Tuesday, February 18, 2020 12:24 AM Local Time
Isaac Kempton Wins WSOPC Tampa Main Event for $290,974; David Tuthill Crowned Casino Champ
The World Series of Poker Circuit Seminole Hard Rock Tampa $1,700 Main Event reached its conclusion Monday night after three long days of play and what a story it created with a massive 1,162-entry turnout.
In the end, the poker world saw new star break onto the scene in Isaac Kempton, who took home the grand prize of $290,974, a coveted gold ring, and a seat into the 2020 Global Casino Championship. The 22-year-old was playing in just his second live tournament ever and made his presence known by finishing as both the Day 1 and Day 2 chip leader and riding all the way to the title.
Kempton has been a student of the game for some time and has honed his skills before testing them in the open waters of tournament poker.
"I probably got into poker around four years ago, right as I was heading off to college and I saw some YouTube videos of the old High Stakes Poker days, and then once you watch one then you start watching more and get drawn into the rabbit hole," Kempton explained. "You just want to keep watching and I was like this game looks really fun and they are playing for a ton of money, maybe I should try this myself."
What's next for the newly crowned WSOP Circuit Champion?
"This semester I'm taking off, so I'm on a leave of absence. So yeah, I'm just playing poker full-time basically."
If this tournament is anything to go by, the poker world may be seeing a lot more of Kempton in the near future.
Main Event Final Table Results
Position | Player | Hometown | Prize |
1 | Isaac Kempton | Newark, DE | $290,974 |
2 | David Jackson | Jacksonville,FL | $179,833 |
3 | Paul Balzano | Sunrise,FL | $135,794 |
4 | Robert Manjura | Fern Park,FL | $103,434 |
5 | James Calderaro | Venice,FL | $79,480 |
6 | Ioannis Patsourakis | Winter Haven,FL | $61,616 |
7 | Franisco Gomez | Lakeland,FL | $48,195 |
8 | Brad Sailor | Lombard,IL | $38,039 |
9 | Fares Santana | Bayamon,Puerto Rico | $30,297 |
10 | John Ott | Tampa,FL | $24,353 |
Route to Ring Victory
Making Kempton's win even more impressive was the wire-to-wire nature of it. He was the Day 1 chip leader as well as the chip leader after Day 2. He started the day off strong on Day 3, but eventually he did hit his first patch of adversity in the middle part of the day and was third in chips heading into the final table.
At the final table he would sink to as low as the short stack at one point before regaining strength during four-handed play. He then surged in chips after he eliminated both Robert Manjura and Paul Balzano in fourth and third place respectively to take a big chip lead into heads up versus the very experienced David Jackson.
Heads-up play started well in Jackson's favor as he cut into Kempton's lead to get closer. But after just a few hands Kempton's tournament would end in appropriate storybook fashion. Jackson made bets on the flop and turn that Kempton called. On the river, Jackson, the weathered tournament veteran, put the young gun to the ultimate test by jamming all in. Kempton went deep in thought before softly making the one-chip call that he will likely remember for the rest of his life, the one that would win him the Circuit Ring and the huge payday when it was revealed that his third pair was good against Jackson's bluff.
Kempton explained his thought process about the call that won him the tournament.
"I'm afraid there was not a read. I don't know very much about live poker and I don't know much about live reads, I can't read people!" he admitted but then explained that it was more analytical than anything.
"The hand before was just a bad hand with the way it played out so I decided not to go for the bluff-catch there. I think that the main difference in the last hand, where I did go for the successful bluff-catch is that he can have so many more bluffs with the way the board ran out and given by the fact that I just called the flop it's kind of hard for me to have the stronger hands unless I picked up an ace on the turn, so even though an eight is like third pair and doesn't seem that strong, in heads-up ranges they are so much wider that you just have to go for it sometimes."
Final Table Action
The day started with 25 players and the eliminations went fairly steadily down until the final table. The eliminations at the final table started off quickly as John Ott became the first victim when he ran into the top pair of Kempton to finish in 10th place. Fares Santana hit the rail shortly after as he was felled by the pocket cowboys of Francisco Gomez. Brad Sailor follow him out the door in eighth place to quickly move the table down to seven-handed.
Action would slow significantly with seven players left with many changes in chip positions. It took nearly four hours before the next elimination when Gomez hit the deck in seventh place to finally get the field to six-handed. Right before the next break Ioannis Patsourakis got unlucky twice in a row to succumb to flushes.
James Calderaro, who had a fantastic performance at this Tampa Circuit stop, was the next player to be eliminated in fifth place.
Play would again slow down for a while four-handed until a bombastic three-way all-in hand took out Manjura in fourth place at the hands of Kempton. Exactly one hand later, Balzano was taken out in third. After holding the chip lead for much of the final table, Balzano was finally slain, also by the sword of Kempton. That set up the aforementioned heads up battle that Kempton would emerge victorious.
David Tuthill Crowned Casino Champ
Also winning a seat into the 2020 Global Casino Championship was David Tuthill, who claimed the title of "Casino Champion" after notching six cashes during the series. That included a win in Event #3: $400 NLH Turbo for $15,272 and his second career gold ring, sixth in Event #7: $1,125 PLO 8-Handed for $8,746, and third in Event #14: $250 NLH Double Stack for $8,140.
WSOPC Tampa Ring Winners
Tournament | Entries | Prize Pool | Winner | Prize |
Event #1: $600 NLH double Stack (5 Flights) | 2,433 | $1,252,995 | Byron Johnson | $166,176 |
Event #2: $400 Pot-Limit Omaha | 166 | $54,780 | Michael Raimon | $13,894 |
Event #3: $400 NLH Turbo | 190 | $62,700 | David Tuthill | $15,272 |
Event #4: $1,125 NLH | 227 | $227,000 | Ryan Yu | $53,725 |
Event #5: $600 NLH 6-Handed | 352 | $181,280 | Arkadiy Tsinis | $39,527 |
Event #6: $400 Monster Stack | 1,371 | $452,430 | Kevin Ho | $70,567 |
Event #7: $1,125 Pot-Limit Omaha 8-Handed | 212 | $212,000 | David Prociak | $51,400 |
Event #8: $2,200 High Roller | 173 | $346,000 | Romeo Mendoza | $88,717 |
Event #9: $3,250 High Roller 8-Handed | 104 | $312,000 | Mark Zullo | $89,150 |
Event #10: $1,700 Main Event | 1,162 | $1,760,430 | Isaac Kempton | $290,974 |
Event #11: $400 NLH Turbo | 247 | $81,510 | Anthony Guagliardo | $18,417 |
Event #13: $600 NLH | 374 | $192,610 | David Dibernardi | $40,079 |
Event #14: $250 NLH Double Stack | 455 | $91,000 | Harmeet Singh | $17,990 |
That wraps it up for the PokerNews coverage of the successful and busy WSOP Circuit stop in Tampa. Stay tuned for more coverage of the Circuit in the coming weeks.
Tuesday, February 18, 2020 12:22 AM Local Time
David Jackson Eliminated in 2nd Place ($179,833)
The flop read . David Jackson bet 650,000 from the button and was called by Isaac Kempton.
The turn was the . Jackson loaded up again and bet 2,500,000. Kempton came along again with the call.
The river came the . Kempton checked it. Jackson waited about 15 seconds before announcing all in. Kempton got a count which was for 8,900,000 and went into the tank.
He stewed it over in his mind for several moments with his head down studying the board and Jackson.
After about a minute he softly and silently placed one chip forward for the call, Jackson immediately shook his head and turned over the for nothing while Kempton tabled the , for the third pair call for the main event championship in dramatic fashion.
Isaac Kempton | 34,860,000 | 12,550,000 |
David Jackson | 0 | -12,550,000 |
Tuesday, February 18, 2020 12:13 AM Local Time
Jackson Starts to Bridge the Gap
David Jackson opened to 625,000 from the button and Isaac Kempton three-bet to 2,500,000. Jackson called and the flop came down .
Kempton bet 1,500,000 and Jackson called to see the turn card. Both players checked to the river where Kempton tapped the table once more.
Jackson shoved his 5,900,000 stack into the middle and Kempton hit the tank but in the end, he let his hand go and Jackson scooped one of the first heads up pots of the tournament.
Isaac Kempton | 22,310,000 | -2,040,000 |
David Jackson | 12,550,000 | 2,150,000 |
Tuesday, February 18, 2020 12:03 AM Local Time
Level 36 started
Level: 36
Blinds: 200,000/400,000
Ante: 400,000
Monday, February 17, 2020 11:54 PM Local Time
Paul Balzano Eliminated in 3rd Place ($135,794)
Paul Balzano moved all in from the button the very next hand and was called by Isaac Kempton in the big blind.
Paul Balzano
Isaac Kempton
The board ran out and Balzano was gone in 3rd place.
Isaac Kempton | 24,350,000 | 8,100,000 |
Paul Balzano | 0 | -4,500,000 |
Monday, February 17, 2020 11:51 PM Local Time
Robert Manjura Eliminated in 4th Place ($103,434)
From the cut off Robert Manjura jammed all in for 3,450,000. Isaac Kempton called from the button. Paul Balzano also called from the small blind. In the big blind, David Jackson asked for counts and contemplating joining the ruckus but folded after a few moments.
The flop came . Kempton then jammed all in which caused Balzano to fold and the cards were turned up.
Kempton had the hammer with the which was crushing the of Manjura. The turn was the and the river came the to send Manjura home.
Isaac Kempton | 16,250,000 | 5,750,000 |
Paul Balzano | 4,500,000 | -5,150,000 |
Robert Manjura | 0 | -4,800,000 |
Monday, February 17, 2020 11:46 PM Local Time
Break Time
The remaining two players will now be taking a quick break.
Monday, February 17, 2020 11:35 PM Local Time
Jackson Extracts from Balzano
Paul Balzano opened to 600,000 from the small blind and David Jackson called in the big blind. The dealer spread out on the flop and Balzano continued for 850,000.
Jackson called and the landed on the turn. Balzano tapped to Jackson who bet 2,100,000 and Balzano quickly released, sending the pot to Jackson.
David Jackson | 10,700,000 | -600,000 |
Paul Balzano | 9,650,000 | -850,000 |
Monday, February 17, 2020 11:26 PM Local Time
Balzano Gets Some Back vs Jackson
Paul Balzano had the chance to get some back vs David Jackson, holding the in a preflop all in. All he had to do was dodge an ace as Jackson had the .
And dodge the ace he did as the board came down as Balzano gained chips back.
David Jackson | 11,300,000 | -4,800,000 |
Paul Balzano | 10,500,000 | 6,100,000 |
Monday, February 17, 2020 11:22 PM Local Time
Kempton Doubles Through Balzano
Isaac Kempton was all in preflop holding the against the of Paul Balzano.
The board would stay safe for the sixes as it came down and Kempton doubled through Balzano who continues to sink.
Isaac Kempton | 10,500,000 | 4,900,000 |
Paul Balzano | 4,400,000 | -5,225,000 |
Monday, February 17, 2020 11:18 PM Local Time
Jackson Flips for His Life Against Balzano
Paul Balzano opened to 600,000 from the button and David Jackson shoved his 7,750,000 stack into the middle. Balzano snap-called and the two tabled their hands with Jackson at risk.
David Jackson:
Paul Balzano:
The board rolled out and Jackson's snowmen took down the pot, doubling through Balzano to take the lead.
David Jackson | 16,100,000 | 9,300,000 |
Paul Balzano | 9,625,000 | -8,035,000 |
Monday, February 17, 2020 11:10 PM Local Time
Updated Chip Counts
Paul Balzano | 17,660,000 | 260,000 |
David Jackson | 6,800,000 | -400,000 |
Isaac Kempton | 5,600,000 | -1,425,000 |
Robert Manjura | 4,800,000 | -200,000 |
Monday, February 17, 2020 10:56 PM Local Time
Level 35 started
Level: 35
Blinds: 150,000/300,000
Ante: 300,000
Monday, February 17, 2020 10:49 PM Local Time
Balzano Takes Commanding Lead
The board showed and there was around 4,000,000 in the pot. Paul Balzano bet 3,200,000 and David Jackson called.
Balzano slammed over for a boat and Jackson looked of disgust as he sent a into the muck, shipping the pot to Balzano.
Paul Balzano | 17,400,000 | 6,150,000 |
David Jackson | 7,200,000 | -6,050,000 |
Monday, February 17, 2020 10:43 PM Local Time
James Calderaro Eliminated in 5th Place ($79,480)
David Jackson raised to 600,000 from the cutoff. Out of the big blind James Calderaro shoved all in for 2,550,000 and he got a snap call from Jackson.
James Calderaro
David Jackson
The board would not save Calderaro this time as it ran out and he was eliminated in 5th place, matching his same 5th place finish in the $2,200 High Roller on Thursday.
David Jackson | 13,250,000 | 250,000 |
James Calderaro | 0 | -925,000 |
Monday, February 17, 2020 10:20 PM Local Time
Exciting Flops Shoots Jackson to the Top
James Calderaro opened to 500,000 from the button and David Jackson three-bet to 1,825,000 in the big blind. Calderaro thought for well over a minute but ultimately he put in the chips to call.
The dealer fanned out on the flop and Jackson pushed in 900,000. Calderaro announced all in and before he could even push a chip Jackson called, putting in his 4,400,000 and he was the one at risk.
David Jackson:
James Calderaro:
The flop Jackson a set and Calderaro the nut-flush draw. A turn gave ease to Jackson as he filled up and Calderaro was then drawing dead to the river card, doubling Jackson up.
David Jackson | 13,000,000 | 7,950,000 |
James Calderaro | 925,000 | -5,625,000 |
Monday, February 17, 2020 10:07 PM Local Time
Updated Chip Counts
Paul Balzano | 11,250,000 | -1,650,000 |
Isaac Kempton | 7,025,000 | 4,325,000 |
James Calderaro | 6,550,000 | -170,000 |
David Jackson | 5,050,000 | 1,705,000 |
Robert Manjura | 5,000,000 | 0 |
Monday, February 17, 2020 10:04 PM Local Time
Ioannis Patsourakis Eliminated in 6th Place ($61,616)
Ioannis Patsourakis moved all in prelfop and was called by Robert Manjura who had a smaller stack. David Jackson folded after a moment of deliberation.
Patsourakis had the dominating the of Manjura.
The flop gave Manjura a flush draw as all diamons came off . The turn brought home the nut flush when the came off and the on the river gave Manjura the pot and crippled Patsourakis's stack.
Shortly afterwards Manjura jammed from under the gun and Patsourakis called from the big blind.
Ioannis Patourakis
Robert Manjura
The flop came to give Patsourakis the lead. The turn was the and the river was the to flush Patsourakis out once again.
Robert Manjura | 5,000,000 | 425,000 |
Ioannis Patsourakis | 0 | -2,000,000 |
Monday, February 17, 2020 9:58 PM Local Time
Level 34 started
Level: 34
Blinds: 125,000/250,000
Ante: 250,000
Monday, February 17, 2020 9:42 PM Local Time
Break Time
The remaining players will now be taking a 15-minute break.