2019 World Series of Poker Circuit Ameristar St. Charles

$1,700 Main Event
Day: 1b
Event Info

2019 World Series of Poker Circuit Ameristar St. Charles

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
j9
Prize
$130,667
Event Info
Buy-in
$1,700
Entries
414
Level Info
Level
29
Blinds
40,000 / 80,000
Ante
80,000
Players Info - Day 1b
Entries
258
Players Left
42

Scott Hall Bags Day 1b Lead in St. Charles Main Event; Takes Overall Chip Lead into Day 2

Level 16 : 2,000/4,000, 4,000 ante
Scott Hall
Scott Hall

The second flight of the World Series of Poker Circuit $1,700 Main Event at Ameristar St. Charles came to an end on Saturday night after 15 levels of play. A total of 258 registration slips were sold and when the last-chance saloon had closed for business only 42 remained, bringing the total number of Day 2 births to 67.

Leading the Day 1b pack is Scott Hall, who bagged 423,000 after an up-and-down day of play. Hall started the day off slowly and grinded his average-sized stack out until the final stages of the day when he catapulted to the top. The Arizona native will look to add another deep run this series after finishing ninth in the Choctaw Main Event for $25,672.

Dino Galic is hot on the tail of the leader as he ended the day with 399,000. A few other stacks to round out the top five from Day 1b include Tanner Pray (345,000), Paul Strohm (338,000), and Frank Covich (316,000).

Day 1b started much quicker than the first starting flight, having more to begin the day than the first flight had total. Day 1a had 158 slips sold with only 25 securing their spot on Day 2. The second starting flight escalated quickly and at the end of registration, there were 258 entries. Only 42 made it through Day 1b, bringing the total number of players to make 67 for Day 2.

A total of 414 entries were accumulated between the two flights, gathering a prize pool of $627,210, surpassing the half a million guarantee with ease. The tournament will see 63 players finding a payday for at least a min-cash of $2,532 with the eventual winner taking down the lions share of the money for $130,667.

Some notables to secure a Day 2 birth include Mike Shin (304,000), Jerod Smith (302,000), Brett Apter (289,000), Michael Esquivel (205,000), William Byrnes (172,000), and Martin Ryan (144,000).

Other notables that took a shot but failed to make it are Maurice Hawkins, Vincent Moscati, Aaron Massey, Robert Hankins, Rober Keeling, and Cory Borget.

Day 2 will begin at noon on Sunday with action picking up in level 16 level as 40:50 remains with blinds being 2,000/4,000/4,000. The levels will be 60 minutes in length with 10 levels on the schedule for tomorrow or until the final table has been reached. There will be a 15-minute break after every two levels of play and a 75-minute dinner break after level 22. The remaining players will return for Day 3 and play down until a champion is crowned.

PokerNews live reporting team will be bringing the live updates throughout the event, so stay tuned as all of the action unfolds!

Tags: Aaron MasseyBrett ApterFrank CovichJerod SmithMartin RyanMaurice HawkinsMichael EsquivelMike ShinPaul StrohmRobert HankinsScott HallVincent MoscatiWilliam Byrnes

Smith Eliminates Moscati with Quads

Level 15 : 1,500/3,000, 3,000 ante
Vincent Moscati
Vincent Moscati

Jerod Smith opened for 6,500 from the cutoff and Tim Vance called on the button. Action was on Vincent Moscati who three-bet to 13,000 from the small blind. Smith moved all in getting a fold from Vance and Moscati put his remaining stack in the middle.

Jerod Smith: {8-Clubs}{8-Spades}
Vincent Moscati: {9-Diamonds}{6-Spades}

Moscati held an overcard but was drawing dead after Smith flopped quads as the board ran out {8-Hearts}{7-Clubs}{8-Diamonds}{9-Clubs}{4-Spades} to send the seven-time ring winner home.

Player Chips Progress
Jerod Smith us
Jerod Smith
200,000 50,000
Tim Vance us
Tim Vance
110,000 -5,000
Vincent Moscati us
Vincent Moscati
Busted

Tags: Vincent MoscatiJerod SmithTim Vance

Randy Ratajczyk Jr. Finally Breaks Through w/ Gold Ring Victory

Level 15 : 1,500/3,000, 3,000 ante
Randy Ratajczyk Jr.
Randy Ratajczyk Jr.

PokerNews is on-site at the Ameristar St. Charles for the latest World Series of Poker Circuit stop, and while we’re only doing live updates from the $1,700 Main Event, it’s not the only tournament that’s been playing out inside the casino.

For the past week, a slew of side events has taken place and awarded gold rings to the lucky winners. One such tournament was Event #11: $600 NLH, which drew 148 entries and created a $48,840 prize pool.

In the end, it was daily fantasy sports player Randy Ratajczyk Jr. coming out on top to win the title for $12,946 and his first gold ring.

“It feels amazing. Still doesn’t feel real. I’ve been playing poker for like 12, 14 years, so to finally get a big accomplishment like this is really cool,” Ratajczyk told WSOP officials after the win. “I’m mostly a tournament player. I used to play online when it was legal. Then, after that went away, I haven’t played as much lately, but I’ve been trying to get back into it.”

The 32-year-old husband and father of two added: “When I play online it’s usually fast structures, so I’m use to this; I’m use to all-in poker.”

Final Table Results

PlacePlayerHometownPrize
1Randy RatajczykDu Bois, Illinois$12,946
2Charles AronLaramie, Wyoming$8,001
3Kyle WeaverPortland, Indiana$5,535
4Bruce ChahalSaint Joseph, Michigan$3,923
5Laurence WeinbergSt. Louis, Missouri$2,849
6Keith HeineHillsboro, Missouri$2,123
7Quentin CrossleySpringfield, Missouri$1,624
8Li WuWebb City, Missouri$1,275
9Alan CutlerChicago, Illinois$1,029

Tags: Randy Ratajczyk Jr.

Shin Flops the Straight; Gets Paid by Ioakimides

Level 14 : 1,000/2,500, 2,500 ante
Mike Shin
Mike Shin

There was heads up action between Mike Shin from the small blind and Andros Ioakimides from middle position.

The board read {q-Hearts}{k-Clubs}{10-Diamonds}{10-Clubs}{2-Hearts} and Shin lead out for 42,000 into a 30,000 pot.

After getting a confirmed amount, Ioakimides called only to see Shin flopped a staright with {j-Hearts}{9-Hearts} which was good enough to take down the pot.

Player Chips Progress
Mike Shin us
Mike Shin
170,000 15,000
Andros Ioakimides us
Andros Ioakimides
70,000 -20,000

Tags: Mike ShinAndros Ioakimides

Yingling Hits Running Cards to Eliminate Bank

Level 14 : 1,000/2,500, 2,500 ante
David Yingling
David Yingling

Mitchell Bank was all in preflop from middle position and was called by David Yingling from late position.

Mitchell Bank: {q-Diamonds}{j-Spades}
David Yingling: {a-Hearts}{q-Hearts}

Bank was behind and at risk until the flop fell {j-Clubs}{6-Spades}{q-Clubs} giving him two-pair.

The {k-Diamonds} turn gave Yingling a draw to broadway and he would get there with the {10-Hearts} river to eliminate Bank.

Player Chips Progress
David Yingling us
David Yingling
100,000 39,000
Mitchell Bank us
Mitchell Bank
Busted

Tags: DavidMitchell Bank

Jeff Trudeau Jr. Lays Claim to His Sixth Gold Ring

Level 14 : 1,000/2,500, 2,500 ante
Jeff Trudeau Jr.
Jeff Trudeau Jr.

PokerNews is on site at the Ameristar St. Charles for the latest World Series of Poker Circuit stop, and while we’re only doing live updates from the $1,700 Main Event, it’s not the only tournament that’s been playing out inside the casino.

For the past week, a slew of side events has taken place and awarded gold rings to the lucky winners. One such tournament was Event #9: $600 No-Limit Hold’em, which attracted 132 runners and offered up a $67,980 prize pool.

Coming into the vent, five-time gold ring winner Jeff Trudeau Jr. had a pair of final table appearances at Ameristar St. Charles, and the third time proved to be the charm as he finished as the last player standing to win $18,265 and his sixth career ring.

“Yes, very happy, so I can play the Main tomorrow,” the 25-year-old Trudeau said regarding the expedient finish of Event #9, which was scheduled as a two-day tournament but managed to finish in just one.

The win also gave him 50 more Casino Championship points, which made him the third player to cross the 100-point mark. He sits in second place behind Rob Keeling (135) but ahead of Cory Bogert (102.5).

Trudeau opted to make the trip to St. Louis because of Hurricane Dorian in Florida, which is where he’s now based.

“There was a hurricane coming to Florida and it seemed like a good stop, and a good chance to visit some family too, up here,” Trudeau explained.

Final Table Results

PlacePlayerHometownPrize
1Jeff Trudeau Jr.Winter Garden, Florida$18,265
2Brian AltmanLongmeadow, Massachusetts$11,289
3Pierce AcuffWest Des Moines, Iowa$7,852
4Jerod SmithSt. Louis, Missouri$5,600
5Carl MastersClarksville, Tennessee$4,097
6James PupilloGilbert, Arizona$3,077
7Mitchell BankArlington, Virginia$2,374
8Christopher ParsleyCaseyville, Illinois$1,883
9Bradley MercerElon, North Carolina$1,537

Tags: Jeff Trudeau Jr.Bradley MercerBrian AltmanCarl MastersCory BogertJames PupilloJeff TrudeauJerod SmithMitchell BankRob Keeling

Robert Keeling Goes Back-to-Back to Capture Two Rings in 48 Hours

Level 13 : 1,000/2,000, 2,000 ante
Robert Keeling
Robert Keeling

PokerNews is on site at the Ameristar St. Charles for the latest World Series of Poker Circuit stop, and while we’re only doing live updates from the $1,700 Main Event, it’s not the only tournament that’s been playing out inside the casino.

For the past week, a slew of side events has taken place and awarded gold rings to the lucky winners. One such tournament was Event #7: $400 No-Limit Hold’em, a tournament that drew 108 entrants and created a $35,640 prize pool. After finishing fifth in Event #3: $400 NLH, local player Rob Keeling, 46, went even deeper and managed to close our Event #7 for $10,021 and his first circuit gold ring.

Amazingly he was done as he’d go on to top a 281-entry field in Event #8: $400 Monster Stack less than 48 hours laters to go back-to-back for a second ring and $21,357 in prize money. It also vaulted him to the top of the stop’s Casino Championship leaderboard with 135 points.

That is 32.5 points ahead of the other repeat ring winner, Cory Bogert, whoever wins will earn an automatic bid to the 2020 Global Casino Championship, a seat worth $10,000.

When asked where all his recent success is coming from, Keeling simply responded, “This is for my mom. My mom just pasted away recently… So, this is for my mom.”

Final Table Results

PlacePlayerHometownPrize
1Robert KeelingPortland, Missouri$21,357
2Vincent MoscatiVerplanck. New York$13,200
3Kiran GangavaramChesterfield, Missouri$9,361
4John LaRosePerryville, Missouri$6,757
5Steven WillsWillow Springs, Missouri$4,966
6Alex MilesBensenville, Illinois$3,718
7Brett ApterSt. Petersburg, Florida$2,836
8Sean SmallDouglasville, Georgia$2,205
9Melissa BryneHutto, Texas$1,748

Tags: Robert Keeling

Lucky Ladies for Bogert

Level 10 : 500/1,000, 1,000 ante
Cory Bogert
Cory Bogert

A player from early position opened for 1,500, Mike Rieck three-bet to 7,000 from the cutoff and Cory Bogert four-bet to 16,000 on the button. Action folded back to Rieck who moved all in and Bogert called.

Mike Rieck: {k-Spades}{k-Hearts}
Cory Bogert: {q-Spades}{q-Hearts}

Bogert was behind but the was a queen in the window as the flop fell {9-Spades}{7-Hearts}{q-Diamonds} putting him in a commanding lead.

The turn fell the {4-Clubs} and Bogert would send Rieck packing after the {6-Spades} river completed the board.

Player Chips Progress
Cory Bogert us
Cory Bogert
136,900 29,900
Mike Rieck us
Mike Rieck
Busted

Tags: Cory BogertMike Rieck

Hawkins Makes Disciplined Fold; Lays Down Trip Aces

Level 5 : 200/300, 300 ante
Aaron Massey
Aaron Massey

Aaron Massey opened under the gun for 800 and was called by Kyle Kinder from middle position, Maurice Hawkins from the small blind, along with the big blind player.

The {8-Hearts}{6-Clubs}{10-Hearts} flop was checked to the {a-Diamonds} turn where Hawkins lead out for 1,300 and was called by Massey.

The river brought another ace as it fell the {a-Clubs} and Hawkins fired out 2,600.

Massey moved all in putting Hawkins at risk.

Hawkins mucked his hand and showed {a-Hearts}{x-} as Massey tabled {k-Diamonds}{x-} while he raked in the pot.

Player Chips Progress
Aaron Massey us
Aaron Massey
40,000 40,000
Kyle Kinder us
Kyle Kinder
29,000 -1,000
Maurice Hawkins us
Maurice Hawkins
12,000 -33,000

Tags: Aaron MasseyKyle KinderMaurice Hawkins

Bogert Gets Big Blind Special

Level 4 : 100/200, 200 ante
Cory Bogert
Cory Bogert

Cory Bogert was all in from the big blind after a {9-Diamonds}{5-Clubs}{4-Hearts} flop and he was called by a player from late position.

Cory Bogert: {9-Spades}{5-Spades}
Opponent: {10-Diamonds}{10-Hearts}

The turn fell the {8-Clubs} and Bogert needed to dodge a ten to survive the hand.

He did just that as he improved to a full house with the {9-Clubs} river sending his opponent packing.

Player Chips Progress
Cory Bogert us
Cory Bogert
55,000 25,000

Tags: Cory Bogert