2014 World Series of Poker

Event #26: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em
Day: 3
Event Info

2014 World Series of Poker

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
66
Prize
$408,953
Event Info
Buy-in
$1,500
Entries
1,594
Level Info
Level
30
Blinds
50,000 / 100,000
Ante
10,000

Dinner Break Interview With Tony Gargano

Level 28 : 30,000/60,000, 10,000 ante
Tony Gargano
Tony Gargano

Tony Gargano has amassed more than a million dollars in live earnings since 2007 — recording 18 cashes at the World Series of Poker over that span — but he has yet to reach the winner's circle in a live event. Several deep runs in WSOP competition have given him a glimpse of the Mothership final table stage, but before today he had never played under the bright blue spotlights every poker player hopes to soak in at some point. Sitting second in the chip counts with just three players remaining, Gargano was kind enough to provide PokerNews a glimpse into the mind of a man on the verge of accomplishing a long held and elusive dream.

PokerNews: Can you tell the readers out there how it feels to finally sit down at the final table stage at the WSOP, after making so many deep runs thus far?

Tony Gargano: I've made a few deep runs, this is... I'd like to think this a little overdue actually, but you know, I haven't won anything yet. I've won a few online but this would be my first live major win.

PokerNews: Your friend Joe Cada just walked by on his way to rail you, and Cliff Josephy has been on hand as well.

Oh yes, those are two of my very good friends from poker, Dave Benefield was here as well, and Melissa Costello, a couple others. Matt Salsberg was here. I don't know, I think a couple people are stopping in now, but I'm trying not to look over there. It's a little distracting, but...

PokerNews: Does the presence of such a strong group of supporters serve as motivation during a moment like this?

Gargano: Not to me, to be honest, I think it's sort of distracting. I didn't really tell anybody, but they know because they're my good, good friends, but I didn't really tell any of the guys I play cash games with at the Bellagio or anything like that. You know, it's just extra pressure and extra things to worry about. Then you go on dinner and they're like all around, but you can't really include everyone, and you just want to sort of sit there and do nothing. I mean, I guess maybe if you lose a big pot they can sort of pump you up a little bit, it could be helpful.

PokerNews: Or maybe they can heckle your opponents, get them off their game?

Yeah, yeah, sure (laughing). I've done that before, I've served in that capacity many times.

PokerNews: How do you feel about your position coming back from dinner? You had the chip lead before slipping into second, so what is your mindset at the moment?

Yeah, I punted some off (laughing). No, I was feeling pretty tired but I ran up and down the stairs outside, so I feel a lot better now. I've come back to life I think, so I'm feeling pretty good.

PokerNews: What would winning a bracelet here today mean for you, as a player, as a professional and just as a person?

I think it would actually mean quite a bit to me, I've had a lot of, sort of top-20 type finishes when first place was like a million dollars or something. I've come close so many times, and I mean eventually I think I'm just going to have to accidentally win one.

Tags: Cliff JosephyDavid BenefieldJoe CadaMatt SalsbergTony Gargano

Hands #137-140: Katz Takes Lead In Aggression Stakes

Level 28 : 30,000/60,000, 10,000 ante

Hand #137: Michael Katz opened and won the antes and blinds.

Hand #138: Tony Gargano raised to 150,000 and big blind Katz made the call. The flop was {3-Diamonds}{8-Spades}{2-Hearts}. Checked to him Gargano bet 150,000 and Katz called. The turn was the {3-Spades} and Katz led for 285,000. Gargano let it go.

Hand #139: Andrew Rennhack opened from the button and won the pot.

Hand #140: Katz opened for 150,000 and Rennhack called. The flop was {k-Clubs}{10-Hearts}{5-Hearts} and a bet from Katz won the pot.

Tags: Andrew RennhackMichael KatzTony Gargano

Hands #132-136

Level 28 : 30,000/60,000, 10,000 ante

Hand #132: Andrew Rennhack opened to 150,000 from the small blind and Michael Katz called from the big blind. The flop was {8-Spades}{j-Clubs}{10-Hearts}, Rennhack bet 200,000 and Katz folded.

Hand #133: Andrew Rennhack raised to 120,000 and both opponents folded.

Hand #134: Michael Katz raised to 120,000 and Tony Gargano three-bet to 280,000; Katz folded.

Hand #135: Tony Gargano raised to 150,000 and both opponents folded.

Hand #136: Michael Katz called from the small blind and Tony Gargano raised to 155,000 from the big blind. Katz called and the flop was {9-Spades}{q-Spades}{10-Spades}. Katz checked and Gargano bet 175,000 and Katz called. The {7-Hearts} turn brought two checks, as did the {k-Spades} river. Katz tabled {k-Clubs}{10-Clubs} for two pair and Gargano mucked.

Tags: Tony GarganoMichael KatzAndrew Rennhack

Mike Matusow Implodes After "Excessive Celebration" Penalty at WSOP

Level 28 : 30,000/60,000, 10,000 ante
Mike Matusow
Mike Matusow

In Event #25: $2,500 Omaha/Seven-Card Stud Hi-Low at the 2014 World Series of Poker, Mike Matusow was penalized for "excessive celebration" deep into the money. After being slapped with a one-round penalty, the ruling quickly became a hot topic with the poker community. PokerNews spoke with "The Mouth" about the incident to get his thoughts and reaction, and to see how it affected his play.

You can read the full interview by clicking here.

Tags: Mike Matusow

Hands #126-131: Rennhack Doubles Through Gargano

Level 28 : 30,000/60,000, 10,000 ante

Hand #126: Tony Gargano opened for 150,000 and won the antes and blinds.

Hand #127: Andrew Rennhack moved all in for 795,000. Michael Katz folded and Gargano called.

Rennhack had {9-Spades}{8-Spades} and Gargano held {a-Clubs}{3-Spades}. The board ran out {j-Hearts}{3-Diamonds}{5-Hearts}{9-Hearts}{q-Spades} and Rennhack doubled up.

Hand #128: Katz opened for 120,000 and won the antes and blinds.

Hand #129: Gargano opened for 150,000 from the button and Rennhack moved all in to take down the pot.

Hand #130: Gargano got a walk.

Hand #131: Gargano made it 150,000 from the small blind and Rennhack called. The flop was {j-Clubs}{5-Hearts}{2-Hearts}, Gargano bet 150,000 when it was checked to him and the pot was pushed his way.

Player Chips Progress
Tony Gargano us
Tony Gargano
2,200,000 -530,000
Andrew Rennhack us
Andrew Rennhack
WSOP 1X Winner
1,600,000 400,000

Tags: Andrew RennhackMichael KatzTony Gargano

Hands # 121-125

Level 28 : 30,000/60,000, 10,000 ante

Hand #121: Michael Katz opened to 155,000 from the small blind and Tony Gargano reraised to 355,000. Katz would four-bet to 710,000 and then fold to Gargano's all-in five bet.

Hand #122: Michael Katz raised to 120,000 and Tony Gargano called from the small blind. The flop was the {8-Hearts}{4-Spades}{9-Hearts} and Gargano checked. Katz bet 120,000 and Gargano folded.

Hand #123: Tony Gargano raised to 150,000 and both opponents folded.

Hand #124: Michael Katz called from the small blind and Tony Gargano checked his option. The flop was {q-Diamonds}{k-Spades}{4-Clubs} and Katz checked. Gargano bet 75,000 and Katz made the call. The turn was the {j-Spades} and both players checked. The {6-Diamonds} river brought two more checks, Katz rolled over {q-Spades}{3-Spades} for a pair and Gargano mucked.

Hand #125: Andrew Rennhack received a walk

Tags: Andrew RennhackMichael KatzTony Gargano

Hands #117-120: Gargano Picking Up Pots; Rennhack Shoves

Level 28 : 30,000/60,000, 10,000 ante
Tony Gargano
Tony Gargano

Hand #117: Three way action for the first hand on a flop of {9-Diamonds}{q-Hearts}{8-Spades}. Andrew Rennhack bet 85,000 and just Tony Gargano called. The turn was the {k-Spades}. Check from Rennkack and Gargano, and the river was the {2-Hearts}. Rennkack checked and a 120,000 bet from Gargano won him the pot.

Hand #118: Rennhack opened on the button for 120,000 and Gargano called. {4-Diamonds}{k-Clubs}{5-Diamonds} flop and a check from Gargano and Rennhack to see a turn {2-Hearts}. Gargano bet 150,000 and Rennhack folded.

Hand #119: Michael Katz opened for 120,000 and Gargano raised to 280,000 from the small blind. Rennhack folded and so did Katz.

Hand #120: Rennhack moved all in and picked up the pot.

Tags: Andrew RennhackMichael KatzTony Gargano

Level: 28

Blinds: 30,000/60,000

Ante: 10,000