2019 WSOP Main Event Final Table Profile: Garry Gates

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Jul 13, 2019 5 min read

Brought to you by the WSOP-C Playground, hosted by Playground Poker Club and partypoker LIVE. Last year's long-awaited return to Canada of the WSOP Circuit smashed attendance records. The $1,100 Main Event with a huge $2,000,000 guaranteed prize pool and the $330 Colossus with a $1,000,000 guaranteed prize pool of its own are two of the seven events on tap for this year's edition, which is expected to attract even larger fields than last year's record-breaking series.

Final Table Profile Garry Gates

Garry Gates' Main Event Story

Back in the day, Garry Gates was grinding poker in the low-limit cash game trenches in Las Vegas, trying to convert his passion for poker into something sustainable. He admitted it was harder than it seemed, but kept at it until he met someone who would change the trajectory of his life.

According to a post written by Gates on the PokerStars blog, he met a man named Gary Wise in Las Vegas - a feature poker writer for ESPN. That got him into the door of poker media, and he ran the PokerNews live reporting team that covered the World Series of Poker back in 2008, the same media company now covering his deep Main Event run.

More than ten years back, Gates took a job as a consultant for the PokerStars Live Events team, which then led to Senior Consultant of Player Affairs for PokerStars Live, the position he still holds. All of his experience in the poker world has led to this moment — everyone in the industry rallying behind a man who has given so much to the poker community through his work.

Gates doesn't play much, but the $10,000 WSOP Main Event is something he plays almost every year. This marks his fourth cash in the Main Event, with his deepest run before this coming in 2011 where he finished in 173rd place for $47,107.

When asked about living every poker player's dream of making the WSOP Main Event final table, Gates commented: "Deep down, I wanted it, and I absolutely hoped for it. It's crazy to be here now."

"Deep down, I wanted it, and I absolutely hoped for it. It's crazy to be here now."

This week, all hearts and good vibes are behind Gates as he sits on the other side of the felt, eyeing the $10 million first-place prize and a shot at the 50th annual WSOP Main Event bracelet. The rail behind Gates in the 'mothership' in Amazon is entirely full, with bellowing cheers coming every time Gates ships a pot.

"It's not just the physical rail - it's also the messages. I feel so loved and lucky to be here," said an emotional Gates. "Every colleague and industry person has reached out and sent me well wishes. It's special - it's really, really special. I hope to make everybody proud."

"Garry Gates is one of the most incredible, loving, loyal people that we've ever known and he has done so much for other people in poker, so to watch him do this and make history is just incredible," said Kristy Arnett from Gates' rail. "You can tell how much he has done for people in poker by the support he's gotten."

"It's special - it's really, really special. I hope to make everybody proud."

Andrew Moreno also weighed in too, talking about Gates' character and heart when it comes to poker. "He's an extremely powerful, motivated individual. While he's not a professional - he's a recreational player - I'm not surprised in the least to see him here, because he believes in himself."

Moreno continued: "To me, you can look at someone's rail, and it says a lot about who you are in the world. It's no surprise to me that we can barely hold all of his friends here."

How Garry Gates Got to the Final Table

Garry Gates' Key Hands

On Day 6, Gates found himself all in for his tournament life during Level 31: 125,000-250,000 with a 250,000 big blind ante. According to the live reporting on PokerNews.com, Robert Heidorn raised to 550,000 from middle position and Gates three-bet to 2,100,000 from the big blind. Heidorn thought for a moment before deciding to move all in. Gates called for his stack worth 11,350,000 after tanking for about a minute.

Gates tabled A♥K♦, needing to improve against Heidorn's K♥K♣. It was looking grim for Gates, but the board ran out Q♣4♦6♠ 5♥ A♦ to pair his ace on the river and give him a huge double to stay alive.

On Day 7, Gates found himself on the other side of the aforementioned showdown in another pivotal pot. During Level 34: 250,000-500,000 with a 500,000 big blind ante, Gates raised to 1,200,000 from the hijack. Hossein Ensan three-bet to 3,750,000 from the small blind and then Gates four-bet to 10,000,000. Ensan five-bet an amount that covered Gates' 23,500,000-stack and Gates called with pocket kings as Ensan tabled ace-king.

The board ran out 8♦8♥3♥ 2♦ J♣, and Gates held for yet another huge double. This propelled Gates into the top five stacks, putting him in prime position to make the final table.

What to Watch For

Gates has been working in the industry for over ten years, with playing experience that extends well beyond that. He has around $250,000 in live earnings, so Gates is no stranger to playing under pressure. On top of this, Gates' rail is full of some of the best players in the world, so expect some solid play and a valiant run at the title.

His relaxed demeanor and massive rail could make all of the difference at the final table. With the entire industry behind him, he'll be tough to beat.

2019 WSOP Main Event Final Table Seating

^{There is 1:31:35 remaining in Level 37 (500,000/1,000,000, with a 1,000,000-big blind ante).}

2019 WSOP Main Event Final Table Payout

2019 WSOP Main Event Final Table Player Stats

^{Stats courtesy of WSOP.com and HendonMob.com.}

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