PokerStars 2008 WCOOP Day 15 Summary Report: 'PiKappRaider' Posts Re-Buy Win

Day 15 of the 2008 World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP) at PokerStars had a familiar ring. Two bracelets were awarded, over $2,000,000 in prize pool money was dispersed, and Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier posted another top 20 finish -- this time in Event #29. His incredible run has not only added nearly $350,000 to his bankroll, but gives him great confidence moving toward the Main Event on Sunday. Steven "PiKappRaider" Burkholder outlasted an extremely tough final table to win the bracelet. Meanwhile in Event #30, salamandra24 bested 741 others to capture the title.

WCOOP #29: $500+$30 NLHE w/Re-buys (6-max), $400,000 Guaranteed

Event #29 had a lot to boast about. It drew 852 entrants, 1,011 re-buys, and 658 add-ons. The guaranteed $400,000 was taken care of by the entries alone, before re-buys and add-ons were totaled in. The prize pool came to be $1,260,500 with first place awarding $211,133.76.

Big names dominated the top spots, including Thayer "THAY3R" Rasmussen in seventh ($22,689.01), Russell "rdcrsn" Carson in 12th ($15,882.31), Andrew "TheActionKid" Glogowski in 13th ($10,714.26), Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier in 15th ($10,714.26), Andy "BKiCe" Seth in 16th ($10,714.26), Steven "gboro780" Gross in 29th ($6,428.56), Nick "FU_15" Maimone in 30th ($6,428.56), Jeremiah "Believer82" Vinsant in 32nd ($5,420.16), Matt "plattsburgh" Vengrin in 37th ($4,537.81), Shane "shaniac" Schleger in 38th ($4,537.81), Alex "AJKHoosier1" Kamberis in 39th ($4,537.81), Rami "Arbianight" Boukai in 42nd ($4,537.80), Matt "All_in_at420" Stout-46th ($4,033.60) and Noah "Exclusive" Boeken in 129th ($2,205.87).

The final table landed several online stars as well, most notably Adam "Roothlus" Levy. In the end, it was Steven "PiKappRaider" Burkholder who emerged victorious. The final standings:

1. Steven "PiKappRaider" Burkholder - $211,133.76
2. AceOfSpade11 - $157,562.51
3. Greg "DuckU" Hobson - $119,747.51
4. isuckoutonu - $81,932.51
5. Grant "grunter321" Levy - $56,722.51
6. Adam "Roothlus" Levy - $37,815.01

WCOOP #30: $1,000 +$50 PL Omaha, $500,000 Guaranteed

Event #30 attracted 742 participants and generated a total prize pool of $742,000. Notable finishes include David " GRinDer444" Redlin in 10th place ($7,791), Chris "Moorman1" Moorman in 22nd place ($3,339), Noah "fouruhaters" Schwartz in 23rd place ($3,339), Isabelle "NoMercy" Mercier in 29th place ($2,597), Jon "PearlJammer" Turner in 30th place ($2,597), Gulah Papyrus in 31st ($2,597), Tom "Hold_emNL" Dwan in 37th ($2,300.20) and Andre "aakkari" Akkari in 89th ($1,855).

After a three-way deal was agreed upon, salamandra24 came from behind to defeat u_dirty_dog and iggymcfly to earn the victory. The final results:

*1. salamandra24 - $97,291.28
*2. u_dirty_dog - $110,000
*3. iggymcfly - $106,203.72
4. Will "potstabber10" Haydon - $55,650
5. phatman - $38,955
6. Tim "Tmay420" West - $31,535
7. DAVIDOXXX - $24,115
8. Skjervøy - $16,695
9. styroben33 - $10,462.20

* -- three-way deal for remaining prize money; $10,000 for eventual winner