John Helder is the poker world’s latest instant millionaire as he captured the main event title and $1 million at WinStar World Casino’s River Series in Thackerville, Okla. The seven-event series ran Aug. 14-Sept. 2, inlcuding the $2,500 main, which had three starting days.
This event brings in a bunch of top pros because of its great perceived value. There were 1,323 entries that included several people who fired five or more bullets.
Kevin Eyster fell in third place for $219,088 and heads-up play didn’t last too long as Travis Rice finished second ($340,403).
Event 1 was a $350 tourney with four starting days and 1,673 entrants as George Bronstein earned the title and $70K.
Event 2 was a $550 deepstack with 344 players and Wilburn Rowell won to the tune of $32,030.
Event 3 ($1,100 pot-limit Omaha) had 106 entries and my young poker buddy Mario “LG” Silvestri pocketed $31,802 for the victory.
John Merchant won $80K in Event 4 ($550) as he beat nearly 800 players.
Jesse McVicker bested the 106-player field in the $1,100 deepstack (Event 5) for $38K.
After the main event, WinStar hosted a $1,100 turbo bounty with a $500 bounty on each player. We’re not sure how many bounties Samuel Mayo collected on his way to first place, but we know he received $31,426.
Congrats to WinStar for running such a great event and to all the winners and our newest poker millionaire.
— Email John at anteupjohndshort@gmail.com.
