The 1,529 runners for the 2010 PokerStars.net Caribbean Adventure created a prizepool worth $14,831,300. Although this number far exceeds last year's number, the winner will take home less money due to a flatter payout structure. Poorya Nazari took home $3 million for his win last year. This year, the winner is set to receive $2.2 million. In all, 224 players will make the money.
If you happen to come in the top four this year, you'll be a poker-made millionaire. Only the top three made over $1 million in 2009. Also, just squeaking into the money will net you $2,500 more than it did a year ago. Here's how the final table payouts look.
From the hijack seat, Amit "Amak316" Makhija raised to 4,000. Alex "AJKHoosier1" Kamberis called from the button. The big blind also called.
The three players took a flop of and the big blind checked. Makhija bet 7,000 before Kamberis raised to 17,500. The big blind folded and Makhija called.
The turn was the and both players checked. The river was the and Makhija checked. Kamberis bet 23,500 and Makhija tank-folded. Kamberis is up to 225,000 chips. Makhija dropped to 46,000.
This has been a great level to some of the pros left in the field. Phil Ivey has moved to 225,000, Dario Minieri is over 300,000 and JC Alvarado is hovering around 200,000. Amnon Filippi looks to be topping the board right now with 315,000 chips. This could spell some trouble for everyone else in the field. We'll see how it plays out.
According to one of the dealers in action, Daniel Negreanu lost a huge chunk of chips and is down to 105,000 after folding a set. Here's the information we pieced together from the dealer.
After a raise preflop, Negreanu called out of the big blind. The flop came down and Negreanu check-raised a bet of approximately 8,000 to 23,000. The player called and a hit the turn. Negreanu led for about 40,000. His opponent then moved all in and had Negreanu covered. Negreanu folded pocket tens after a while in the tank.
Sergey Serafimov of Bulgaria just took down a nice pot in a hand against Kevin Saul to move to 270,000 in chips.
Serafimov opened the pot with a raise to 5,500 from middle position and Saul three-bet to 13,500. After some serious contemplation, Serafimov opted to just call and the two saw a flop, which both checked.
The fell on 4th Street and Serafimov checked to Saul who fired a 21,000 bet. Serafimov couldn't get his chips into the middle fast enough, insta-calling Saul's bet.
The last card off the deck was the and on this street it was Serafimov who dictated the action, firing a 30,000 bet. Saul made the call with little hesitation and Serafimov turned over for top pair. Saul mucked his cards and was left with 157,000 in chips after the hand.
After parting ways with his former sponsor, Justin Bonomo is now a free agent, and he's already poised for a great beginning to 2010. Glo caught up with "ZeeJustin" during the previous break to talk about his fresh start. Check it out:
Take a look at the chart to get an idea of the nationalities that showed up at the 2010 PokerStars.net Caribbean Adventure. Over 50 countries are being represented from all across the globe. The United States is by far the leader with over 700 players, while Canada and Germany are also among those countries boasting triple-digit representatives.