Level: 29
Blinds: 60,000/120,000
Ante: 120,000
2023 World Series of Poker
Event #1: $500 Casino Employees
Day: 2
Event Info
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
Players Info - Day 2
2023 World Series of Poker
Buy-in
$500
Prize Pool
$426,300
Entries
1,015
Level
33
Blinds
150,000 / 300,000
Ante
300,000
Entries
89
Players Left
1
McCormack Finds a Big Double
Level 28
: Blinds 50,000/100,000, 100,000 ante
James Urbanic opened to 250,000 from under the gun and action folded around to Keith McCormack who three-bet shoved for his remaining 1,100,000. Action folded back to Urbanic who called to put another player at risk.
Keith McCormack: A♣K♣
James Urbanic: A♠Q♣
The dealer put a queen in the window but fanned the board out to reveal a king right behind it. On a final board of 3♣K♦Q♥J♣4♣, McCormack secured a full double to move himself up in the chip counts.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
4,500,000 | -1,600,000 |
|
2,500,000 | 1,300,000 |
Blanchette Loves The Ladies
Level 28
: Blinds 50,000/100,000, 100,000 ante
Paul Blanchette went all-in in middle position before it folded around to Lisa Eckstein, on the button, who was purposeful in her counting of chips as she mulled over the decision. She eventually isolated her stack against Blanchette and the blinds folded.
Paul Blanchette: Q♥Q♦
Lisa Eckstein: 7♠7♣
The flop of A♥9♥2♥ left Eckstein with only one out, which missed as the 5♦ and J♦ rolled off in succession.
Shortly after, Eckstein won a three-way pot without showdown and recouped some chips to stay in contention.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
2,300,000 | 1,200,000 |
|
1,800,000 | -625,000 |
5 Poker Tax Facts to Remember Heading into the 2023 WSOP
Level 28
: Blinds 50,000/100,000, 100,000 ante
The 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP) is less than a week away, and right now players are filled with high hopes. If all goes according to plan, they’ll head out to Las Vegas and make a poker fortune, but if you’re so fortunate, remember big scores come with big responsibilities, primarily taxes!
We asked our friends over at Kondler & Associates, the premier poker tax specialists, for things players may want to remember at the 2023 WSOP. President and Owner Ray Kondler, CPA, offered his expertise below.
If you would like to receive more information about their services or receive a free assessment, please visit our Kondler & Associates hub or call (702) 433-7075. You can also check out their booth at the 2023 WSOP.
Jiang Spikes a Seven on the River for a Full Double
Level 28
: Blinds 50,000/100,000, 100,000 ante
James Urbanic opened from early position to 200,000. Action folded around to Bruce Jiang in the cutoff who three-bet shoved for his remaining 1,100,000. Action folded back to Urbanic who called to create our first at risk player of the final table.
Bruce Jiang: 7♦7♣
James Urbanic: 9♣9♠
The flop of 5♠6♣6♦ was clean for Urbanic as was the 10♣, but the dealer burned and turned the 7♥ on the river and Jiang came from behind to secure a full double.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
6,100,000 | -570,000 |
|
2,300,000 | 1,000,000 |
Final Table Redraw
Level 28
: Blinds 50,000/100,000, 100,000 ante
| Table | Seat | Player | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feature 2 | 1 | Mark Kawamoto | 1100000 | 14 |
| Feature 2 | 2 | Lisa Eckstein | 2425000 | 30 |
| Feature 2 | 3 | James Urbanic | 6670000 | 83 |
| Feature 2 | 4 | Sean Balfour | 1700000 | 21 |
| Feature 2 | 5 | Peter Thai | 5335000 | 67 |
| Feature 2 | 6 | Joe Pavan | 2100000 | 26 |
| Feature 2 | 7 | Benson Tam | 3710000 | 46 |
| Feature 2 | 8 | Keith Mccormick | 1200000 | 15 |
| Feature 2 | 9 | Bruce Jiang | 1300000 | 16 |
| Feature 2 | 10 | Paul Blanchette | 1100000 | 14 |
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
6,670,000 | 1,820,000 |
|
5,335,000 | 1,435,000 |
|
3,710,000 | 2,060,000 |
|
|
2,425,000 | -175,000 |
|
2,100,000 | 25,000 |
|
1,700,000 | 150,000 |
|
|
1,300,000 | 350,000 |
|
|
1,200,000 | -450,000 |
|
1,100,000 | -900,000 |
|
|
1,100,000 | 450,000 |
Level: 28
Blinds: 50,000/100,000
Ante: 100,000
Michael McFadden Eliminated in 11th Place ($4,477)
Level 27
: Blinds 40,000/80,000, 80,000 ante
On a board of A♥2♥7♠8♠K♦, James Urbanic bet enough to put Michael McFadden all in, sending McFadden deep into the tank. Eventually, he decided to call it off for his tournament life and Urbanic announced, "Top two." with the A♠K♠.
McFadden knuckled the table and turned up the A♦6♥ and was sent to the rail in 11th place for $4,477 as Urbanic secures the chip lead headed into the final table.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
Busted |
Zaen Qatan Eliminated in 12th Place ($3,583)
Level 27
: Blinds 40,000/80,000, 80,000 ante
Facing a raise in late position from Zaen Qatan, James Urbanic three-bet from the small blind. Zaen Qatan then went all in for just under 2,000,000 in chips, which was quickly called by Urbanic.
Zaen Qatan: A♦K♣
James Urbanic: A♥A♠
Urbanic preemptively celebrated but did, indeed, have to sweat the board when the flop rolled the K♣8♣J♦.
However, the 6♣ on the turn and the 9♥ on the river catapult him into contention for the chiplead.
Zaen Qatan had the run of his life and did his best to remind PokerNews of his Iraqi heritage, proud that he could share this run with his family.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
4,850,000 | 2,400,000 |
|
Busted |
Carlton Fitzgerald Eliminated in 13th Place ($3,583)
Level 27
: Blinds 40,000/80,000, 80,000 ante
Action folded around to Zaen Qatan on the button who opened to 160,000. The small blind folded before Carlton Fitzgerald called out of the big blind to see a flop of 7♥4♠4♦.
Fitzgerald open-shoved for around 300,000 and Qatan snap-called to put Fitzgerald at risk.
Carlton Fitzgerald: K♦8♣
Zaen Qatan: A♦A♥
The turn and river of 9♣ and K♥ weren't enough for Fitzgerald to come from behind and he was sent to the rail in 13th place for $3,583.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
2,015,000 | -85,000 |
|
Busted |