Pfeifer and Lisacchi Land Titles at 2015 Western New York Poker Challenge
Two more winners emerged from Thursday's play at the 2015 Western New York Poker Challenge. First, there was Randy Pfeifer who captured the top prize in the 1,026-player field in Event 5: $50 No-Limit Hold'em. Then, Dave Lisacchi earned the victory in Event 6: $200 No-Limit Hold'em.
Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum, Pfeifer Climbs Beanstalk to Victory
After four days of poker that saw 1,026 entries over six different starting flights, veteran local rounder Randy Pfeifer has been crowned the champion of Event 5: $50 No-Limit Hold'em from the 2015 Western New York Poker Challenge.
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Randy Pfeifer | $5,700* |
| 2 | Ray Espinosa | $5,000* |
| 3 | Brandon Louvier | $4,177* |
| 4 | Kimlong Trieu | $4,177* |
| 5 | Jeff Klein | $4,177* |
| 6 | Yong Wolfer | $1,465 |
| 7 | Don Ranalli | $1,231 |
| 8 | Aleksandras Fedorenka | $1,026 |
| 9 | Tom Guidon | $821 |
*Denotes a five-way deal.
With hundreds of players firing multiple bullets, the $25,000 guarantee was laid to waste with a $41,040 prizepool created. The event was designed to attract poker room regulars, recreational players, and the area's best. By all accounts it did so in spades and was a smashing success.
A total of 119 players pushed through to Thursday's second and final day, with Shayne Shackelford leading them all, having built an incredible stack on his starting flight. But things did not go well for Shackelford, as he was cut down to size early and eventually busted 49th for $160.
Pfiefer, who came into this event with $945,683 in career tournament earnings on his résumé, emerged as the first player past the 1 million chip mark as they day wore on, winning pot after pot without showdown.
While the chip lead changed hands several times, Pfeifer took control at the final table with patience and veteran savvy, grabbing the lead for good by the time they reached five-handed play, then holding out for the better end of the deal and the trophy when the players decided to chop up the prize money.
While this was by far the busiest event on the 2015 Western New York Poker Challenge schedule so far, the biggest will begin Friday with Day 1a of the $200,000 guaranteed $1,000 buy-in Main Event going off at 11 a.m. local time.
Lisacchi's Destiny in Event #6
Dave Lisacchi took down Event 6: $200 No-Limit Hold'em from the 2015 Western New York Poker Challenge early Friday morning. He snatched the $6,781 first-place prize after getting the best of a field of 150, including a masterful performance heads up against Buck Ramsay, coming back from more than a 2-1 deficit through sheer aggression.
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dave Lisacchi | $6,781 |
| 2 | Buck Ramsay | $4,191 |
| 3 | Maria Paralatore | $3,028 |
| 4 | Blake Napierala | $2,265 |
| 5 | Steve Rokitka | $1,647 |
| 6 | Kenny Ball | $1,260 |
| 7 | Russ Lazzara | $969 |
| 8 | John Abraham | $751 |
| 9 | Kyle Rzeszutek | $606 |
Lisacchi laid back for most of the final table, at one point getting it all in against third-place finisher Maria Paralatore with just one-pair to her flopped wheel before going runner-runner to make a boat and survive.
While the final table took close to four hours, heads-up play lasted less than 30 minutes with Lisacchi putting on a clinic through showing down very few hands until he got Ramsay to commit with a draw against his third pair.
After winning that one, Lisacchi said he felt destined to take down the title and did so in fine fashion.
For more information on the WNY Poker Challenge, which dates back to 2012, either visit their Facebook page or contact their poker room at (716) 278-6300.
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