The Final Table
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2018 Western New York Poker Challenge
$200 No-Limit Hold'em
Day: 2
Event Info
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
2018 Western New York Poker Challenge
Buy-in
$200
Prize Pool
$128,877
Entries
798
Level
31
Blinds
80,000 / 160,000
Ante
20,000
Damick Reverses the Cooler Back on Caldwell
Level 25
: 20,000/40,000, 4,000 ante
The sickest thing to happen to a player in a poker hand is running kings into aces. Just ask Chris Damick. Except for this time, Michelle Caldwell's aces did not hold by the time the final card was laid.
Damick opened to 100,000, Caldwell three-bet to 200,000, Damick four-bet shoved for 884,000, and Caldwell snap-called.
Chris Damick: 
Michelle Caldwell: 
Damick stood up from his chair dreading the inevitable walk towards the payout booth. Some light did, however, shine on the flop as it swept out 
. The dream got even closer when the 
hit the turn and sure enough, the final diamond, the 
peeled off on the river and saved Damick's tournament life, propelling him up the leaderboard.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
1,800,000
600,000
|
600,000 |
|
800,000
-1,100,000
|
-1,100,000 |
Caldwell Triples Up
Level 25
: 20,000/40,000, 4,000 ante
Michelle Caldwell limped in from late position sparking a raise from Budwey Salhab in the cutoff to 125,000. Matt Heiligenthaler three-bet to 280,000 on the button only to see Caldwell four-bet shove for 411,000. Both Salhab and Heiligenthaler made the call.
The flop fanned out 
and Salhab got Heiligenthaler to fold with a bet of 200,000.
Michelle Caldwell: 
Budwey Salhab: 
Caldwell was in big trouble but luck was on her side, the 
wasn't any help but a juicy on the river gave Caldwell the triple up.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
1,300,000
880,000
|
880,000 |
|
745,000
-355,000
|
-355,000 |
Short Break
Level 25
: 20,000/40,000, 4,000 ante
The players have been sent on a 10-minute break while the T-1000 chips get raced off.
Level: 26
Blinds: 25,000/50,000
Ante: 5,000
Chris Babula Eliminated in 10th Place ($1,972)
Level 26
: 25,000/50,000, 5,000 ante
Chris Babula open-jammed for 615,000 from middle position and got called by Blake Napierala on the button.
Chris Babula: 
Blake Napierala: 
The board ran out 
and Babula fell in 10th place earning $1,972.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
1,850,000
700,000
|
700,000 |
|
Busted |
Matt Heiligenthaler Elimianted in 9th Place ($2,578)
Level 26
: 25,000/50,000, 5,000 ante
We didn't catch the action but were able to gather some details about Matt Heiligenthaler's elimination. Heiligenthaler moved all-in preflop with pocket tens and Chris Gras put him at risk with king-queen. Gras caught a king on the board and Heiligenthaler fell in ninth place making $2,578.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
1,700,000
850,000
|
850,000 |
|
Busted |
Clock Paused as Deal Negotiations Spark Up
Level 26
: 25,000/50,000, 5,000 ante
The clock has been paused as the final eight players discuss a potential deal.
Cards Back in the Air
Level 26
: 25,000/50,000, 5,000 ante
Play has resumed as a deal has been reached. The numbers are not confirmed yet but each player has locked up a nice chunk leaving $10,000 to the eventual winner and about $8,400 for the runner-up.
Level: 27
Blinds: 30,000/60,000
Ante: 5,000