2023 NAPT Las Vegas

$1,650 Main Event
Day: 3
Event Info

2023 NAPT Las Vegas

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
a10
Prize
$268,945
Event Info
Buy-in
$1,650
Prize Pool
$1,609,650
Entries
1,095
Level Info
Level
35
Blinds
150,000 / 300,000
Ante
300,000
Players Info - Day 3
Entries
34
Players Left
7

Two Loose Cannons: Find Out Who Won $50k Stakes to Play PokerStars Big Game

Level 25 : 15,000/30,000, 30,000 ante

Via an American Idol style competition, Nikki Limo and Lily Newhouse were chosen as the first PokerStars Big Game "loose cannons" in over a decade. As such, they will receive a $50,000 stake to compete in a high-stakes cash game against pros and entertaining recreational players.

The contest began on Sunday from the PokerStars North American Poker Tour (NAPT) with a free qualifier shootout poker tournament at Resorts World in Las Vegas. Each table winner — 20 players — then advanced to an intense interview process on Monday judged by Nadya Magnus, Joe Stapleton, and James Hartigan.

Magnus was one of the original loose cannons when the popular show first aired in 2010-2011. She won over $60,000 on that day, her first introduction to televised poker. Stapleton and Hartigan will commentate on the show when it airs in 2024. Filming will take place at Resorts World this week, however.

The purpose of the audition phase was to find the two individuals who best exemplify a true loose cannon — is at least a somewhat competent poker player, would benefit greatly from winning a significant amount in the game, and has a colorful personality.

Click here to learn more about what happened!

Level: 26

Blinds: 20,000/40,000

Ante: 40,000

Leng Takes From Massey

Level 26 : 20,000/40,000, 40,000 ante

Action folded to Aaron Massey on the button who raised to 85,000. Ryan Leng was in the big blind and put in the call to see the flop come Q52.

Leng checked over to Massey who continued for 60,000. Leng was quick to make the call and watch as the turn brought the 3.

Both players checked through to see the 5 fall on the river.

Ryan Leng paused briefly before deciding to lead out with a bet worth 180,000. Massey didn't waste time and was quick in sending his cards into the muck before the dealer sent the pot in Leng's direction.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Ryan Leng us
Ryan Leng
2,700,000
WSOP 3X Winner
Run It Once
Profile photo of Aaron Massey us
Aaron Massey
2,500,000

Tags: Aaron MasseyRyan Leng

Bechahed Doubles Through Pallampati

Level 26 : 20,000/40,000, 40,000 ante

Sami Bechahed raised to 80,000 in the cutoff and Sandeep Pallampati three-bet from the small blind. Bechahed moved all in for 910,000 and Pallampati called.

Sami Bechahed: AK
Sandeep Pallampati: 99

The KJ10 flop vaulted Bechahed in front, and the 4 turn and A river confirmed his double.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Sami Bechahed fr
Sami Bechahed
1,900,000
1,225,000
1,225,000
Day 3 Chip Leader
Profile photo of Sandeep Pallampati us
Sandeep Pallampati
925,000
-275,000
-275,000

Tags: Sami BechahedSandeep Pallampati

Jianxin Wu Eliminated in 18th Place ($10,495)

Level 26 : Blinds 20,000/40,000, 40,000 ante
Jianxin Wu
Jianxin Wu

In a hand where Jianxin Wu's last 40,000 chips were all-in in the big blind, action folded to Ryan Leng on the button who raised to 80,000. The big blind got out of the way to set up a heads-up runout with Wu at risk.

Jianxin Wu: A2
Ryan Leng: A4

The 697 flop looked like they were on their way to a chopped pot, but that all changed when Leng spiked the 4 on the turn to leave Wu drawing dead headed to the meaningless 8 river.

Wu exited the tournament area in 18th place for $10,495.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Ryan Leng us
Ryan Leng
2,400,000
-300,000
-300,000
WSOP 3X Winner
Run It Once
Profile photo of Jianxin Wu us
Jianxin Wu
Busted

Tags: Jianxin WuRyan Leng

Set for Coleman

Level 26 : Blinds 20,000/40,000, 40,000 ante
David Coleman
David Coleman

David Coleman opened to 80,000 in the hijack, Je Wook Oh called in the small blind, and Ryan Yu defended the big blind.

The trio checked the 973 flop to the A turn. The blinds checked to Coleman and he bet 110,000. Oh folded and Yu called.

The 2 completed the board and Yu checked. Coleman bet 300,000 and Yu thought about it before he moved the chips forward for a call.

Coleman tabled 77 and claimed the pot with his flopped set.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of David Coleman us
David Coleman
1,490,000
395,000
395,000
Profile photo of Ryan Yu ca
Ryan Yu
350,000
-835,000
-835,000
Profile photo of Je Wook Oh us
Je Wook Oh
275,000
-320,000
-320,000

Tags: David ColemanJe Wook OhRyan Yu

Yokosawa Doubles Through Dianaty

Level 26 : Blinds 20,000/40,000, 40,000 ante
Masato Yokosawa
Masato Yokosawa

Anthony Dianaty raised to 80,000 from the hijack. Action folded around to Masato Yokosawa in the big blind who jammed for about 300,000. Dianaty opted to make the call, putting the poker YouTube vlogger at risk.

Masato Yokosawa: AJ
Anthony Dianaty: K10

The board ran out J6745, securing a pure double for Yokosawa as he carved a small piece out of Dianaty's chip lead.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Anthony Dianaty us
Anthony Dianaty
5,500,000
-700,000
-700,000
Day 2 Chip Leader
Profile photo of Masato Yokosawa jp
Masato Yokosawa
635,000
-135,000
-135,000
WPT 1X Winner

Tags: Anthony DianatyMasato Yokosawa

Ryan Yu Eliminated in 17th Place ($12,070)

Level 26 : Blinds 20,000/40,000, 40,000 ante
Ryan Yu
Ryan Yu

Ping Liu opened to 80,000 under the gun, Ryan Yu shoved all in for 330,000 in the cutoff, and Liu called.

Ryan Yu: AJ
Ping Liu: 33

The 1082 flop made Yu a statistical favorite with added spade outs, although he still needed to improve.

The 4 turn changed absolutely nothing, however, and the Q river confirmed the result to eliminate Yu in 17th place for $12,070.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Ping Liu us
Ping Liu
2,290,000
1,030,000
1,030,000
Profile photo of Ryan Yu ca
Ryan Yu
Busted

Tags: Ping LiuRyan Yu