Tom Marchese and Ben Lamb Chop Aria $25,000 High Roller II
Many believe the Aria Resort & Casino has taken over the Las Vegas poker scene as the top venue to play poker, and that claim was backed even more after a positive turnout of star players for the Aria $25,000 High Roller II event held on Friday.
After a field of 41 entries were generated, including the likes of Tony Gregg, Andrew Robl, Noah Schwartz, Josh Arieh, David "Doc" Sands, Dan Shak, and 2014 World Series of Poker Main Event fourth-place finisher William Tonking, Tom Marchese and Ben Lamb chopped up the tournament to earn $383,060 and $300,000, respectively.
Aria $25,000 High Roller II Payouts
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Marchese | $383,060* |
| 2 | Ben Lamb | $300,000* |
| 3 | Antonio Esfandiari | $140,630 |
| 4 | Byron Kaverman | $80,360 |
| 5 | Matt Hyman | $60,270 |
| 6 | Jason Mercier | $40,180 |
*Denotes a heads-up chop.
With a prize pool of $1,004,500 and the top six places reaching the money, everyone in the field was chasing a hefty payday. Unfortunately in poker tournaments, there always has to be a "bubble boy" and that player was Cary Katz.
According to reports from Poker Telegraph, Katz was all in with the 8♠6♠ against the A♥9♣ for Byron Kaverman. Despite turning the best hand with two pair, Katz was eliminated when Kaverman made a flush on the river, with the final board reading 7♥7♠3♥8♥K♥.
First to fall in the money was two time WSOP gold bracelet winner Jason Mercier. He went out at the hands of Matt Hyman, who held pocket fives to Mercier's K♣Q♦. Hyman's pair held up, and Mercier was off to collect a $40,180 payday.
Next to go was Hyman, finishing in fifth place for $60,270. After that, it was Kaverman heading off to the payout desk to collect $80,360 for his fourth-place result.
Antonio Esfandiari, the man commonly referred to as "The Magician," then performed his disappearing act in third place. According to reports, it was his Q♥10♥ up against Lamb's A♠8♥. Two eights on the flop gave Lamb trips, and he easily held from there to send Esfandiari off with a payday of $140,630.
After Esfandiari's bust, Marchese and Lamb opted for a chop based on the chips. When it was settled Marchese earned $383,060, whereas Lamb walked away with $300,000. This gave Marchese the win, which was his second big tournament win from the Aria Resort & Casino after he captured the Aria $100,000 Super High Roller II title last September for $1,306,800.
Data and information from Poker Telegraph.
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