Level: 13
Blinds: 1,000/2,000
Ante: 2,000
2020 World Series of Poker Circuit Horseshoe Hammond
$1,700 Main Event
Day: 1a
Players Left 1 / 989
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Level 13
: 1,000/2,000, 2,000 ante
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
237,000
12,000
|
12,000 |
|
||
|
231,000
42,000
|
42,000 |
|
202,000
52,000
|
52,000 |
|
201,000 | |
|
190,000
130,000
|
130,000 |
|
180,000
25,000
|
25,000 |
|
162,000
129,000
|
129,000 |
|
160,500
50,500
|
50,500 |
|
110,000
2,000
|
2,000 |
|
96,000
18,000
|
18,000 |
|
|
||
|
91,000
3,500
|
3,500 |
|
79,000
51,000
|
51,000 |
|
44,000
11,000
|
11,000 |
|
30,000
25,000
|
25,000 |
|
21,000
19,000
|
19,000 |
|
19,000
38,000
|
38,000 |
|
14,000
70,000
|
70,000 |
|
Busted | |
Level 13
: 1,000/2,000, 2,000 ante
George Pappas raised to 5,000 from the hijack, and Matthew Shepsky three-bet to 18,000 from the cutoff. Action folded back to Pappas, who spent around half-a-minute in the tank.
"All in," Pappas eventually declared, putting Shepsky to the test for his last 55,000. Shepsky didn't take long to release his hand.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
155,000
15,000
|
15,000 |
|
55,000
14,000
|
14,000 |
Level 13
: 1,000/2,000, 2,000 ante
Facing an early-position open to 5,000 Jordan Holsinger three-bet to 17,000 from the cutoff, and Joe Trezzo four-bet shoved for 53,000 from the big blind.
The early-position player folded, and Holsinger asked for a count, then made the call.
Joe Trezzo: 
Jordan Holsinger: 
Board: 
Trezzo's pocket kings stayed ahead the whole way, doubling Trezzo up to 114,000 in the aftermath.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
114,000 | |
|
|
96,000
34,000
|
34,000 |
Level 13
: 1,000/2,000, 2,000 ante
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
160,000
35,000
|
35,000 |
|
||
|
152,500
22,500
|
22,500 |
|
||
|
135,000
11,500
|
11,500 |
|
130,000
53,000
|
53,000 |
|
120,000
65,000
|
65,000 |
|
120,000
60,400
|
60,400 |
|
105,000
21,000
|
21,000 |
|
99,500
3,500
|
3,500 |
|
93,000
67,000
|
67,000 |
|
||
|
92,000
37,000
|
37,000 |
|
|
60,000
12,000
|
12,000 |
|
60,000
33,500
|
33,500 |
|
|
55,000
13,000
|
13,000 |
|
31,000
4,900
|
4,900 |
|
24,000
4,300
|
4,300 |
Level 13
: 1,000/2,000, 2,000 ante
While PokerNews is here offering live updates from the High Roller and Main Event, we’d be remiss if we didn’t tell you about the full schedule of side events that have been playing out over the past week at the World Series of Poker Circuit Horseshoe Hammond.
In Event #9: $400 H.O.R.S.E, 86 runners created a $28,380 prize pool that was paid out to the top 13 players. Among those to cash but fall short of the official final table were Franki Hendrickson (10th- $734), John Ma (11th - $657), Ryan Paluf (12th - $657) and Iyam Casement (13th - $618).
In the end, it was Indiana native Brandon Nicholson who rode the pony to his first gold ring along with a $8,593 payday.
“I’m a hobbyist player,” stated Nicholson, “I only play poker once a year so I took this week off from work to come play because I love playing mixed games and the only time you can play this game is when the Circuit is in town.”
A total of 19 players returned for Day 2 action with Nicholson coming into the day second from the bottom with only 22,000, and he debated on whether he should even return with such a short stack.
“I went back home to Fort Wayne last night and almost didn’t come back,” said Nicholson, “I only had two big blinds to play but I came back to run it up and it was a great decision.”
Nicholson did just that as he ran his 22,000 up to 407,000 to take the chip lead into the final table that also featured 12-time ring winner Josh Reichard who sat second in chips with 195,000.
From there, Nicholson continued to build his stack without relinquishing his chip lead once to win his first career Circuit ring.
“I went on what you call a heater,” Nicholson said with a smile on his face, “I mean, to play heads-up against a guy who has won 12-rings was just unreal and I feel extremely lucky to have won this ring. I know a lot of my friends are going to be jealous.”
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Hometown | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brandon Nicholson | Fort Wayne, IN | $8,593 |
| 2 | Josh Reichard | Janesville, WI | $5,311 |
| 3 | Pawel Andrzejewski | Des Plaines, IL | $3,560 |
| 4 | Sachin Bhargava | Chicago, IL | $2,475 |
| 5 | James Davis | Chicago, IL | $1,788 |
| 6 | Charles Marty | Lincoln, NE | $1,343 |
| 7 | Ryan Scully | Oswego, IL | $1,051 |
| 8 | George Mesi | Buffalo Grove, IL | $859 |
| 9 | Randall Ristich | Phoenix, AZ | $734 |
Level 13
: 1,000/2,000, 2,000 ante
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Busted | |
|
Busted | |
|
|
Busted | |
|
Busted | |
|
||
|
Busted | |
|
Busted | |
|
Busted | |
|
Busted | |
|
Busted | |
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||
|
Busted | |
Level 13
: 1,000/2,000, 2,000 ante
The cutoff opened to 7,000, Gerald Siemienas three-bet shoved for 26,000 from the big blind, and the cutoff called.
"Nice hand," said Siemienas as the cards turned over.
Gerald Siemienas: 
Cutoff: 
Board: 
The cutoff's king-ten wasn't quite as nice as Siemienas' pocket aces, and after surviving a scary board, Siemienas got the double up.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
26,000
2,000
|
2,000 |
Level 13
: 1,000/2,000, 2,000 ante
Facing an early-position open to 6,000, Gregory Stellatos three-bet to 17,000 from the big blind, and got a call.
The flop came 
, Stellatos bet 10,000, and got a fold from his opponent.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
75,000 |
Level 13
: 1,000/2,000, 2,000 ante
Day 1a drew a total of 372 entries, with late registration over for the flight.
The field has trimmed down to 117 players with about 90 minutes remaining before players bag for the night.
