Monday, April 17, 2017 4:56 AM Local Time
Event #3
No-Limit Hold'em Re-Entry
Buy-in: $500 (+$80)
Total Entries: 595
Prizepool: $297,500
Jessie Bryant wins Event #3, reeling in fourth gold ring after falling on hard times.
Cherokee, North Carolina (April 17, 2016) – Jessie Bryant claimed his fourth World Series of Poker title on Monday at the Harrah’s Cherokee Circuit stop. The 38-year-old took down Event #3: $580 No-Limit Hold’em Re-Entry, which attracted 595 entrants.
Along with the gold ring to add to his collection, Bryant was also awarded the top prize of $62,476, increasing his WSOP earnings to around $250,000. The longtime poker player spoke on a comparison of his past titles to his recent triumph.
“I think it’s better,” answered Bryant. “I mean, it’s been a long time. And it was on Easter, so it was real special to me to be able to win it.”
Bryant was first exposed to poker in Iraq while deployed, serving on the bomb squad, and he quickly learned that he had a knack for the game. From there he went on to play poker for a living.
The latter half 2012 proved to be a profitable period for Bryant. During the span of five months, he pocketed four sizable scores, including his third, WSOP gold-ring victory. However, between then and now, his fortunes turned south.
Bryant gave up poker for a while and took on a more stable occupation. The South Carolina native fell on some hard times after getting laid off. He even teetered on the line of bankruptcy. Eventually getting another job, Bryant was just recently knocked again.
“I got laid off last week, so now I’m laid off at two jobs. So, the day after I get laid off my friend said ‘hey, do you want to go to Cherokee?’” explained Bryant. “I said, ‘well I’ve got nothing to lose.’ Two weeks ago, I never thought I’d be here.”
Bryant decided to try his hand at the Harrah’s Cherokee series and conquered. A supporting cast filled his rail during the final legs of Event #3. The backing of his friends and family has gone a long way for Bryant, which he is truly grateful for.
“I Played this tournament; had a great feeling. Some of my friends had a great feeling. I just felt like it was meant to be,” claimed Bryant.
Sometimes, the life of a poker player is a constant cycle of ups and downs. Thankfully, for Bryant, his Easter Sunday ended on an incredible high note.
Here is rundown of the final table results:
1st: Jessie Bryant - $62,476
2nd: Jesse Cohen - $38,642
3rd: Brad Howard - $28,257
4th: Lakota Radtke - $20,968
5th: Ava Wilensky - $15,776
6th: Richard Tracey - $12,034
7th: Jordan Meltzer - $9,306
8th: Jeffrey Turton - $7,295
9th: Jared Hemingway - $5,795
Complete results can be found above, under the "Results" tab.
Monday, April 17, 2017 1:11 AM Local Time
Jessie Bryant (pictured) has just won his impressive, fourth Circuit gold ring. His last title was back in December of 2012. The 38-year-old from Charleston, South Carolina defeated a field of 595 players in Event #3: $580 No-Limit Hold'em Re-Entry to win $62,476 and 50 Casino Championship points. The
tournament was completed in two days here at Harrah's Cherokee, with Bryant
reaping glory by the end of it all.
A full report on Bryant's win will be published early Monday morning. In the meantime, here's a look at the final table results:
1st: Jessie Bryant - $62,476
2nd: Jesse Cohen - $38,642
3rd: Brad Howard - $28,257
4th: Lakota Radtke - $20,968
5th: Ava Wilensky - $15,776
6th: Richard Tracey - $12,034
7th: Jordan Meltzer - $9,306
8th: Jeffrey Turton - $7,295
9th: Jared Hemingway - $5,795
Complete results can be found above, under the "Results" tab.
Monday, April 17, 2017 1:02 AM Local Time
Jesse Cohen (pictured) came ever-so-close to his first career gold ring, but has been
eliminated in second place. This was the 46th World Series of Poker cash for Cohen. Adding $38,642 to his total, the 32-year-old now boasts nearly $550,000 in WSOP earnings.
Monday, April 17, 2017 12:28 AM Local Time
Brad Howard (pictured) has been knocked out in third place. Howard
ends a nice run, banking $28,257 and 30 Casino Championship
points for his efforts.
Jessie Bryant and Jesse Cohen will now face off in a heads-up battle.
Sunday, April 16, 2017 11:22 PM Local Time
Lakota Radtke (pictured) has been sent home in fourth place. Radtke takes away $20,968 and 27.5 Casino Championship points.
Sunday, April 16, 2017 10:33 PM Local Time
Since the official final table began, the field has reduced by more than half.
The final four players are currently enjoying a 60-minute break for dinner.
Sunday, April 16, 2017 8:12 PM Local Time
The last hand of Level 25 proved to be the largest pot of the tournament. Jessie Bryant and Joseph Laro, the top two stacks at the table, went toe to toe. Bryant came out victorious, tremendously increasing his stack, and Laro was sent to the rail in 10th place.
With Laro's exit, the official final table was set for Event #3. After a quick, 15-minute break, the final contenders will come back to Level 26. Bryant will be holding an overly dominant chip advantage over his opponents.
Here is a look at the seating arrangement and chip counts for the final nine players:
Seat 1: Jesse Cohen - 270,000 (9 bbs)
Seat 2: Lakota Radtke - 391,000 (13 bbs)
Seat 3: Jordan Meltzer - 700,000 (23 bbs)
Seat 4: Ava Wilensky - 600,000 (20 bbs)
Seat 5: Jessie Bryant - 2,775,000 (92 bbs)
Seat 6: Jared Hemingway - 755,000 (25 bbs)
Seat 7: Richard Tracey - 150,000 (5 bbs)
Seat 8: Jeff Turton - 600,000 (20 bbs)
Seat 9: Brad Howard - 800,000 (26 bbs)
- Start of Level 26: 15,000/30,000 with a 5,000 ante
Sunday, April 16, 2017 4:27 PM Local Time
Day 2 of Event #3: $580 No-Limit Hold'em Re-Entry has been rolling since 2:00 pm this afternoon.
The starting field of 43 has been cut to 23 players, filling the final three tables left in play. With five more bust outs, the tournament staff will conduct a two-table redraw.
Sunday, April 16, 2017 3:42 AM Local Time
END OF DAY 1
A big turnout for Event #3 produced a generous prizepool of $297,500. The 595 entrants were reduced to 43 players after 18 levels of tournament poker. Regina Hampton currently stands as the chip leader with almost 350,000. However, her lead is slim. In fact, it is very even at the top.
John Nelson finds himself bagging for yet another Day 2. Nelson, who won the turbo-style tournament on Thursday and his second Circuit title, has now cashed in all three ring events at the Harrah's Cherokee series thus far. Though it is still very early, the Ohio native is the clear, top contender for Casino Champion.
Play is set to resume at 2:00 pm tomorrow.
Here is a look at the top five chip stacks at the end of the day:
1st: Regina Hampton - 348,000
2nd: Toby Boas - 345,000
3rd: Steven Merrifield - 338,000
4th: Kevin Lee - 324,000
5th: Jessie Bryant - 317,000
Full chip counts for Day 2 can be found above, under the "Reports" tab.
Sunday, April 16, 2017 12:36 AM Local Time
Event #3: $580 No-Limit Hold'em Re-Entry has reached its last 15-minute break of Day 1. Two more hours of poker will be had after the pause in play.
The field stands at 73, ten knockouts away from the money.
Saturday, April 15, 2017 10:06 PM Local Time
Registration was discontinued following the dinner break and the prizepool was announced. The $580 buy-in tournament attracted a good amount of players, drawing a field of 595 entrants. The benchmark generated a prizepool of $297,500, which will hand out a top prize of $62,476. The top 63 finishers will record a WSOP cash.
Here is a look at the final table payouts:
A complete prizepool can be found above, under the "Prizepool" tab.
Saturday, April 15, 2017 8:01 PM Local Time
The $580 players are finishing up their 60-minute dinner break. There are 15 minutes left in the break, which means there are only 15 minutes left to register for the event.
The field has risen to 586. A complete prizepool will be posted later tonight.
Saturday, April 15, 2017 5:06 PM Local Time
Event #3 has reached its first 15-minute break.
Entrants currently stand at 463. There will be four more levels of registration. With Easter Sunday right around the corner, this will be players last chance to enter a ring event until Monday morning.
Friday, April 14, 2017 11:43 PM Local Time
Friday, April 14, 2017 11:41 PM Local Time
Ring event number three, a tournament entailing an above average entry fee, is the solo starter on day four here at Harrah's Cherokee. Event #3: $580 No-Limit Hod'em Re-Entry is set to begin at 3:00 pm Saturday and will have open registration till the beginning of Level 9. Along with unlimited re-entry for any players eliminated during the registration period, there will be a $100,000 guaranteed prizepool.
Here is a quick rundown of Event #3:
- Buy-in: $580
- Registration is open until the start of Level 9 (~7:30 pm)
- Unlimited re-entry is allowed during the registration period
- There is a $100,000 guaranteed prizepool
- Players begin with 12,000 in tournament chips
- Blinds start at 25/50
- Levels 1-12 will be 30 minutes long, Levels 13-21 will be 40 minutes, and 22+ will be 50 minutes
- There will be a 15-minute break after Level 4, 12, 15, 21, 23, 25, and 29
- A 60-minute dinner break is scheduled after Level 8
- Day 1 will end after the completion of Level 18
- Day 2 will begin at 2:00 pm on Sunday
- 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.