Pupillo Second Again on WSOP Circuit as Sanders Wins Tahoe Stop

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Nov 06, 2018 3 min read

The World Series of Poker Circuit continued its travels across the country with the final table of the Harvey's Lake Tahoe stop, and a familiar name found his way into a familiar spot in the $1,700 Main Event. Just a couple of weeks after coming runner-up in Hammond, Nick Pupillo got second once again in Lake Tahoe for $91,036.

This time, the man who made him settle for another big score but no winner's photo was Scott Sanders. The Californian topped a Golden State-heavy final table for $147,314 and his second ring, less than a week after winning the $400 Monster Stack at the same stop for $25,201.

Official Final Table Results

The Main Event drew 442 entries and would see 45 players make the money. Vincent Moscati, Adam Owen, Scott Stewart and Val Vornicu were some of the recognizable names making it into the money but falling short of the final table.

WSOP Circuit Lake Tahoe Final Table Action

Both Sanders and Pupillo were in solid position around 50 big blinds heading into the final table, according to the live updates.

Sanders looked likely to be the first one out in the final 10 but found a stroke of incredible luck. At blinds of 20,000/40,000/5,000, Sanders opened to 100,000 with A♣K♣ and found himself three-bet to 265,000 by David Valdez. Sanders crammed it in for over 1.6 million only to find himself staring at A♦A♥. Shockingly, he hit two kings to crack the bullets and send Valdez, who was barely covered, out in 10th while Sanders moved into the lead.

Three-time ring winner Brett Murray scored the next knockout of Robert Georato, who got caught three-bet shipping K♠2♠ for 14 big blinds. Michael Hubbard followed him in eighth.

Sanders then got in a massive flip in a five-bet pot, with his ace-king prevailing against the queens of Ian Steinman, sending the WPT and WSOP runner-up out in seventh.

Pupillo and Murray then dusted short stacks Dann Turner and Ryan Stoker, respectively. The final four players bagged a short time later for the final day with Stephen Song in a slight chip lead over Murray and Sanders, while Pupillo trailed with a still-healthy 35 big blinds.

WSOP Circuit Lake Tahoe Final Day

Song would be reduced to the short stack in short order. After losing a pot early to Murray, he four-bet shoved ace-queen and ran into Pupillo's ace-king. Song would run his last crumbs back up to almost 50 big blinds before eventually losing a flip to Sanders with eights against ace-ten.

Sanders went on a heater and raced out to a big lead, while Pupillo got hammered down to five big blinds. He managed to survive, though, and it would be Murray busting out in third when he shoved 11 big blinds with 9♣8♣ in the small blind and Sanders called and won with K♣J♥, fading a flopped flush draw.

Down over 7-1 with just 13 big blinds, Pupillo commenced a comeback. First, he flopped two pair and doubled up against a turned top pair, then he flopped a straight and doubled through Sanders' top pair again to grab the lead.

Sanders moved back into the lead and then took a big risk to end what could have been a long heads-up match. Pupillo raised to 300,000 at 60,000/120,000/20,000 and Sanders made it 1,025,000. Pupillo called and 9♠6♦5♥ flopped. Sanders slowed down with a check and Pupillo bet 800,000. Sanders jammed for 2.9 million effective and Pupillo was in there with a quick call holding 10♦9♥ for top pair. Sanders was drawing with 4♥3♠ but got there right away on the turn 7♥, holding on the river to end it.

Here's a look at all of the ring winners from the Lake Tahoe stop:

_{Photo courtesy of WSOP}

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