2015 WinStar River Poker Series

Main Event
Day: 1c
Event Info

2015 WinStar River Poker Series

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
j4
Prize
$775,000
Event Info
Buy-in
$2,400
Prize Pool
$2,793,600
Entries
1,164
Level Info
Level
31
Blinds
250,000 / 500,000
Ante
50,000

Barry Hutter Shines On Day 1c To Lead All

Level 20 : 5,000/10,000, 1,000 ante
Barry Hutter
Barry Hutter

Day 1c of the 2015 River Poker Series $2,500 Main Event attracted 484 entries and brought the total field size up to 1,164. This was the third and final starting flight of the tournament, and at the end there were 49 players remaining. Those survivors will now link up with the 27 from Day 1a and 42 from Day 1b for Day 2 action on Monday.

When the dust had settled in the early hours of the morning on Monday, Barry Hutter was the chip leader. He bagged up a whopping 1.066 million thanks to an impressive day on the felt. Hutter's day was so amazing that he nearly doubled Aaron Clark's second-place stack of 672,000. Toby Floyd also finished over 600,000 with 606,000 in his bag.

Hutter built and built all day. Every time we checked in on him, there was a new chunk of chips added to his stack. In Level 17, though, Hutter really skyrocketed to the top when he clashed with Steve Buckner on the {J-Hearts}{10-Spades}{3-Hearts} flop. The two got all the money in, and it was Hutter's {K-Hearts}{Q-Hearts} up against Buckner's {A-Hearts}{7-Hearts}. The turn was a {4-}, and the river was the {Q-Diamonds}. Thanks to that river card, Hutter won the enormous pot of over 600,000 in chips and vaulted into the lead.

Others who had successful Day 1c performances were James Mordue (566,000), Alex Keating (466,000), Upeshka De Silva (368,000), and Matt Lapossie (255,000).

Plenty of players had to hit the rail en route to the finish line, though, including Aaron Massey, Dwyte Pilgrim, John Dolan, Allen Kessler, Andy Philachack, Bryan Campanello, and Steve Sung. Unfortunately for them, there will be no more entries allowed, so they're stuck waiting until next year.

All told, the 118 returning players are in the money and will be back at it on Monday at 12 p.m. local time. That's when our coverage will resume right here on PokerNews, so be sure to stay tuned.

Tags: Aaron ClarkAaron MasseySteve BucknerAllen KesslerAndy PhilachackBarry HutterBryan CampanelloDwyte PilgrimJames MordueJohn DolanMatt LapossieSteve SungToby FloydUpeshka De Silva

Heavy-Hitting Hutter

Level 17 : 2,500/5,000, 500 ante
Barry Hutter
Barry Hutter

In what could turn out to be the hand of the tournament, Barry Hutter and Steve Buckner just clashed in a big way that resulted in Hutter vaulting up to 700,000 in chips.

When we saw Buckner hop out of his chair and yell for his hand to hold, we knew something big was going down, as he was one of the larger stacks in the room. When we arrived on the scene, it was bigger than we ever could have imagined, as Buckner was involved with Hutter on the {J-Hearts}{10-Spades}{3-Hearts} flop for all of his chips. The pot was well over 600,000 in chips, and it was Hutter's {K-Hearts}{Q-Hearts} up against Buckner's {A-Hearts}{7-Hearts}.

The turn was a black {4-}, but the {Q-Diamonds} on the river landed Hutter with a winning pair of queens and he won the massive pot. Hunter had Buckner covered, sending Buckner to the rail and shooting Hutter way up the leaderboard.

Player Chips Progress
Barry Hutter us
Barry Hutter
WSOP 1X Winner
700,000 402,000
Steve Buckner us
Steve Buckner
Busted

Tags: Barry HutterSteve Buckner

1,164 Entries

Level 7 : 250/500, 50 ante

With registration now closed, the board has been updated to show that this year's WinStar River Poker Series $2,500 Main Event attracted a total of 1,164 entries, generated from 262 on Day 1a, 418 on Day 1b, and 484 on Day 1c.

That put the prize pool over the $2.5 million guarantee at nearly $2.8 million. Remember, this event held a first-place guarantee of $1 million as well, so there is plenty of money to be won.

The Third and Final Starting Flight Is Here

There's only one more starting day left in the 2015 River Poker Series $2,500 Main Event, meaning this is the last chance for players to qualify for Day 2 and reach the money.

After two successful starting flights that saw Cord Garcia emerge as the overall chip leader, there are still plenty of competitors in need of one final try. Allen Kessler, Aaron Massey, Barry Hutter, Jake Schindler, Kane Kalas, Aaron Gustavson, Nicholas Palma, Ray Henson, Ross Bybee, and Dwyte Pilgrim are just a handful of players that fired at least two bullets already with nothing to show for it, and they'll all be back in action for Day 1c. Then you've got players like TJ Cloutier, Andy Philachack, Aaron Mermelstein, and Marvin Rettenmaier who began their quest yesterday on Day 1b, but failed to advance.

With the $2.5 million guarantee, of which $1 million is guaranteed to the winner, the field needs 1,042 entries to not force an overall. With 680 total entries so far — 262 from Day 1a and 418 from Day 1b — 362 are needed for Day 1c. All signs point to that number being easily eclipsed, which will create a plump and juicy prize pool for all to chase. For those that advance to Day 2, they will all be in the money and return on Monday to play down towards the final table.

The goal for the day is to play down to 10% of the field, however long that takes. Be sure to stay tuned to PokerNews for continued coverage of this event. The cards will be in the air at 12 p.m. local time.

Tags: Aaron GustavsonAaron MasseyAllen KesslerAndy PhilachackBarry HutterCord GarciaDwyte PilgrimJacob SchindlerJake SchindlerMarvin RettenmaierRay HensonRoss BybeeT.J. CloutierAaron Mermelstein