2018 WinStar River Poker Series

Main Event
Day: 1b
Event Info

2018 WinStar River Poker Series

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
73
Prize
$249,310
Event Info
Buy-in
$2,500
Prize Pool
$2,000,000
Entries
807
Level Info
Level
30
Blinds
60,000 / 120,000
Ante
20,000

Zamani Gets a Bit of Ace-High Value

Level 6 : 250/500, 75 ante
Ben Zamani, pictured here last year.
Ben Zamani, pictured here last year.

A player in the big blind checked to Ben Zamani in the cutoff on {10-Hearts}{5-Hearts}{10-Spades}{10-Clubs} and the defending champ bet 1,700 into about 5,000. The big blind called and the river was a {k-Spades}. Both players checked, and the big blind opened a worthless {7-Hearts}{6-Hearts}. Zamani had {a-Spades}{q-Spades} and took it down with his ace.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Ben Zamani us
Ben Zamani
26,300
-1,700
-1,700
Defending Champion

Tags: Ben Zamani

One Raise from "The Master" Takes the Pot

Level 6 : 250/500, 75 ante

It was a five-way limped pot that saw the dealer fan the flop of {k-Hearts}{9-Diamonds}{3-Hearts}. A player in early position tossed in a bet of 1,700 and Men "The Master" Nguyen was the only player to call.

The turn brought the {9-Hearts} and Nguyen was facing another bet of 3,100. Nguyen raised to 9,000 and his opponent sent his cards flying to the muck after a brief moment.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Men Nguyen us
Men Nguyen
29,000
6,500
6,500
WSOP 7X Winner

Tags: Men Nguyen

Green Gets a Full Double Up

Level 6 : 250/500, 75 ante
Brian Green
Brian Green

Brian Green opened to 1,600 from middle position and the big blind defended. The flop fell {j-Spades}{5-Clubs}{3-Clubs} and the big blind check-called a continuation bet of 3,000 from Green.

The turn was the {2-Clubs} and the big blind checked again. Green fired in another 7,200 and his opponent stuck around to see the {2-Spades} on the river. He checked for the third time and Green quickly shoved all in for 9,350. His opponent asked for a count and then eventually looked him up. Green flipped over {9-Clubs}{7-Clubs} for a flush and received a full double up.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Brian Green us
Brian Green
43,000
43,000
43,000
WSOP 1X Winner

Tags: Brian Green

Green Running Better on Second Shell

Level 6 : 250/500, 75 ante

Brian Green got dealt the exact same seat he busted out of earlier but this time it's going a bit better for him.

He just opened for 1,600 early and got a caller on his left as well as from the small blind. The three saw a {3-Clubs}{7-Clubs}{6-Diamonds} flop and the small blind checked. Green bet 5,075 and his neighbor jammed for about 18,000. The small blind folded and Green quickly called, showing {k-Clubs}{k-Diamonds}.

That was good against {j-Clubs}{10-Clubs} and Green faded the flush draw as it ran out {8-Hearts}, {j-Hearts}.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Brian Green us
Brian Green
65,000
22,000
22,000
WSOP 1X Winner

Tags: Brian Green

Bond Says He Had It

Level 6 : 250/500, 75 ante

Matt Bond checked from the small blind, another player checked, and a middle-position player put in a bet that we didn't see the amount of on {7-Spades}{q-Clubs}{8-Clubs}. Bond called and it went heads up to the {10-Spades}. Bond checked and the middle player bet 5,000. Bond shoved for 15,500 or so more and his opponent tanked about a minute before she released. Bond assured her that he had the best hand.

"How does he have the best damn hand every time?" Jim Carroll lamented. "He's the best damn player, he doesn't need the best damn hand. Give him the second-best hand and let him try to figure out how to win with it."

Players are now on break for 15 minutes.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Matt Bond us
Matt Bond
91,000
91,000
91,000

Tags: Matt Bond

Level: 7

Blinds: 300/600

Ante: 100

Ace on the River Favors Spinella

Level 7 : 300/600, 100 ante

After a raise to 1,600 from middle position, Anthony Spinella three-bet to 3,500 from the hijack. The action folded back to the initial raiser who made the call. The flop came {9-Spades}{6-Hearts}{2-Spades} and the action checked to Spinella who continued for 3,500. His opponent called and the {7-Hearts} landed on the turn.

Both players checked and the {a-Hearts} completed the board. Another check from middle position and Spinella dropped in a bet of 11,000. His opponent quickly called and Spinellas turned over {a-Diamonds}{k-Hearts} for a pair of aces on the river. His opponent mucked his cards and Spinella scooped the pot.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Anthony Spinella us
Anthony Spinella
44,800
13,400
13,400
WSOP 1X Winner

Tags: Anthony Spinella

Alexander Sends One Home

Level 7 : 300/600, 100 ante

Faced with an all in for 7,400 from early position, DJ Alexander stuck in the last of his 8,100 chips as well. The rest of the table folded and the two remaining hands were tabled.

DJ Alexander: {a-Spades}{q-Clubs}
Opponent: {a-Hearts}{j-Spades}

Alexander was in a dominating position and the flop of {q-Diamonds}{9-Hearts}{2-Spades} improved his odds even more. The {6-Diamonds} on the turn left his opponent drawing dead to the {q-Spades} on the river. Alexander eliminated his opponent and doubled his stack in the process.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of DJ Alexander us
DJ Alexander
16,800
-5,000
-5,000

Tags: DJ Alexander

Updated Chip Counts

Level 7 : 300/600, 100 ante
Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Tyler Patterson us
Tyler Patterson
77,000
31,000
31,000
WSOP 1X Winner
WPT 1X Winner
Profile photo of Phil Mader us
Phil Mader
60,000
12,000
12,000
Profile photo of Nick Pupillo us
Nick Pupillo
56,000
25,500
25,500
WSOP 1X Winner
Profile photo of Kao Saechao us
Kao Saechao
51,600
-29,700
-29,700
Profile photo of Orlando Romero us
Orlando Romero
41,000
29,400
29,400
Profile photo of Mike Wang us
Mike Wang
39,200
-13,800
-13,800
Profile photo of Allen Kessler us
Allen Kessler
28,000
3,400
3,400
Profile photo of Maria Ho us
Maria Ho
26,500
12,300
12,300
Profile photo of Tex Barch us
Tex Barch
23,500
-11,000
-11,000
Profile photo of Men Nguyen us
Men Nguyen
20,500
-8,500
-8,500
WSOP 7X Winner
Profile photo of John Richards us
John Richards
20,500
-3,500
-3,500
Profile photo of Alex Keating us
Alex Keating
20,000
-22,200
-22,200
WSOP 1X Winner
Profile photo of Jacob Haller us
Jacob Haller
16,300
-11,700
-11,700
Profile photo of Jesse McVicker us
Jesse McVicker
16,100
16,100
16,100