Ryan Abelseth Claims First Gold Ring in Event #2: NLH Double Stack
The PokerNews Live Reporting Team is at the Horseshoe Hammond to live report both the $1,700 Main Event and $2,200 High Roller; however, that is just one of more than a dozen gold ring events that have taken place over the past week. As such, we thought we’d profile some of the preliminary tournaments and those who struck it big.
Event #2: NLH Double Stack saw 464 runners create a $92,800 prize pool. It took two long days, including 15 hours on Day 2, for 34-year-old Ryan Abelseth of Orlando Park, Illinois to finish as the last player standing for $18,810 and his first gold ring.
"I’m tired it was long day, but I stuck it out and I’m excited to grab this first win," he said after the win. "It was a battle to get here but heads-up the cards just ran me over pretty much."
He added: “I just want to thank my girlfriend Molly for putting up with me and spending the weekend alone to let me go play, my buddy Dave who has always supported me to keep playing through all the bad beats.”
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Hometown | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ryan Abelseth | Orland Park, Illinois | $18,810 |
| 2 | Randall Madl | Schaumburg, Illinois | $11,625 |
| 3 | George Dietz | Oak Park, Illinois | $8,487 |
| 4 | Matthew Porter | Mchenry, Illinois | $6,279 |
| 5 | Brian McDaniel | Chicago, Illinois | $4,708 |
| 6 | Dion Luisi | Carmel, Indiana | $3,579 |
| 7 | Thomas Rudaitis | Lombard, Illinois | $2,758 |
| 8 | Aree Hardesty | Champaign, Illinois | $2,156 |
| 9 | Wayne Schwaiger | Mahomet, Illinois | $1,709 |