Alexey Repik has just taken a seat at Table 4 next to Justin Smith. If you're not familiar with the Russian, don't feel bad. We only know him from his sixth-place finish in the €25,000 High Roller event at the EPT Grand Final last season where he took home about $106,000 for his efforts. He's laid nearly all of that on the line here today, looking to add a Super High Roller cash to his stat sheet.
The first $100,000 event we find on record was back at the 2006 Crown Australian Poker Championships, which was later named the Aussie Millions. There have been several $100,000 buy-in events (and higher) around the since that first one popped up in 2006 and plenty of the players in this field today have dabbled in those as well. Here's a list of all-time winnings from players playing in today's event from events that have a buy-in of $100,000 or more.
Rank
Player
Lifetime WInnings
1
Erik Seidel
$4,620,878
2
Eugene Katchalov*
$1,500,000
3
Daniel Negreanu
$1,448,320
4
Dan Shak
$1,249,627
5
Jason Mercier
$709,767
6
David Sands
$664,027
7
Bryn Kenney
$643,000
8
Isaac Haxton
$581,806
9
Justin Smith
$289,440
10
Justin Bonomo
$224,160
11
Humberto Brenes
$200,000
12
Masa Kagawa
$198,820
Total
$12,329,845
* - Katchalov is defending champion of this $100,000 Super High Roller event.
"It's a shame that watch doesn't have any diamonds," someone asked Bryn Kenney.
All of Table 1 broke into laughter.
"I'm actually missing one," Kenney answered, looking at his watch (which could probably blind someone in the right light). "It came out. It was a good deal though - it was 45K, but I got it for 18K."
"And the cross?" Bill Perkins chimed in, referring to the enormous chain around Kenney's neck.
"I got it eighty percent off," Kenney answered.
"I have a ridiculous question," Perkins followed.
"Why did I buy them?" Kenney responded.
"No, how many times have you been to church?"
The players roared with laughter.
"Lifetime?" Kenney said, chuckling. "Five times lifetime."
The table continued to jab Kenney about his jewelry, and his apparent lack of faith.
Picking up the action on a flop, Viktor Blom's bet of 5,800 received a call from Bertrand Grospellier and a fold from Isaac Haxton. The hit the turn and Blom bet 13,800, but again was unable to chase Grospellier. Both players checked the river and Blom showed for a pair of tens.
Dan Shak has been loitering outside the tournament area for the last hour doing who-knows-what on his laptop. With his business apparently concluded, Shak closed his computer and headed into the tournament room. He's joined Table 3 now, sitting on the direct left of Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier.
Alexey Repik recently took his seat at Table 4, but is not off to the best of starts.
Picking up the action on a flop, Repik checked over to Scott Seiver who bet 4,000. Repik quickly popped it to 12,000, Seiver called, and the fell on the turn. Repik bet 20,000 and after a few moments, Seiver called to see the river. Slowing down, Repik checked the river while Seiver bet 40,000.
Repik called, but mucked when Seiver turned over .
David "Doc" Sands opened to 3,000 from the button, Bill Perkins called in the big blind, and the flop was . Perkins quickly bet 4,000, and Sands tank-called.
The turn was the , and Perkins checked. Sands sat in silence for half a minute or so, then tossed out two blue T5,000 chips, announcing, "Seventy-seven."
Perkins began muttering under his breath. He analyzed the situation for over a minute, then raised to 21,000. Sands tanked, again, then called.
Perkins checked before the was exposed on the river, and Sands quickly knuckled behind. Sands turned over for a pair of sixes, Perkins mucked, and Sands raked in the pot.
From under the gun, Will Molson raised to 3,000. Bill Perkins made the call on the button and everyone else folded. The flop came down and Molson bet 3,500. Perkins quickly called.
The turn was the and Molson bet 7,500. Instantly, Perkins raised to 30,000. Molson paused and then folded, allowing Perkins to pick up the pot.