Monday, November 6, 2023 2:37 AM Local Time
After the completion of 26 levels, Tournament Director Kevin Ferguson called an end to play and instructed the remaining players in the Choctaw WSOPC Main Event to bag for the day. The day started with 94 poker players, but by the end of the day, only 12 poker players remained, one of whom will become Choctaw’s newest (or repeat) champion.
As cards flew across the table and chips changed hands, slowly one by one the multiple WSOPC champions who made Day 2 were eliminated. Despite making incredibly deep runs, WSOPC Main Event champion Jared Ingles would be eliminated in 27th place along with Choctaw WSOPC Main Event champions Dustin Schoonover and Daniel Lowery, who finished in 22nd and 16th place respectively. While many past WSOPC Main Event champions were eliminated in Day 2, not only did previous champ Danny Marx bag for Day 3, but Choctaw’s reigning champion Harvey Castro (pictured below) did well as he ended the day with a 3,150,000 stack. Although Choctaw has seen Main Event champions win multiple titles, the venue has yet to see one go back-to-back. Will Castro make history? We will have to wait until tomorrow to see.
Perhaps the biggest obstacle to Castro’s back-to-back title bid is chip leader Bradley Ruben (pictured below). The four-time WSOP bracelet winner showcased his talents as he masterfully played through the whole day. Bagging a 7,835,000 chip stack, Ruben has more than 2 million chips compared to the second-biggest stack Kaleb Harwell (5,160,000). Although Ruben’s list of poker accolades is quite extensive, the poker pro has yet to win a WSOPC ring. With the stack and the skills needed to succeed on Day 3, we will see if Ruben goes the distance.
Here are the chip stacks of all 12 players who remain in the Choctaw WSOPC Main Event:
Bradley Ruben - 7,835,000
Kaleb Harwell - 5,160,000
Will Nguyen - 4,135,000
Danny Marx - 4,065,000
Phylis Blanton - 3,645,000
Harvey Castro - 3,150,000
David Diaz - 2,125,000
David Brashier - 1,950,000
Jim Carroll - 1,530,000
Brian Cathey - 1,530,000
Trey Nelson - 1,300,000
Nicholas Beecher - 945,000
Tomorrow starting at noon local time, Day 3 of the Choctaw WSOPC Main Event will begin and play down to a winner. Be sure to check back tomorrow for the latest updates on the WSOPC Main Event, and for even more coverage, bookmark instant.poker.org and follow us on Twitter (@pokerorg) as well as Instagram (@poker_org_)!Monday, November 6, 2023 1:03 AM Local Time
First-to-act six-handed, John Rubin moved all-in for his 465,000 remaining chips. Although Trey Nelson would call from the small blind, he would quickly fold after Kaleb Harwell moved all-in himself.
John Rubin:
Kaleb Harwell:
The Runout:
Unable to find a fifth spade, Rubin was eliminated in 13th place.
Kaleb Harwell - 5,160,000
John Rubin - Eliminated
Play ahs ended for the day and players are currently bagging, stay tuned for final chip counts and the end of day recap!
Monday, November 6, 2023 12:36 AM Local Time
*Action picked up on the flop*
On the flop, both Will Nguyen and Brad Ruben got both their stacks in with Ruben drawing to the nut straight.
Will Nguyen:
Brad Ruben:
With the arriving on fifth street, Nguyen, who had recently cracked Danny Marx's aces, could only say "It was nice while it lasted."
Brad Ruben now sits as our overall chip leader with 15 minutes to play.
Brad Ruben - 6,545,000
Will Nguyen - 3,800,000
Monday, November 6, 2023 12:26 AM Local Time
David Braghier raised 205,000 under-the-gun and was immediately three-bet by Danny Marx for 420,000. Folded to in the small blind, Will Nguyen four-bet 1,175,000 and was called only by Marx.
Flop:
Nguyen bet 825,000 and got the call.
Turn:
Nguyen, who was running out of chips, sized down with a 675,000 bet. Marx called.
River:
After contemplating for some time, Nguyen pushed his 675,000 remaining chips across the line and was snapped called by Marx.
Nguyen:
Marx:
Having turned a set to crack Marx's pocket rockets, Nguyen gained another huge pot and took a chunk out of the chip leader.
Will Nguyen - 3,350,000
Danny Marx - 4,475,000
Monday, November 6, 2023 12:06 AM Local Time
Will Nguyen raised 175,000 from the hijack and was met with a 425,000 three-bet from Brian Cathey in the small blind. Nguyen called making it heads-up heading to the flop.
Flop:
Both players checked.
Turn:
Cathey led out with a 750 bet. Nguyen tanked for some time. before moving all-in for his 1,290,000 remaining chips. Cathey snap called, only to see he was behind.
Nguyen:
Cathey:
The was of now help to Cathey, whose stack had been greatly depleted.
Will Nguyen - 3,005,000
Brian Cathey - 1,400,000
Sunday, November 5, 2023 11:53 PM Local Time
Level: 26
Blinds: 40,000/80,000
Ante: 80,000
Sunday, November 5, 2023 11:53 PM Local Time
Play has resumed in the Choctaw WSOPC Main Event. It is now level 26, with blinds increasing to 40,000/80,000 with a 80,000 big blind ante.
Play will continue for one more hour, and then players will bag for the day.
Sunday, November 5, 2023 11:37 PM Local Time
The 13 remaining players in the WSOPC Main Event have just left for their final 15-minute break of the day.
Once action resumes, players will play one more level before bagging for the evening.
Sunday, November 5, 2023 11:18 PM Local Time
It has been some time before a player has been eliminated from the Choctaw WSOPC Main Event. While players continue to attempt to outplay one another, no significant pots or hands have taken place.
Stay tuned to catch the next big hand that takes place here in the Grand Theater.
Sunday, November 5, 2023 10:49 PM Local Time
Trey Nelson raised under-the-gun, and when action folded to Brian Green in the small blind the WSOP bracelet winner moved all-in. Nelson snap called, and was ahead.
Brian Green:
Trey Nelson:
The Runout:
With the better kicker, Nelson eliminated Green from the tournament.
Trey Nelson - 3,125,000
Brian Green - Eliminated
Sunday, November 5, 2023 10:38 PM Local Time
Level: 25
Blinds: 30,000/60,000
Ante: 60,000
Sunday, November 5, 2023 10:34 PM Local Time
Moving all-in for his short stack in middle position, Young Ki Choi would need some help after Danny Marx shoved himself in the small blind.
Young Ki Choi:
Danny Marx: [Q]
Unable to pull ahead of the WSOPC Main Event champ, Choi was eliminated in 15th place.
Danny Marx - 6,120,000
Young Ki Choi - Eliminated
Sunday, November 5, 2023 10:27 PM Local Time
*Action picked up on the flop*
Both Daniel Lowery and Jim Carroll would get it all-in on the flop. Holding to Carroll's , Lowery was ahead until the arrived on the river, eliminating him in 16th place.
Jim Carroll - 2,225,000
Daniel Lowery - Eliminated
Sunday, November 5, 2023 10:20 PM Local Time
Table 1:
Jim Carroll - 975,000
Brian Green - 855,000
Phylis Blanton - 2,195,000
David Diaz - 1,165,000
Cord Garcia - 2,235,000
Daniel Lowery - 810,000
Trey Nelson - 3,050,000
Kaleb Harwell - 2,405,000
John Rubin - 845,000
Table 2:
Will Nguyen - 1,250,000
Young "Yuki" Choi - 1,005,000
Harvey Castro - 3,100,000
David Braghier - 2,075,000
Danny Marx - 5,120,000
Rania Nasreddine - 1,280,000
Brian Cathey - 2,310,000
Brad Ruben - 4,135,000
Nicholas Beecher - 2,550,000
Sunday, November 5, 2023 9:54 PM Local Time
Under-the-gun with a small stack, Ernest Yurasits picked his spot and moved all-in for his 210,000 remaining stack. Phylis Blanton called in the hijack, but when action folded to Harvey Castro in the small blind the young poker player thought for some time before raising it up to 800,000. Blanton contemplated the call, but evenutally folded.
Yurasits:
Castro:
The Runout:
Unable to overcome Castro's pocket tens, Yurasits was eliminated in 19th place.
Harvey Castro - 3,100,000
Ernest Yurasits - Eliminated
Players are now redrawing for the final two tables. Stay tuned for an update on seat assignments and chip stacks!
Sunday, November 5, 2023 9:41 PM Local Time
Folded to in the small blind, Wayne Harmon raised 150,000 and got the call from Danny Marx in the big blind.
Flop:
Harmon bet 250,000 and was raised all-in by Marx. Harmon let out a sigh before making the call.
Harmon:
Marx:
Turn:
River:
Despite having all the draws, Harmon could not get there and was eliminated in 20th place. After the elimination of one more player, players will redraw for new seats.
Danny Marx - 7,650,000
Wayne Harmon - Eliminated
Sunday, November 5, 2023 9:32 PM Local Time
Level: 24
Blinds: 25,000/50,000
Ante: 50,000
Sunday, November 5, 2023 9:32 PM Local Time
Cards are back in the air in the Circuit Main Event. It is now level 24 with blinds at 25,000/50,000 with a 50,000 big blind ante.
Sunday, November 5, 2023 9:18 PM Local Time
The 20 remaining players in the Choctaw WSOPC Main Event are now on break. Play will resume at level 24 with blinds increasing to 25,000/50,000.
Once we reach 18 players, there will be a table redraw. Stay tuned to see who reaches the final two tables!
Sunday, November 5, 2023 9:00 PM Local Time
Folded to on the button, Nicholas Beecher raised and got calls from both Harvey Castro and Daniel Lowery respectively.
Flop:
Checked to, Beecher bet 125,000 and was called only by Lowery.
Turn:
Lowery checked, and Beecher contemplated his decision.
"How much do you have?" Beecher asked.
Lowery silently looked at Beecher, and dropped the two, blue 25,000 chips he was holding on front of his stack, as he staired stoically at the young play. Beecher eventually checked.
River:
Lowery bet 250,000 and got the call from Beecher.
Lowery flipped over . Looking at his opponent's hand Beecher asked "just a jack?" before enthusiastically tabling .
Nicholas Beecher - 2,050,000
Daniel Lowery - 500,000