$600 Kickoff Event | 2024 Maryland State Poker Championship

08-04-2024 12:49 UTC-4

Al-Keliddar Tries to Set the Trap

Nick Becker

Level 19 : Blinds 6,000/12,000, 12,000 ante

Thomas Karle limped in the cutoff, Yaser Al-Keliddar completed in the small blind, and Michael Lavin checked in the big blind.

The flop came 3♠J♠7♣, Al-Keliddar led out for 12,000, Lavin called, as did Karle.

The 8♦ turn checked through, as did the 5♦ river. Karle announced "seven," indicating a pair of sevens.

Al-Keliddar turned over 10♦9♥ for the nut straight, and the pot was pushed his way.

Player	Chips	Progress
Michael Lavin	465,000 170,000	170,000
Yaser Al-Keliddar	460,000 -90,000	-90,000

Thomas Karle	125,000 -40,000	-40,000

Tags: Michael Lavin Thomas Karle Yaser Al-Keliddar

08-04-2024 12:39 UTC-4

Karle Turns a Flush to Double Up

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Tyler Boyer

Level 19 : Blinds 6,000/12,000, 12,000 ante

Action was picked up on the flop with 45,000 in the pot, and the board showing 5♥3♦4♦.

Yaser Al-Keliddar checked from the big blind, as did Aaron Pinson in the hijack. Then Thomas Karle bet all in for 44,000. Al-Keliddar made the call, and Pinson quickly folded.

Thomas Karle: Q♦9♦ All in
Yaser Al-Keliddar: A♣2♣

Al-Keliddar flopped a wheel, but Karle had outs with his flush draw. Karle didn't have to wait long for his flush draw to come in as the 7♦ hit the turn, leaving Al-Keliddar drawing dead. The 5♣ of officially gave Karle the double up with his queen high flush.

Player	Chips	Progress
Yaser Al-Keliddar	550,000 47,000	47,000

Thomas Karle	165,000 -35,000	-35,000
Aaron Pinson	85,000 -123,000	-123,000

Tags: Aaron Pinson Thomas Karle Yaser Al-Keliddar

08-04-2024 12:34 UTC-4

75 Players Remain

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Nick Becker

Level 19 : Blinds 6,000/12,000, 12,000 ante

Players are busting quickly in the first few levels of Day 2. With many short stacks getting it all in, 75 of the 115 players who started the day remain.

Level: 19

Blinds: 6,000/12,000

Ante: 12,000

08-04-2024 12:30 UTC-4

Berry's River Bet Wins It

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Nick Becker

Level 18 : Blinds 5,000/10,000, 10,000 ante

Action picked up on the river in a hand between Jackie Berry in the big blind and Benjamin Kaufman who was under the gun.

With about 100,000 in the middle and the board reading 3♥4♥7♣10♥5♣, Berry led out with a bet of 50,000.

Kaufman thought for a moment before tossing his cards into the muck.

Player	Chips	Progress
Jackie Berry	430,000 208,000	208,000
Benjamin Kaufman	125,000 37,000	37,000

Tags: Benjamin Kaufman Jackie Berry

08-04-2024 12:22 UTC-4

Smolyanskiy Makes Hero Call

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Tyler Boyer

Level 18 : Blinds 5,000/10,000, 10,000 ante

Tim Faro raised from early position to 20,000, and when it folded to the big blind Anton Smolyanskiy, he made the call.

Both players checked after the 9♥9♣8♥ flop.

The turn came the 3♦ and Smolyanskiy check-called a bet of 35,000 from Faro.

After the 4♣ on the river, Smolyanskiy again check-called a bet from Faro, this time for 70,000.

Faro tabled QxJx for queen high, and Smolyanskiy showed A♠2♣ for ace high, which was good to take the pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
Tim Faro	465,000 -214,000	-214,000

Anton Smolyanskiy	450,000 120,000	120,000

Tags: Anton Smolyanskiy Tim Faro

08-04-2024 12:11 UTC-4

Altman Doubles Up

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Nick Becker

Level 18 : Blinds 5,000/10,000, 10,000 ante

Alex Altman moved all in from under the gun for 107,000, putting himself at risk, and was called by the player in the hijack.

Alex Altman: Q♣10♣ All in
Hijack: A♠K♣

Altman pulled ahead on the 2♦Q♦9♠ flop, pairing his queen. The 7♣ turn and 5♥ river secured him the much needed double up.

Player	Chips	Progress
Alex Altman	239,000 148,000	148,000

Tags: Alex Altman

Level: 18

Blinds: 5,000/10,000

Ante: 10,000

08-04-2024 11:52 UTC-4

Karle Wins Multi-Way All In

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Nick Becker

Level 17 : Blinds 4,000/8,000, 8,000 ante

The player in the hijack moved all in for just 5,000, Thomas Karle moved all in in the cutoff, the player on the button called for less, and Michael Lavin called in the big blind, covering everyone.

Hijack: K♣10♦ All in
Button: A♣K♦ All in
Thomas Karle: A♥7♥ All in
Michael Lavin: 10♠10♥

The board ran out 7♠9♦7♦5♥9♠, and Karle's full house, sevens full of nines, earned him the main and side pots. The hijack and button were sent to the rail.

Player	Chips	Progress
Michael Lavin	295,000 -7,000	-7,000
Thomas Karle	200,000 51,000	51,000

Tags: Michael Lavin Thomas Karle

08-04-2024 11:33 UTC-4

PokerStars NAPT Returning to Resorts World Las Vegas November 1-10

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Nick Becker

Level 17 : Blinds 4,000/8,000, 8,000 ante

Sami Bechahed, 2023 NAPT Main Event Winner

After the successful 2023 return of the North American Poker Tour (NAPT) in Las Vegas, PokerStars announced that the NAPT will be back at Resorts World Las Vegas this year for ten days of tournament poker action.

The 2024 NAPT Las Vegas festival will take place Nov. 1-10, culminating with a $5,300 buy-in NAPT Main Event — an increase from last year's $1,650 price tag — after a successful event with a strong turnout in 2023.

“Last year, the NAPT smashed all expectations, so this year, we’re going even bigger," PokerStars North America Vice President Steve Preiss said in a press release. "With a premier partner like Resorts World Las Vegas, we’re stepping up our game: bigger tournaments, buy-ins, and player-focused events.”

See Full Details Here