Event #11: $365 No-Limit Hold'em (one-day event)

Event #11
No-Limit Hold'em
Buy-in: $300 (+$65)
Total Entries: 163
Prizepool: $48,900

Dick Sargent takes down the Turbo for his first career gold ring and a win for the old guys.

Stateline, Nevada (November 6, 2016) – Dick Sargent claimed his first Circuit title on Saturday by conquering a field of 163 players in Event #11: $365 No-Limit Hold’em Turbo. The hasty tournament took only one day and finished on the main stage, at Harvey’s Lake Tahoe. This marked Sargent’s third cash of the 12-event series in Stateline. He bagged a couple smaller cashes earlier in the week.

Sargent, who has been playing poker since 2004, still sees himself as a bit of a novice who simply plays for the love of the game. There was nothing novice about his final table play though, which came with some support from a longtime pal, and coach.

“Marty and I have been friends for quite a while. He gave me, not only a lot of support, but a lot of behind the scenes help too,” said Sargent.

During the last leg of the match, Marty, watched and cheered on Sargent throughout the endeavor. Sargent seemed to be in the zone, playing like no one could stop him, but it was no easy task. When asked if it was a tough final table, Sargent gave a response.

“Yeah, it was. It wasn’t all roses,” claimed Sargent. “It just meant being patient, and waiting for my opportunities.”

One of these opportunities Sargent jumped out and grabbed brought a sense of shock and awe to the group of dedicated spectators railing the event. Sargent made a courageous call against Marcus Laffen, who came into the final table as the chip leader. In a blind versus blind situation, Laffen shoved in the small blind and Sargent called him out from the big blind.

“I remember reading something recently that, the big and small blinds, it’s very rare when they have premium hands,” Sargent explained. “So, when he shoved I felt like, at that time, he was buying the pot. And I was right on.”

Laffen did, in fact, hold a mediocre hand, and no one was in more disbelief than him, when Sargent revealed his queen-eight of clubs. Sargent ended up winning the pot and the instance proved to be a pivotal point during the final table. The former Navy photographer, and current resident of Hawaii, took over the chip lead and never looked back.

At one point during the final table, his friend and mentor, Marty, made a crack about Sargent sowing the young “wippersnappers” how to play. The 80-year-old did just that and was proud to be representing the older population with an outright victory. Along with the WSOP gold ring, Sargent was also awarded $13,203 and 50 Casino Championship points.

 Here's a look at the final table results:

1st: Dick Sargent - $13,203
2nd: Dee Timmons - $8,159
3rd: Dashiell Thompson - $4,305
4th: Warlito Merafuentes - $3,211
5th: Marcus Laffen - $5,873
6th: Shane Gonzales - $2,437
7th: Christopher Bonita - $1,881
8th: Mark Garcia - $1,475
9th: Matt Tullis - $1,177

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

Dee Timmons (pictured) put up a good fight, but will have to settle for runner-up. Timmons takes away ($8,159).

Players are on a quick, 10-minute break.

The field has been reduced to 6.

Players are on their 30-minute dinner break.

Before the break, the field was reduced to 18 players. This number was significant in more than one way. Reaching 18 players caused a two table redraw and more importantly popped the money bubble.

All remaining players will register a WSOP cash of at least $656.

After eight levels of play, the prizepool for Event #11 has been finalized. With 163 entries the total prizepool comes out to $48,900 with the top payout being $13,702. A total of 18 players will walk away with a payday. Here is a look at the final table payouts:

A complete prizepool can be found above, under the "Prizepool" tab.

Day ten here in Biloxi marks the second, and final, turbo-style tournament during the 12-event series. Beginning at 4:00 pm is Event #11: $365 No-Limit Hold'em Turbo. Levels will be 20-minutes long throughout the entirety of the tournament, ultimately making it a one-day event. Registration will close at the beginning of Level 9. The winner will receive a Circuit gold ring and 50 Casino Championship points.

Here is a quick rundown of Event #11:

• Buy-in: $365
• Players start with 10,000 tournament chips
• Registration remains open until the start of Level 9 (~7:15 pm)
• One re-entry is allowed
• Players start with 10,000 tournament chip
• Blinds start at 25/50
• All Levels are 20-minutes long
• There will be a 15-minute break after Levels 6, 12 and 14
• A 30-minute dinner break is scheduled for after Level 18
• Scheduled as a one-day event 
• Global Casino Championship points are awarded to all players earning a cash
• The winner will receive a WSOP Circuit gold ring

As this event progresses, this updates page will include prizepool information, end of the night chip counts and the winner's report.