Updates for WSOPC NOLA and HPT Commerce, Eriquezzo Parx Disqualification

WSOPC New Orleans Main Event in the Money

The World Series of Poker Circuit was in New Orleans, Louisiana at Harrah’s for its last series stop of the 2013/2014 season. With the preliminary events nearly over, the $1,675 NLHE Main Event started on May 16.

Day 1A attracted 252 players, and another 305 entries came in on Day 1B to bring the tournament total to 557. The prize pool was set at $835,500, and the top 63 players were going to be paid. More than $175K was reserved for the winner.

Day 2 brought back 111 players with Mark Dube as the overall chip leader. Aaron Overton exited on the bubble, courtesy of Eric Blair. Dube made his departure from the Main Event later, as did Maurice Hawkins and Rex Clinkscales.

Only 28 players remained at the dinner break.

HPT Commerce Underway

The Heartland Poker Tour was in Los Angeles for its latest event at the Commerce Casino. The tournament started on May 15 with three flights.

When the totals were in, it showed 584 entries in the tournament and a prize pool big enough to pay the top 72 finishers and give the winner $160,060.

Play on Day 2 began with 136 survivors and played through to the money, at which point Candace Collins was eliminated by Jasmine Oh on the bubble. The players were then guaranteed at least $2,630, and play continued.

Ryan Eriquezzo Disqualified from Parx Main Event

Parx Casino in Pennsylvania hosted its Big Stax VI series, and the highlight was the Big Stax $1,500 Main Event, which got underway on May 16. The tournament drew a total of 311 entries and a $442,505 prize pool.

One of those players was Ryan Eriquezzo. He tweeted over the weekend that he had a tough time losing AA to QQ all-in preflop for a 200-big blind pot. “Standard,” he wrote. “Crumbs.”

Shortly after, he relayed this action: “Just had my stack taken out of play on PARX main event for crumbling my cards after taking a 200/bb beat. Had 85K left.” He then added, “Thanks to all the scumbags at @parxpokerroom for an awesome event.”

Ryan claimed that someone else in the series did the same and received a one-orbit penalty, whereas Ryan was disqualified from the tournament. He claimed, “I wasn’t disrespectful to any of the staff until I returned and was informed that my chips had been taken off table.”

Others disagreed, however, stating that Ryan was abusive to the dealer, floor, and threatened to “blowtorch the place.”

Parx poker room ambassador Matthew Glantz tweeted a note to players: “It’s real simple guys. Respect the room. Respect the players. Respect the staff. You will never have any issues.”