2017 World Series of Poker

Event #19: THE GIANT - $365 No-Limit Hold'em
Day: 1b
Event Info

2017 World Series of Poker

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
k4
Prize
$291,240
Event Info
Buy-in
$365
Prize Pool
$3,004,500
Entries
10,015
Level Info
Level
39
Blinds
1,500,000 / 3,000,000
Ante
500,000

From Fanboy to a WSOP Player

Level 5 : 200/400, 50 ante

Ever since he started playing poker, he's been dreaming about playing at the World Series of Poker. Watching the videos and live reports, Vitezslav Cech was a true WSOP fanboy.

While many young kids hope to make it far in poker, not everyone meets their skills with luck to make their dream come true. While Cech tried to push his dream, his chances didn't look that big three years ago.

From Prague, Czech Republic, Cech was working in Starbucks, and played poker to seize a nice addition to his small salary from a daily job. Then he quit and decided to make a step further, pursue his poker career.

But he was unable to make his big breakthrough until last year. Back in May 2016, Cech scored a big prize in one of the 888poker major tournaments. That helped him gain traction. His confidence grew, the stress about having enough money to pay checks faded away. Suddenly, the doors were open for Cech.

The remaining part of 2016 was fantastic for Cech, who was riding his wave of success, increasing his bankroll. Money was no longer an issue, but there had been one other factor preventing Cech from playing at the WSOP: the Atlantic Ocean.

Cech isn't a frequent flyer, and he doesn't enjoy flying much. Scared of this type of transport, flying the endless hours from Prague to Las Vegas was a tough hurdle for him.

But, he's now here, after experiencing his first-ever long-haul flight. Cech is still a fanboy, but now also one of those who are trying to win a bracelet. As one would expect, he's wearing a WSOP cap today. "It's amazing to be playing poker here with such a crowd. You breathe the true poker atmosphere," Cech said.

He's in for The Giant, and he'll be in for many more as he's set to grind nearly the full summer in Las Vegas.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Vitezslav Cech cz
Vitezslav Cech
17,000
-3,000
-3,000

Tags: Vitezslav Cech

Level: 6

Blinds: 300/600

Ante: 75

J C Chamberlain Four-Bets From the Blinds

Level 6 : 300/600, 75 ante

Ylon Schwartz has now reentered and, when a player raised to 600 from under the gun, Schwartz three-bet to 1,500.

The player on the button called but J C Chamberlain broke out the four-bet squeeze play from the small blind with a bet of 5,400.

One by one, the other players folded and Chamberlain collected the pot preflop.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of J C Chamberlain
J C Chamberlain
42,000
42,000
42,000
Profile photo of Ylon Schwartz us
Ylon Schwartz
18,500
15,100
15,100
WSOP 1X Winner

Tags: J C ChamberlainYlon Schwartz

Rory Henton Keeps Powder Dry

Level 6 : 300/600, 75 ante

The day started so promisingly for Rory Henton, winning a few early pots and getting dealt good cards is just a great feeling in poker and he was loving his World Series of Poker adventure.

Unfortunately, it has come to a premature end for Henton and he was walking away from the table after being eliminated. He still had a smile on his face and told PokerNews he was not planning to rebuy at this time.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Rory Henton
Rory Henton
Busted

Tags: Rory Henton

Walk of Fame

Level 6 : 300/600, 75 ante

Some more famous faces from The Giant.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Jan Nakladal cz
Jan Nakladal
75,000
55,000
55,000
Profile photo of Joe McKeehen us
Joe McKeehen
38,000
WSOP Main Event Champion
WSOP 3X Winner
Profile photo of Eric Baldwin us
Eric Baldwin
20,000
WSOP 2X Winner
Profile photo of Valentin Vornicu us
Valentin Vornicu
20,000
Profile photo of Will Failla us
Will Failla
20,000
Profile photo of Jonathan Tamayo us
Jonathan Tamayo
20,000
WSOP Main Event Champion
WSOP 1X Winner
Chip Leader Coaching
Profile photo of Michael Hahn us
Michael Hahn
20,000
Profile photo of Mike Dentale us
Mike Dentale
20,000
Profile photo of Dara O'Kearney ie
Dara O'Kearney
20,000
2,500
2,500
Profile photo of Aditya Agarwal in
Aditya Agarwal
20,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Profile photo of Zal Irani us
Zal Irani
20,000
Profile photo of Phil Laak us
Phil Laak
20,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Profile photo of David Gonia us
David Gonia
20,000
Profile photo of Vinny Pahuja us
Vinny Pahuja
20,000
Profile photo of Peter Eichhardt se
Peter Eichhardt
20,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Profile photo of Roland Israelishvili us
Roland Israelishvili
20,000
Profile photo of Tom Franklin us
Tom Franklin
20,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Profile photo of Kathy Liebert us
Kathy Liebert
20,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Profile photo of Nick Palma us
Nick Palma
20,000

Tags: Valentin VornicuJoe McKeehenWill FaillaVinny PahujaAditya AgarwalPhil LaakNick Palma

Poker Princess Sprinkles Some Magic

Level 6 : 300/600, 75 ante

There was an open and a three-bet before Kristen Doyle 'Poker Princess' min-raised and a player called Manny P moved all in.

The other players folded but Doyle said she was ready to gamble.

Kristen Doyle: {a-Spades}{k-Clubs}
Manny P: {k-Diamonds}{k-Hearts}

The flop of {10-Diamonds}{q-Spades}{j-Diamonds} gave Doyle Broadway straight and the turn {5-Clubs} and river {4-Spades} couldn’t rescue Manny’s Cowboys.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Kristen Doyle us
Kristen Doyle
72,000
72,000
72,000

Tags: Kristen Doyle

Level: 7

Blinds: 400/800

Ante: 100

Nathan Manuel Vs Matt Affleck

Level 7 : 400/800, 100 ante

Nathan “Jimmie’s Boss” Manuel opened the action from early position for 1,900 and got a call from Matt Affleck sitting in the big blind.

The flop was {4-Clubs}{a-Hearts}{3-Clubs} and Affleck check-called a bet of 2,000.

The turn card was the {a-Spades} and got checked around on the river {3-Hearts} Affleck led out for3,000.

Manuel didn’t look too delighted with that development and surrendered the hand without too much damage done.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Matt Affleck us
Matt Affleck
50,000
30,000
30,000
Profile photo of Nathan Manuel us
Nathan Manuel
29,000

Tags: Matt AffleckNathan Manuel