WPT Venice; Genting Poker Series Newcastle Result

WPT Venice Recap

A blanket of white snow might be conducive to a thrilling ride down a steep hill, but for a deep ride in a poker tournament it’s much more of a hindrance.

Thanks to many parts of the UK and Europe suffering from an uncharacteristically cold snap, many pros struggled to make it to the WPT’s latest event in Venice.

Yesterday’s opening day attracted 65 players, but what the event lacked in numbers it certainly made up for in quality. Indeed, throughout the day a number of recognisable pros hit that rail, leaving just 33 players left at the close of play.

However, while the likes of Martin Staszko and Ludovic Lacay hit the rail, Marvin Rettenmaier and Mike Sexton thrived. The WPT stalwarts climbed to second and third on the chip chart, but when the action ceased it was Stephen Behm who finished on top.

The amateur player admitted that the session was “a bit of a blur”, but when the final counts were in he was the owner of 188,000 chips.

Today’s session has already welcomed 65 players, including re-entries Martin Staszko and Galle Baumann, as well as Galen Hall and Dario Alioto.

For a look at the GPI stats of those involved in Day 1A click here and for  live updates click here.

Biessek Knows the Numbers in Newcastle

Ellie Biessek, a maths teacher from Poland, schooled her opponents in the latest incarnation of the Genting Poker Series.

Taking place over the weekend inside Genting’s Newcastle property, 400 was the magic number as that was both the value of the entry fee in pounds and the number of players who took to the felt.

Amongst those on display were British circuit regulars Daiva Barauskaite, Jeff Kimber and Keith Hawkins, but when the final chips had fallen it was Biessek who stood the tallest.

Having ousted Jamie Rutherford in the final throws of the tournaments, Biessek commented after her victory:

“I am absolutely thrilled, very happy indeed. I didn’t get Aces or Queens once during the whole tournament, but I ground it out. As a mathematician I am fascinated by numbers, and that is why I love teaching and poker.”

1. £38,750 – Ellie Biessek

2. £25,600 – Jamie Rutherford

3. £19,010 – George Clyde-Smith

4. £14,880 – Dan Woodford

5. £11,840 – Jimmy Charlton

6. £ 8,960 – Jonathan Gill

7. £ 6,400 – Wadey

8. £ 4,320 – Dom Mahoney

9. £ 2,720 – Dan Hemmingway