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

Homick Can Hit a Bad Beat, but He Can't Lay One

Level 13 : 1,200/2,400, 300 ante

Charlie Homick was recently eliminated from the tournament, but we're guessing he wasn't too disappointed. In fact, we'd be willing to bet he's still riding the high he caught from recently hitting the Bad Beat Jackpot in the poker room here at Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel, a feat that earned him $36,000.

In Homick's last hand here in Event #10, he got his last 20,000 or so all in preflop and was at risk against Budwey Salhab.

Salhab: {a-Diamonds}{7-Spades}
Homick: {k-Hearts}{7-Clubs}

It was a bad spot for Homick as he shared a seven with Salhab, but held an inferior kicker. As fate would have it, the kicker made the difference too after the board ran out {q-Hearts}{4-Spades}{5-Spades}{10-Clubs}{4-Diamonds}.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Budwey Salhab us
Budwey Salhab
70,000
15,000
15,000
Profile photo of Charlie Homick
Charlie Homick
Busted

Tags: Charlie HomickBudwey Salhab

Level: 13

Blinds: 1,200/2,400

Ante: 300

"Oh My God"

Level 12 : 1,000/2,000, 300 ante
Sharman Olshan
Sharman Olshan

Budwey Salhab opened the action for 4,200 and was met by an all-in three-bet to 14,800 by Sharman Olshan. The rest of the field folded, and Salhab thought for a bit before making a reluctant call.

Olshan: {j-Spades}{j-Clubs}
Salhab: {10-Diamonds}{7-Diamonds}

"Oh my god," was all Olshan could say when the {4-Diamonds}{10-Spades}{10-Hearts} flop delivered Salhab trips. The table erupted in disbelief as well, and then Olshan watched helplessly as a {7-} blanked on the turn followed by the {9-Clubs} on the river.

"No problem," Olshan said before making a gracious exit from the tournament.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Budwey Salhab us
Budwey Salhab
55,000
15,000
15,000
Profile photo of Sharman Olshan us
Sharman Olshan
Busted

Tags: Sharman OlshanBudwey Salhab

Level: 12

Blinds: 1,000/2,000

Ante: 300

Johnson Eliminates Nuss to Crack 100K

Level 10 : 600/1,200, 200 ante
George Johnson
George Johnson

Eric Nuss opened for 3,900 from early position and received a call from George Johnson to his immediate left. When action reached Nicholas Walker in the big blind, he three-bet to 8,500, both his opponents called, and then all three players checked the {2-Hearts}{a-Diamonds}{3-Spades} flop.

After the dealer burned and turned the {10-Diamonds}, Walker and Nuss both checked and Johnson casually tossed out two yellow T5,000 chips. Walker reluctantly tossed his hand to the muck, and Nuss hit the tank. Eventually he decided to move all in for 5,400 more, and Johnson called.

Johnson: {q-Diamonds}{q-Spades}
Nuss: {9-Diamonds}{9-Spades}

Walker couldn't believe it and claimed to have folded pocket kings. As it was, Johnson was well out in front and just needed to dodge a nine on the river to eliminate Nuss. The {8-Clubs} was close, but not what Nuss needed.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of George Johnson
George Johnson
100,000
41,000
41,000
Profile photo of Nicholas Walker us
Nicholas Walker
48,000
-2,000
-2,000
Profile photo of Eric Nuss ca
Eric Nuss
Busted

Tags: George JohnsonNicholas Walker

Bartolotta Coolered by Thomas

Level 10 : 600/1,200, 200 ante
Cam Bartolotta
Cam Bartolotta

We noticed Cam Bartolotta exiting the tournament area and asked how he was eliminated. According to him, he and Travell Thomas saw a jack-high flop with two hearts, and Bartolotta got his remaining chips in with with {K-Hearts}{J-Hearts} against Thomas' {A-Hearts}{Q-Hearts}. Thomas put a stranglehold on the hand when the {Q-Clubs} hit the turn, and he improved even further with the {4-Hearts} on the river. Bartolotta's second nut flush was second best, ending his tournament.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Travell Thomas
Travell Thomas
62,000
33,000
33,000
Profile photo of Cameron Bartolotta
Cameron Bartolotta
Busted

Tags: 2014 Western New York Poker ChallengeCameron BartolottaTravell Thomas

Shavensky Halted

Level 10 : 600/1,200, 200 ante
Shavensky in Event #3
Shavensky in Event #3

Action folded around to Mike Shavensky in the cutoff, and he moved all in for 11,400. Andy Spears thought for a moment before folding, and the player in the small blind immediately re-shoved for 15,200. The big blind tank-folded, and the cards were turned up.

Shavensky: {4-Clubs}{3-Spades}
Small Blind: {10-Hearts}{10-Spades}

Shavensky's steal attempt was picked off, and he was unable to improve on the {A-Clubs}{6-Diamonds}{4-Diamonds}{K-Spades}{2-Diamonds} board.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Mike Shavensky
Mike Shavensky
Busted

Tags: 2014 Western New York Poker Challenge