2023 World Series of Poker

Event #1: $500 Casino Employees
Day: 2
Event Info

2023 World Series of Poker

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
k10
Prize
$75,535
Event Info
Buy-in
$500
Prize Pool
$426,300
Entries
1,015
Level Info
Level
33
Blinds
150,000 / 300,000
Ante
300,000
Players Info - Day 2
Entries
89
Players Left
1

Level: 29

Blinds: 60,000/120,000

Ante: 120,000

McCormack Finds a Big Double

Level 28 : Blinds 50,000/100,000, 100,000 ante
Keith Mccormack
Keith Mccormack

James Urbanic opened to 250,000 from under the gun and action folded around to Keith McCormack who three-bet shoved for his remaining 1,100,000. Action folded back to Urbanic who called to put another player at risk.

Keith McCormack: AK
James Urbanic: AQ

The dealer put a queen in the window but fanned the board out to reveal a king right behind it. On a final board of 3KQJ4, McCormack secured a full double to move himself up in the chip counts.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of James Urbanic us
James Urbanic
4,500,000
-1,600,000
-1,600,000
Profile photo of Keith McCormack us
Keith McCormack
2,500,000
1,300,000
1,300,000

Tags: James UrbanicKeith McCormack

Blanchette Loves The Ladies

Level 28 : Blinds 50,000/100,000, 100,000 ante

Paul Blanchette went all-in in middle position before it folded around to Lisa Eckstein, on the button, who was purposeful in her counting of chips as she mulled over the decision. She eventually isolated her stack against Blanchette and the blinds folded.

Paul Blanchette: QQ

Lisa Eckstein: 77

The flop of A92 left Eckstein with only one out, which missed as the 5 and J rolled off in succession.

Shortly after, Eckstein won a three-way pot without showdown and recouped some chips to stay in contention.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Paul Blanchette us
Paul Blanchette
2,300,000
1,200,000
1,200,000
Profile photo of Lisa Eckstein us
Lisa Eckstein
1,800,000
-625,000
-625,000

Tags: Lisa EcksteinPaul Blanchette

5 Poker Tax Facts to Remember Heading into the 2023 WSOP

Level 28 : Blinds 50,000/100,000, 100,000 ante
cash bricks
cash bricks

The 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP) is less than a week away, and right now players are filled with high hopes. If all goes according to plan, they’ll head out to Las Vegas and make a poker fortune, but if you’re so fortunate, remember big scores come with big responsibilities, primarily taxes!

We asked our friends over at Kondler & Associates, the premier poker tax specialists, for things players may want to remember at the 2023 WSOP. President and Owner Ray Kondler, CPA, offered his expertise below.

If you would like to receive more information about their services or receive a free assessment, please visit our Kondler & Associates hub or call (702) 433-7075. You can also check out their booth at the 2023 WSOP.

Read Kondler & Associate's 5 Tax Tips Here!

Jiang Spikes a Seven on the River for a Full Double

Level 28 : Blinds 50,000/100,000, 100,000 ante
Bruce Jiang
Bruce Jiang

James Urbanic opened from early position to 200,000. Action folded around to Bruce Jiang in the cutoff who three-bet shoved for his remaining 1,100,000. Action folded back to Urbanic who called to create our first at risk player of the final table.

Bruce Jiang: 77
James Urbanic: 99

The flop of 566 was clean for Urbanic as was the 10, but the dealer burned and turned the 7 on the river and Jiang came from behind to secure a full double.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of James Urbanic us
James Urbanic
6,100,000
-570,000
-570,000
Profile photo of Bruce Jiang
Bruce Jiang
2,300,000
1,000,000
1,000,000

Tags: Bruce JiangJames Urbanic

Final Table Redraw

Level 28 : Blinds 50,000/100,000, 100,000 ante
TableSeatPlayerChip CountBig Blinds
Feature 21Mark Kawamoto110000014
Feature 22Lisa Eckstein242500030
Feature 23James Urbanic667000083
Feature 24Sean Balfour170000021
Feature 25Peter Thai533500067
Feature 26Joe Pavan210000026
Feature 27Benson Tam371000046
Feature 28Keith Mccormick120000015
Feature 29Bruce Jiang130000016
Feature 210Paul Blanchette110000014
Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of James Urbanic us
James Urbanic
6,670,000
1,820,000
1,820,000
Profile photo of Peter Thai us
Peter Thai
5,335,000
1,435,000
1,435,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Profile photo of Benson Tam us
Benson Tam
3,710,000
2,060,000
2,060,000
Day 1 Chip Leader
Profile photo of Lisa Eckstein us
Lisa Eckstein
2,425,000
-175,000
-175,000
Profile photo of Joe Pavan us
Joe Pavan
2,100,000
25,000
25,000
Profile photo of Sean Balfour ca
Sean Balfour
1,700,000
150,000
150,000
Profile photo of Bruce Jiang
Bruce Jiang
1,300,000
350,000
350,000
Profile photo of Keith McCormack us
Keith McCormack
1,200,000
-450,000
-450,000
Profile photo of Mark Kawamoto us
Mark Kawamoto
1,100,000
-900,000
-900,000
Profile photo of Paul Blanchette us
Paul Blanchette
1,100,000
450,000
450,000

Level: 28

Blinds: 50,000/100,000

Ante: 100,000

Michael McFadden Eliminated in 11th Place ($4,477)

Level 27 : Blinds 40,000/80,000, 80,000 ante
Michael Mcfadden
Michael Mcfadden

On a board of A278K, James Urbanic bet enough to put Michael McFadden all in, sending McFadden deep into the tank. Eventually, he decided to call it off for his tournament life and Urbanic announced, "Top two." with the AK.

McFadden knuckled the table and turned up the A6 and was sent to the rail in 11th place for $4,477 as Urbanic secures the chip lead headed into the final table.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Michael Mcfadden
Michael Mcfadden
Busted

Tags: James UrbanicMichael McFadden

Zaen Qatan Eliminated in 12th Place ($3,583)

Level 27 : Blinds 40,000/80,000, 80,000 ante
Zaen Qatan
Zaen Qatan

Facing a raise in late position from Zaen Qatan, James Urbanic three-bet from the small blind. Zaen Qatan then went all in for just under 2,000,000 in chips, which was quickly called by Urbanic.

Zaen Qatan: AK

James Urbanic: AA

Urbanic preemptively celebrated but did, indeed, have to sweat the board when the flop rolled the K8J.
However, the 6 on the turn and the 9 on the river catapult him into contention for the chiplead.

Zaen Qatan had the run of his life and did his best to remind PokerNews of his Iraqi heritage, proud that he could share this run with his family.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of James Urbanic us
James Urbanic
4,850,000
2,400,000
2,400,000
Profile photo of Zaen Qatan iq
Zaen Qatan
Busted

Tags: James UrbanicZaen Qatan

Carlton Fitzgerald Eliminated in 13th Place ($3,583)

Level 27 : Blinds 40,000/80,000, 80,000 ante
Joe Pava Carlton Fitzgerald Mario Romera
Joe Pava Carlton Fitzgerald Mario Romera

Action folded around to Zaen Qatan on the button who opened to 160,000. The small blind folded before Carlton Fitzgerald called out of the big blind to see a flop of 744.

Fitzgerald open-shoved for around 300,000 and Qatan snap-called to put Fitzgerald at risk.

Carlton Fitzgerald: K8
Zaen Qatan: AA

The turn and river of 9 and K weren't enough for Fitzgerald to come from behind and he was sent to the rail in 13th place for $3,583.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Zaen Qatan iq
Zaen Qatan
2,015,000
-85,000
-85,000
Profile photo of Carlton Fitzgerald
Carlton Fitzgerald
Busted

Tags: Carlton FitzgeraldZaen Qatan