 10♠ 5♥.  After Kadosh checked, Josias shoved for just under 1,000,000, causing Darryl to release his hand.  Kadosh quickly made the call, and Santos would be at risk:

Flop: J♦ 10♠ 5♥

Santos: 3♣ 6♣

Kadosh: J♣ 8♣

Turn: K♥

River: 6♠

Uri Kadosh - 6,600,000

Josias Santos - 4th Place ($45,549)

Event 14 (Day 3): Kadosh Takes Big Pot From Couden, Claims Chip Lead

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 14 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event $500,000 GTD)

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

Total Entries: 482

Players Remaining: 4

Chip Average: 3,615,000

After Joseph Couden opened to 160,000, both Uri Kadosh and Josias Santos made the call.  The three would watch the dealer place down a flop of A♦ J♥ 7♦, with Santos checking to Couden.  Joseph put out a bet of 150,000, with Uri raising to 375,000.  After Santos folded, Joseph three-bet to 800,000, which Kadosh followed with a four-bet to 2,000,000.  After about a minute, Couden folded, and Uri assumed the four-handed chip lead.

Uri Kadosh - 5,800,000

Joseph Couden - 3,000,000

Event 14 (Day 3): Level 30 Begins, Updated Chip Counts

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 14 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event $500,000 GTD)

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

Total Entries: 482

Players Remaining: 4

Chip Average: 3,615,000

Level 30 began just a few moments ago, with blinds going up to 50,000/100,000/15,000 (3,615,000 chip average).  Here are the updated chip counts at level's transition:

1. Josias Santos - 1,000,000 (10bb)
2. Darryl Fish - 4,000,000 (40bb)
3. Joseph Couden - 5,300,000 (53bb)
4. Uri Kadosh - 4,300,000 (43bb)

Event 14 (Day 3): 5th Place - Van Sanford ($32,860)

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 14 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event $500,000 GTD)

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

Total Entries: 482

Players Remaining: 4

Chip Average: 3,615,000

Ryan Van Sanford (Colorado Springs, CO)

With players folding around to Ryan Van Sanford (Colorado Springs, CO), he would take the opportunity to open to 200,000 on the button.  Darryl Fish three-bet to 640,000, and after a Joseph Couden folded his big blind, Van Sanford announced himself all-in (1,100,000 more).  Darryl immediately took of his sunglasses, eyed Ryan's stack, and pushed forward chips for a call:

Van Sanford: K♣ Q♣

Fish: 8♦ 8♥

Board: A♦ 10♥ K♥ 5♥ 8♠

Ryan looked prime to earn a double after the flop, but the turn would bring flush outs for Fish, in addition to the two remaining eights in the deck.  Darryl would river a set to steal the pot away, and he slides into second spot.

Darryl Fish - 4,600,000
Ryan Van Sanford - 5th Place ($32,860)

Event 14 (Day 3): Mid-Level Chip Counts (Updated)

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 14 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event $500,000 GTD)

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

Total Entries: 482

Players Remaining: 5

Chip Average: 2,892,000

Here are the updated chip counts from the midway point of Level 29:

1. Josias Santos - 3,200,000
2. Ryan Van Sanford - 2,000,000
3. Darryl Fish - 2,800,000
4. Joseph Couden - 4,700,000
5. Uri Kadosh - 1,600,000

Event 14 (Day 3): 6th Place - Murray ($26,353)

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 14 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event $500,000 GTD)

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

Total Entries: 482

Players Remaining: 5

Chip Average: 2,892,000

Nigel Murray (Miami Gardens, FL)

Nigel Murray (Miami Gardens, FL) had been grinding a short stack for most of the latter stages of the day, picking up small pots here and there in order to keep from dropping below ten bigs.  After one full orbit back from break, Murray would be in danger of reaching that (10) big mark, and open-shoved after action folded to him (for just over 500,000).  Joseph Couden would re-shove next to act, with players behind bowing out:

Murray: A♠ K♥

Couden: K♠ K♣

Board: Q♠ 2♦ 4♥ 8♠ 6♣

Joseph Couden - 5,700,000
Nigel Murray - 6th Place ($26,353)

Event 14 (Day 3): Fish Doubles Through Santos

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 14 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event $500,000 GTD)

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

Total Entries: 482

Players Remaining: 6

Chip Average: 2,410,000

Darryl Fish open shoved for 1,305,000, with action folding around to Josias Santos in the big blind.  Santos casually tossed a chip across his cards for a call, and the cards were then tabled:

Santos: A♠ K♣

Fish: 9♥ 9♦ 

Board: J♠ J♣ 4♠ 3♠ 2♦

Fish would be racing for his tournament life, and with the tournament rail three deep, everyone had their eyes on the runout.  The board would run out clean, and Fish would earn the double, which also gives Couden an even more commanding chip lead (as Santos was his closest competitor).

Josias Santos - 3,000,000

Darryl Fish - 2,700,000

Event 14 (Day 3): Updated Chip Counts From Break

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 14 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event $500,000 GTD)

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

Total Entries: 482

Players Remaining: 6

Chip Average: 2,410,000

Uri Kadosh managed to get a double after losing a good portion of his chips to Ryan Van Sanford, cracking Nigel Murray's A A with K 9 on a K 9 3 J 8 runout.  Other than those two large hands between Ryan and Uri, and Rafael's elimination, the level was pretty quiet.  The chip average is down to (30) big blinds for the first time in memory, but this final table play is still super deep.  Posted below are the updated chip counts from break:

1. Josias Santos - 4,800,000
2. Ryan Van Sanford - 1,650,000
3. Darryl Fish - 1,500,000
4. Nigel Murray - 535,000
5. Joseph Couden - 5,500,000
6. Uri Kadosh - 720,000

Event 14 (Day 3): Kadosh Left Short After Doubling Up Van Sanford

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 14 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event $500,000 GTD)

Level 28 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)

Total Entries: 482

Players Remaining: 6

Chip Average: 2,410,000

Ryan Van Sanford open-shoved for 695,000, with action folding around to Uri Kadosh in the big blind.  Kadosh asked for a count, for if he was to make the call and lose, he'd be left with just under (8) big blinds.   After a few moments, he did toss a chip towards the pot (signifying a call), and the cards would be tabled:

Van Sanford: A♥ 9♠
Kadosh: 6♥ 6♠

Board: A♦ 5♦ Q♥ Q♣ J♣

The ace in the window gave Van Sanford a huge lead in the hand, and Uri would be looking for a two-outer on the turn or river.  After missing both streets, Uri would ship over the 695,000, and now sits as the shortest stack at the final table.

Ryan Van Sanford - 1,550,000

Uri Kadosh - 270,000

Event 14 (Day 3): 7th Place - Reis ($20,172)

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 14 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event $500,000 GTD)

Level 28 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)

Total Entries: 482

Players Remaining: 6

Chip Average: 2,410,000

Rafael Reis (Curitiba, Brazil)

Rafael Reis's chip graph would show a stead decline over the past three levels, and with the recent level's transition, he'd be sitting with just over (13) big blinds.  With action folding to Reis, he'd open-shove for 770,000, with Darryl Fish re-shoving next to act (for over 1,300,000).  The remaining players folded behind, and the cards were tabled:

Reis: K♠ Q♦

Fish: A♣ J♠

Board: 9♦ J♣ 6♥ 3♥ 8♣

Even though Fish flopped a pair of jacks, Reis still had two overs, and a gut-shot straight draw.  Neither would amount on the turn and river, and Rafael would bow out in 7th place.

Darryl Fish - 2,400,000

Rafael Reis - 7th Place ($20,172)

Event 14 (Day 3): Level Up, Updated Chip Counts

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 14 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event $500,000 GTD)

Level 28 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)

Total Entries: 482

Players Remaining: 7

Chip Average: 2,065,000

Level 28 started moments ago, with blinds going up to 30,000/60,000/10,000 (2,065,000 chip average).  After losing a big hand against Joseph Couden, Ryan Van Sanford enters the level as the short stack.

1. Josias Santos - 3,900,000
2. Ryan Van Sanford - 750,000
3. Rafael Reis - 815,000
4. Darryl Fish - 1,700,000
5. Nigel Murray - 970,000
6. Joseph Couden - 4,600,000
7. Uri Kadosh - 1,600,000

Event 14 (Day 3): 8th Place - Rodriguez ($14,315)

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 14 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event $500,000 GTD)

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

Total Entries: 482

Players Remaining: 7

Chip Average: 2,065,000

Christian Rodriguez (Miami, FL)

It was clear to everyone at the table that Christian Rodriguez (Miami, FL) would be shoving in the first few orbits back from break, and the first time he did, Christian was called by Joseph Couden (the shove was for 250,000, with Couden calling out of the small blind):

Rodriguez: A♠ 3♥

Couden: 7♦ 7♣ 

Board: Q♦ 6♥ 5♦ 4♦ 5♥

Rodriguez found no help on the flop, and although he gained a few outs on the turn, he would not find a river card that gave him the win.

Joseph Couden - 1,800,000

Christian Rodriguez - 8th Place ($14,315)

Event 14 (Day 3): Cards Are Back In The Air

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 14 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event $500,000 GTD)

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

Total Entries: 482

Players Remaining: 8

Chip Average: 1,800,000

The eight remaining players in Event 14 are taking their seats once again, and the cards are about to be back in the air.  All eyes will be on Christian Rodriguez when actions resumes, as he sits with just (7) big blinds, and looks to find a quick double.

Event 14 (Day 3): Dinner Break, Updated Chip Counts

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 14 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event $500,000 GTD)

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

Total Entries: 482

Players Remaining: 8

Chip Average: 1,800,000

Players are currently taking a (45) minute dinner break, with action resuming in Level 27 (25,000/50,000/5,000).  Posted below are the updated counts from break:

1. Josias Santos - 3,500,000
2. Ryan Van Sanford - 1,130,000
3. Rafael Reis - 2,500,000
4. Christian Rodriguez - 360,000
5. Darryl Fish - 1,950,000
6. Nigel Murray - 1,100,000
7. Joseph Couden - 2,200,000
8. Uri Kadosh - 1,800,000

Event 14 (Day 3): 9th Place - Graffeo ($10,411)

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 14 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event $500,000 GTD)

Level 26 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)

Total Entries: 482

Players Remaining: 8

Chip Average: 1,800,000

Michael Graffeo (Boca Raton, FL)

Just one hand after Ryan Van Sanford doubled through Christian Rodriguez, Michael Graffeo (Boca Raton, FL) would open shove for his remaining 30,000.  Nigel Murray, who was next to act, re-shoved for just over 700,000.  Action then folded behind, and the WPT DeepStack Main Event winner (Seminole Hard Rock) would be at risk:

Graffeo: A♠ J♣

Murray: 10♣ 10♠

Board: K♠ 2♥ 3♦ Q♠ 5♥

Graffeo couldn't manage to come from behind, and he'd be the second player eliminated from this final table.  Michael will add $10,411 to his career earnings, just over a month after winning $290,867 at the SHR WPT DeepStack $1,100 Main Event.

Nigel Murray - 1,100,000

Michael Graffeo - 9th Place ($10,411)

Event 14 (Day 3): Graffeo Left Super Short After Santos Pushes

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 14 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event $500,000 GTD)

Level 26 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)

Total Entries: 482

Players Remaining: 9

Chip Average: 1,600,000

Josias Santos opened the action with a raise to 120,000, with players folding to Michael Graffeo in the small blind.  Graffeo made a small three-bet to 220,000, and after Santos made the call, the two would see a flop of J♦ 6♦ 2♥.  Graffeo pushed forward a bet of 180,000, with Santos calling, and the dealer then placing the 3♠ on the turn.  Graffeo led once again, this time for 225,000, with Santos making the call after a few moments of thought.  The A♦ would come on the river, and after Graffeo checked (with only 320,000 behind), Santos pushed forward a stack of blue chips worth over 500,000.

Graffeo sat up in his seat, put his head in his hand, and eventually pushed his cards towards the muck.  Santos would take in the pot worth close to 1,000,000, with Graffeo becoming the shortest stack at the final table.

Josias Santos - 3,600,000

Michael Graffeo - 320,000