Level: 16
Blinds: 2,500/5,000
Ante: 500
2018 WinStar River Poker Series
Main Event
Day: 1b
Event Info
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
2018 WinStar River Poker Series
Buy-in
$2,500
Prize Pool
$2,000,000
Entries
807
Level
30
Blinds
60,000 / 120,000
Ante
20,000
More for Elpayaa Before Break
Level 15
: 2,000/4,000, 500 ante
A player in early position opened for 9,500 and Joe Elpayaa made it 27,000 in middle position. The opener called and both checked to a board of 
. The opener bet 13,500 and Elpayaa called. Check-check on the 
and Elpayaa's 
won against 
.
Players are now on break.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
565,000 | 25,000 |
Nguyen Turns Rags to Riches
Level 15
: 2,000/4,000, 500 ante
Men Nguyen bet 11,000 from middle position on 
and an opponent in the big blind check-called. They both checked the 
and the river was a 
. The big blind bet 31,000 and Nguyen tanked awhile before calling.
"Good call," the big blind said, showing 
for a missed draw.
Nguyen turned over 
for trips.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
350,000 | 16,000 |
Updated Chip Counts
Level 15
: 2,000/4,000, 500 ante
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
550,000 | 85,000 |
|
550,000 | 57,000 |
|
|
540,000 | 82,000 |
|
330,000 | 110,000 |
|
279,000 | -76,000 |
|
260,000 | -30,000 |
|
155,000 | 5,000 |
|
81,000 | 9,900 |
|
32,700 | -37,300 |
Photos: 2018 WinStar River Poker Series Main Event Day 1a
Banghart and Carroll Play a Big One
Level 15
: 2,000/4,000, 500 ante
Jim Carroll opened from early position and Jeff Banghart three-bet to 35,000 from the small blind. Carroll called and the two players went heads-up to a flop of 
. Banghart led out for 40,000 and some friendly table chat ensued.
"The same offer applies that I gave to him," Banghart said, referring to showing his cards if Carroll folded. Carroll thought for a couple minutes but decided he wanted to see a different card.
"I wanna see the turn card instead," as he threw in a call.
The turn was the and both players checked to the on the river. Banghart checked again and Carroll tossed in a casual 35,000. Banghart called and tabled 
for a flush. Carroll was unable to best it as his cards went into the muck.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
493,000 | 86,000 |
|
|
290,000 | -165,000 |
Level: 15
Blinds: 2,000/4,000
Ante: 500
Cervantes Running Hot
Level 14
: 1,500/3,000, 500 ante
Salvador Cervantes opened to 6,500 from the hijack and the big blind defended. On a flop of 
, the big blind check-called a continuation bet of 5,000 from Cervantes.
The turn brought the and the big blind checked again. Cervantes fired another 12,000 and his opponent still called. The river was the 
and the big blind checked for the third time. Cervantes reached back for a bet of 40,000 and his opponent still didn't believe him. Cervantes turned over the goods with 
for a full house and dragged in another pot.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
465,000 | 70,000 |
Minkin Eliminated
Level 14
: 1,500/3,000, 500 ante
Down to just 12,800, Kelly Minkin pushed her stack in from middle position. Action folded to the big blind, who called after about 15 seconds of thought.
Kelly Minkin:
Opponent:
The 
flop was decent for Minkin but the 
turn and 
river bricked off for her.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
Busted |
The Master Coolers Two
Level 14
: 1,500/3,000, 500 ante
We arrived at the table to see three players all in on one side of the table before any community cards were dealt. Men "The Master" Nguyen had both players covered and also held the best hand.
Men Nguyen: 
Chris Staats:
Small Blind: 
There was a king on the flop but Nguyen still held a commanding lead with his pair of aces. The turn and river bricked off and Nguyen scooped a massive pot while knocking out two players.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
334,000 | 229,000 |
|
Busted |