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Tuesday, September 26, 2017 9:45 PM Local Time
Decorated South Florida tournament pro collects his first WSOP Circuit ring
Tony Ruberto is the newest first-time winner on the WSOP Circuit. “Boston Tony” outlasted a tough field of 146 entries in the $580 six-handed event, winning his first ring and the top prize of $20,804.
Ruberto, 36, was born in Boston but relocated to the Sunshine State about 10 years ago. He now makes his home in nearby Davie, spending time with his six-year-old son when he’s not “flipping over tables,” as he calls it. Poker is his primary source of income.
“I’m… a professional entertainer,” Ruberto tried to find a clever way to describe his profession. “Jack of all trades and master of none.”
Master of one, maybe?
The champ entered the six-handed final table with the chip lead, but the field standing in his way was loaded. Ari Engel, an eight-time Circuit winner, was among the opposition until dropping out in third place, paving a path to victory for Ruberto. He took advantage, parlaying his lead into a win at the end of a protracted affair.
Although it’s his first victory on this tour, Ruberto is an accomplished live tournament player with more than $2 million in earnings. A big chunk of that came courtesy of a 2011 WPT victory in Jacksonville, and he has a couple near-misses at the World Series of Poker, too.
[Full results]
Tuesday, September 26, 2017 5:04 PM Local Time
With the elimination of Scott Stewart (pictured) in eighth place, the seven remaining players have redrawn for new seats around the final table. Here's the lineup:
Seat 1: Ari Engel - 217,000 (27 bb)
Seat 2: Brandon Miller - 268,000 (34 bb)
Seat 3: Tony Ruberto - 420,000 (53 bb)
Seat 4: Ryan Gianquitti - 108,000 (14 bb)
Seat 5: Paul Balzano - 280,000 (35 bb)
Seat 6: Justin Harvell - 135,000 (17 bb)
Seat 7: Ira Schwartz - 315,000 (39 bb)
Blinds are 4,000/8,000 with a 1,000 ante for the time being, putting the average stack around 31 big blinds. Everyone left is guaranteed to earn at least $2,598, with close to $21,000 and a ring up top.
Tuesday, September 26, 2017 1:40 AM Local Time
The clock has run out on Day 1, and the 17 remaining players have bagged up for the night.
Alex Rocha (pictured) ended the day atop the chip counts. The two-time ring winner turned his 12,000-chip starting stack into 246,000 by night's end, and he'll be the man to beat tomorrow.
The field behind him is stacked with potential peril, though. Tony Ruberto (159,500), Cory Waaland (79,000), and Ari Engel (51,500) are all among those in chase.
Day 2 chip counts | Day 2 seat draw
Blinds will be 1,500/3,000 with a 500 ante when play resumes, putting the average stack around 34 big blinds. The money bubble is visible on the horizon, too, with 17 players remaining and only room for 15 of them in the payouts.
Day 2 begins at 2 p.m.
Monday, September 25, 2017 9:48 PM Local Time
Monday, September 25, 2017 5:04 AM Local Time