Level 42
: Blinds 1,500,000/3,000,000, 3,000,000 ante
Ramana Epparla
Ramana Epparla raised from under the gun to 6,000,000 and Robert Szumowski called from middle position. The blinds got out of the way and players went heads-up to the flop.
The board came Q♦8♠K♠ and Epparla made a continuation bet of 6,000,000. Szumowski made the call, taking them to a 10♠ turn.
Epparla bet out 12,000,000 and Szumowski took a moment before mucking their hand, giving over a large pot to Epparla.
Level 42
: Blinds 1,500,000/3,000,000, 3,000,000 ante
In 2003, the game of poker changed forever after Chris Moneymaker topped a field of 839 players to win the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event for $2.5 million. By doing so, the Moneymaker effect ignited the “Poker Boom,” which saw the tournament field triple the following year.
The 2004 Main Event was the last to be held at the birthplace of the WSOP – Binion’s Horseshoe in downtown Las Vegas. The venue was packed to the rafters with 2,576 players entering that year’s tournament, and with the ESPN cameras capturing all the action several poker players made a name for themselves that year including young guns David Williams and Josh Arieh, while 1995 WSOP Main Event champ Dan Harrington made history by following up his third-place finish in the 2003 WSOP Main Event by placing fourth in 2004 for $1.5 million.
However, when the dust settled it was a patent attorney from Connecticut by the name of Greg Raymer winning the whole thing for a smooth $5 million and a gold bracelet. While attempting to defend his title in 2005, which doubled from the year prior by attracting 5,619 players, Raymer proved his win was no fluke by making another deep run, ultimately falling in 25th place for $304,680.
It’s been 20 years since Raymer’s victory, but he hasn’t slowed down as he’s continued to play poker all across the globe. In recognition of Raymer’s anniversary, PokerNews caught up with the champ, who will be at the 2024 WSOP!
Level 41
: Blinds 1,300,000/2,500,000, 2,500,000 ante
Panagiotis Mavritsakis
After losing to Albyn Bello’s aces, Panagiotis Mavritsakis moved all in from under the gun five-handed. Lawrence Barber thought for a long time in the small blind, but then decided to fold. Juan Garibaldi also needed a minute before finally calling.
Panagiotis Mavritsakis: K♥7♣
Juan Garibaldi: 10♣8♠
Mavritsakis was ahead with king-high. The flop came 4♠5♦2♣.
The turn was the 4♥ and it was likely that Mavritsakis would double up.
Mavritsakis only had to dodge six outs, but the river 8♦ changed everything; it gave Garibaldi a pair and ended Mavritsakis’s tournament.
Level 41
: Blinds 1,300,000/2,500,000, 2,500,000 ante
Ricardo Lopez
Ricardo Lopez was in the hijack and moved all in for 12,300,000 and Lawrence Barber contemplated for awhile from the big blind as it would be a big chunk out of his stack but he made the call and got the ultimate river card.
Ricardo Lopez: Q♦10♦
Lawrence Barber: A♣4♣
The board was 5♣10♥5♦4♥4♠ and Barber hit his four for the full house.
