With 70 points and three events left to go in the Casino Championship points race at Harrah’s Philadelphia, Peter Ippolito was cautiously optimistic about his prospects for winning his seat to the 2013 WSOP National Championship sponsored by Southern Comfort 100 proof.
However by the time play got down to the final two tables in Event 11, Ippolito’s cautious optimism had turned to angst because seated among the final 18 was Chris Reslock, a 65-year-old poker veteran from Atlantic City.
Reslock, who had won his fifth Circuit gold ring this past March at Caesars Atlantic City, had arrived to Harrah’s Philadelphia just a few days prior and immediately began making waves, winning Event 6 to tie Alex Masek in all-time Circuit win standings. Now, Ippolito could only sit back and watch while player after player hit the rail in Event 11 as Chris Reslock increased his chip lead.
Once play got down to the Final Table, Ippolito had resolved to accept his fate as the runner-up in the points race and exited the tournament area.
Back at the Final Table, Reslock proceeded to make short work out of his remaining opponents and within two short hours, he had accomplished a laundry list of feats: Winning his third gold ring in three months, winning his second gold ring of the series, breaking the all-time record previously held by Alex Masek and running away with the Casino Champion points lead at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
Reslock is a long-time WSOP veteran who won his first WSOP Circuit gold ring in the 2005 WSOP Circuit Main Event at Showboat Atlantic City. In addition to his seven rings, he is also a WSOP bracelet champion, having won the $10,000 Seven Card Stud World championship at the 2007 World Series of Poker. One of the less visible poker pros out there, Reslock is one guy who truly lets the cards do his talking and will be a force to contend with this May at the National Championship.
The 2013 WSOP National Championship Presented by Southern Comfort 100 Proof takes place at Harrah's New Orleans May 22-24. The top 100 qualifiers from the WSOP Circuit as well as many as 100 of the top WSOP Player of the Year Qualifiers will compete for as much as $2 million in prizes and a WSOP gold bracelet. The one-of-a-kind event will be filmed for ESPN.
All National Championship qualifiers receive complimentary hotels stays May 21 and 22 if they RSVP in advance to Daniel Vogel ([email protected]).
All players who qualify by April 22 must RSVP by April 30 to take advantage of this opportunity. Those who qualify after April 22 will be contacted by WSOP staff to coordinate hotel stays.
Any player who remains in the National Championship field May 23 or 24 will have their stays extended by the WSOP. Those who fail to RSVP at all or by the deadline will be responsible for their own accommodations. Players are encouraged to stay in contact with Vogel.
More information available on WSOP.com.