Saturday, April 22, 2017 1:38 AM Local Time
Event #8
No-Limit Hold'em (1 Re-Entry)
Buy-in: $1,000 (+$125)
Total Entries: 301
Prizepool: $301,000
It was a title trifecta for poker pro David Aker after topping the $1,125 buy-in event at Harrah’s Cherokee.
Cherokee, North Carolina (April 21, 2016) – David Aker went out and recorded another World Series of Poker title on Friday at the Harrah’s Cherokee Circuit stop. The poker pro topped a tough field of 301 players in Event #8: $1,125 No-Limit Hold’em (1 Re-Entry) to seize an impressive, third gold ring as well as $70,531.
The win came less than three days after placing 2nd in Event #6. When asked how the runner-up finish affected him, Aker gave a response.
“It definitely bothered me. I think I was a little unfocused when I was playing,” replied Aker. “I just wanted another chance.”
The 32-year-old, filled with motivation, stepped up, took his next chance, and made it an unforgettable one. Even against an
“Yeah, it was tough,” Aker stated. “I feel like I play better when I’m motivated to play, or when I play with better people.”
Not only was Aker amongst a group of solid players, he was facing arguably the best Circuit player around, all-time gold-ring leader, Maurice Hawkins (10 rings). There were 11 players left, going into the Day 2 restart and both competitors had their sights set on a first-place run.
“I already knew Maurice was going to be here,” Aker explained. “I wanted to attack him early. I wasn’t going to wait.” His strategy seemed to pay off. Hawkins finished in 4th place, and it was Aker scooping the last pot of the tournament. “He has to respect me now,” said Aker.
The resident of Kennesaw, Georgia has recorded three WSOPC titles in just over a years’ time. His last victory occurred towards the beginning of the 2016/17 Circuit tour at IP Biloxi in Mississippi. Aker won the Six Max at the stop and vowed he would strike again.
It is no secret that Aker can exhibit some spurts of emotion at the table, mainly pumped-up, bursts of excitement. However, when the final moment of triumph came, Aker seemed calm and even a bit choked up with joy.
“Too good, too good,” Aker said, expressing how the win felt. “I’m humble. I’m happy. Praise God. I’ve been through ups and downs in this game.”
Shortly after the post-win interview was over, Aker, a father of two himself, announced that he was going to call his parents, undoubtedly to share his incredible news.
Here is a rundown of the final table results:
1st: David Aker - $70,731
2nd: Woody Van Stratum - $43,735
3rd: Jim Towery - $31,765
4th: Maurice Hawkins - $23,463
5th: Danny Wilson - $17,615
6th: Seville Hale - $13,434
7th: Dusty Nelson - $10,406
8th: Chad Brown - $8,181
9th: Scott Menard - $6,529
Complete results can be found above, under the "Results" tab.
Friday, April 21, 2017 9:47 PM Local Time
David Aker (pictured) earned his third World Series of Poker Ciruit gold ring by topping an experienced field in Event #8: $1,125 No-Limit Hold'em (1 Re-Entry). The tournament drew 301 entrants and it was Aker who outlasted the other 300, claiming $70,731. The victory came less than two days after Aker's second-place finish in Event #6. Adding another 50 points to his total, the 32-year-old poker pro is now the outright leader in the Casino Championship race.
A full report on Aker's win will be published late tonight. In the meantime, here's a look at the final table results:
1st: David Aker - $70,731
2nd: Woody Van Stratum - $43,735
3rd: Jim Towery - $31,765
4th: Maurice Hawkins - $23,463
5th: Danny Wilson - $17,615
6th: Seville Hale - $13,434
7th: Dusty Nelson - $10,406
8th: Chad Brown - $8,181
9th: Scott Menard - $6,529
Complete results can be found above, under the "Results" tab.
Friday, April 21, 2017 8:04 PM Local Time
The final three players in Event #8 are on the scheduled dinner break.
David Aker has a commanding chip lead over his two opponent. With around 3.2 million, Aker holds over 70% of the chips in play.
Level 28 will begin after the breaks conclusion.
Friday, April 21, 2017 3:30 PM Local Time
An official final table has been set for the $1,125 buy-in competition. The nine finalists are rolling into the start of Level 23. David Aker has overtaken the chip lead, while Seville Hale has lost a large chunk of his Day 2 starting stack. Players have an average of 31 big blinds.
Here is a look at the seating arrangement and chip counts for the final ten players:
Seat 1: Dusty Nelson - 491,000 (30 bbs)
Seat 2: Scott Menard - 215,000 (13 bbs)
Seat 3: Seville Hale - 300,000 (18 bbs)
Seat 4: Chad Brown - 345,000 (21 bbs)
Seat 5: David Aker - 900,000 (56 bbs)
Seat 6: Jim Towery - 375,000 (23 bbs)
Seat 7: Woody Van Stratum - 625,000 (39 bbs)
Seat 8: Maurice Hawkins - 737,000 (46 bbs)
Seat 9: Danny Wilson - 627,000 (39 bbs)
- Start of Level 23: 8,000/16,000 with a 2,000 ante
Friday, April 21, 2017 1:46 PM Local Time
There is only 15-minutes before cards hit the table for the Day 2 restart of Event #8: $1,125 No-Limit Hold'em (1 Re-Entry). Seville Hale goes into the second day with 878,000, and the chip lead.
Maurice Hawkins, going for his 11th gold ring, will begin in the middle of the pack. Also still in the mix is two-time gold ring winner, David Aker, who just placed 2nd in Event #6 a couple days ago.
- Play resumes at Level 22: 6,000/12,000 with a 2,000
Friday, April 21, 2017 1:49 AM Local Time
END OF DAY 1
After 21 levels of play, the starting field of 301 players has been decreased to the final eleven. Seville Hale, will have the outright chip advantage at the start of Day 2. All-time gold-ring leader, Maurice Hawkins will be advancing to the second leg. Hawkins will be striving for an astonishing 11th WSOP gold ring.
The event is one bust out away from merging to one table. Play is set to resume at 2:00 pm on Friday for a
Here is a rundown of the top three chip stacks going into the restart:
1st: Seville Hale - 878,000
2nd: Woody Van Stratum - 659,000
3rd: David Aker - 597,000
Full chip counts for Day 2 can be found above, under the "Reports" tab.
Thursday, April 20, 2017 6:10 PM Local Time
Event #8 players are a little over halfway through their 60-minute dinner break.
There are 99 competitors remaining. They will return to 40-minute levels.
Thursday, April 20, 2017 4:43 PM Local Time
Registration has been closed for Event #8 and the prizepool has been finalized. The $1,125 buy-in tournament drew a field of 301 players, generating a prizepool of $301,000. There are currently 144 players remaining, but only the top 33 will record a World Series of Poker cash. The eventual champion will walk away with the top prize of $70,731, 50 Casino Championship points, and a Circuit gold ring.
Here is a look at the final table payouts:
A complete prizepool can be found above, under the "Prizepool" tab.
Thursday, April 20, 2017 1:11 PM Local Time
Players in Event #8 are on a 15-minute break.
Entries have spilled just over 200. The registration window will be open for approximately two more hours.
Wednesday, April 19, 2017 10:36 PM Local Time
Wednesday, April 19, 2017 10:35 PM Local Time
A big buy-in tournament begins Thursday morning. Event #8: $1,125 No-Limit Hold'em (1 Re-Entry) makes way at 11:00 am. A significant prizepool should be generated from the above average entry fee. There is a $100,000 guaranteed regardless. Players will receive a starting stack of 15,000 and be allowed one re-entry during the registration period. Day 1 will consist of 21 levels of poker. Day 2 resumes on Friday afternoon.
Here is a breakdown of Event #8:
- Buy-in: $1,125
- Registration is open until the start of Level 9 (~3:30 pm)
- One re-entry is allowed during the registration period
- There is a $100,000 guaranteed prizepool
- Players begin with 15,000 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, 8, 15, 18, 23, 25, and 29
- A 60-minute dinner break is scheduled after Level 12
- Day 1 will end after the completion of Level 21
- Day 2 will begin at 2:00 pm on Friday
- 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.