This is the central page for information about the ongoing WSOP Circuit series at The Bike. Check back here daily for updated schedule and results. (wsop.com/n/9g4)
12 December 2019 (Bell Gardens, Calif.) -- The World Series of Poker Circuit at The Bicycle Hotel and Casino is in the books. The first Bike installment of the 2019/20 season saw nearly 3,000 entries participate, $1.8 million in prize money earned, and 13 gold rings handed out.
A vast majority of players snatching up a ring (11/13) were first-time winners. Some of those competitors were Kristian Fabros (Event #3 - $11,550), Adam Kipnis winning the H.O.R.S.E. tourney (Event #4 - $9,185), Javid Javani conquering a field of 815 entries in the Multi-Flight Monster Stack (Event #5 - $61,795), Mike Dollins (Event #10 - $27,565), and winner of the final ring of the series, Justin Chauvin (Event #15 - $10,010).
Although there were numerous gold ring winners among The Bike Circuit’s prelim fields, Ian Steinman was the first to break through for another title. Steinman earned his third Circuit gold ring by defeating five-time Circuit champ Scott Stewart heads up in Event #8: $400 No-Limit Hold’em.
The next repeat champ was Andrew Wisdom who took down the $3,250 High Roller ring event for a second time at The Bike. The win awarded him with $75,390 and his second WSOP gold ring.
A handful of WSOP gold bracelet winners also made themselves known during the series. Omaha legend and three-time bracelet winner ‘Miami John’ Cernuto showed up for Event #9: $400 Omaha 8 or Better and recorded a final-table finish.
However, the Hi-Lo honors went to another bracelet owner, Carol Fuchs. Fuchs, a Mixed Games Pro from Los Angeles, outmatched 95 opponents in Event #9, capturing her first gold ring to go along with her WSOP wrist piece.
Holding true to the WSOP namesake, a scattering of international-born players graced the winner’s circle during The Bike series, beginning with Mike Cean in Event #1. Cean, native to Romania, topped a field of 287 in the debut ring event for $21,600 and his first gold ring.
Then came Mark Hamilton (Event #6 - $6,190), originally from Great Britain, and directly after, Luis Yepez (Event #7 - $10,475), a Venezuelan who just moved to the United States in January of this year. Joe Matton (Event #12 - $22,775), born in Canada, followed.
Finally, last but certainly not least, Sid El Harrak, hailing from London, England, now living in California, reigned as The Bike’s Main Event Champion. El Harrak meticulously made his way through three days of poker and 487 entrants to seize his first Circuit gold ring, top prize of $147,435, and a seat to the 2019/20 Global Casino Championship.
Interestingly enough, El Harrak and his heads-up opponent in Event #13: $1,700 No-Limit Hold’em Main Event, Ronnie Tate, were both nearly guaranteed a seat in the GCC. Both had a prior final-table finish during the series and 50 points for 2nd place was good enough to jump either one of them to the top of the Casino Champ leaderboard.
Therefore, Tate, with 20 points from Event #5 and 50 points from Event #13 finished the series with a total of 70 points. The sum tied consistent points leader Alan Myerson. However, Tate secured The Bike Casino Champ honors by having more series earnings ($100k) than Myerson.
Completed Events
Event #1: $400 No-Limit Hold'em - Mihalache "Mike" Cean defeats 284 entries to win $21,600.
Official Report |
Winner Photo | Results
Event #3: $250 No-Limit Hold'em (1 Day) - Kristian Fabros defeats 230 entries to win $11,550.
Official Report |
Winner Photo | Results
Event #4: $400 H.O.R.S.E. - Adam Kipnis defeats 93 entries to win $9,185.
Official Report |
Winner Photo | Results
Event #5: $400 No-Limit Hold'em Monster Stack - Javid Javani defeats 815 entries to win $61,795.
Official Report |
Winner Photo | Results
Event #6: $400 No-Limit Hold'em - Mark Hamilton defeats 53 entries to win $6,190.
Official Report |
Winner Photo | Results
Event #7: $400 No-Limit Hold'em Turbo - Luis Yepez defeats 114 entries to win $10,475.
Official Report |
Winner Photo | Results
Event #8: $400 No-Limit Hold'em - Ian Steinman defeats 73 entries to win $7,735.
Official Report |
Winner Photo | Results
Event #9: $400 Omaha 8 or Better - Carol Fuchs defeats 96 entries to win $9,290.
Official Report |
Winner Photo | Results
Event #10: $1,125 No-Limit Hold'em - Mike Dollins defeats 94 entries to win $27,565.
Official Report |
Winner Photo | Results
Event #12: $600 No-Limit Hold'em - Joe Matton defeats 178 entries to win $22,775.
Official Report |
Winner Photo | Results
Event #13: $1,700 No-Limit Hold'em Main Event - Sid El Harrak defeats 487 entries to win $147,435.
Official Report |
Winner Photo | Results
Event #14: $3,250 No-Limit Hold'em High Roller - Andrew Wisdom defeats 83 entries to win $75,390.
Official Report |
Winner Photo | Results
Event #15: $250 No-Limit Hold'em - Justin Chauvin defeats 211 entries to win $10,010.
Official Report |
Winner Photo | Results
Casino Champion Update
With a second-place finish in the Main Event for 50 points, Ronnie Tate catapulted himself to the top of the leaderboard where he was tied with Alan Myerson, 70 points a piece. However, Tate handily won the tiebreak (series earnings) because of his $91k cash in the Main Event.
About the Winners
Event #1 - Mihalache "Mike" Cean
Mihalache "Mike" Cean found himself in the World Series of Poker winner’s circle on Sunday at The Bicycle Casino Circuit. The 60-year-old took first place in Event #1: $400 No-Limit Hold'em, topping a field of 284 players. As far as Circuit winners go, Cean is somewhat of an uncommon case, geographically and experience-wise.
Cean is a native of Romania who immigrated to Canada in 1992 and still resides in the Great White North today. Travel timing and a friendly suggestion were the simple foundations of Cean’s appearance at The Bike.
“My friend lives here… so I came to visit him, and he told me to come and play with him in the tournament, so that’s how I end up here yesterday,” said Cean.
As a Business Owner who works on aircraft motor repairs, Cean happened to be visiting a customer/friend in Camarillo, California. The two drove an hour to The Bike on Saturday and late registered for the first ring event of the series. It was just the second poker tournament Cean had entered in his life.
When it got down to heads-up action, the husband and father had around a 10-1 chip lead against the eventual runner-up Lang Lee. Along with the golden, WSOP memento, Cean walked away with $21,600.
Event #3 - Kristian Fabros
Kristian Fabros made his way to the World Series of Poker Circuit stop at The Bike on Sunday and did not leave until he was sporting gold. The Respiratory Therapist took down Event #3: $250 No-Limit Hold'em, a tournament that encompassed 230 entries and deemed a champion in just one day.
It was a spur-of-the-moment decision that moved Fabros to make the one-hour trip from Fontana, California to Bell Gardens with a couple of his friends.
“They did the World Series in Vegas this past year, so they’ve been talking about what a good experience that was. They brought it up yesterday to do the WSOP here. So then, I decided this morning to go and I’m glad I did,” explained Fabros.
A great decision it turned out to be fore Fabros. Running deep in Event #3 required a long day from the 33-year-old and his companions. One of his friends, Jerick Fuentes, also hung in the tournament for a while, but went out in 10th place, bubbling the final table.
That left just Fabros to close out Event #3 and he eventually scooped the final pot at a quarter past midnight, winning WSOP gold. A cash prize of $11,550 was also claimed by Fabros, a recreational player. It was his first recorded cash with the WSOP.
Event #4 - Adam Kipnis
Adam Kipnis came away with mix-game glory Monday night during the World Series of Poker Circuit at The Bike. All in all, the 42-year-old Software Engineer outmatched a modest field of 93 players and a tough heads-up opponent in Event #4: $400 H.O.R.S.E., granting him $9,185 and his first WSOP Circuit gold ring.
When three-handed action arrived, two previous H.O.R.S.E. winners remained, Omar Mehmood, who won his first gold ring in a Thunder Valley H.O.R.S.E. event and Alan Myerson, The Bike Circuit’s defending H.O.R.S.E. champion. Kipnis and Myerson were eventually pitted heads up.
Directly following the last break in heads-up play, Kipnis finally began to pull away and ultimately sealed the deal during Seven Card Stud 8 or Better.
“I play all the mixed event, but H.O.R.S.E. is definitely my favorite. It’s the one I’ve always done well at,” stated Kipnis. “I like having change ups in games that I play and being able to take advantage of the fact that I’m pretty good at all of them across the board.”
Kipnis is a recreational mixed-game player residing in Northridge, California. The husband and father of one gets around to playing about 20 tournaments a year and successfully happened on a conquering run with the WSOPC.
Event #5 - Javid Javani
Javid Javani was the one to conquer the Multi-Flight Monster Stack at the World Series of Poker Circuit at The Bike. The Retired Teacher from Los Angeles ultimately took down a field of 815 players in Event #5: $400 No-Limit Hold'em Monster Stack (Quantum), scoring his first WSOP gold ring and $61,795.
“It’s nice to get my first ring,” said Javani who has cashes dating back to the 2008 WSOP in Las Vegas. “I play a lot of poker, but I just retired so I’m going to playing a little bit more.”
The Monster Stack was a tournament that featured four starting flights and took a total of four days to reach a conclusion. An extensive Day 2 was taxing on the 61-year-old.
“Last night I was very tired,” Javani mentioned. “But I played a pretty solid game all the way, the first and the second round. I played the right cards; folded the right cards; folded ace-queen three time yesterday.”
Day 3 began with just 11 players remaining. Chips were flying during the finale. Players were up and down with double ups hitting with frequency. Finally, during the last hour of play, Javani caught fire, chipping up to an insurmountable lead.
Sudeck fell in 5th place ($15,985), Wilkerson exited in 4th place ($21,095), Andrew Moreno took 3rd place ($28,195), and Artashes Kartalyan, 2nd place ($38,200), was Javani’s final victim on his path to the top.
Event #6 - Mark Hamilton
A new World Series of Poker champ was crowned Wednesday evening at The Bike Circuit series. It was Mark Hamilton who raked in the final pot of Event #6: $400 No-Limit Hold'em. The 49-year-old defeated a 53-entry field to win $6,190 and his first Circuit gold ring, capping off a scheduled two-day tournament in less than 12 hours.
Turned out, third time was a charm for the Los Angeles resident, originally from England. Hamilton first found himself heads up for a Circuit ring in March of 2017. Then, his most recent shot at a WSOP title was in March of this year, in the massive Multi-Flight Monster Stack tournament where he took second for $58,100.
“This was a lot more relaxed because of the lower prizepool,” stated Hamilton, comparing two heads-up experiences. “The Monster Stack was tough because I was chip leader with three left and then I lost a big flip.”
Although the prize money was significantly less for his Event #6 achievement, Hamilton did pull some satisfaction in a first-place finish as oppose to runner-up. It was a difference that Hamilton attributes to prior experience.
“I think just playing a lot of tournaments has helped,” Hamilton explained “And I play a lot of heads up with friends, so that makes a difference.”
Hamilton does not claim poker as a full-time vocation, but he has implemented an increase in his time on the felt in recent years and has now successfully placed himself in the pool of WSOP title holders.
Event #7 - Luis Yepez
Luis Yepez achieved his first tournament triumph with the World Series of Poker late Wednesday night. The Venezuela native who moved to the United States in January ultimately conquered a field of 114 entries in Event #7: $400 No-Limit Hold'em Turbo at The Bike Circuit series.
“Well it’s the first tournament that I win here in the United States so I’m very grateful because I’ve been growing my game,” said Yepez on what the win meant to him.
The 39-year-old walked away with a debut gold ring and $10,475. Although Yepez intends to start a business tailored to the body paint of cars, he plans to use the money to continue playing the game he loves.
“I’m going to keep playing with that money, more poker. It’s a hobby for me, but I take it kind of serious,” stated Yepez.
Yepez now lays claim to 10 WSOP cashes for a total of around $30,000 in earnings. The poker hobbyist does have some other big wins under his belt, coming from international tournament series, and will surly be back for more in the future.
Event #8 - Ian Steinman
Ian Steinman has earned his third World Series of Poker gold ring Thursday evening at The Bike Circuit series. Steinman cruised to a victory in Event #8: $400 No-Limit Hold'em, which drew a modest field of 73 entries, causing the two-day tournament to easily finish within 24 hours.
“I mean, it’s just really hard to win any poker tournament, so winning a tournament is cool,” Steinman attested after his win.
The Poker Pro's last Circuit title was won last season in an online, Turbo ring event; His debut victory came at the Harvey's Lake Tahoe Circuit in October of 2017; And now the West-Coast kid lays claim to a title at The Bike.
It was an achievement that provided Steinman with the top prize of $7,735 and, more importantly, 50 Casino Championship points.
“Well, I’ve been planning on going for points. That’s why I came down here,” Steinman said. "I knew that when I ended this one, I needed to have about 120.”
Entering The Bike Circuit series with 80 points to his name, Steinman now has a total of 130, placing him over his goal and right in the middle of the top 50 competitors on the National Leaderboard.
Event #9 - Carol Fuchs
World Series of Poker bracelet winner Carol Fuchs added to her gold collection Friday evening at The Bicycle Casino Circuit series. The Mixed Games Pro topped a 96-entry field in Event #9: $400 Omaha 8 or Better, winning her first WSOP gold ring.
Along with the piece of WSOP jewelry, Fuchs was awarded $9,290, pushing her WSOP earnings to over $300,000. The 46th annual WSOP in Las Vegas (2015) is where Fuchs captured her gold bracelet as she took down a $1,500 Dealer Choice event for $127,735.
When asked to compare the two first-place experiences, she replied “That [gold bracelet] was really shocking. This one… I worked really hard at, and it was really fun. The Bike puts on great events.”
Fuchs was met with some tough competition in Event #9, including ‘Miami John’ Cernuto, owner of three WSOP gold bracelets and two gold rings, who was knocked out in ninth place. From there, Fuchs built up confidence and subsequently her chip stack. With momentum going her she eventually defeated Ruben Vera heads up for the Omaha 8 or Better title.
Event #10 - Mike Dollins
Mike Dollins took down Event #10 at the The Bike's World Series of Poker Circuit stop on Saturday. The 51-year-old Financial Advisor came out on top of a tough field of 94 players in the $1,125 buy-in, No-Limit Hold'em tournament, which finished in two days.
“It’s pretty sweet,” said Dollins following his triumph. “You know, I’ve won tournaments before. I like to think for an amateur I’m pretty good, but I’m not a shark or anything.”
Being a four-figure buy-in tournament, there were a considerable number of sharks in opposition to Dollins, but he held his own in a big way. A pivotal hand for Dollins occurred shortly after the final-table redraw.
Dollins found himself in a blind-versus-blind situation against Daniel Song. With a ton of money already in the pot, Dollins called off a shove from Song with middle pair. Dollins' pair of tens were good and held to the river.
It was the biggest pot of the tournament and Dollins was the one to rake it in. From there, he waltzed through to the winner's circle with ease. For the win, Dollins took home his first WSOP gold ring and $27,565.
Event #12 - Joe Matton
The World Series of Poker Circuit welcomed Joe Matton into the catalog of winners Sunday afternoon. The 51-year-old from Coto De Caza, California was elated in victory after conquering a field of 178 entries in Event #12: $600 No-Limit Hold'em, a tournament took two days to complete at The Bicycle Hotel and Casino.
It was a victory that earned Matton his first gold ring and $22,775 to boot. Although Matton only had one prior cash with the WSOP, the recreational player has really worked on his game in recent years.
“I’ve definitely put the time in from studying and just playing a lot… I do have a full-time career, so it’s hard for me to play as often as a professional would,” mentioned Matton. “So, for me to make this, and achieve this, I know it means a lot to people who love this game and I really feel fortunate to be a part of that.”
Perseverance with his poker game certainly paid off for Matton.
“I’ve been really trying to play at a more competitive level for the last five years, and I’ve never been able to break through this and it just feels really good because I know how difficult it is,” Matton expressed. “So, yeah, I’m extremely happy. I’m elated.”
Matton currently works in Marketing for the Multinational Corporation Johnson and Johnson, but greatly enjoys his time on the felt, enough that a future involving more poker for him could possibly in the cards.
“I have a lot of respect for people who do this for a living… “I’m fortunate that I can do this for fun,” said Matton. “I’m really happy with the job that I have today, but I think I’m definitely open to making that transition eventually because I just truly love the game.”
Event #13 - Sid El Harrak
The World Series of Poker Circuit Main Event at The Bike spanned a total of four days, drew 487 entries, and divvied up $737,805 in prize money. By the conclusion of the $1,700 buy-in tourney, Said “Sid” El Harrak was the one who reigned as champion, claiming his first WSOP gold ring.
El Harrak, born in London, England, duked it out with Ronnie Tate, heads up for the title. The Poker Pro's play did not waiver, and all chips in play swiftly flocked to his corner. Tate took home $91,100 for 2nd place, while El Harrak banked a whopping $147,435, the biggest score of his career.
“It’s very special,” El Harrak stated after his triumph. The 37-year-old seemed to take much joy and validation from the achievement.
“When I was younger teachers and people would ask me what I want to be when I’m older and where do I want to go to school, and I never had an answer because I never wanted to like work because I believe everybody is a gifted human being. We’re all gifted in our own way,” said El Harrak.
“I barely graduated high school, and then I went into boxing. I became a Professional Boxer. Then, in 2016, I retired,” he continued.” And I love poker. So, I said let me try to take my last paycheck in boxing and put it in poker and now I’ve been doing it nonstop and this is beautiful. I love it. I love the game.”
As a Professional Boxer turned Poker Pro, El Harrak carried over some skills from the ring to the felt.
“Boxing’s about reading your opponent. So, I feel like I can pick up on tells and then betting patterns. I follow the betting pattern,” explained El Harrak. “You know, if someone is playing aggressive, I’m going to play more passive with them. If they’re passive I’m going to be aggressive on them. I like the psychological act of the game.”
El Harrak’s reads and strategy worked wonders in Event #13: $1,700 No-Limit Hold’em Main Event. The California resident’s victory marked his 15th cash with the WSOP and more than triples his WSOP earnings to a total of just over $200,000.
Event #14 - Andrew Wisdom
Andrew Wisdom captured his second High Roller title on Wednesday at the World Series of Poker Circuit in Bell Gardens, California.
The 25-year-old Poker Pro, now with two gold rings to his name, won his first High Roller title in 2017. Not to mention, the following year, he finished as runner-up in the High Roller. And, all these instances transpired at Bicycle Casino Circuit series.
So, for the third year in a row, Wisdom made his way to the final two in the most expensive Circuit tournament at The Bike. His recent victory took him through a field of 83 entries. With his second High Roller triumph, Wisdom was awarded $75,390. The Californian now has $236,526 in WSOP earnings.
Event #15 - Justin Chauvin
Justin Chauvin was the player to scoop the final pot of the entire World Series of Poker Circuit series at The Bike. Chauvin conquered a field of 211 entrants in Event #15: $250 No-Limit Hold'em to claim $10,010 and his first WSOP gold ring.
“I’ve had a few seconds in a row at final tables. One for one of these [rings] before and missed it,” said Chauvin who took a 2nd-place finish in March of 2018 at The Bike Circuit.
This time around it was Chauvin’s time to shine. Since finishing his schooling at UC Riverside, Chauvin has embarked on path of playing poker for a living and things have been going well so far.
“It’s good. Some surprises. Some things just what you’d expect. I don’t play very many tournaments at all. Maybe 10, or 15, a year. Just felt like mixing it up,” said Chauvin.
However, with a couple of seconds and now a tournament triumph, he added, “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t going to pay a little bit more tournaments.”