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Friday, December 11, 2015 2:30 AM Local Time
Steven Curran Wins Ring in $365 Turbo No Limit Hold’em
46-year-old project manager earns first ring in the series’ only turbo event.
Los Angeles, CA. (December 11, 2015) — Steven Curran is by no means a professional poker player, but he played like one on Thursday night. He defeated Massoud Eskandari heads-up to win his first ring and $10,810 in the $365 Turbo No Limit Hold’em.
Curran is married with a full-time job as a project manager for Transamerica. He admits that with a family and a job, poker doesn’t always get to come first on his list of things to do.
“I try and play once a week,” said Curran. “Whenever my wife lets me out. I like to try to play as much as I can.”
This is Curran’s first significant tournament win of his poker career. Before this, his most notable poker accomplishment was earning a cash in the 2010 WSOP Main Event.
“It’s great,” he said. “I got very lucky. I was short-stacked a couple times, doubled up a couple times and found a way to get to the end."
When he got to the end, there was one big obstacle that was standing between Curran and his first ring – Massoud Eskandari. Eskandari is a Los Angeles tournament regular with over $1 million in tournament earnings, including a runner-up finish at the WPT Legends of Poker main event last year.
Curran didn’t seem phased by what was in his way and sent Eskandari to the rail in just a few hands.
“It was definitely a tough table with some really good players,” said Curran of the talent at the final table. “But I got some cards at the end and then held on."
Thursday, December 10, 2015 11:46 PM Local Time
After the bubble popped, the two eliminations happened very fast and the unofficial final table of 10 was reached. It is Ronald Phipps (pictured) leading the way, followed closely behind by Salvatore DiCarlo. Here is a look at the seating arrangement and chip counts for the final 10 players:
Seat 1: Manny Hernandez - 100,000
Seat 2: Jordan Avne - 67,000
Seat 3: Steven Curran - 110,000
Seat 4: Zachary Zimble - 54,000
Seat 5: Juan Valladares - 104,000
Seat 6: Ronald Phipps - 212,000
Seat 7: Salvatore DiCarlo - 202,000
Seat 8: Massoud Eskandari - 101,000
Seat 9: Mazias Kesharzi - 145,000
Seat 10: Allen Hodsat - 96,000
There is eight minutes remaining in the current level with blinds of 4,000/8,000 with a 1,000 ante. Everybody is guaranteed a payday of at least $750.
Thursday, December 10, 2015 7:41 PM Local Time
With late registration having closed about an hour ago, the prizepool for the $365 turbo has been announced. There are 120 players in the field and the top 12 earn a cash.
A min-cash is worth $750, but the top prize takes home $10,810.
Thursday, December 10, 2015 4:24 PM Local Time
Players are about to head on their first break of the day with the completion of level 3 just minutes away. There are 98 players registered with just under two hours left of late registration. Here is a look at the structure for the only 1-day event on the schedule.
Thursday, December 10, 2015 12:55 AM Local Time
The only one-day event of the series starts on Thursday at 3 p.m. with a $365 No Limit Hold'em Turbo. Here is what you need to know:
- Players start with 10,000 in tournament chips
- There are 10-minute breaks after level 3, 6, 10, 15, 18, 22 and 25
- The first six levels of the day are 30 minutes each
- The rest of the day will have 20 minute levels
- Late registration is open until the beginning of level 7, about 6:20 p.m.
- There are no re-entries
