Event #7: $365 No-Limit Hold'em Six-Max

Event #7
No-Limit Hold’em Six-Handed
Buy-In: $300 (+$65)
Total Entries: 115
Prize Pool: $34,500
September 22-23, 2015

Florida pro honors the memory of one of the game’s best gone too soon, wins first Circuit ring and $10,351 in six-max event.

West Palm Beach, Fla. (September 23, 2015) — Robert “Bobby” Hodson honored the memory of his late friend Chad “lilholdem954” Batista the best way he knew how Wednesday at the Palm Beach Kennel Club. Hodson, a Florida pro, won Event #7 at the WSOP Circuit, dedicating the victory to Batista and joining him in the fraternity of WSOP Circuit ring holders. Batista passed away unexpectedly last month sending a ripple through the poker community that’s still very much at the forefront of many players' mind.

Hodson met Batista, who’s commonly recognized as one of the first online superstars, in 2008 following some success on the virtual felt. They exchanged messages back and forth and Batista encouraged Hodson to make a visit to his house. Without even knowing eachother, the pair clicked right away. At first it was primarily strategy talk, but over time it formed into a close friendship.

“He was a down to earth, really good guy,” an emotional Hodson remembered. “He was just so far advanced online […] He showed me multiple different ways to win; how to close, how to be aggressive, how to tighten up when I have to. I started having some big wins after that. A lot of my early online success, I give a lot of props to Chad. [Online poker] was his thing and he was the best for a long time.”

Hodson shared memories of his friend that included a week-long trip to Las Vegas in which Batista rented a Bentley. Hodson described him as extravagant, flashy, funny and a great guy. He mentioned how much Batista loved his dogs, Bluff and Gamble, and even offered to take them in after Batista’s passing.

Over the past few weeks, Hodson has used poker as a way to remember his friend. He entered Event #7 at PBKC with a heavy heart having been unable to finish it off in Event #1 just a few days ago, busting fourth. Hodson exchanged messages with Batista’s aunt and told her the second go around would be different. He took his seat on Day 2 Wednesday leading the final seven players and felt a newfound calm and confidence that helped propel him to victory.

“I honestly felt Chad was watching over my shoulder this tournament. I just had this presence there,” Hodson said. “In my head, Chad would say ‘Click it back there, man. Just click it back.’ I wouldn’t want to click it back, but in my head he said click it back and I clicked it back. What do you know, the guy mucked. [I wanted to] use my stack — as Chad would always do — against bigger stacks as some leverage because they don’t want to bust either and they don’t want to tango with me either.”

Even in his absence, Batista’s wisdom and confidence in Hodson shone through brighter than anything else Wednesday at the PBKC. Hodson channeled the years of strategy talk, camaraderie and so much more, and used it to join Batista in the Circuit winner’s circle.

“I really feel like [Chad’s] happy right now. I know he’s in peace and in a much better place and that makes me happy,” Hodson said in closing.

Hodson is 32 years old and resides in nearby Jupiter, Fla. His Event #7 victory marks his fifth Circuit cash and first gold ring win.

Event #7 was the seventh of 12 gold ring events on the WSOP Circuit schedule at the Palm Beach Kennel Club. The $365 no-limit hold’em six-handed event attracted 115 players. The total prize pool came to $34,500 and the top 12 finishers were paid.

The tournament began Tuesday, September 22 at noon and Day 1 wrapped midway through Level 18 at the unofficial final table (at about 12 a.m.). Day 2 resumed Wednesday at 1 p.m. and action concluded toward the middle of Level 22 (at about 4:30 p.m.).

Final results:

1st: Robert “Bobby” Hodson - $10,351 + Circuit gold ring
2nd: Ron Esmann - $6,397
3rd: John Barrientes - $4,594
4th: Bryce McVay - $3,316
5th: Michelle Shah - $2,396
6th: Brett Bader - $1,736
7th: Donovan Bragg - $1,262
8th: John Vale - $1,262
9th: Christopher Staats - $920
10th: Eric Brewster - $920
11th: Earl Gallegos - $673
12th: Diosdad Icawat - $673

Robert "Bobby" Hodson is a few steps closer to earning his first career Circuit gold ring following a solid start to Day 2 play. Much like he was a few hours ago, Hodson is out in front of the final three players with the tournament's $10,351 top prize on the line. He claims 607,000 chips, good for more than half those in play.

Players are currently on their second 15-minute break of the day. Here's a look at where the final table stands:

Three-handed chip counts

Robert Hodson - 607,000 (50 bb)
John Barrientes - 278,000 (23 bb)
Ron Esmann - 271,000 (22 bb)

Remaining payouts

1st - $10,351 + Circuit gold ring
2nd - $6,397
3rd - $4,594

Updated results

4th: Bryce McVay - $3,316
5th: Michelle Shah - $2,396
6th: Brett Bader - $1,736
7th: Donovan Bragg - $1,262
8th: John Vale - $1,262
9th: Christopher Staats - $920
10th: Eric Brewster - $920
11th: Earl Gallegos - $673
12th: Diosdad Icawat - $673

John Vale of Plant City, Fla. leads the Casino Championship points race at the Palm Beach Kennel Club as of Wednesday morning. Vale followed up his first gold ring victory in Event #4 with an eighth-place finish in Event #7 (which is set to conclude today) for a total of 67.5 points through six days of play. Hot on his trail are Event #5 winner Cody Pack with 60 points and Christopher Staats who's logged three cashes this series totaling 55 points.

Top 10 point earners as of Wednesday morning:

1. John Vale - 67.5 points
2. Cody Pack - 60
3. Christopher Staats - 55
4. Jonathan Abla - 50
5. Joshua Beckley - 50
6. Mark Smith - 50
7. Matthew Ezrol - 50
8. Raymond Ruszkowski - 37.5
9. Aric Pluskat - 37.5
10. Joseph Patalano - 37.5

COMPLETE POINTS STANDINGS AVAILABLE ON WSOP.COM

Vale's lead is in jeopardy here on Day 7 of the PBKC series as he needs to fade a runner-up finish or better from Robert Hodson in Event #7. Hodson begins the Event #7 restart holding the chip lead with seven players remaining.

The player who earns the most points throughout the PBKC's 12 gold ring events earns the title Casino Champion and wins an automatic berth in the WSOP Global Casino Championship. There, they'll compete for a guaranteed seven-figure prize pool as well as a WSOP gold bracelet.

More information on the season-ending event is available on WSOP.com.

Players in the $365 six-max tournament are in the midst of their one-hour dinner break. Cards go back in the air at roughly 7:45 p.m. ET. The clock currently reads 24 remaining with just the top 12 finishing in the money.

Cards are in the air for Day 1 of Event #7, a $365 six-max tournament. Here's a look at how the two-day event will play out:

Noon - Event #7: $365 Six-Max - Day 1

-$365 buy-in gets players 10,000 chips
-Blinds begin at 25/50
-Registration remains open through Level 6 (until about 3:30 p.m.)
-A one-hour dinner break occurs after Level 12 (at about 6:45 p.m.)
-Day 1 concludes after Level 21 (at about 2:15 a.m.)
-Levels 1-12 are 30 minutes, Levels 13-21 are 40 minutes, all remaining levels are 50 minutes
-Advancing players return for Day 2 Wednesday at 2 p.m

We will touch base with you again once registration closes and the prize pool is finalized.