While PokerNews is here offering live updates from the 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 Potawatomi.
In Event #7: $600 NLH Eight-Max, 162 runners created a $83,430 prize pool that was paid out to the top 25 players. Among those to cash but fall short of the official final table were Brian McDaniel (10th- $1,718), Josh Reichard (11th - $1,432), Mike Shin (12th - $1,432), Steve Buell (13th - $1,231), Cody Brinn (22nd - $947) and Byron Ziebell (23rd - $947).
Once the final table was reached, it was a stacked one to say the least as it featured WSOP bracelet winner Chad Holloway, two-time ring winner Lee Rzentkowski, three-time ring winner Nick Pupillo, ring winner Travis Lauson and two-time ring winner Darin Utley.
“There were so many amazing players at this final table and it was amazing to be at it with them,” Reichard stated.
The final table kept the turbo style momentum as players were dropping left and right until about six-handed action. It was here when “Pops” started to go on an elimination run ending Utley’s tournament along with Paul Ewen and Thai Dinh.
Three-handed action saw “Pops” drop from the chip lead, but another late heater saw him crack Lauson’s pocket jacks holding ace-ten of clubs and then eliminate him holding a pair of jacks.
The heads-up match saw “Pops” in control with majority of the chips in play and it wasn’t long before MSPT Champ Ken Komberec got his remaining chips in the middle holding pocket kings and was called by Reichard holding ace-queen of spades. There wasn’t much of a sweat as there was an ace in the window securing Reichard’s third ring while Komberec took his exit in second place.
“I really don’t know what to say except, WOW!” Reichard exclaimed after his victory.
“Ken played just great, but I ran ridiculously good at this final table. I mean I cracked his kings in the very last hand of the tournament, like come on.” Reichard stated.
Reichard went on to say, “I didn’t do anything besides show up tonight and it was just my turn.”
The tournament was scheduled to be a 2 Day event, but it ran like a turbo as “Pops” only needed one full day to close out the win.
“This casino treats me and Josh very well. We both run really good here with this being my second ring while Josh has won four, it’s just really a special place for us.”
The Wisconsin native was awarded another piece of WSOP hardware, adding to his collection after winning his first gold ring back in August of 2016 at Harrah's Cherokee while his second came here at Potawatomi just last year. More significantly, for Reichard, he also picked up $21,611 for his first-place achievements and handed out the challenge to his son Josh.
“For my closing statement, this kid over here (Josh) has won a ring every time the circuit has been here, so I say this... let’s go boy!”
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Hometown | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brett Reichard | Janesville, WI | $21,611 |
| 2 | Ken Komberec | Menomonee Falls, WI | $13,359 |
| 3 | Travis Lauson | Manitowoc, WI | $9,214 |
| 4 | Thai Dinh | Duluth, MN | $6,517 |
| 5 | Paul Ewen | Hartley, IA | $4,728 |
| 6 | Darin Utley | Cedar Rapids, IA | $3,522 |
| 7 | Nick Pupillo | Gilbert, AZ | $2,696 |
| 8 | Chad Holloway | Reedsburg, WI | $2,121 |
| 9 | Lee Rzentowski | Madison, WI | $1,718 |
board from middle position, as did the player in the hijack. Jerod Smith bet 5,000 into a pot of 10,000 from the cutoff, and only Massey called.
fell on the river, and Massey tanked for a minute before announcing, "Fourteen-thousand." Smith called after his own stint in the tank, only to muck after Massey rolled over 
for a rivered straight.
board over to Craig Trost, who told us during the break that "he was down to three-and-a-half bigs an orbit ago!"
river, and Trost tanked for a few moments, then called. Mitchell flipped over 
for a set of sixes.
