The 2023 Wynn Millions kicked off on February 20 and is slated to run through March 19. While the $3,500 buy-in, $3 million GTD Wynn Millions Main Event is capturing the big headlines, there have been a series of side events playing over the past couple of weeks.
From February 27-28, the $1,100 Seniors NLH $100K GTD saw 240 entrants generate a $232,800 prize pool, which was reserved for the top 27 finishers. Among those to cash but fall short of the final table were Michael Ruter (10th - $4,598), Danny Bigelow (14th - $3,562), Cy Williams (19th - $2,863), and Arnie Friedman (25th - $2,363).
At the final table, a three-way deal was struck that ultimately saw Peter Costa win the tournament for $44,179. If that name sounds familiar, it’s probably because you recognize Costa as the winner of the 2003 Aussie Millions Main Event for $221,862.
“Just before the mass shutdowns due to COVID in 2020, I decided that I had unfinished business with poker,” Costa shared on social media. “It was just a matter of when rather than if, regardless of the fact that I was not getting any younger … This year, I was determined that the unfinished business needed to be finished.”
He continued: “Looking back at this event, it really was fun seeing the numbers dwindle down with me and my short stack being mere bystanders for the most part … I was just enjoying the moment for it was - a fun time with really nice people.”
Some of his accomplishments that year included victories in the $300 Limit Hold’em event at the California State Poker Championship for $115,662; Bellagio’s $2,500 Limit Hold’em for $112,000; $5,000 Championship Event at the 2002 Hall of Fame Poker Classic for $101,520; a pair of victories at the 2002 Four Queens Poker Classic for nearly $40,000; and winning the Late Night Poker Series 6 Grand Final for $78,275.
Wynn Millions $1,100 Seniors NLH $100K GTD Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Hometown | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peter Costa | Las Vegas, NV | $44,179* |
| 2 | Mark Gregorich | Las Vegas, NV | $39,376* |
| 3 | Mark Johnson | Las Vegas, NV | $35,454* |
| 4 | Brendan Shiller | Las Vegas, NV | $16,529 |
| 5 | Nick Phoenix | Encino, CA | $12,175 |
| 6 | Sejo Kasic | Las Vegas, NV | $9,382 |
| 7 | Larry Wright | McQueeney, TX | $7,543 |
| 8 | Gary Simpson | Rancho Santa Margarita, CA | $6,262 |
| 9 | Dennis Pollock | Grand Junction, CO | $5,331 |
*Denotes three-way deal.
and all three players checked their options to the 
turn. Kuo sized to 5,000 and only Deal made the call. 
completed the board and Kuo kept up the aggression with a bet of 15,000. Deal went deep in the tank, but after close to a minute, tossed in a chip for the call. 
for a missed straight draw and Deal scored the pot with 
for top pair.
. The action checked around to Yuzu Wang on the button who bet 2,000. Martin Jacobson check-raised to 6,000 in the big blind and Wang snap-called.
hit the turn and Jacobson checked again. Wang tossed in a bet of 3,000 and Jacobson stuck around to see the 
on the river. Jacobson checked once more and Wang fired out a bet of 12,000. Jacobson gave it some thought but opted to send his cards to the muck.
and Foxen check-called a bet of 2,700 from Yoon. The turn was the 
and Foxen checked again. Yoon sized up a bet of 10,500 this time and Foxen mulled it over before ditching her cards to the muck.
on the river and checked for the third time. Elias put together a bet of 18,200 which put Stout in the tank for a couple of minutes before he let his hand go.
and Dentale check-called a bet of 2,500 from Wiseman.
and both players checked to the 
. The 
hit the turn and Kornuth took the lead with a bet of 2,100, which only Rheem came along. 
completed the board and Kornuth took a moment to contemplate his options. 
