Event #1: $365 No-Limit Hold'em (one-day event)

Event #1
No-Limit Hold'em (30-Minute Levels)
Buy-in: $300 (+$65)
Total Entries: 145
Prizepool: $43,500

In a competitive, one-day endeavor, Greg Armand claims his first WSOP Circuit victory in honor of his late mother.

Stateline, Nevada (October 28, 2016) – Greg Armand won his first career gold ring in the early hours of Friday morning by defeating a field of 145 players in Event #1: $365 No-Limit Hold'em (30 Minute Levels). The tournament was scheduled as a one-day event featuring a relatively fast-paced structure.

After a long day on the felt, Armand found himself in a heated heads-up match with Michael Hicks, which was far from expedient. In the end, Armand came out as the lone man on top, achieving his first WSOP Circuit win. He could barely contain his joy when all was said and done, rapidly speaking with clear signs of excitement. Although Armand was taking home the top-prize of $12,181 it was not the money that was driving his exhilaration.

“It’s for the competition; I love it,” expressed Armand. “You get such a great rush when you go deep in a tournament. There’s nothing like it.”

Armand has been playing live tournaments on a semi-regular basis for only a couple years now. Nonetheless, his 2016 campaign has proven to be very fruitful for the Santa Barbra resident, with a couple significant, first-place finishes earlier in the year. A large reason for Armand’s appearance at Harvey’s Lake Tahoe is because of a recommendation that came from none other than Ari Engel, a WSOP Circuit phenom.

 “We were chatting outside on the patio, on the beach in the Casino Barcelona and I asked him what Circuit I should do, and he said Lake Tahoe,” said Armand.

With a Frenchman for a father and an American mother, Armand is certainly a product of both worlds. He is bilingual and visits Europe for at least two months on the year. Armand’s father is retired, living in the South of France. His mother, sadly, passed away a couple years ago from cancer. Armand alluded to her notable prowess in the game of Bridge, and claimed that she was one of the reason he entered the world of poker. When asked about the grizzly bear figurine that accompanied him at the poker table, he gave a touching response.

“I use to call my mom ‘Mama Bear,’ so it’s to honor her,” said Armand. “I put the bear on my chip stack, that way she’s with me everywhere.”

This triumph for Armand is surely a suitable tribute to his Mama Bear. Along with the gold ring and $12,181 payday, Armand has earned himself 50 points and an early lead in the Casino Champion race. He will look to continue his poker success at Harvey’s Lake Tahoe and make a run at the Global Casino Championship seat.

Here is a look at the final table results:

1st: Greg Armand - $12,181
2nd: Michael Hicks - $7,528
3rd: Lothar Knieremen - $5,434
4th: Laura Barraza - $3,993
5th: Mike Murphy - $2,985
6th: Brian Olson - $2,269
7th: Steve Foutty - $1,754
8th: Justin Hall - $1,378
9th: Joseph Mussat - $1,100

Complete results can be found above, under the "Results" tab.

Michael Hicks (pictured) has been eliminated second place. Hicks earns himself $7,528 and 37.5 Casino Championship points.

Four players have made their exit from the unofficial final table. Only six remain in the hunt.

The first final table break is underway. A color-up is taking place during the 10-minute pause.

Eighteen players remain and they are in the processes of redrawing seats for the final two tables.

The prizepool for Event #1 has been finalized. With 145 entries the total prizepool comes out to $43,500 with the top payout being $12,181. A total of fifteen players will walk away with a payday and some Casino Championship points. There will be a winner crowned today. Here is a look at the top-nine payouts:

Levels 1 and 2 are in the books. An hour has gone by and the No-Limit Hold'em tournament has already attracted 125 players. Registration is open for approximately three more hours.

The first break in play will present itself after the conclusion of Level 4.

The World Series of Poker Circuit has made its way to the Stateline, Nevada. Thursday is the beginning of the 12-event series at Harvey's Lake Tahoe. The series will kick off with Event #1: $365 No-Limit Hold'em (30 Minute Levels). The first event will get things off to a fast start as it is scheduled to conclude in just one day.

Here is a quick rundown of Event #1:

• Buy-in: $365
• Registration remains open until the start of Level 9 (~3:30 pm)
• Re-entry is not allowed
  
• Players start with 10,000 tournament chips
• Blinds begin at 25/50
• All levels are 30 minutes in length
• There will be a 15-minute break every four levels
• A 45-minute dinner break is scheduled after Level 12
  
• This is a one-day tournament
• Global Casino Championship points are awarded to all players earning a cash
• The winner will receive a WSOP Circuit gold ring