WSOPC and WPT Updates, WPT Raised $725K for Charity

WSOPC Lac-Leamy Underway

The World Series of Poker Circuit was in Gatineau for some Canadian gold ring action, and the Casino Lac-Learny was the host of the festivities that began on November 13.

Early events have all gone to the Canadians. The early winners of the NLHE preliminary tournaments were Aila Elouta, Andrej Markonivoniv, Marc Carpentier-Perrault, Andre-Paul Baillargeon-Smith, Nicola Basile, and Garabet Dokmajian.

The $1,675 NLHE Main Event began on November 19 with the first starting flight. There were 163 players, out of which only 85 survived to bag some chips. Francine Cousineau was the leader of the pack with 103K. The second of three flights was cancelled due to a lack of participation, but the third (on the following day) brought in more players, though registration remained open. Day 1C ended with 100 players and Jason Sagle atop the leaderboard with 106K chips.

The complete prize pool and field size will be available after the first two levels of Day 2 on November 21.

WPT Caribbean Begins

The World Poker Tour just finished its stop in Florida, and the next one at the Casino Royale in St. Maarten began. The Caribbean resort at Maho Bay began on November 19 with its $3,500 buy-in Main Event.

The first day of action brought in 75 players, though only 45 made it through the night. Marvin Rettenmaier was the leader of those players with 104,400 chips.

Registration was open on the second day through the end of the sixth level, and the clock showed 103 entries for the day at the beginning of Level 6. Play was set to continue for several more levels, at which point the field would be set and prize pool announced.

WPT Foundation Raises Funds for Children’s Hospital

Last Friday’s charity tournament was a very successful one. The WPT Foundation All In for Kids teamed up with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York City to raise money for the hospital’s Palliative Care Program. It was filmed for a World Poker Tour episode on FSN.

More than $725K was raised through the festivities, which were hosted by Phil Hellmuth. Honorary Chair Dan Shak won the tournament, with George Papadopoulos coming in second and Hellmuth’s father finishing third. Others who attended included actor JD Williams, NFL players Justin Pugh and Jeremy Maclin, and poker pros Vanessa Selbst, Mike Sexton, and Andy Frankenberger.