PokerNews is in town to live report both the High Roller and Main Event here at the World Series of Poker Circuit Planet Hollywood, but those are just two gold ring events that will have played out by the end of the series.
In Event #4: $400 NLH, 230 runners created a $75,900 prize pool that was paid out to the top 35 finishers. Among those to cash but fall short of the final table were Clayton Fletcher (12th - $1,229), Sohale Khalili (16th - $875), and Darren Rabinowitz (19th - $763), just to name a few.
In the end, 26-year-old Luis Pauyac-Martinez, originally from Peru, bested Vinicius Lima in heads-up play to win the title, $17,965 top prize, and his first gold ring.
“It feels great. It’s actually my second trophy, but it took me over three years to get the second one. I’ve been grinding for four years,” explained Martinez. “I play whenever I can. I’m a waiter so I fund my career by waitering. I plan on going pro soon – I’m building my bankroll. That’s why I moved to Cali - to go pro.”
He added: “I’ve been dreaming about a ring ever since I got into poker. This means a lot – I’ve been working hard.”
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Hometown | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luis Pauyac-Martinez | Azusa, California | $17,965 |
| 2 | Vinicius Lima | Las Vegas, Nevada | $11,102 |
| 3 | Scott Cunningham | Tempe, Arizona | $7,869 |
| 4 | Richard Lanes | Lakeside, California | $5,684 |
| 5 | Daniel Kannerstedt | Varberg, Sweden | $4,186 |
| 6 | Matthew Zola | Riverside, Connecticut | $3,145 |
| 7 | David Larson | Las Vegas, Nevada | $2,410 |
| 8 | Robert Georato | Naples, Florida | $1,885 |
| 9 | Seth Jordan | N/A | $1,506 |
and action checked to Sakkal who bet 1,000. The small blind check-raised to 2,700 and the big blind folded but the player in middle position and Sakkal called.
and the small blind and the player in middle position checked. Sakkal fired a bet of 8,000 and both of her opponents gave up their hands.
flop, the big blind folded, Mendoza called, and the button called.
turn, and both remaining opponents folded.
flop. Both players then checked through the 
river, getting a call. Raghavan showed 
, and his opponent turned over the 
as he mucked.
and action was checked to Mendoza who bet 2,200. The small blind and Wilkerson check-called.
and action was checked once more to Mendoza who continued with another bet of 5,200. The small blind folded but Wilkerson check-called.
, the under-the-gun player bet 6,600. Vinicius Lima raised all in, making it 48,000 total.
flop, Demersseman bet 1,200, and his opponent folded. Demersserman showed 
