3-Bet: Andre Allen, Tero Laurila & Richard Baker Win Live Titles!

This 3-bet report includes updates from the RGPS Kansas City, 888poker LIVE Barcelona, and UK Amateur Poker Championship.

Kansas City’s very own Andre Allen emerged victorious in the $1,100 buy-in Run-Good Poker Series (RGPS) Main Event, grabbing an impressive $86,550, the coveted RGPS champions ring, and the sought-after Dream Seat in Las Vegas later this year. Following a friendly heads-up deal with Casey Henry, who walked away with a substantial $75,000, Allen seized the championship title.

In another corner of the world, Finnish ace Tero Laurila conquered the €1,100 buy-in 888poker LIVE Barcelona Main Event, netting a staggering €64,000. Not to be left out, online qualifier Nils Lechner turned an $11 satellite win into a whopping €46,000 payday after a heads-up agreement, taking the runner-up spot.

Finally, seasoned APAT player Richard Baker triumphed in the £50K GTD UK Amateur Poker Championship Main Event, earning his maiden APAT gold medal and a cool £7,500. David Collier finished second, pocketing a commendable £4,750.

Andre Allen Champions RGPS Kansas City Main Event and Takes Home $86,550

Hailing from Kansas City, Andre Allen skillfully outplayed a 497-entry field to claim victory in the $1,100 buy-in Run-Good Poker Series (RGPS) Kansas City Main Event. His triumphant performance earned him the stellar first-place cash prize of $86,550, the prestigious RGPS champions ring, and the highly sought-after Dream Seat in Las Vegas for an event later this year.

In a strategic move before the final showdown, Allen entered into a heads-up deal with Casey Henry. As a result, Henry bagged an impressive $75,000, surpassing the conventional second-place prize money.

Emotionally charged about his win, Allen said, “Man, to be honest, I’ve been chasing this ring for eight years, plus my son graduated today, so I wanted both of us to come home a winner.”

This victory was indeed memorable for Allen, who’s been a familiar face in poker tournaments, boasting over $200,000 in live scores, according to HendonMob.com. However, this is his biggest score, surpassing his previous record of $59,356 from a WSOP Circuit Baltimore score in 2016.

In his day-to-day life, the 43-year-old runs a successful barber shop, Director’s Cut Take II, at the Kansas City Airport with his partner Armon Lasker. When asked about his plans for the hefty cash prize, Allen revealed he would reinvest most of it into his business, make several cryptocurrency investments, and beef up his WSOP bankroll.

The $1,100 buy-in Main Event featured three starting flights and collected a prize pool worth $200,000. The top 60 players cashed for at least $1,806.

Final Table Results (USD)

1. Andre Allen – $86,550*
2. Casey Henry – $75,000*
3. Jesse Jones – $42,850
4. Jason Brin – $29,713
5. Jackson Turrentine – $22,827
6. Iman Alsaden – $19,043
7. Saied Moradi – $15,859
8. Matthew Snook – $12,719
9. Joseph McCaig – $9,574

*denotes a heads-up deal

Tero Laurila Wins €1,100 888poker LIVE Barcelona Main Event For €64,000

Finnish poker maestro Tero Laurila masterfully navigated through a formidable field of 369 contenders, spanning over three starting flights, in the €1,100 buy-in 888poker LIVE Barcelona Main Event. His stellar performance culminated in an impressive €64,000 win.

Laurila commenced the final day wielding the chip leader mantle and effectively leveraged this advantageous position to victory. An exhilarating heads-up clash unfolded between him and the proficient online qualifier, Nils Lechner, at the breathtakingly scenic Barcelona Casino. In the end, Laurila emerged victorious, seizing the coveted event trophy.

Lechner, who won his seat at the main event by participating in an $11 online step satellite on 888poker.com, spoke about his unexpected journey to the final table. “So it was like already, like, pretty big to come here. Just getting the accommodations paid and just enjoying. And I had no expectations going into this.”

His modest expectations were greatly exceeded when he converted his $11 into a massive €46,000 payday. Despite only his second appearance in live poker, the 23-year-old Lechner showcased a level of skill that hinted at a promising future in the live circuit.

The heads-up battle was a protracted and strategic battle, characterized by small ball poker and fairly balanced stacks. The duo agreed on a deal early in the match, but Laurila eventually seized control and began to whittle away at Lechner’s chips. In the final hand, Lechner three-bet shoved all in with nine-eight, but Laurila’s kings outmatched him. A flush draw on the flop for Lechner fell short, sealing Laurila’s victory and the tournament trophy.

The €1,100 Main Event attracted 369 entries, creating a €369,040 prize pool and paying out the top 45 places.

Final Table Results (EURO)

1. Tero Laurila – €64,000*
2. Nils Lechner – €46,000*
3. Albert Grane – €33,000
4. Tullio Bertoli – €26,000
5. Pekka Ikonen – €20,000
6. Juri Mereu – €15,000
7. Lin Xia – €12,000
8. Nuno Duarte – €9,300
9. Sergi Alonso – €7,120

*denotes a heads-up deal

APAT Veteran Richard Baker Triumphs in UK Amateur Poker Championship For £7,500

Richard Baker, a stalwart of the Amateur Poker Association & Tour (APAT) community, celebrated a significant victory recently. A seasoned player on the amateur circuit, Baker secured his first APAT gold medal in the £50,000 GTD UK Amateur Poker Championship Main Event, banking £7,500. This latest addition complements his already impressive collection of six other medals. David Collier placed runner-up for £4,750.

The Championship kicked off with an online Day 1 at GGPoker and continued with four flights at Dusk Till Dawn, often hailed as the home of British poker.

The Main Event attracted a total of 475 entrants. Of these, 72 players successfully secured a spot on Day 2, each assured a minimum cash prize of £200.

Several APAT regulars, including Paul Haycock, Peter Wigglesworth, Tristan Chaplin, and Andrea King, also cashed in the £120 buy-in Main Event, although they didn’t manage to reach the final table.

Indian-origin player Gaurav Gupta was also among the finalists and placed eighth for £1,300.

The event’s climax saw an intense head-to-head battle between Baker and Collier that lasted for 20 nerve-wracking minutes. Baker eventually gained a massive advantage with a huge pot when he and Collier made two pairs, but Baker’s king-kicker came into play. The hand gave Baker a staggering 45 million to 2 million chip advantage.

Collier finally attempted to regain control, three-bet all-in with a king-eight, only to be met with Baker’s pocket kings. Baker made an effortless call, and the community cards failed to favor Collier. An elated Baker clinched the victory with £7,500 in prize money and the much-coveted gold APAT medal.

Final Table Results (GBP)

1. Richard Baker – £7,500
2. David Collier – £4,750
3. Tahir Ahmed – £3,000
4. Zsolt Burkus – £2,400
5. Dan Owston – £2,000
6. Warwick Brindley – £1,700
7. Ben Burnhill – £1,500
8. Gaurav Gupta – £1,300
9. Michael Simpson – £1,100