By Philip Dobrikin
Two big November series wrapped up successful runs in the Pacific Northwest: the DeepStacks Poker Tour Oregon State Championships at Chinook Winds Casino Resort and the WSOPC at the River Rock Casino in Vancouver.
Many big-name pros attended the OSPC with one winning the $1K main event. After being knocked out on Day 1A, Tom Koral re-entered on Day 1B and went on to win the event. Pro Michael Mizrachi of Team DeepStacks had knocked him out on Day 1A.
Other members of Team DeepStacks on hand: Tristan Wade, Jennifer Leigh and Randal Flowers, who made the final table. The main event drew 157 entries, which led to a first-place prize of $39,720.
What the WSOPC at River Rock may have lacked in big-name pros it made up in field size. The $1,675 main event drew 865 entries over three starting days. While a 16 percent drop, it was still the fourth-largest WSOPC main event. The top two pros of any note to get close to the final table were Tyler Patterson (11th) and Jesse Wilke (13th). In the end, Lincoln Milne, a local from nearby Chilliwack, took home the title and $253,015.
“I’m still kind of taking it in to be honest,” a visibly moved and stunned Milne said after the victory. “This is my biggest cash by far. This is my first year playing big tournaments. I’ve played for a long time but this was my first real breakthrough.”
— Email Philip Dobrikin at anteupphil@gmail.com.
