Monday, October 27, 2014 2:31 AM Local Time
Two-Time Bracelet Winner Steve Billirakis Headlines Hammond Final 11
It took three grueling days of poker, but Horseshoe Hammond’s $1,675 World Series of Poker Circuit Main Event is down to the final 11 players. Headlining the late stage of play is two-time bracelet winner Steve Billirakis (pictured). Billirakis, who burst onto the WSOP scene in 2007 becoming the then-youngest bracelet winner, lays claim to 2,670,000 chips and sits fourth in the counts. In addition to his two bracelets, the Las Vegas pro holds a Circuit ring he earned in this very event in 2008 when it boasted a $5,150 buy in.
While it’s Billirakis that headlines, it’s Kenneth Baime that leads. Impressively, Baime amassed 3,690,000 after being down to just 107,000 with three tables remaining. He now sets the pace with second place Michael Telker hot in his trail at 3,450,000. Others trailing the duo at the top include three-time ring winner John Holley (1,710,000) and tournament regular Viet Vo (1,615,000).
Day 3 is set to resume Monday at 1 p.m. CT. While each of the top four finishers are assured a six-figure score, it’s the $313,993, Circuit gold ring, and National Championship berth set to head to the eventual winner that all remaining players eye.
The Hammond series finale drew a stout field of 1,147 entries varying from amateurs who won their seat through on-site promotions to decorated tournament pros like bracelet winners Keven Stammen and Aaron Steury. The starting flights kicked off Friday and Saturday while Day 2 resumed Sunday at 12 p.m. with 251 players remaining and the top 117 finishing in the money. Ari Engel, who won his seventh Circuit gold ring earlier this series, began the day atop the counts but met his demise when he five-bet shoved holding and ran into the of Steven Hensley. Engel got no help from the dealer and exited the tournament 64th earning $4,284. Hensley, meanwhile, rode the decorated pro’s chips all the way to a 26th-place finish worth $10,048.
Those who joined Engel and Hensely in the money included 2012 Hammond Main Event champion Bob Chow (106th, $3,062), Eddy Sabat (90th, $3,630), Ralph Massey (83rd, $3,630), his brother Aaron Massey (79th, $3,940), Casino Championship leader Sean Troha (70th, $4,284), Zal Irani (49th, $5,196), Allen Kessler (29th, $8,637), Steury (25th, $10,048) and Jeff Fielder (24th, $11,820).
Additional results from the tournament are available under the "Results" tab above.
While the above names headed home with a payday, not everyone on Day 2 left happy. Notable bracelet winners Stammen and Owais Ahmed, as well as all-time Circuit cashes leader Doug Carli, Robert Edelstein, Ross Bybee, Matt Kirby, Austin Buchanan and bubble boy Tom Midena each each exited the event shy of the top 117.
The third and final day of play in the Hammond finale begins Monday at 1 p.m. For their efforts thus far, each of the remaining players is assured $25,102 while the eventual champion is set to pocket $313,993, a Circuit gold ring and earn a berth in the season-ending National Championship.
Day 3 begins with 20 minutes left in the 20,000/40,000 with a 5,000 ante level.
Chip counts:
1. Kenneth Baime - 3,690,000
2. Michael Telker - 3,645,000
3. Darren Deuser - 2,720,000
4. Steve Billirakis - 2,670,000
5. Robert Coventry - 2,380,000
6. Shannon Mastin - 2,305,000
7. John Holley - 1,710,000
8. Viet Vo - 1,615,000
9. Bruce Knee - 965,000
10. Dennis Huberts - 880,000
11. Robert Noe - 380,000
Follow the action all day tomorrow right here on WSOP.com.