2014 Western New York Poker Challenge

Event 10: $300 No-Limit Hold'em
Day: 1
Event Info

2014 Western New York Poker Challenge

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
kq
Prize
$4,500
Event Info
Buy-in
$265
Prize Pool
$29,958
Entries
119
Level Info
Level
26
Blinds
25,000 / 50,000
Ante
5,000

Level: 19

Blinds: 5,000/10,000

Ante: 1,000

Thomas vs. Grana: One Will Be the Bubble Boy

Level 18 : 4,000/8,000, 1,000 ante

It didn't take long for the bubble to burst, and it wasn't even one of the short stacks.

It happened when action folded to Travell Thomas on the button and he raised to 20,000, which Dave Grana called from the big blind. When the flop came down {k-Clubs}{10-Hearts}{3-Spades}, Grana moved all in for 77,000 and Thomas shifted in his chair. He thought long and hard before finally declaring, "I can't fold top pair."

Thomas: {k-Spades}{9-Spades}
Grana: {q-Hearts}{j-Clubs}

Grana decided to go with his open-ended straight draw, but on this hand it proved an unwise investment as both the {8-Clubs} turn and {6-Clubs} river failed to help him. Grana was eliminated as the bubble boy while the remaining 12 players are guaranteed at least $629.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Travell Thomas
Travell Thomas
300,000
85,000
85,000
Profile photo of Dave Grana us
Dave Grana
Busted

Tags: Dave GranaTravell Thomas

Level: 18

Blinds: 4,000/8,000

Ante: 1,000

Break It Up

Level 17 : 3,000/6,000, 500 ante

We're on a 10-minute break. When we return, the remaining 13 players will play hand-for-hand on the money bubble.

Kurek the Penultimate Bubble Boy

Level 17 : 3,000/6,000, 500 ante
Michael Kurek
Michael Kurek

In the last hand before the break, a short-stacked Michael Kurek moved all in under the gun for 28,500 and cleared the field to Scott Aitchison, who called from the big blind.

Aitchison: {k-Spades}{10-Diamonds}
Kurek: {a-Spades}{j-Clubs}

The {9-Diamonds}{4-Spades}{9-Hearts} flop kept Kurek firmly in the lead, and the {9-Clubs} turn meant he just needed to dodge a king and ten on the river to double. Unfortunately for him, that proved easier said than done as the {10-Clubs} spiked on the river.

Kurek was eliminated in 14th place, which means the final 13 players will return from the break on the bubble and playing hand for hand.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Scott Aitchison
Scott Aitchison
110,000
45,000
45,000
Profile photo of Michael Kurek
Michael Kurek
Busted

Tags: Michael KurekScott Aitchison

Last Woman in the Field Falls

Level 17 : 3,000/6,000, 500 ante
Kali Zurek
Kali Zurek

Not long after being crippled, Kali Zurek moved all in for her last 19,000 from early position. Chris Myers then three-bet to 35,000 from the small blind, and Kevin Reyes snap-called from the big. The main pot was straightened out, a side pot created, and then the dealer put out the flop — {5-Clubs}{3-Diamonds}{10-Diamonds}.

Reyes wasted little time in moving all in for 129,000 and Myers thought for a couple of minutes before releasing his hand. Reyes then tabled the {q-Clubs}{q-Spades}, and Zurek showed the {8-Clubs}{7-Clubs}. The {8-Spades} turn gave Zurek some hope, but the {6-Hearts} river failed to deliver on it.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Kevin Reyes
Kevin Reyes
210,000
40,000
40,000
Profile photo of Kali Zurek
Kali Zurek
Busted

Tags: Chris MyersKevin ReyesKali Zurek

Level: 17

Blinds: 3,000/6,000

Ante: 500