Poker Pro, Jake Bazeley, defeats 1,127 entrants to win second ring and $311,616.
Cherokee, N.C. (December 4, 2018) -- Back in 2014, Jake Bazeley won his first World Series of Poker Circuit title by taking down the Harrah’s Cherokee Main Event. Four years later, and the Poker Pro has done it again.
Bazeley outmatched 1,127 entrants in Event #10: $1,700 No-Limit Hold’em Main Event at the recent Circuit stop in Cherokee, North Carolina to win $311,616 and his second career gold ring.
“This I was more prepared for. That last time was my first huge win. Bazeley stated, comparing his two Main Event achievements. “I was comfortable today, coming in… been here before.”
During his first gold-ring triumph, Bazeley made it through Flight A with a marginal stack, but ended up topping 797 entrants, earning $239,096. This time around, Bazeley put himself in a much better position, clearing Flight B with the third-largest stack overall.
On Day 2, he made the money with ease, then continued to grind. By the end of Day 2, Bazeley bagged with 1,120,000 in chips among 14 other competitors.
Day 3 began with seven-time gold ring winner, and owner of one gold bracelet, Kyle Cartwright as chip leader. Cartwright would be Bazeley’s eventual heads-up opponent.
A final table was reached fairly quickly on Day 3. When play got down to five-handed, a slew of double ups began to surface. Almost every player had their turn. It seemed no one would go bust and the tension for laddering up was high.
“To just not lose your cool and just keep playing because everyone is getting stressed out in that moment, trying to get the pay jumps,” Bazeley said, speaking on the scenario.
Eventually, something, or someone, had to give. After being reduced to scraps, Mai Chaitib nearly clawed her way back from the dead, but went out in 5th place ($81,904). Ian Holt was the next to go, dropping in 4th place ($107,567). Shortly after, Bazeley knocked out Toby Boas in 3rd place ($143,012) with pocket kings coolering Boas’ pocket queens.
This left Bazeley and Cartwright heads up. Bazeley started with a huge chip advantage, but Cartwright doubled right away, gaining some chips to play with. The two giants of poker duked it out, Bazeley going for his second Circuit Main Event title and Cartwright going for an astounding fourth Circuit Main Event title.
In the end, Bazeley had the last say when his pocket tens struck the knockout blow against Cartwright’s ace-queen. Bazeley claimed gold once again and a massive payday to boot.
During the winner’s interview, Bazeley gave a shout out to his mom, Jean, and mentioned that he is always thankful for the loving support of his wife, Josie.