Multiple gold ring winners add to their collection and final-table machine secures Casino Championship.
February 12, 2019 (Milwaukee, Wis.) -- The World Series of Poker tour made its way to Milwaukee, Wisconsin on the last day of January to host the third-ever Circuit series at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino. Ultimately, there were 13 gold rings handed out over the course of 12 days.
The first player grabbing gold, as well as $23,809, was Boulous Estafanous in Event #1: $400 No-Limit Hold’em Double Stack (1 Day). Estafanous would be the first of many Chicago-area competitors to show up big at Potawatomi.
Event #1 was also the first sighting of Ed Veith, the eventual Casino Champion. Veith placed 4th in the first event for 27.5 points. It was his first-ever WSOP cash, which sparked a spree of final-table finishes for the Wisconsin native.
Another player representing the hometown team of Wisconsin scooped up the second gold ring of the series and second of his career. Brett Reichard was the man holding all the chips in play at the end of Event #3: $400 No-Limit Hold’em (1 Day). The Reichard name would once again reign supreme just three days later.
Josh Reichard could not let his dad have all the fun. Like father, like son, the 10-time gold ring picked up a victory of his own by way of Event #6: $400 Pot-Limit Omaha. Reichard has now gone three for three, winning a gold ring at each Potawatomi series since its inaugural year on the Circuit schedule in 2017. More impressively, Reichard claimed his eleventh gold ring overall, tying Maurice Hawkins and creeping one ring closer to the all-time leader Valentin Vornicu, owner of 12 rings.
Topping the largest field of the 13-event series was Michael Moncek, another Chicagoan. Moncek conquered 1,098 entries in Event #2: $400 No-Limit Hold’em Multi-Flight to win his first gold ring and a nice payday of $60,532, the second largest to be had.
In fact, the three biggest payouts of the series were all claimed by team Chicago. A big-buy-in tournament ran the day before the Main Event got its start. Taking down Event #9: $1,125 No-Limit Hold’em Big Blind Ante was Aaron Massey. The Circuit grinder picked up his third Circuit title and $50,957 in the process, extending his WSOP earnings to just over $980,000.
Of course, the grand daddy of all payouts stemmed from the Main Event prizepool, which stood just over one million dollars. The total, derived from 667 entrants, entailed a WSOP cash for the top 72 finishers and boasted a first-place prize of $207,159.
Michael Hudson would be the one awarded the sizable six-figure payout. The 32-year-old from Cary, Illinois accumulated a massive chip lead on Day 2 of the Main Event and never looked back.
The only time he lost the lead was during heads-up action against seven-time gold ring winner Josh Turner. However, Hudson quickly recovered it and finished the job. Along with the prize money and debut gold ring, Hudson secured an automatic seat in the 2019 Global Casino Championship.
The other GCC seat given out during the series went to the Casino Champion, Veith. Following his final-table finish in Event #1, Veith took 9th place in Event #4 and ran as deep as the 2nd place in Event #5: $400 No-Limit Hold’em 6-Handed, good for a combined addition of 52.5 points
Veith was striving for his first gold ring and 50 points in the Six Max, but instead those achievements went over to Brett Apter. Apter later went on to final table the Main Event, making himself the number one contender to steal Veith’s throne.
With Apter looming in the Main, Veith new he had to find some more points, otherwise his lead would crumble. There were two tournaments remaining on the Potawatomi Circuit schedule. Veith jumped in Event #12: $400 No-Limit Hold’em Big Blind Ante (1 Day) and astoundingly made his fourth final table of the series.
The Wisconsin native ended up finishing in 6th for another 22.5 points, brining his final total to 102.5 Casino Championship points. Apter had to get 2nd place in the Main Event, a task that proved too tall.
Veith’s last scare was Josh Reichard in Event #13. Reichard needed to win the whole thing. Although he final tabled, the 11-time gold ring winner fell in 7th place, leaving Veith as the Potawatomi Casino Champion.
Rounding out the entire series was a decisive victory by another previous gold ring winner, Cary Marshall. The 69-year-old from Sun Valley, Nevada rode a massive chip lead all the way to the winner’s circle, defeating 332 entrants in Event #13. For his triumph, Marshall was awarded $15,272 and his third gold-ring Circuit gold ring, first since 2013.
Completed Events
Event #1: $400 NLHE Double Stack (1 Day) - Boulos Estafanous defeats 307 entries to win $23,809
Official Report | Winner Photo | Results
Event #2: $400 No-Limit Hold'em Multi-Flight - Michael Moncek defeats 1,098 entries to win $60,532
Official Report | Winner Photo | Results
Event #3: $400 No-Limit Hold'em (1 Day) - Brett Reichard defeats 267 entries to win $21,590
Official Report |
Winner Photo | Results
Event #4: $600 No-Limit Hold'em Big Blind Ante - Ray Marchi defeats 132 entries to win $19,030
Official Report |
Winner Photo | Results
Event #5: $400 No-Limit Hold'em 6-Handed - Brett Apter defeats 177 entries to win $16,356
Official Report |
Winner Photo | Results
Event #6: $400 Pot-Limit Omaha - Josh Reichard defeats 173 entries to win $15,410
Official Report |
Winner Photo | Results
Event #7: $400 NLHE 8-Handed (1 Day) - Joe Maxwell defeats 264 entries to win $21,778
Official Report |
Winner Photo | Results
Event #8: $400 No-Limit Hold'em Monster Stack - William Billot defeats 599 entries to win $41,513
Official Report |
Winner Photo | Results
Event #9: $1,125 NLHE Big Blind Ante - Aaron Massey defeats 196 entries to win $50,957
Official Report |
Winner Photo | Results
Event #10: $1,700 NLHE Main Event - Michael Hudson defeats 667 entries to win $207,159
Official Report |
Winner Photo | Results
Event #11: $400 No-Limit Hold'em (1 Day) - Jeff Tunkel defeats 264 entries to win $21,347
Official Report |
Winner Photo | Results
Event #12: $400 NLHE Big Blind Ante (1 Day) - Diane Sagunsky defeats 301 entries to win $23,343
Official Report | Winner Photo | Results
Event #13: $250 NLHE Double Stack (1 Day) - Cary Marshall defeats 332 entries to win $15,272
Official Report | Winner Photo | Results
Casino Champion Update
Ed Veith is the Potawatomi Casino Championship. Veith went for four cashes at the series, all four being final-table runs, an impressive feat to say the least. In total, he accumulated 102.5, securing the honors.
About the Winners
Event #1 - Boulos Estafanous
Boulos Estafanous closed out the first ring event of the World Series of Poker Circuit stop at the Potawatomi series. Event #1: $400 No-Limit Hold'em Double Stack finished in just one day. However, the clock neared 3:00 a.m. when Estafanous finally scooped the winning pot, earning himself $23,809 and his first WSOP gold ring. All in all, Estafanous outlasted 307 entrants in Event #1 at Potawatomi.
“I’m always coming here. It is the third time I come,” Estafanous mentioned about the Milwaukee-based Circuit stop that got its WSOP debut in 2017.
It was a reclamation win for Estafanous who made two final table appearance at the Potawatomi Circuit last year. One of the deep runs was even in the same exact event.
“I think I played better and… I can’t say lucky, but I get away from the bad luck,” said Estafanous said, comparing his Event #1 experiences.
On three separate occasions, Estafanous’ pocket aces were nearly cracked, but held up later, on the turn or river.
The 61-year-old is originally from Cairo, Egypt. Estafanous currently lives in Darien, Illinois and is an avid poker player who now sits with nearly $125,000 in WSOP earnings.
Event #2 - Michael Moncek
Michael
Moncek secured a debut World Series of Poker cash on Sunday and snagged
his first Circuit gold ring in the process. The 26-year-old, hailing
from Chicago, navigated his way through 1,098 entrants in Event #2: $400
No-Limit Hold'em Multi-Flight at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino. The
four-day tournament featured four separate starting flights, which
combined to bring in a total prizepool of $362,340.
Along
with the gold ring, Moncek took home a sizable payday of $60,532. It
was momentous, first WSOP cash for Moncek who attended the University of
Texas and now works as a Purchasing Agent at his family’s packaging
company.
Event #3 - Brett Reichard
Brett Reichard scooped up a second World Series of Poker gold ring at the Potawatomi Circuit in the wee hours of Sunday morning. The 52-year-old ultimately outlasted 267 entrants in Event #3: $400 No-Limit Hold'em (1 Day), but it was a hard-fought heads-up battle that highlighted the victory.
“I let Josh play for rings. I play for money,” Reichard said half-jokingly, alluding to his son, Josh Reichard who boasts an incredible 10 gold rings of his own. “Of course, I want to win a ring, but money comes in handy.”
The Wisconsin native was awarded another piece of WSOP hardware, adding to the first gold ring he won back in August of 2016 at Harrah's Cherokee. More significantly, for Reichard, he also picked up $21,590 for his first-place achievement.
Event #4 - Ray Marchi
After a handful of close calls on the Circuit, Ray Marchi finally captured his first World Series of Poker gold ring on Monday at Potawatomi. The 37-year-old from Eureka, California defeated 132 players in Event #4: $400 No-Limit Hold'em Big Blind Ante, a tournament that took two days to complete.
Marchi entered the ring event determined to fight for the Circuit title. The Fire Engineer, who frequents the WSOP stage from time to time, had come in 3rd, 4th, and 5th place previously on the Circuit tour, all close calls that left him pining for gold.
Marchi's final obstacle was Bradley Coultas, owner of one gold ring. In the end, Coultas could not seize another and it was Marchi grasping the WSOP hardware instead. Aside from the debut gold ring, Marchi also earned $19,030, a sum he assured would be shared with his family back home.
“Let my wife and kids know they get their percentage,” Marchi said with a smile on his face.
Event #5 - Brett Apter
Brett Apter achieved a World Series of Poker Circuit milestone Tuesday evening at Potawatomi by taking down Event #5: $400 No-Limit Hold'em 6-Handed. The 31-year-old, who is relatively new to the Circuit grind, topped a field of 177 entries to win the top purse of $16,356, 50 Casino Championship points, and a WSOP gold ring.
“Feels so good. I feel like I haven’t played enough Circuits yet, but I really wanted one bad, so I’m excited,” said Apter after his win.
The victory marks Apter’s 15th cash on the Circuit tour, dating back to August of 2017. Apter’s tournament poker routine began a few years ago, only after he completed the monumental task of founding his own business, DirectDermaCare.
“I was working like 60-70 hours a week all through college… and working non-stop on the business for the first six years after college,” Apter explained. “Lately, I’ve had more time. Now that I’ve built it out and it’s more efficient, I’m able to travel, and have fun, and pursue my biggest passion, which is poker.
After putting in his dues to create a fully-functioning e-commerce business, Apter decided to take on the world of cards and has already begun to make a name for himself. Apter now lays claim to nearly $150,000 in WSOP earnings and plans to continue his pursuit.
“I’m moving to Nashville… an area where I’ll be traveling more for tournaments,” Apter mentioned. “I was living in the D.C. area, so I was playing more cash, but I’m planning on playing a lot more [tournaments].”
Event #6 - Josh Reichard
For the eleventh time, Josh Reichard reigned supreme on the World Series of Poker Circuit stage. The 27-year-old Poker Pro topped 173 entrants in Event #6: $400 Pot-Limit Omaha and succeeded in completing a trifecta at Potawatomi.
Reichard has now gone three for three, winning a gold ring at each annual Potawatomi series since its inaugural year on the Circuit schedule in 2017. It is a fitting accomplishment for the Wisconsin native who lives approximately 1.5 hours from the Milwaukee Casino.
More impressively, Reichard claimed his eleventh gold ring overall, tying Maurice Hawkins and moving one ring closer to the all-time leader Valentin Vornicu, owner of 12 rings.
Along with the gold ring Reichard pocketed a $15,410 payout, pushing his WSOP earnings to over $700,000.
The victory also marked Reichard’s third ring in the Omaha arena, a game type he enjoys partaking in.
“I play more No-Limit Hold’em, but I enjoy PLO a lot, especially tournaments. It’s generally more fun at the table,” said Reichard.
This past weekend, Reichard's father, Brett, claimed a gold ring of his own, his second. If only the all-time gold ring list combined accolades of direct relatives, the Reichard boys would be top of the leaderboard.
Event #7 - Joe Maxwell
The World Series of Poker Circuit hosted another late night in the Potawatomi Events Center. Event #7: $400 No-Limit Hold'em 8-Handed (1 Day) reached into the wee hours of Wednesday morning, but when all was said and done Joe Maxwell prevailed as the last man standing, winning his first WSOP gold ring and $21,778.
The 23-year-old from Cary, Illinois persevered to come out on top of 264 entrants. Maxwell lives in the northern Chicago area. His yearly career generally consists of half the time working as a Projectionist and the other half on the felt.
“I work Local 110 Projectionists Union, but it’s seasonal, so I have a lot of time to play poker as well,” said Maxwell.
The over $20,000 payday will be a nice boost in his bankroll to possibly increases his poker ambitions. In the meantime, Maxwell plans on attending the remainder of the Potawatomi Circuit in hopes of another deep run.
Event #8 - William Billot
William Billot triumphantly conquered the Potawatomi Monster Sack Thursday night, grabbing his first World Series of Poker gold ring and $41,513. The 58-year-old defeated 599 entrants in Event #8: $400 No-Limit Hold'em Monster Stack, which took two, long days of poker to reach a conclusion.
Billot is retired, for the most part, giving him free time to take on the occasional poker venture. He made the trip to Milwaukee, Wisconsin all the way from his home state of Texas. Traveling with Billot was his supporting wife who stuck right along with him during the final stretch and even cameoed for a winner’s photo.
Event #9 - Aaron Massey
Aaron Massey secured his third World Series a Poker gold ring Friday evening, and first since 2013. The win came in Event #9: $1,125 No-Limit Hold'em Big Blind Ante at the Potawatomi Circuit series, a two-day tournament that registered 196 entrants. Along with the gold ring, Massey pocketed $50,957, pushing his WSOP earnings to $970,484.
“It’s great. Anytime you get a win it feels good and it’s been a while since I’ve won a tournament and it never gets old,” said Massey following his first-place finish.
Ultimately, it was an emotional victory for Massey in light of a tragic loss within a family he is very close with.
“This is dedicated to the Cibula family… unfortunately they lost John Patrick recently,” Massey stated.
Before traveling to Wisconsin, the Chicago native made a trip home to be with the Cibula family during their difficult time. The detour from his on-the-road lifestyle proved to greatly affect Massey’s outlook.
“I came home to spend time with the family that has treated me like family my whole life,” said Massey. “And upon talking about him a lot, it brought a lot of values that he had to the forefront, things that I’ve lost perspective of along the way. I think that, in my life, I should be more like him,” Massey continued. “And he was with me. He brought out the best of me and this was dedicated to him.”
Event #9 was the first tournament Massey played since his spell in Chicago. Coming out victorious, the Poker Pro deemed his achievement a tribute to the late John Patrick Cibula, a kindhearted, good soul.
“He lived his life a certain way, which is not the way I have lived a good portion of my career,” Massey mentioned. “People should be more like him and I learned a lot of lessons through this tragedy and hopefully they can stay with me and I can continue to improve as a person.”
Event #10 - Michael Hudson
Michael Hudson became the World Series of Poker Circuit Main Event conqueror after a four-day bout in the Potawatomi Events Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The 32-year-old ultimately topped a combined field of 667 entries, snatching his first WSOP gold ring and six-figure payout of $207,159.
Along with the top prize and gold ring, Hudson earned and automatic seat to the 2019 Global Casino Championship. The Poker Pro from Illinois has been absent from the tournament scene for an extended period.
“Yeah, I haven’t really been playing much… came out for the big event. It’s the first tournament I’ve played all series… and just got lucky,” Hudson said after his win.
“I just play here and there,” Hudson explained, regarding his professional poker career schedule. “I’m sure I’ll play like the Hammond [Circuit], but I’m not going to like grind my life away.”
With the automatic bid in his back pocket, Hudson was asked if he would be ready for the prestigious event when it comes around in the fall. Hudson responded, “Yeah, let’s go.”
Event #11 - Jeff Tunkel
Jeff Tunkel came
away with his first World Series of Poker gold ring at the Potawatomi Circuit
series, capitalizing on a small window of opportunity. The Salesman from
Chicago, Illinois had just one day free to travel to the Milwaukee, Wisconsin Circuit
stop.
Fortunately, there
was a 24-hour tournament that lined up with Tunkel’s schedule, Event #11: $400
No-Limit Hold'em (1 Day). It was a long, “wild” day for Tunkel admitted.
However, by the end of the turbo-style tournament, which drew a field of 264
entrants, Tunkel had amassed all the chips in play, granting him a debut gold
ring and $21,347.
“Yeah, I made some
good decisions, was kind of fearless; just got to come out here for one day and
play, so I just wanted to compete and got lucky,” said Tunkel.
Tunkel is no
stranger to the poker world, but has been out of the game for a while.
“I really don’t get
to play that much anymore because I’m in a sales job,” Tunkel mentioned. “But,
I use to play quite a bit, in a previous life. I quit playing… in like 2011ish.”
The Chicago resident
has not cashed with the WSOP since a 4th-place finish at the Hammond
Circuit in 2011. Nonetheless, Tunkel’s overall earnings stand over $200,000. Majority
of the sum, $154,194 to be exact, stems from an impressive, 62nd-place
finish in the 2007 No-Limit Hold’em Main Event Championship in Las Vegas.
Though the bulk of
Tunkel’s poker days may be behind him, the husband and father now has a piece
of WSOP hardware, proving he still has got the skill.
Event #12 - Diane Sagunsky
Diane Sagunsky bagged her first World Series of Poker gold ring at the Potawatomi Circuit series. The 62-year-old outlasted 300 opponents in Event $12: $400 No-Limit Hold'em Big Blind Ante (1 Day), which reached deep into the wee hours of Monday morning, finally deeming a champion at 6:30 a.m.
Sagunsky had her own strategy to stay focused during the numerous, late hours of tournament poker action.
“Gatorade. So, stay hydrated and make sure you keep your nutrition up,” said Sagunsky.
The approach seemed to pay dividends, as Sagunsky kept her resolve and made it through a final table that included 11-time gold ring winner Maurice Hawkins and Casino Champ leader Ed Veith. The triumph also earned Sagunsky a nice payday of $23,343 along with the golden memento.
“It feels surreal,” Sagunsky stated after her victory. “I didn’t think I’d get this far but I just kept battling and battling and battling. I was low stack several times and then I battled back. It’s just amazing.”
Sagunsky is a retired Art Teacher living in Wisconsin and a recreational poker player.
“I always played with my family and then I thought I would try it a little bit at the casino, and I liked it, so I just stayed with it,” mentioned Sagunsky.
Event #13 - Cary Marshall
Cary Marshall rode a massive chip lead all the way to the winner's circle in the last ring event of the World Series of Poker Circuit series at Potawatomi. The 69-year-old from Sun Valley, Nevada defeated 332 entrants in Event #13: $250 No-Limit Hold'em Double Stack (1 Day) to win $15,272 and his third gold-ring Circuit title.
“It feels really good; I’m happy,” Marshall expressed after his victory. “I’ve had a lot of seconds and thirds on the way here.”
Since his last gold-ring victory in 2013, the Circuit regular experienced many close calls. Marshall had three 3rd-place finishes as well as three 2nd-place finishes during the window between rings, one of each coming during the recent Horseshoe Tunica Circuit.
The $15,272 payday pushes Marshall's WSOP earnings to just over $475,000. More importantly, he picks up 50 more points in the Global Casino Championship race. Marshall now sits with around 150 points, a good position to be in to take a run at the 50 at-large bids to the 2019 GCC.