Monday, May 11, 2015 7:02 PM Local Time
The native of Serbia, now living in Memphis, earned his first Circuit ring and nearly $175,000
New Orleans (May 11, 2015) – After four days of poker at Harrah’s New Orleans, Damjan Radanov became the latest winner on the World Series of Poker Circuit. He bested a field of 554 players to earn $174,514, and he defeated four-time ring winner David Nicholson in the process.
David Nicholson just barely missed out on his fifth career WSOP Circuit ring. Nicholson finished runner up behind Radanov, earning $107,939. Nicholson is in the midst of a successful year on the Circuit so far. This is his third cash here in New Orleans, and he cashed in the Main Event at the Circuit at Harrah’s Cherokee a few weeks ago.
Another final tablist performing well lately is Joey Alesna. Alesna made his second top-ten finish in a Circuit Main Event so far this year. He finished in tenth place at Palm Beach Kennel Club in February, and he finished in eighth place today.
The 33-year old Radanov resides in Memphis, Tenn., but he was born in Serbia. He moved to the US eleven years ago. He recalled of his journey, “My best friend came to the States in 2004 and he said he had the best time of his life. Back then you couldn’t get a student visa in your first or last year of school. I finished my third year of law school, so that was my very last shot. I just came to the States and I stayed. I followed my intuition all the way." He never practiced law in the US, and has been making his living as a poker player for the past six years.
The final day of the tournament seemed like it was divided into two distinct halves. The first two levels of the day were action-packed. Within the first 10 hands of the day, there were three called all-in bets, and all three times, the all-in player doubled up. There were six more called all-ins before the first break, and they led to six bustouts.
After that, the tone of the table changed dramatically. During the next two levels, there was only one elimination, and very little chip movement. This slow pace of play continued until the tournament ended, and Radanov collected the last of the chips.
In addition to his first WSOP Circuit ring and almost $175,000, Radanov earns a free entry into the 2015 WSOP National Championship, to be held at Harrah’s Cherokee from July 29-31.
Nicholson was the top finisher among several multiple winners who performed well in this tournament.Three-time ring winner John Holley made a deep run in this event, eventually bowing out in ninth place for $16,188. Two-time ring winner Chris Conrad just barely missed out on the final table. He was eliminated on the last hand of Day 2 in 11th place, earning $13,030. Four-time ring winners Caufman Talley and Cory Waaland finished in 30th place ($4,612), and 46th place ($2,950), respectively. And five-time ring winners Val Vornicu and Kyle Cartwright finished back-to-back in 52nd and 51st place, both earning $2,950.
Two bracelet winners cashed as well, Loni Harwood (32nd place - $4,055) and Larry Wright (42nd place - $3,241).
The tournament also showcased a family rivalry. Bob Beck and his father Robbie Beck both cashed in this event. Bob actually knocked Robbie out near the end of Day 1A, but Robbie re-entered on Day 1B and advanced to Day 2. Robbie got a bit of revenge by outlasting his father and securing bragging rights. Robbie finished in 38th place ($3,241), and Bob was eliminated in 57th ($2,717).
The tournament started on Friday, May 8, as 266 players entered Day 1A. The chip leader after the first day was Dustin Denzik, who bagged 305,000 in chips. He was well ahead of his closest competitor, Viet Vo (223,500). Denzik has had an extraordinarily successful series here at Harrah’s New Orleans. He cashed in four events, including a second-place finish and a seventh-place finish. He was eventually eliminated from the Main Event in 21st place ($7,329).
On Saturday, 288 players turned out for Day 1B. The 544 combined entries generated a prize pool of $831,000. Steve Moore ended Day 1B atop the leaderboard, bagging up 313,000, just a bit more than Denzik the day before. A total of 110 players advanced to Day 2—52 from Friday, and 58 from Saturday.
Here are the final results. Full results are available here, and live updates from the event are posted here.
1st – Damjan Radanov - $174,514
2nd – David Nicholson - $107,939
3rd – Jared Ingles - $78,928
4th – Hugo Perez - $58,569
5th – John Lauve - $44,068
6th – Tony Sanchez - $33,614
7th – Tai Cao - $25,994
8th – Joseph Alesna - $20,376
9th – John Holley - $16,188
Monday, May 11, 2015 6:35 PM Local Time
Hand #229:
David Nicholson limps the button, and Damjan Radanov moves all-in. Nicholson calls all-in for the 2.175 million he has remaining, and the cards are turned up with his tournament life on the line.
Nicholson:
Radanov:
There's a jack on the flop, and the board locks up the pot and the victory for Radanov.
Nicholson's bid for ring number five has come up just short this week in New Orleans. He'll have to settle for runner-up honors and a six-figure payout of $107,939.
Full results are available here.
A full recap will be posted shortly.
Monday, May 11, 2015 6:28 PM Local Time
David Nicholson gets a walk in the big blind.
Monday, May 11, 2015 6:28 PM Local Time
David Nicholson limps the small blind, and Damjan Radanov moves all in from the big. Nicholson folds.
Monday, May 11, 2015 6:27 PM Local Time
Damjan Radanov opens with a raise from the small blind, and David Nicholson folds.
Monday, May 11, 2015 6:26 PM Local Time
David Nicholson limps the small blind, and Damjan Radanov checks his option.
The flop comes , and Radanov check-folds to a bet.
Monday, May 11, 2015 6:25 PM Local Time
David Nicholson gets a walk in the big blind.
Monday, May 11, 2015 6:24 PM Local Time
David Nicholson opens to 180,000 from the small blind, and Damjan Radanov three-bets to 475,000 in the big. Nicholson calls.
Both players check through the flop, and the turn brings the . Radanov bets 500,000, Nicholson calls, and the hits the river. Radanov checks this time, and Nicholson takes his cue to bet 450,000. Radanov calls.
"Ten high," Nicholson announces. Radanov tables his to win the pot with a pair of sevens.
Damjan Radanov - 8,980,000 (112 BBs)
David Nicholson - 2,100,000 (26 BBs)
Monday, May 11, 2015 6:22 PM Local Time
Damjan Radanov raises to 200,000 from the small blind, and David Nicholson folds.
Monday, May 11, 2015 6:22 PM Local Time
David Nicholson raises to 175,000 from the small blind, anad Damjan Radanov three-bets. Nicholson folds.
Monday, May 11, 2015 6:21 PM Local Time
Damjan Radanov raises to 200,000 from the small blind, and David Nicholson calls. The flop is , and Nicholson leads out for 115,000. Radanov folds.
Monday, May 11, 2015 6:20 PM Local Time
David Nicholson raises to 175,000 from the small blind, and Damjan Radanov calls. The flop is , and Radanov checks. Nicholson puts out a bet, and Radanov folds.
Monday, May 11, 2015 6:19 PM Local Time
David Nicholson gets a walk in the big blind.
Monday, May 11, 2015 6:19 PM Local Time
David Nicholson completes the small blind, and Damjan Radanov checks his option.
The flop comes , and both players check. Radanov leads out for 100,000 on the turn, but he's forced to fold as Nicholson makes a raise to 250,000.
Monday, May 11, 2015 6:19 PM Local Time
David Nicholson gets a walk in the big blind.
Monday, May 11, 2015 6:18 PM Local Time
David Nicholson completes the small blind, and Damjan Radanov raises to 250,000 from the big. Nicholson responds with a reraise to 550,000, and Radanov comes right back over the top to 1.25 million total. Nicholson wants to play for more still, and he bumps it up to a total of 2 million.
"All right," Radanov says. "I wanted you to win anyways. All in."
Nicholson quickly folds.
Damjan Radanov - 7,880,000 (98 BBs)
David Nicholson - 3,200,000 (40 BBs)
Monday, May 11, 2015 6:10 PM Local Time
Damjan Radanov completes the small blind, and David Nicholson checks his option.
The flop comes , and Nicholson check-calls a bet of 100,000. He check-calls another 175,000 on the turn, and they check-check through the river.
Radanov shows , and his kings and fives earn him the pot.
Monday, May 11, 2015 6:10 PM Local Time
David Nicholson opens with a raise to 170,000 from the small blind, and Damjan Radanov defends his big blind.
The flop comes , and Radanov check-folds to a bet.
Monday, May 11, 2015 6:10 PM Local Time
Damjan Radanov opens with a raise from the small blind, and David Nicholson folds.
Monday, May 11, 2015 6:10 PM Local Time
David Nicholson completes the small blind, and Damjan Radanov raises to 280,000. Nicholson calls.
The flop comes , and both players check. That action repeats after the turn, and the river brings the . Radanov leads out for 175,000, and Nicholson calls.
Radanov shows down , and Nicholson's cards hit the muck.