For the Horseshoe’s Chicago Poker Classic, it’s enjoyed incredible growth since its inaugural event in 2009. Back then, five tournaments combined had 474 entries with a prize pool of $672K. This year’s $240 buy-in opener saw an amazing 2,621 entrants creating a prize pool of $545K. Winner Paul Gibbons took home $97,192.
Chicago native Aaron Massey won the pot-limit Omaha event and David To from Hoffman Estates won the seven-game event.
Anthony Marsico, a 26-year-old pro from the Chicago area, bested a 360-player field for the title and $265,825.
“This feels good, I’m a little bit tired, but it feels good,” Marsico said after a four-day tournament in which he had the chip lead for Days 2 and 3 as well.
WCPC: The December 2011 Windy City Poker Championship events begin broadcasting on Comcast SportsNet Chicago every Sunday (for four weeks) at 7 p.m. (CT) starting April 8. Check local listings for additional dates and times. Other networks include Bright House Sports Network, Cox-CST Cable and Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic. The WCPC has its next event in the works, a four-day televised charity event at the American Legion in Tinley Park on June 21-24.
HPT: The Heartland Poker Tour will be at Majestic Star from May 11-20.
STATE NEWS: State Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, has introduced some changes with the Illinois Charitable Games Act that passed the House. ICGA regulations were created in 1984, the same year the WSOP main event had 132 entries. With the state capital having little understanding of the poker industry, regulations were created making it difficult for charities to operate. Some of the new regulations that will go to the Senate include having Illinois Gaming Board take control over previous held Illinois Department of Revenue. Other changes include increasing the maximum cash winnings to $500 (increase from $250), charities will be allowed to operate 12 charitable games events yearly (vs. only four per year now).
— “Chicago” Joe Giertuga is Ante Up’s Chicagoland Ambassador. Email him at chicago.joe@comcast.net.
Chicago Poker Classic, Horseshoe, Feb. 26-March 5
Event 1 • $240 NLHE
Entrants: 2,621 • Pool: $525,349
Winner: William Gibbons, $97,192
Event 2 • $350 NLHE
Entrants: 868 • Pool: $264,463
Winner: Paul Han, $56,861
Event 3 $240 NLHE w/rbs
Entrants: 196 • Pool: $115,321
Winner: Musa Taher, $30,559
Event 4 • $560 7-Game
Entrants: 159 • Pool: $93,990
Winner: David To, $26,317
Event 5 • $240 NLHE
Entrants: 530 • Pool: $109,695
Winner: Michael Schneider, $25,230
Event 6 • $1,100 Heads-Up
Entrants: 220 • Pool: $250,275
Winner: Kevin McColgan, $70,082
Event 7 • $350 PLO w/rbs
Entrants: 126 • Pool: $141,176
Winner: Aaron Massey, $40,940
$3,125 Main Event
Entrants: 360 • Pool: $1.1M
Winner: Anthony Marsico, $265,825
Event 9 • $350 6-Max
Entrants: 402 • Pool: $131,982
Winner: Eli Loewenthal, $34,316
