Monday, February 10, 2020 4:22 PM Local Time
Philip Shing Wins WSOP Circuit Potawatomi Main Event ($151,284)
The 2020 World Series of Poker Potawatomi $1,700 Main Event began with 524 entrants, and on Monday it was 35-year-old Philip Shing, who was visiting Milwaukee for the first time, coming out on top to capture the $151,284 first-place prize, a gold ring, and a seat into the 2020 Global Casino Championship.
It actually marked the second ring for Shing, who revealed that he only plays poker a couple of times a year. Back in 2015, he won the WSOP Circuit Foxwoods Event #3: $580 Six-Max NLH for $14,543 and his first gold ring.
"Honestly it hasn't really kicked yet but I think it feels really good," Shing stated after his win. "I only play three events a year due to work but I actually had a month off of work so I came here."
He added: "The casino was great, the people were amazing and I just had a blast here at the final table so I will definitely be making this trip again ... As you can expect I'm exhausted at this point and I'm ready to go home and see my kids."
Final Table Results
| Position | Name | Hometown | Prize Money |
|---|
| 1 | Philip Shing | Brooklyn, New York | $151,284 |
| 2 | Ken Donarski | Willow Brook, Illinois | $93,498 |
| 3 | John Gallaher | Lebanon, Tennessee | $68,947 |
| 4 | James Pupillo | Gilbert, Arizona | $51,484 |
| 5 | Cero Zuccarello | Madison, Wisconsin | $38,937 |
| 6 | Chris Roth | Waukesha, Wisconsin | $29,829 |
| 7 | Michael Hartzheim | Little Chute, Wisconsin | $23,152 |
| 8 | Marcus Yofon | Las Vegas, Nevada | $18,209 |
| 9 | Fadi Hamad | Danvers, Illinois | $14,514 |
Final Table Action
The first final table casualty was the result of a classic flip when Marcus Yofon failed to get there with ace-king suited against Shing's pocket eights.
Not long after, Mike Hartzheim bowed out in seventh after flopping top pair with a flush draw. He got it in on the turn against Cero Zuccarello, who was ahead with aces up. The ace of diamonds on the river gave Hartzheim his flush, but it was no good as it also filled up Zuccarello.
Chris Roth took his leave after jamming with nine-seven only to run into Zuccarello's kings, and then the latter followed him out the door after running into kings himself after John Gallaher had limped with them from the small blind.
James Pupillo, who back in September finished fourth in the same tournament, got unlucky losing with ace-jack to the ace-eight of Shing all in preflop after an eight spike on the turn. That resulted in back-to-back fourth-place finishes for Pupillo, this one good for $51,484.
After Gallaher was dispatched in third place – the result of losing with queen-jack to Shing's ace-jack – it took just one hand of heads-up play to crown a winner. Ken Donarski was at a 6:1 chip disadvantage and three-bet jammed with jack-eight. Shing called with ace-jack and held to nab by far the biggest score of his career.
Donarski Wins Casino Championship
Ken Donarski
The WSOP Circuit Potawatomi Casino Championship race was a tight one. Donarski had the early lead only to see Brett Reichard pass him up. Then, Vishal Patel took down the last two events on the schedule to win back-to-back rings and take the lead. Reichard's elimination from the Main Event meant he was out of the running, but Donarski remained.
He needed to finish third or better to claim the title, so by finishing in second place he locked up the stop's second seat into the 2020 Global Casino Championship. It was the cherry on top of an excellent series for Donarski, who finished fifth in Event #1: $400 NLH for $5,409 and then won Event #5: $400 NLH for $13,127 and his second gold ring.
| Tournament | Entries | Prize Pool | Winner | Prize |
|---|
| Event #1: $400 NLH | 313 | $103,290 | Darin Utley | $22,642 |
| Event #2: $400 Pot-Limit Omaha | 164 | $54,120 | Kyle Klett | $13,723 |
| Event #3: $400 NLH Multi-Flight | 983 | $324,390 | James Gregg | $54,155 |
| Event #4: $400 NLH Tubro | 257 | $84,810 | Jorden Helstern | $19,019 |
| Event #5: $400 NLH One-Day | 155 | $51,150 | Ken Donarski | $13,127 |
| Event #6: $400 NLH 6-Handed | 224 | $73,920 | Todd Sladek | $17,630 |
| Event #7: $600 NLH 8-Hnaded | 162 | $83,430 | Brett Reichard | $21,611 |
| Event #8: $400 Monster Stack | 610 | $201,300 | Jason Farkas | $38,039 |
| Event #9: $1,125 NLH | 151 | $151,000 | Sam Cosby | $39,250 |
| $250 Ladies Event NLH | 69 | $13,800 | Kyna England | $4,436 |
| Event #10: $1,700 Main Event | 524 | $793,860 | Philip Shing | $151,284 |
| Event #11: $250 NLH One-Day | 366 | $73,200 | Josh Clanton | $15,374 |
| Event #12: $400 NLH One-Day | 190 | $62,700 | Vishal Patel | $15,272 |
| $250 Seniors Event #1 | 311 | $62,200 | Scott Weinstein | $13,642 |
| $250 Seniors Event #2 | 266 | $53,200 | Scott Reilly | $11,835 |
| Event #13: $400 NLH Double Stack | 255 | $84,150 | Vishal Patel | $18,873 |
The World Series of Poker Circuit continues this week at Hard Rock Tampa. The PokerNews Live Reporting Team will be on-site later this week to offer live updates from both high rollers as well as that stop's $1,700 Main Event.
Monday, February 10, 2020 4:21 PM Local Time
Ken Donarski Eliminated in 2nd Place ($93,498)
In the first hand of heads-up play, Tsz Shing raised the button to 450,000 and called when Ken Donarski jammed for right around 2 million.
Tsz Shing:
Ken Donarski:
Shing was way out in front and stayed there as the board ran out . Donarski had to settle for second place and $93,498 in prize money, though both men will walk away with seats into the 2020 Global Casino Championship.
| Tsz Shing | 15,720,000 | 2,020,000  |
| Ken Donarski | 0 | -2,000,000  |
Monday, February 10, 2020 4:15 PM Local Time
John Gallaher Eliminated in 3rd Place ($68,947)
Tsz Shing raised to 225,000 from the button and then called when John Gallaher three-bet all in for around 2.1 million.
Tsz Shing:
John Gallaher:
The flop gave Gallaher a gutshot straight draw but neither the turn nor river helped him. With that, Gallaher was ousted in third place for $68,947.
| Tsz Shing | 13,700,000 | 4,300,000 |
| Ken Donarski | 2,000,000 | -1,200,000 |
| John Gallaher | 0 | -1,650,000 |
Monday, February 10, 2020 4:12 PM Local Time
Donarski Locks Up WSOPC Potawatomi Casino Championship
Monday, February 10, 2020 4:10 PM Local Time
James Pupillo Eliminated in 4th Place ($51,484)
Last September, James Pupillo finished fourth in the WSOPC Potawatomi Main Event for $46,017. Fate had the same finish in store for him again, though this time it was for $51,484.
In his final hand, Tsz Shing raised to 200,000 under the gun and called when Pupillo jammed for 1.255 million from the small blind.
Tsz Shing:
James Pupillo:
Pupillo was in a dominating position and he picked up a straight draw on the flop. Unfortunately for him, and his brother Nick on the rail, the dealer burned and turned the to pair Shing.
The river was a brick for Pupillo and he was sent out the door in fourth place yet again.
| Tsz Shing | 9,400,000 | 1,400,000 |
| James Pupillo | 0 | -1,500,000 |
Monday, February 10, 2020 4:01 PM Local Time
"Run-Good" Catches the Wheel
Tsz Shing opened for 300,000 from the small blind and Johhny "Run-Good" Gallaher three-bet jammed from the big blind getting snap-called by Shing.
Tsz Shing:
John Gallaher:
Gallaher was behind and didn't receive any help from the flop.
The turn however, came the giving Gallaher the wheel draw which was completed with the river giving Gallaher the double-up worth 1,825,000.
| Tsz Shing | 8,000,000 | -600,000 |
| John Gallaher | 1,650,000 | -150,000 |
Monday, February 10, 2020 3:37 PM Local Time
Gallaher Doubles Through Shing
Action folded to Tsz Shing in the small blind and he simply moved all in to put the pressure on John Gallaher, who called off for 850,000 from the big.
Tsz Shing:
John Gallaher:
Shing was ahead but not after the flop fell flop paired Gallaher. The turn gave Gallaher an added flush draw and the turn secured him the double.
| Tsz Shing | 8,600,000 | -900,000 |
| John Gallaher | 1,800,000 | 1,000,000 |
Monday, February 10, 2020 3:31 PM Local Time
Updated Chip Counts
| Tsz Shing | 9,500,000 | 200,000 |
| Ken Donarski | 3,200,000 | 1,200,000 |
| James Pupillo | 1,500,000 | -200,000 |
| John Gallaher | 800,000 | -900,000 |
Monday, February 10, 2020 3:17 PM Local Time
Level 30 started
Level: 30
Blinds: 50,000/100,000
Ante: 100,000
Monday, February 10, 2020 3:16 PM Local Time
Cero Zuccarello Eliminated in 5th Place ($38,937)
Action folded to John Gallaher in the small blind and he just limped. Cero Zuccarello then moved all in for around 750,000 from the big and Gallaher snap-called.
John Gallaher:
Cero Zuccarello:
Zuccarello was in a bad spot and he didn't get so much as a sweat as the board ran out a dry .
| John Gallaher | 1,700,000 | 700,000 |
| Cero Zuccarello | 0 | -700,000 |
Monday, February 10, 2020 3:10 PM Local Time
Shing Stays Aggressive
Tsz Shing opened for 160,000 and James Pupillo defended his big blind to see a flop.
Pupillo check-called Shing's 175,000 continuation bet to the turn and did the same after Shing fired out 285,000.
The double-paired the board on the river and Pupillo checked one last tome to Shing who bet 600,000, sending Pupillo deep into the tank.
Pupillo's long tank forced Cero Zuccarello to call the clock and right before the tournament director got to the five-second countdown, Pupillo mucked his hand.
| Tsz Shing | 9,300,000 | 1,100,000 |
| James Pupillo | 1,700,000 | -1,400,000 |
Monday, February 10, 2020 2:55 PM Local Time
Lady Love for Gallaher
John Gallaher got his stack of 470,000 all in preflop and he was looking to survive against Tsz Shing.
Tsz Shing:
John Gallaher:
The flop was nothing special but the turn was a gamechanger as it gave Shing the lead with a pair of fives. Fortunately for Gallaher, the spiked on the river to give him a bigger pair and the double.
| Tsz Shing | 8,200,000 | -445,000 |
| John Gallaher | 1,000,000 | 530,000 |
Monday, February 10, 2020 2:45 PM Local Time
Donarski Fades the Flush to Double Through Zuccarello
Ken Donarski opened for 175,000 and Cero Zuccarello defended his big blind to see a flop.
Zuccarello check-called Donaski's 125,000 continuation bet to the turn and check-jammed after Donarski fired out 120,000. Donarski called putting his stack at risk and both players tabled their hands.
Ken Donarskin:
Cero Zuccarello:
Donarski flopped two-pair but still had to dodge some cards as Zuccarello could win with any ten, two or diamond.
Luckily for Donarski, the river fell a blank with the to give him the double-up worth 940,000.
| Ken Donarski | 2,000,000 | 950,000 |
| Cero Zuccarello | 700,000 | -1,400,000 |
Monday, February 10, 2020 2:36 PM Local Time
Chris Roth Eliminated in 6th Place ($29,829)
Upon coming back from the break, there were about a half dozen all-in shoves from various players, none of which got called.
That all changed when action folded to Chris Roth on the button and he moved all in for his last 950,000. Cero Zuccarello was in the small blind and moved all in over the top, which prompted James Pupillo to get out of the way in the big.
Cero Zuccarello:
Chris Roth:
The board ran out and that was all she wrote for Roth.
| Cero Zuccarello | 2,100,000 | 1,275,000 |
| Chris Roth | 0 | -1,075,000 |
Monday, February 10, 2020 2:17 PM Local Time
Level 29 started
Level: 29
Blinds: 40,000/80,000
Ante: 80,000
Monday, February 10, 2020 2:06 PM Local Time
Updated Chip Counts at the Break
| Tsz Shing | 8,645,000 | 1,845,000 |
| James Pupillo | 3,100,000 | 1,200,000 |
| Chris Roth | 1,075,000 | -50,000 |
| Ken Donarski | 1,050,000 | -800,000 |
| John Gallaher | 975,000 | -525,000 |
| Cero Zuccarello | 825,000 | -175,000 |
Monday, February 10, 2020 2:02 PM Local Time
Take 15
The remaining six players are on a 15-minute break.
Monday, February 10, 2020 1:53 PM Local Time
WSOP Circuit Potawatomi Gold Ring Winners Thus Far...
| Tournament | Entries | Prize Pool | Winner | Prize |
|---|
| Event #1: $400 NLH | 313 | $103,290 | Darin Utley | $22,642 |
| Event #2: $400 Pot-Limit Omaha | 164 | $54,120 | Kyle Klett | $13,723 |
| Event #3: $400 NLH Multi-Flight | 983 | $324,390 | James Gregg | $54,155 |
| Event #4: $400 NLH Tubro | 257 | $84,810 | Jorden Helstern | $19,019 |
| Event #5: $400 NLH One-Day | 155 | $51,150 | Ken Donarski | $13,127 |
| Event #6: $400 NLH 6-Handed | 224 | $73,920 | Todd Sladek | $17,630 |
| Event #7: $600 NLH 8-Hnaded | 162 | $83,430 | Brett Reichard | $21,611 |
| Event #8: $400 Monster Stack | 610 | $201,300 | Jason Farkas | $38,039 |
| Event #9: $1,125 NLH | 151 | $151,000 | Sam Cosby | $39,250 |
| $250 Ladies Event NLH | 69 | $13,800 | Kyna England | $4,436 |
| Event #11: $250 NLH One-Day | 366 | $73,200 | Josh Clanton | $15,374 |
| Event #12: $400 NLH One-Day | 190 | $62,700 | Vishal Patel | $15,272 |
| $250 Seniors Event #1 | 311 | $62,200 | Scott Weinstein | $13,642 |
| $250 Seniors Event #2 | 266 | $53,200 | Scott Reilly | $11,835 |
| Event #13: $400 NLH Double Stack | 255 | $84,150 | Vishal Patel | $18,873 |
Monday, February 10, 2020 1:43 PM Local Time
Donarski Heads Straight for a Double
James Pupillo raised to 150,000 from the hijack only to have Ken Donarski three-bet all in for 905,000 from the cutoff. The button and blinds all folded and Pupillo tanked for several minutes before making the call.
Ken Donarski:
James Pupillo:
Pupillo was ahead and remained in the lead on the flop. However, the spiked on the turn to lock up the hand for Donarski, who made a straight. The meaningless was run out on the river and Pupillo sent over the chips.
| James Pupillo | 1,900,000 | -900,000 |
| Ken Donarski | 1,850,000 | 565,000 |
Monday, February 10, 2020 1:20 PM Local Time
"Run-Good" Finds Another Double
Johnny "Run-Good" Gallaher opened for 150,000 and action folded to Cero Zuccarello who three-bet to 300,000 from the big blind and Gallaher four-bet jammed for 785,000, Zuccarello called.
John Gallaher:
Cero Zuccarello:
Gallaher was ahead with his made hand of nines but had a sweat after the flop dropped giving both players the flush draw but Zuccarello held the better of it.
The was a safe card for Gallaher as was the river securing his double-up.
| John Gallaher | 1,500,000 | 500,000 |
| Cero Zuccarello | 1,000,000 | -1,300,000 |