2014 Chicago Poker Classic Final Results

The sixth annual Chicago Poker Classic ran April 29-May 12. In that time, 10 new champions were crowned including Eddie Ochana who bested 745 entries in the Main Event for $217,810 and a $10,000 WSOP seat.

A closer look at the series winners:

• Event 1: $350 NLH Re-Entry – Chris Karambinis defeated 3,092 entries for $168,039
• Event 2: $500 NLH – Sachin Bhargava defeated 806 entries for $104,263
• Event 3: $400 PLO – Ben Sagan defeated 194 entries for $19,854
• Event 4: $350 NLH Deep Stack Mini Stimulus – Matt Kirby defeated 285 entries for $20,321
• Event 5: $600 NLH Deep Stack Six Max – Drake Bronk defeated 269 entries for $37,695
• Event 6: $500 HORSE – John Holley defeated 108 entries for $12,907
• Event 7: $350 NLH Stimulus – Christopher Staats defeated 292 entries for $20,819
• Event 8: $1,500 Main Event – Eddie Ochana defeated 745 entries for $217,810 + $10,000 WSOP seat
• Event 9: $250 NLH Re-Entry – James Ramirez defeated 1,106 entries for $48,200 + 2014 Chrysler 300C
• Event 10: $350 NLH Deep Stack Turbo – Zal Irani defeated 394 entries for $27,521 + $10,000 WSOP seat

2014 is in the books, but stay tuned as we look ahead to the 2015 schedule release!

Eddie Ochana Wins CPC Main Event, $217,810 and $10,000 WSOP Seat

Main Event – Event #8
No-Limit Hold’em
Buy-In: $1,500
Total Entries: 745
Prize Pool: $990,031
May 9-12, 2014

Horseshoe regular experiences continued success at his home casino.

Richard Bai turns $500 promo package into runner-up finish and six-figure score.

Hammond, Ind. (May 12, 2014) — Eddie Ochana came to Day 3 of the Chicago Poker Classic boasting no shortage of success at the Horseshoe property. The 39-year-old poker pro recorded six cashes within its walls since 2009 including a WSOP Circuit gold ring victory in a $1,125 event and a 3rd-place finish in the 2012 Chicago Poker Classic Main Event for a $108,268 score.

With those notches in his belt, he entered the decisive day of the 2014 CPC Main Event eighth of 11 remaining players and within earshot of another Chicago victory. The restart narrowed to the nine-handed final table following less than 20 minutes of Day 3 play and in that time Ochana managed to put himself in contention with a top-three stack.

With cards in the air for the final session, players took it upon themselves to keep the action moving. Ochana wasted no time sending Michael Hudson to the rail 9th and David Snitkin followed shortly in 8th. From there, it took less than two levels for Ochana to accumulate more than 14 million of the 18.6 million chips in play and find himself heads up against fellow Horseshoe grinder Richard Bai.

Bai, a $1/2 pot-limit Omaha player who earned his way into the event during one of the property’s $500 Satellite Saturday promotions, put up a valiant effort, but ultimately succumbed to Ochana, finishing second for an impressive $135,040.

Ochana stole the headline with his $217,810 haul and $10,000 WSOP Main Event seat added to the prize pool courtesy of the Horseshoe. The victory marks his seventh cash at the property accounting for $379,853 of his more than $1.2 million in reported tournament earnings.

“It feels very good. I had my supporters following me and it’s a good feeling to pull out the win in front of them,” Ochana said.

While the value of the $10,000 WSOP seat is significant for every player, it holds more weight with the CPC’s newest winner. Ochana has played poker’s championship event each of the last seven years and followed up a 34th-place finish and $255,242 score in 2010 with a 160th-place finish and $50,752 score in 2013.

“I hopefully keep on making it deep and one day maybe I’ll make it through,” Ochana said after winning the seat.

The CPC Main Event was the eighth of 10 numbered events on the 2014 CPC schedule. The $1,500 no-limit hold’em tournament drew 745 entries generating a $990,031 prize pool. Per the structure sheet, the promotional seat and 3 percent staffing counted toward the guarantee, and thus, the property met its $1,000,000 number.

The top 72 players earned prize money including notables Zal Irani (15th), Matt Kirby (21st), Ravi Raghavan (36th), Mike Mustafa (49th) and Greg Raymer (57th).

The first of two starting flights began Friday, May 9 at 12 p.m., drew 364 entries and advanced 59. The second and final starting flight began Saturday, May 10 at 12 p.m., drew 381 entries and advanced 46.

Day 2 kicked off Sunday, May 11 at 12 p.m. with 105 players remaining. The bubble burst shortly after the first break and from there play moved along swiftly until it wrapped following Level 26 at 12 a.m.

Day 3 began Monday at 2 p.m. with 11 players remaining and it took less than 20 minutes to reach the nine-handed final table. Play concluded at 9:15 p.m. making the total duration of the finale about seven hours.

Main Event final table chip counts:

The final playing session began with 43 minutes left in Level 27 (5,000/25,000/50,000)

Seat 1: Michael Hudson – 780,000
Seat 2: Edward Ochana – 2,130,000
Seat 3: David Snitkin – 735,000
Seat 4: Travis Lutes – 4,000,000
Seat 5: Richard Bai – 2,055,000
Seat 6: Nicholas Aranda – 1,870,000
Seat 7: Pfizer Jordan – 4,795,000
Seat 8: In Park – 790,000
Seat 9: Patrick Ray – 1,480,000

Main Event final table results:

1st: Edward Ochana – $217,810 + $10,000 WSOP Main Event seat
2nd: Richard Bai – $135,040
3rd: Travis Lutes – $88,469
4th: Nicholas Aranda – $61,610
5th: Patrick Ray – $45,324
6th: In Park – $35,116
7th: Pfizer Jordan – $28,582
8th: David Snitkin – $24,384
9th: Michael Hudson – $21,761

Full results available from our friends at TheHendonMob.com.

2014 Chicago Poker Classic results:

Event 1: $350 NLH Re-Entry – Chris Karambinis defeated 3,092 entries for $168,039
Event 2: $500 NLH – Sachin Bhargava defeated 806 entries for $104,263
Event 3: $400 PLO – Ben Sagan defeated 194 entries for $19,854
Event 4: $350 NLH Deep Stack Mini Stimulus – Matt Kirby defeated 285 entries for $20,321
Event 5: $600 NLH Deep Stack Six Max – Drake Bronk defeated 269 entries for $37,695
Event 6: $500 HORSE – John Holley defeated 108 entries for $12,907
Event 7: $350 NLH Stimulus – Christopher Staats defeated 292 entries for $20,819
Event 8: $1,500 Main Event – Eddie Ochana defeated 745 entries for $217,810
Event 9: $250 NLH Re-Entry – James Ramirez defeated 1,106 entries for $48,200
Event 10: $350 NLH Deep Stack Turbo – Zal Irani defeated 394 entries for $27,521

Zal Irani Wins $10,000 WSOP Seat in CPC Closer

Event #10
No-Limit Hold’em Deep Stack Turbo
Buy-In: $350
Total Entries: 394
Prize Pool: $114,654 + three $10,000 WSOP seats
May 12, 2014

Horseshoe Casino sweetens the pot with three $10,000 WSOP seats added to the prize pool. 14-day series hands out total of seven seats to poker’s championship event.

2014 Chicago Poker Classic concludes with Chicagoan making his third deep run of the series count.

Hammond, Ind. (May 12, 2014) — Zal Irani plays with a bit of a homefield advantage when he takes to the felt at Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Ind. Irani, a former financial planner turned poker pro, resides in Chicago’s South Loop and was afforded the luxury of commuting back-and-forth during the two-week Chicago Poker Classic.

“It’s easier sleeping in your own bed when you’re playing poker 12 hours a day for 12 days in a row,” Irani said of his proximity to the casino.

Whether the idea of homefield advantage in a game that takes players all over the globe resonates with you or not, one thing is clear – it resonates with Irani. Irani recorded five cashes during the two-week series, most notably winning Event 10, a $350 deep stack turbo event with three $10,000 seats added to the prize pool late Monday night.

In addition to a complimentary Main Event berth, Irani earned $27,521 and his first title on his home turf.

“This is by far my luckiest casino anywhere,” Irani said after his win. “I’m just hoping to get more series here.”

The victory may mark his first win in The Venue, but it’s just the most recent in a long list of cashes and far from his biggest score. During the 2014 CPC alone, Irani accumulated $47,692 in earnings along with a $10,000 WSOP Main Event seat. Putting those numbers in even greater perspective are some of Irani’s other Chicago tournament scores – a runner-up in last year’s 5,165-entry opening event for $104,275 and a fifth-place finish in the property’s 2012 WSOP Circuit Main Event for $104,371

“I play here more than anywhere which is a great benefit to me,” Irani said of his good fortune. “This is my seventh or eighth final table in The Venue. I always look forward to the CPC.”

Irani was one of seven participants to play his way in to the WSOP Main Event during the CPC. The other seats went to Main Event champion Eddie Ochana, Event 1 most chips surrendered winner Matt Kirby, Event 9 most chips surrendered winner Greg Koutelidakis, Event 10 3rd-place finisher Nino Dicosola, Event 10 runner-up Robert Levin and the winner of the $150 last-chance turbo event.

All seats were added by the Horseshoe.

We can’t speak for the other players, but Irani made it clear he planned to the play the WSOP Main Event either way and his promotional seat is just an added bonus.

“This is so much easier,” he laughed. “I do well in massive fields so hopefully it’s going to be a fun summer.”

Event 10 was the last of the numbered events on the CPC schedule. The $350 deep stack turbo event drew 394 players creating a $114,654 prize pool. In addition to the funds generated from buy-ins, Horseshoe Casino added three $10,000 WSOP Main Event seats. The top 36 players were paid

Event 10 final table results:

1st: Zal Irani – $27,521 + $10,000 WSOP Main Event seat
2nd: Robert Levin – $17,005 + $10,000 WSOP Main Event seat
3rd: Nino Dicosola – $11,207 + $10,000 WSOP Main Event seat
4th: Victor Easley – $7,846
5th: Anthony Calabrese – $5,814
6th: Mike Zaplatich – $4,547
7th: Yorell Groves – $3,742
8th: Jared Palmer – $3,233
9th: Henry Montgomery – $2,926

Full results available from our friends at TheHendonMob.com.

2014 Chicago Poker Classic results:

Event 1: $350 NLH Re-Entry – Chris Karambinis defeated 3,092 entries for $168,039
Event 2: $500 NLH – Sachin Bhargava defeated 806 entries for $104,263
Event 3: $400 PLO – Ben Sagan defeated 194 entries for $19,854
Event 4: $350 NLH Deep Stack Mini Stimulus – Matt Kirby defeated 285 entries for $20,321
Event 5: $600 NLH Deep Stack Six Max – Drake Bronk defeated 269 entries for $37,695
Event 6: $500 HORSE – John Holley defeated 108 entries for $12,907
Event 7: $350 NLH Stimulus – Christopher Staats defeated 292 entries for $20,819
Event 8: $1,500 Main Event – Eddie Ochana defeated 745 entries for $217,810
Event 9: $250 NLH Re-Entry – James Ramirez defeated 1,106 entries for $48,200
Event 10: $350 NLH Deep Stack Turbo – Zal Irani defeated 394 entries for $27,521

James Ramirez Drives Home in 2014 Chrysler 300C

Event #9
No-Limit Hold’em Re-Entry
Buy-In: $250
Total Entries: 1,106
Prize Pool: $225,292 + 2014 Chrysler 300C
May 10-12, 2014

$250 re-entry event features five flights and $250,000 guarantee. Ramirez captures title, $48,200 and new car added to the prize pool by the Horseshoe.

Hammond, Ind. (May 12, 2014) — James Ramirez made the most of the promotional value in Event 9, a $250 re-entry tournament with a 2014 Chrysler 300C added to the prize pool. Ramirez navigated through a minefield of 1,106 entries to earn a final table berth, a heads-up berth and eventually $48,200 in first-place prize money as well as a brand-new car.

As expected, Ramirez was given the option of accepting a cash prize – $25,000 – in lieu of the car. Following two days of grueling poker and keeping in mind the tournament concluded during the late-night hours of Monday, Ramirez requested additional time to weigh his options and the property granted him a grace period before accepting any prizes.

The tournament boasted five staring flights, a $250,000 guarantee and $3,500 bonuses paid out to players for each Day 2 they advanced to after their first. With unlimited re-entries, players could take multiple shots at earning a piece of the impressive prize pool and those who advanced to multiple Day 2s forfeited their smallest stacks.

Much like the $1,000,000 guarantee series-opening event, the double qualifier bonus proved a tough task in Event 9, but three lucky players stood up to the challenge – Greg Koutelidakis, John Simon and Ryan Austin. Of them, Koutelidakis surrendered the most chips to earn a $10,000 WSOP Main Event seat and $2,000 traveling cash put up by the property. Simon and Austin, meanwhile, laid claim to the second and third most chips surrendered to earn $5,000 cash also put up by the property.

Flight-by-flight entry and double qualifier break down:

Date	Flight	Entries	Advanced	x2 Qualifiers
5/10, 4 p.m.	A	283	11	—
5/10, 7 p.m.	B	212	8	0
5/11, 1 p.m.	C	206	8	0
5/11, 4 p.m.	D	172	7	0
5/11, 7 p.m.	E	233	9	3
Totals	5	1,106	43	3

Day 2 of the event kicked off Monday at 3 p.m. with 40 players remaining and 2004 WSOP Main Event winner Greg Raymer headlining the action. Raymer began play 15th of those still alive and was coming off a 57th-place finish in the CPC Main Event. The early stages of Day 2 were tough on him as he took to Twitter explaining he lost 60 percent of his stack before running ace-king into aces. While the hand didn’t knock him out, it crippled him and he busted 18th a while later when his ace-jack could not outdraw an opponent’s pocket sixes.

Event 9 was the ninth of 10 numbered events on the 2014 schedule. The $250 re-entry tournament boasted a $225,292 prize pool, paid 10 percent of each starting flight and bagged 4 percent. All Day 2 players were in the money. While the final prize pool figure didn’t reflect it, the property met its guarantee keeping in mind the tournament’s promotional prizes and 3 percent staffing fee.

Event 9 final table results:

1st: James Ramirez – $48,200 + 2014 Chrysler 300C
2nd: Adam Zschau – $30,034
3rd: Conner Maro – $19,351
4th: Brandon Sowers – $13,344
5th: Ryan Beckwith – $9,586
6th: George Kolerich – $7,212
7th: James Wheeler – $5,539
8th: Arris Kontos – $4,262
9th: Urszula Jivkov – $3,291

Full results available from our friends at TheHendonMob.com.

2014 Chicago Poker Classic results:

Event 1: $350 NLH Re-Entry – Chris Karambinis defeated 3,092 entries for $168,039
Event 2: $500 NLH – Sachin Bhargava defeated 806 entries for $104,263
Event 3: $400 PLO – Ben Sagan defeated 194 entries for $19,854
Event 4: $350 NLH Deep Stack Mini Stimulus – Matt Kirby defeated 285 entries for $20,321
Event 5: $600 NLH Deep Stack Six Max – Drake Bronk defeated 269 entries for $37,695
Event 6: $500 HORSE – John Holley defeated 108 entries for $12,907
Event 7: $350 NLH Stimulus – Christopher Staats defeated 292 entries for $20,819
Event 8: $1,500 Main Event – Eddie Ochana defeated 745 entries for $217,810
Event 9: $250 NLH Re-Entry – James Ramirez defeated 1,106 entries for $48,200
Event 10: $350 NLH Deep Stack Turbo – Zal Irani defeated 394 entries for $27,521

Richard Bai Eliminated in 2nd Place ($135,040), Eddie Ochana Wins Main Event

Level 33: 20,000/100,000/200,000

Richard Bai (pictured) made a stand in a three-hour heads-up duel, but ultimately exited one spot shy of the title finishing second to Chicago’s Eddie Ochana. Bai, who won his seat during the Horseshoe Chicago cash room’s $500 Satellite Saturday promotions, turned his discounted berth into a $135,040 score and a ride he’ll never forget.

Here’s how the final hand played out:

Ochana opens for 400,000 from the button and Bai moves all-in for about 4,000,000. Oshana calls and the hands are tabled.

Ochana: As-7s
Bai: Ac-2d

The flop is kind to Bai pairing his deuce, but it gives Oshana a flush draw. With the board reading Js-6h-2s, they are off to the river and Oshana needs a spade to capture the title.

The turn falls the Qs and Oshana’s rail erupts while Bai stands from his chair and reaches an open hand to his opponent. The pair exchanges pleasantries while the dealer lays the Qh river and Bai heads to the rail second for $135,040.

A full report on Oshana’s victory will be made available shortly. While you wait, here’s a look at the final table results:

1st: Edward Ochana – $217,810 + $10,000 WSOP Main Event seat
2nd: Richard Bai – $135,040
3rd: Travis Lutes – $88,469
4th: Nicholas Aranda – $61,610
5th: Patrick Ray – $45,324
6th: In Park – $35,116
7th: Pfizer Jordan – $28,582
8th: David Snitkin – $24,384
9th: Michael Hudson – $21,761

Heads-Up Chip Counts and Updated Final Table Results

Heads-up play is set to resume with 25 minutes left in Level 30 (10,000/50,000/100,000). Edward Ochana holds a commanding chip lead with a $217,810 first prize and $10,000 WSOP Main Event seat on the line.

Chip counts:

Edward Ochana – 14,300,000
Richard Bai – 4,300,000

Remaining payouts and updated results:

1st – $217,810 + $10,000 WSOP Main Event seat
2nd – $135,040
3rd: Travis Lutes  – $88,469
4th: Nicholas Aranda – $61,610
5th: Patrick Ray – $45,324
6th: In Park – $35,116
7th: Pfizer Jordan – $28,582
8th: David Snitkin – $24,384
9th: Michael Hudson – $21,761

Travis Lutes Eliminated in 3rd Place ($88,469)

Level 30: 10,000/50,000/100,000

In a heads-up pot, Travis Lutes (pictured) gets all-in holding 7d-5d on a Qc-8s-6d board for an open-ended straight draw. Edward Ochana calls and holds the advantage with Qh-6s for two pair, but needs to fade Lutes’ straight outs heading to the turn.

The turn brings no help, falling the 8c. The river comes up dry, too, as the Jh completes the board and Lutes hits the rail. Lutes, who most notably won the WSOP Circuit at IP Biloxi Main Event in 2010, earns $88,469 for his 3rd-place finish.

Ochana now holds about 14,300,000 chips to Richard Bai’s 4,300,000 as heads-up play is set to begin.

Nicholas Aranda Eliminated in 4th Place ($61,610)

Level 30: 10,000/50,000/100,000

Nicholas Aranda (pictured) moves all-in for his last 2,000,000 chips and action is on Edward Ochana. Ochana calls and shows Ah-Jh. Aranda tables Kh-7h and jokingly says, “Oh, so I’m for sure doubling up.”

The flops comes Ac-Ad-6h giving Ochana trips and leaving Aranda drawing dead.

The turn and river bring a meaningless 4h and Qh, unnecessarily improving Ochana to an ace-high flush.

Aranda, who finished fourth in the $600 deep stack six max event, busts the Main Event in the same position, earning $61,610.

Ochana holds a sizable chip advantage as play goes three handed.

Patrick Ray Eliminated in 5th Place ($45,324)

Level 30: 10,000/50,000/100,000

A few hands after the crippling pot he played against Edward Ochana, Patrick Ray (pictured) is all-in against Richard Bai. Ray holds As-Qc and sees he’s in rough shape when Bai tables As-Ks.

The dealer reveals the Js-7d-6c-4c-2d board, officially sending Ray home in 5th place for $45,324.

Bai, who was one of the short stacks coming back from break, now holds about 4,300,000 and is in contention.

In Park Eliminated in 6th Place ($35,116)

Level 30: 10,000/50,000/100,000

After nursing a short stack for much of the late stages of play, In Park (pictured) is all-in holding Ah-Kh against Richard Bai’s 9d-9h.

The flop comes Jc-9s-6s, giving Bai a commanding lead with a set. Park is in need of running straight cards as the dealer burns and turns.

The turn and river are no help, falling 6d and 7s and Park hits the rail sixth pocketing $35,116 for his efforts.