Tuesday, December 8, 2015 2:25 PM Local Time
Congratulations to Stuart Pfeifer, Winner of $365 No Limit Hold'em Re-Entry ($55,110)
Stuart Pfeifer Takes Down Ring in Massive Re-Entry Field
Former Los Angeles Times reporter earns first major tournament win, scoring $55,110 and a Circuit ring in the $365 No Limit Hold’em Re-Entry.
Los Angeles, CA. (December 8, 2015) — Countless hours of studying and learning the game has paid off for Stuart Pfeifer. Pfeifer takes home his first World Series of Poker Circuit ring and $55,110 after topping 1,000 players in the $365 No Limit Hold’em Re-Entry at the Bicycle Casino on Tuesday afternoon.
Pfeifer had some trouble controlling his emotions after the final card was dealt, admitting that he’s been working towards this moment for quite some time.
“The emotion that I’m feeling has to do with the amount of work that I’ve put into this game seriously for like the last five years,” he said after his win. “I fall asleep most nights watching training videos, I belong to a poker study group that includes some of the best players in Los Angeles, I’ve read virtually every poker book you can imagine, and I’ve spent countless hours going over hands with my best friends and all of that work culminating in this ring, it almost became too much for me to handle.”
The score couldn’t have come at a better time for the 51-year-old Southern California native. He had been a reporter in the business section of the Los Angeles Times for 15 years before recently accepting a buy-out.
“The newspaper business is struggling,” said Pfeifer. “I went ahead and took the buy-out. With the month of the December being off, I’ve decided to devote this whole month to playing the whole series at the Bike. It’s worked out unbelievably.”
Pfeifer has found a job in public relations, so he won’t be turning to poker full-time, but he does have a big expense coming up that this money will help out with – a wedding. He is currently engaged and set to be married on Decmeber 19th.
“I’m so happy at this time of my life,” said Pfeifer. “Starting a new career, getting married and winning my first significant poker tournament. I just couldn’t ask for more.”
While Pfeifer admits to have put in the work to improve his game, he knows he didn’t get here alone. He credits some of his success to having the right players around him.
Nipun Java, who finished third in this very event was a mentor to him and eight-time ring winner Alex Masek coached him.
“I’d like to thank all of my friends who have patiently listened to my hand histories through the years and helped me develop into the player I am today.”
Day 2 ended with just three players left and Pfeifer came into the final day with a massive chip lead for the start of three-handed play over David Rich and his aforementioned Mentor, Java.
Java busted in third place to Rich and the chips were almost even at the start of the heads-up battle between Pfeifer and Rich. Pfeifer was able to slowly extend his chip lead and eventually finish the job when his pocket kings held up against Rich’s king-jack.