Event #3: $580 No-Limit Hold'em (1 Re-Entry) ($100k Guarantee)

Event #3
No-Limit Hold'em
Buy-in: $500 (+$80)
Total Entries: 382
Prizepool: $191,000

The business man from Cincinnati, Ohio took down the $580 buy-in event after a slow-developing Day 2.

Cherokee, North Carolina (November 29, 2016) – Robert Reed claimed his first Circuit title on Monday, after a slow-paced final table, in Event #3: $580 No-Limit Hold’em (1 Re-Entry). Along with the World Series of Poker gold ring to add to his trophy case, Reed was also awarded the top prize of $42,019.

The tournament took two days to finish and played out in the Event Center at Harrah’s Cherokee. Day 2 of the $580 buy-in event seemed to drag on for an inordinate amount of time, which led to the question of why it was progressing so slowly.

“There wasn’t really a whole lot of aggression at the final table,” Reed stated. “It took a while.”

From a field of 21 players starting Day 2, it required nearly ten hours to reach heads-up action. This is when Reed began his battle with John Bowman, the Harrah’s Cherokee Main Event winner from April of 2013. Reed undoubtedly had a level of respect for his tough opponent.

“Yeah, he was a great player. It was good heads up play,” said Reed.

Bowman and Reed went back and forth, trading chips in a variety of different ways. After three-bets, bluffs, and multiple bathroom breaks, Reed finally gathered every chip on the table. The win marked only a second WSOP cash for Reed. However, he does hold claim to a prominent poker victory, which came in a Circuit Nightly at Harrah’s Cherokee in 2014. Reed finished first-place in a 713-player tournament, winning $12,012.

Although he can duke it out with the best of them, Reed does not claim to be a poker professional. The General Contractor who owns his own business admitted that he only pursues poker on a part-time basis.

“I’ve been playing the Circuit, on and off, for the last four, or five years,” said Reed. “I’m not a full-time player by any means. I hit, probably, five to six stops a year.”

Reed plans to play a few more events at the Cherokee Circuit stop. Then he must return to his hometown of Cincinnati for an important business appointment. Amidst his tangible winnings, Reed also banked 50 points toward the Casino Champion race and will look to acquire some more before departing.

Here's a breakdown of the final table results:

1st: Robert Reed - $42,019
2nd: John Bowman - $25,966
3rd: Brad Waddell - $18,974
4th: Johnathan Leatherman - $14,088
5th: Lawrence Broome - $10,623
6th: Zack Caldwell - $8,131
7th: Martin DeBruhl - $6,314
8th: Melvin "Bubba" Dukes - $4,974
9th: J. Yates Dew - $3,973

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

John Bowman came ever-so-close to his second gold ring, but has been eliminated in second place. He is awarded $25,966 and 37.5 Casino Championship points for his impressive finish.

Bowman is no stranger to the Harrah's main stage. The biggest moment in his Circuit career came in 2013 when he won the Main Event here in Cherokee for his first gold ring and a massive payout of $250,380. This accomplishment marks Bowman's 16th World Series of Poker cash, bringing his total earnings to nearly $500,000.

Johnathan Leatherman was eliminated in fourth place just before the end of Level 27. The North Carolina native achieved a payday of $14,088 and 27.5 points towards the Casino Champion race.

Three remaining souls will battle it out for the coveted gold ring, but before that happens a break is due. Event #3 has been running since 2:00 pm. The end of Level 27 marks the start of a long-awaited dinner break, which will be 60 minutes long.

Zack Caldwell has just been eliminated in sixth place by Johnathan Leatherman. Caldwell walks away with $8,131 and 22.5 Casino Championship points.

The remaining bunch have broke for a 15-minute pause in play.

There are seven players left in the hunt for a gold ring. Lawrence Broome has maintained his chip lead and Marty DeBruhl is in critical condition as the current short stack.

Day 2 of Event #3: $580 No-Limit Hold'em (1 Re-Entry) has seen 11 players hit the rail so far. The final ten competitors have converged to one table, the unofficial final table. The players are currently enjoying a 15-minute break. They will resume play with Level 22.

One more bust out will determine the official final table. Chip counts and seat assignments will be posted after the fateful knockout occurs.

The final 47 players are on their last break of the night. They will return to Level 16, which brings an increase in blinds and antes, and play through Level 18 before concluding for the night.

A bubble burst is imminent as only two more knockouts are needed to reach the money.

Level 8 has come to a close and the players in Event #3 are now on a 60-minute dinner break.

When the break is over, registration will be close, so this is the last window of opportunity for players to register and bustout victims to use their one re-entry.

There are currently 380 entrants. Completed prizepool information will be posted following the dinner break and the close of registration.

Day four here at Harrah's Cherokee features the third ring event of the series, which entails an above average entry fee. The $580 buy-in should produce a boost in payouts. There is a $100,000 guaranteed prizepool attached to Event #3 and players will be allowed one re-entry if they are eliminated during the registration period. The tournament is set to begin at 3:00 pm.

Here is a quick rundown of Event #3:

• Buy-in: $580
• There is a $100,000 guaranteed prizepool
• Registration is open until the start of Level 9 (~8:00 pm)
• One re-entry is allowed during the registration period
• 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 long, and 22+ will be 50 minutes long
• 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 Monday
• 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.