Just over a year later, Massey’s passionate pursuit of poker glory paid dividends in a big way, as won the WinStar World Casino River Poker Series Main Event, scoring $651,559 and the validation he has been seeking since that final table appearance here in Las Vegas.
With his fourth cash of the 2013 WSOP secured here in the ante-only event, Massey has worked his way to the final three tables, and he will be looking to best his 8th place finish on the WSOP stage.
“I’ve just worked so hard for this, put everything I have into this poker thing,” Massey told us while bagging and tagging last night. “My dreams are finally starting to become reality, and it just feels very satisfying after all of the energy I’ve dedicated to the game.”
With just two dozen or so players standing between Massey and the goal he has focused on for years, there is no doubt he will be a force to be reckoned with as Day 2 of this event marches on.
The Rio is buzzing with the $111,111 One Drop High Rollers event, and the crew takes a look at some of the big names in the field. They also do a little fantasy draft for the tournament with the Executive Director of the World Series of Poker, Ty Stewart.
We just spotted Daniel Idema raise for around 8,000 in chips, leaving himself with one 100-chip behind. Adam Stone then opted to raise all in for 22,700, before Paul Lieu looked like he wanted to get involved as well. He thought about his decision for over a minute, before making the call, as everyone else folded back around to Idema, who committed his last chip.
Idema:
Stone:
Lieu:
“Well that’s going to make it tough for me,” said Idema, as the flop came out , giving Stone top-two pair. The board ran out the and to see Stone more than double up, as Idema was sent to the rail.
This was Idema’s fifth cash in this year’s WSOP, adding to an already dominant summer that saw him collect a second WSOP bracelet in Event #39 Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo.
Day 2 of the $1,500 Ante Only Event will be today at 1:00 pm PST. With that chip leader Chris Moorman will lead the field of 71 players in their goal to get to a final table. Moorman who has two cashes in the series will take his lead of 143,900 and try to turn it into a gold bracelet.
Play started yesterday as 678 players all competed in efforts to try to outlast each other to win the top prize of $201,399. With only 71 players surviving the day the players are already in the money. Everyone today will get at least $2,581. Another player who will be a threat today with 118,000 is Sam Panzica. Other players to compete against Moorman are Allen Cunningham, Aaron Massey, Blair Hinkle, David Vamplew, Frank Rusnak, and Carter King. Others will try their luck as the players complete 10 more levels.
Stay tuned all day on PokerNews to see live updates for Day 2 action of Event 45 $1,500 Ante Only. While waiting for the tournament to begin make sure to check out Lynn Gilmartin’s update on yesterday’s winners and other tournament action.
![[user253757]](/img/avatars/avatar.svg){kind=avatar}
, giving Stone top-two pair. The board ran out the 
and 
to see Stone more than double up, as Idema was sent to the rail.
