Monday, January 20, 2020 5:31 PM Local Time
Jaime Haletky Wins WSOP Circuit Thunder Valley Main Event for $147,706
The World Series of Poker Circuit Thunder Valley wrapped up its stop Monday night with the conclusion of the $1,700 Main Event, a tournament that attracted 487 runners and offered up a prize pool of $737,805.
After just five hours of play, the final table was whittled down from nine to a winner when 42-year-old Jaime Haletky emerged victorious to capture the gold ring, a $147,706 top prize, and a seat into the 2020 Global Casino Championship.
"I feel amazing, really good," Haletky said right after the win. "I'll just save towards a house, really that's about it. Maybe I can do a little bit bigger buy-ins now, we'll see.
Haletky, who lives near San Jose, works as a mathematician doing cryptography programming but enjoys playing poker, a game he picked up in grad school at UC Berkley, in his free time. That often includes trips to Thunder Valley where he's actually put together an impressive résumé that now includes two wins and a runner-up finisher in three final table appearances.
In October 2017, he won the Ante Up Norcal Classic $1,100 Main Event for $49,865, and a year before that finisher runner-up in the Ante Up World Championship for a previous career-bet $87,636.
"The other tournaments I felt were a lot of luck, in this one I've really studied a lot the last two years, really tried to improve my game," said Haletky, who originally hails from Massachusetts. "I still had great luck, obviously you can't win without great luck, but I'm really happy with how I played."
Final Table Results
Place | Player | Hometown | Prize |
1 | Jaime Haletky | Walnut Creek, California | $147,706 |
2 | Dapo Ajayi | Littleton, Colorado | $91,099 |
3 | Marko Pantelic | Bellevue, Washington | $66,663 |
4 | Scott Stewart | Lakewood, California | $49,418 |
5 | Marcus Laffen | Cupertino, California | $37,117 |
6 | Dann Turner | Cleveland, Ohio | $28,251 |
7 | Peter Pap | San Francisco, California | $21,795 |
8 | Bin Duan | Cupertino, California | $17,045 |
9 | Bryan Picciolo | Allegany, New York | $13,516 |
Others to cash the Main Event were Jonathan Ingalls (11th - $10,870), Paul Richardson (20th - $6,162), WSOP bracelet winner Scott Bohlman (24th - $5,252), Andreas Kniep (36th - $3,232), Jarod Minghini (50th - $2,789), Bicycle Casino poker manager Mo Fathipour (56th - $2,656), and Matt Livingston (70th - $2,572).
Final Table Action
The final table got off to a quick start with a trio of eliminations in the first hour of play. The two short stacks at the start of the day were the first to go with Bryan Picciolo's deuces failing to hold against two players, while Bin Duan followed him out the door in eighth place when his Big Slick went down in flames to the queen-nine of Scott Stewart.
Peter Pap then busted in seventh place after check-raising all in on a six-high flop with top pair only to see Stewart snap-call with pocket nines. The overpair held and Pap headed to the payout desk.
Dann Turner would take his leave in sixth place after getting his short stack all in preflop against two players. Turner wound up making aces and eights but the Dead Man's Hand was no good as Haletky, who began the final table as the chip leader, took it down with trip fives.
Marcus Laffen then lost a race holding pocket nines to Marko Pantelic's ace-ten suited to exit in fifth place, and Stewart was next to go as a result of a bad beat. Stewart got his healthy stack all in with pocket aces and was in prime shape to double through Haletky, who held ace-queen. However, the board ran out in such a way that Haletky made Broadway on the turn to score the knockout.
Dapo Ajayi, who had nursed a short stack for a long time before hitting his stride to rebuild, then dispatched Pantelic in third place holding jacks to the latter's queen-jack. That resulted in a heads-up match with the two players nearly even in chips, but it still didn't take long for things to come to a head.
Haletky pulled out to a 2.5:1 lead before the two flipped for it. Ajayi was at risk with ace-jack while Heltky was looking to hold with pocket threes. The pocket pair held strong and Ajayi had to settle for second place and $91,099 in prize money.
Valdez Wins Casino Championship
David Valdez finished as the Thunder Valley Casino Champion after cashing in five events including wins in Event #3: $400 Pot-Limit Omaha and Event #13: $400 Last Call for a total of 117.5 points. As a result, he too receives a seat into the 2020 Global Casino Championship.
The second to last event of the Circuit stop turned in to a Casino Championship tiebreaker, with four players at the Final Table competing for the Casino Championship title.
"It was really tough, but I just kept playing my game and didn't change anything. Of course, I wanted to outlast [Jimmy Wester], but I was also going for the win so I had to keep playing aggressively," said Valdez.
WSOPC Thunder Valley Ring Winners
Tournament | Entries | Prize Pool | Winner | Prize |
Event #1: $400 Opener | 1,319 | $435,270 | Michael Lin | $70,181 |
Event #2: $400 Knockout | 195 | $44,850 | Jesse Lonis | $11,062 |
Event #3: $400 Pot-Limit Omaha | 67 | $22,110 | David Valdez | $7,021 |
Event #4: $400 NLH Double Stack | 125 | $41,250 | Jimmy Wester | $11,241 |
Event #5: $400 HORSE | 68 | $22,440 | David Diiorio | $7,125 |
Event #6: $400 NLH 6-Handed | 129 | $42,570 | Josh Prager | $11,440 |
Event #7: $400 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better | 97 | $32,010 | Chris Brandin | $8,310 |
Event #8: $400 Monster Stack | 620 | $204,600 | Jorge Postigo | $39,649 |
Event #9: $400 NLH | 214 | $70,620 | Jasthi Kumar | $16,976 |
Event #10: $3,250 High Roller | 47 | $141,000 | JC Tran | $49,035 |
Event #11: $250 Seniors | 179 | $36,200 | John Valadao | $9,095 |
Event #12: $1,700 Main Event | 487 | $737,805 | Jaime Haletky | $147,706 |
Event #13: $400 Last Call | 388 | $128,040 | David Valdez | $26,787 |
Event #14: $250 Series Finale | 188 | $37,600 | James Colson | $9,359 |
The next WSOP Circuit stop is already underway at Mississippi's Horseshoe Tunica. The PokerNews Live Reporting Team will be there this weekend to bring you updates from that stop's $1,700 Main Event.
Monday, January 20, 2020 5:22 PM Local Time
Dapo Ajayi Eliminated in 2nd Place ($91,099)
Dapo Ajayi opened to 180,000, Jaime Haletky three-bet to 600,000, Ajayi four-bet all in for 3,950,000, and Haletky tanked for about a minute, then called.
Dapo Ajayi:
Jaime Haletky:
Board:
Haleky's pocket threes held, and he's the Main Event champion. Ajayi takes home $91,099 for the runner up finish.
Jaime Haletky | 14,610,000 | 6,010,000 |
Dapo Ajayi | 0 | -400,000 |
Monday, January 20, 2020 5:20 PM Local Time
Haletky Gets Distance
Dapo Ajayi opened to 180,000, and Jaime Haletky called.
Both players checked the flop. Ajayi bet 200,000 on the turn, Haletky raised to 600,000, Ajayi three-bet to 1,200,000, and Haletky called.
Both players checked the river, and Haletky's was the winner, with Ajayi mucking when he saw Haletky's spade flush.
Jaime Haletky | 8,600,000 | 100,000 |
Dapo Ajayi | 400,000 | -5,750,000 |
Monday, January 20, 2020 5:08 PM Local Time
Haletky Gets River Raise Paid
Jaime Haletky opened to 160,000, and Dapo Ajayi called.
Ajayi check-called a 125,000 bet from Haletky on the flop, and both players checked the turn.
Ajayi bet 200,000 on the river, Haletky raises to 700,000, and AJayi called. Haletky tabled for the rivered straight, and Ajayi mucked.
Jaime Haletky | 8,500,000 | 1,450,000 |
Dapo Ajayi | 6,150,000 | -1,450,000 |
Monday, January 20, 2020 5:05 PM Local Time
Raises Working for Ajayi
Jaime Haletky opened to 160,000, and Dapo Ajayi called.
The flop came , Ajayi checked, Haletky bet 125,000, Ajayi check-raised to 800,000, and Haletky folded.
Two hands later, Haletky opened to 180,000, Ajayi three-bet to 500,000, and Haletky folded.
Dapo Ajayi | 7,600,000 | 600,000 |
Jaime Haletky | 7,050,000 | -550,000 |
Monday, January 20, 2020 4:56 PM Local Time
Marko Pantelic Eliminated in 3rd Place ($66,663)
Jaime Haletky opened for 180,000 on the button only to have Dapo Ajayi three-bet to 580,000 from the small blind. Marko Pantelic was in the big and four-bet jammed for roughly 700,000, Haletky folded, and Ajayi made a quick call.
Dapo Ajayi:
Marko Pantelic:
Pantelic's best shot at staying alive was to catch a queen but he was left wanting as the board ran out a dry .
Jaime Haletky | 7,600,000 | 1,600,000 |
Dapo Ajayi | 7,000,000 | 1,000,000 |
Marko Pantelic | 0 | -2,640,000 |
Monday, January 20, 2020 4:49 PM Local Time
Ajayi Doubles Up and Then Some
Jaime Haletky opened to 180,000 from the button, Dapo Ajayi called in the small blind, and Marko Pantelic called in the big blind.
All three players checked the flop.
Ajayi checked the turn, Pantelic bet 260,000, Haletky folded, and Ajayi put in the check-raise to 700,000.
Pantelic reraised all in, having Ajayi covered, and Ajayi called off for 2,100,000 total.
Dapo Ajayi:
Marko Pantelic:
The fell on the river, and Ajayi's two pair was the winner. Ajayi and Haletky are now neck-and-neck for the chip lead as three-handed play continues.
Dapo Ajayi | 6,000,000 | 3,560,000 |
Jaime Haletky | 6,000,000 | -760,000 |
Marko Pantelic | 2,640,000 | -2,860,000 |
Monday, January 20, 2020 4:44 PM Local Time
Level 29 started
Level: 29
Blinds: 40,000/80,000
Ante: 80,000
Monday, January 20, 2020 4:31 PM Local Time
Break Time
Players are on a 15-minute break.
Monday, January 20, 2020 4:31 PM Local Time
Ajayi Asks for Cinco, Gets the Wheel Instead
Jaime Haletky opened to 135,000 from the button, and Dapo Ajayi three-bet all in for 1,160,000 from the big blind. Haletky made the call.
Upon seeing the hands turned over, Ajayi asked for "cinco" to hit the board.
Dapo Ajayi:
Jaime Haletky:
Board:
The flop brought in an even better outcome than a five for Ajayi, as the wheel straight hit the board. No help came for Haletky on the rest of the runout, and Ajayi took in a much-needed double up.
Jaime Haletky | 6,760,000 | -1,240,000 |
Marko Pantelic | 5,500,000 | 0 |
Dapo Ajayi | 2,440,000 | 1,540,000 |
Monday, January 20, 2020 4:20 PM Local Time
Wild Three-Way Hand Ends w/ an "Excellent" River Card
Dapo Ajayi raised to 160,000 from the button and Marko Pantelic called from the small blind. Jaime Haletky came along from the big and the trio watched the flop come down .
Two checks saw Ajayi continue for 200,000 and Pantelic called. Haletky then check-raised to 700,000 and Ajayi called that raise. Pantelic thought for a few beats before moving all in for 4.915 million and Haletky asked for an exact count before making the call.
Ajayi shook his head at the hand but seemed excited at the prospect of laddering up. He folded what he claimed was pocket jacks and the other two hands were turned up.
Jaime Haletky:
Marko Pantelic:
Both players had flopped trips but Pantelic, who had a kicker problem, was the one at risk.
"No chop, no chop, no chop," Ajayi repeated.
The appeared on the turn followed by the on the river. Pantelic went runner-runner to make the same hand as Haletky and the two chopped the pot.
"Excellent," Pantelic let slip with a smile.
"It's better than a four," Haletky quipped.
Jaime Haletky | 8,000,000 | -800,000 |
Marko Pantelic | 5,500,000 | 1,600,000 |
Dapo Ajayi | 900,000 | -800,000 |
Monday, January 20, 2020 4:10 PM Local Time
Two-Million Chip Pot, Ends in a Chop
Jaime Haletky opened to 135,000 from the button, and Marko Pantelic called in the big blind.
Pantelic checked the flop, Haletky bet 155,000, Pantelic check-raised to 350,000, and Haletky called.
Pantelic bet 400,000 on the turn, and Haletky called.
Pantelic checked the river, Haletky bet 400,000, and Pantelic called. Haletky turned over , which was a chop against Pantelic's .
Jaime Haletky | 8,800,000 | 200,000 |
Marko Pantelic | 3,900,000 | -800,000 |
Dapo Ajayi | 1,700,000 | 350,000 |
Monday, January 20, 2020 4:06 PM Local Time
Haletky Increases the Lead
Jaime Haletky opened to 140,000 from the button, and Marko Pantelic called in the big blind.
Pantelic led out for 125,000 on the flop, and Haletky called.
Pantelic bet 250,000 on the turn, Haletky raised to 700,000, and Pantelic folded.
Jaime Haletky | 8,600,000 | 750,000 |
Marko Pantelic | 4,700,000 | -250,000 |
Dapo Ajayi | 1,350,000 | -650,000 |
Monday, January 20, 2020 3:40 PM Local Time
More Chips for Haletky
With the flop showing , Marko Pantelic bet 200,000 from the small blind, and Jaime Haletky called in the big blind.
Pantelic checkec the turn, Haletky bet 350,000 and Pantelic called.
Haletky bet 850,000 on the river, and Pantelic folded.
Jaime Haletky | 7,850,000 | 750,000 |
Marko Pantelic | 4,950,000 | -750,000 |
Dapo Ajayi | 2,000,000 | 0 |
Monday, January 20, 2020 3:37 PM Local Time
Haletky Over Seven Million
Jaime Haletky opened to 145,000 from the button, and Dapo Ajayi called in the small blind.
Ajayi check-called a 130,000 bet from Haletky on the flop. Ajayi then check-folded to a 350,000 bet from Ajayi on the turn.
Jaime Haletky | 7,100,000 | 300,000 |
Marko Pantelic | 5,700,000 | 1,100,000 |
Dapo Ajayi | 2,000,000 | -1,250,000 |
Monday, January 20, 2020 3:22 PM Local Time
Level 28 started
Level: 28
Blinds: 30,000/60,000
Ante: 60,000
Monday, January 20, 2020 3:20 PM Local Time
Scott Stewart Eliminated in 4th Place ($49,418)
Jaime Haletky opened to 110,000 from the cutoff, Scott Stewart three-bet to 450,000 from the big blind, Haletky four-bet shoved, and Stewart called for his 2,400,000 total stack.
Haletky had Stewart covered going to the showdown.
Scott Stewart:
Jaime Haletky:
Board:
The board was not kind to Stewart, as the broadway straight came in on the turn for Haletky. Needing a queen on the river for a chop, Stewart saw the fall instead, and his tournament run is over.
Jaime Haletky | 6,800,000 | 2,700,000 |
Marko Pantelic | 4,600,000 | -400,000 |
Dapo Ajayi | 3,250,000 | 1,420,000 |
Scott Stewart | 0 | -2,420,000 |
Monday, January 20, 2020 3:14 PM Local Time
Marcus Laffen Eliminated in 5th Place ($37,117)
Marcus Laffen moved all in under the gun for 1.4 million and Marko Pantelic got an exact count before calling from the big blind.
Marcus Laffen:
Marko Pantelic:
It was a flip and Laffen was looking to hold to stay alive. That proved easier said than done as the flop paired Pantelic's ace. The turn left Laffen looking for a nine on the river but it wasn't in the cards as the useless completed the board instead.
Marko Pantelic | 5,000,000 | 1,400,000 |
Marcus Laffen | 0 | -1,500,000 |
Monday, January 20, 2020 3:08 PM Local Time
Pantelic Shoves River, Folds Out Stewart
Marko Pantelic opened to 130,000 from the cutoff, Scott Stewart called in the small blind, and Jaime Haletky called in the big blind.
Pantelic continued for 200,000 when action checked to him on the flop, Stewart called, and Haletky folded.
Stewart checked the turn, Pantelic bet 350,000, and Stewart called.
Pantelic shoved for 1,985,000 on the river, sending Stewart deep into the tank. Stewart eventually decided on a fold, preserving his remaining 2,420,000 stack.
Marko Pantelic | 3,600,000 | 285,000 |
Scott Stewart | 2,420,000 | -880,000 |
Monday, January 20, 2020 2:50 PM Local Time
Laffen Check-Raises River, Stewart Folds
Marcus Laffen limped from the small blind, and Scott Stewart checked back from the big blind.
Both players checked the flop. Laffen then check-called an 85,000 bet from Stewart on the turn.
Laffen checked again on the river, Stewart bet 110,000, Laffen check-raised to 330,000, and Stewart thought it over for a few moments, then folded.
Scott Stewart | 3,300,000 | -45,000 |
Marcus Laffen | 1,500,000 | -100,000 |