The first kiss of this year’s winter brought a few inches of snow, but thankfully that didn’t keep the grinders from going to the World Series of Poker Circuit at Harveys, which began Nov. 8. Players flocked in record numbers from all over the world to get a piece of the 10-day action that paid out nearly $2 million. The circuit offered daily tournaments ranging from $140-$365, and brought unexpected numbers and great cash action to the area.
With so many casinos opening in Northern California, locals weren’t sure what to expect, but as Harveys poker room manager Jim Pierre said, “We were all very pleasantly surprised to see the numbers go way up from last year, and have our best turnout ever.”
The air was cold, but the action was hot. Event 1 ($365 no-limit hold’em) started with 266 runners, a slight increase from last year, and awarded nearly $80K. In the end, John Miner of Carson City, Nev., started off with bragging rights and a nice cash of $20K.
The following events continued to have impressive numbers, with an average prize pool of around $70K. The fourth event, a $365 re-entry, finished with 651 entries ($195K purse) and would go down as the biggest tournament in Northern Nevada history.
Gary Guth of Yuba City had never entered a large tournament, but he won the title and $40K.
The $1,675 main event drew 422 entries, one being Cary Marshall of Alaska, who started the final day with the chip lead and would stay there, taking home $139K and the ring.
Marshall was followed by Derrick Yamada of Sacramento ($86K), John Deng of Davis, Calif., ($63K), Clint Baskin of Stockton, Calif., ($47K) and Ping Liu of Chicago ($35K).
— Leslie Pauls is an Ante Up Ambassador for Reno and a representative for Blue Shark Optics. Email her at anteupcali@gmail.com.
WSOP Circuit, Harveys Lake Tahoe, Nov. 8-20
Event 1 • $365 NLHE
Entries: 266 • Pool: $79,800
John Miner, $19,547
Event 2 • $365 NLHE
Entries: 220 • Pool: $65,700
Dan Gilmer, $16,426
Event 3 • $365 H.O.R.S.E.
Entries: 104 • Pool: $31,200
David Dilorio, $9,360
Event 4 • $365 NLHE
Entries: 651 • Pool: $195,300
Greg Guth, $40,029
Event 5 • $365 NLHE
Entries: 241 • Pool: $72,300
Carter Myers, $17,711
Event 6 • $365 NLHE
Entries: 201 • Pool: $60,300
Dan Gilmer, $15,675
Event 7 • $365 6-Max
Entries: 219 • Pool: $65,700
Kevin Calenzo, $17,741
Event 8 • $365 NLHE
Entries: 246 • Pool: $73,800
Taylor Skeels, $18,083
Event 9 • $580 NLHE
Entries: 229 • Pool: $114,500
Brett Schwertley, $28,627
Event 10 • $365 NLHE
Entries: 285 • Pool: $85,500
Austin Apicella, $20,519
$1,675 Main Event
Entries: 422 • Pool: $633K
Cary Marshall, $139,260
Event 12 • $365 NLHE
Entries: 138 • Pool: $41,400
Robert Pinney, $11,589
