WSOP Circuit Crowns a New King
Bell Gardens, CA (January, 12, 2013) -- Friday night at The Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles was one of the most memorable of the 2012-2013 season as three gold ring events wrapped up, including a record smashing victory by the new king of the WSOP Circuit -- Alexandru Masek.
In the biggest news of The Bike's tournament series, the 25-year-old law student turned poker pro won his sixth career victory in the $365 buy-in Turbo No-Limit Hold'em tourney (Event 9). He overcame a field of 212 entrants and defeated actor and voiceover specialist Bill Fagerbakke in heads-up play. Masek won $15,905 in prize money, but the amount in dollars won wasn't the big news of the day.
Masek has roared into the record books the last two months, having won two gold rings at the last two WSOP Circuit stops. He won his fifth victory in December at Harrah's Rincon. Nearly one month to the day, Masek came north and won gold ring number six at The Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles.
After being "the man" on the WSOP Circuit for the past three seasons, five-time champ Mark "Pegasus" Smith now has some serious work to do. He's been the reigning champion for the past three seasons. The other record-sharer was Kyle Cartwright, who won his fifth title earlier this season back in August. Cartwright is also playing here at The Bike's tournament series and is now tied with Smith for second place on the career wins list with five.
Masek has plans to play more tournament poker, and potentially win more. He's likely to visit at least three more WSOP Circuit stops this season, which will undoubtedly keep pressure on his rivals and others who seek the climb to the mountaintop.
This one-day Turbo No-Limit Hold'em tournament started at noon on Friday. It ended about 1am in front of a packed rail, cheering equally for Masek and one of the more popular poker-playing actors in Hollywood.
This victory also puts Masek in the running for the Casino Champion race here at The Bike. He will almost assuredly earn a seat in the WSOP National Championship Presented by Southern Comfort 100 Proof at season's end via an at-large bid. Nevertheless, Masek is taking no chances. He plans on coming back to The Bike on Saturday to play in the first session of the Main Event Championship.
Congratulations to Alexandru Masek and good luck to him in the quest for victory number seven.