3-Bet: Dimas Martinez, Aleksey Savenkov & Iman Alsaden Win Live Titles
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- Indrakshi Mukherjee May 8, 2024
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4 minutes Read
The poker world is buzzing with excitement! We bring you the latest from the WSOP Circuit Harrah’s Cherokee, Mediterranean Poker Party, and RunGood Poker Series (RGPS).
At the WSOP Circuit Harrah’s Cherokee, South Carolina’s Dimas Martinez (cover image – left) rose to the top in Event #2: $400 No-Limit Hold’em. He battled through a massive field of 2,387 players and dominated the final table, clinching his first-ever WSOP Circuit ring and a remarkable $109,474 prize. It was a close call for the runner-up, James Bethune, who fought fiercely but ultimately took home a well-deserved $67,648.
Russian poker player Aleksey Savenkov (cover image – centre) triumphed in the $1,100 Luxon Pay Mystery Bounty, held at the luxurious Merit Royal Diamond Hotel and Casino in Northern Cyprus as part of the 2024 Mediterranean Poker Party. His victory over a field of 1,207 players after an intense 18-hour final-day battle earned him a massive $85,000 payday. Kirill Burtin secured the runner-up spot and a commendable $57,800 payout.
And across the Atlantic, Iman Alsaden (cover image – right) reigned supreme at the RunGood Poker Series (RGPS) $800 Main Event at Hollywood Casino in St. Louis, Missouri. Overcoming 586 competitors, Alsaden took home the prestigious RGPS ring and a $77,192 prize. Michael Chilton gave chase but ultimately finished as runner-up, earning $51,548.
Dimas Martinez Clinches Maiden WSOPC Ring in WSOP Circuit Harrah’s Cherokee Event #2: $400 NLHE ($109,474)
Dimas Martinez won the stunning WSOP Circuit Harrah’s Cherokee Event #2: $400 No-Limit Hold’em, securing his first prestigious WSOP Circuit ring and a handsome $109,474 prize. Hailing from South Carolina, Martinez showcased his poker prowess by dominating the final table, maintaining his chip lead for the majority of the gruelling two-day contest.
Martinez wasn’t afraid to shake things up. He stunned onlookers with a move most players wouldn’t dream of – folding pocket kings at a critical moment. That unorthodox decision paved his way to victory.
Outplaying a field of 2,387 competitors, Martinez credits his faith with guiding his bold strategy. ‘It was nothing but Jesus,’ he says. The poker veteran, with almost three decades of experience, remains secretive about his tactics but promises to use his winnings to fuel his climb in the poker world.
The climactic final table featured Martinez among ten skilled finalists, where he started as the chip leader. Martinez’s closest competitors, James Matthew Lee and Jeremy Brown, trailed as he skillfully manoeuvred to maintain his lead.
As Martinez savoured his well-deserved victory, James Bethune secured the second spot with a commendable $67,648 prize. The event not only awarded financial gains but also an entry into the WSOP Tournament of Champions in Las Vegas, raising the stakes and the prestige for the competitors.
Final Table Results (USD)
- Dimas Martinez – $109,474
- James Bethune – $67,648
- Ronnie Dowdy – $50,425
- James Lee – $37,986
- David Turco – $28,924
- Justin Kramer – $22,262
- Damian Brewster – $17,323
- Jeremy Brown – $13,630
- Andrew Haggard – $10,844
Aleksey Savenkov Conquers Mediterranean Poker Party $1,100 Luxon Pay Mystery Bounty ($85,000)
In the sun-drenched splendour of the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel and Casino, Aleksey Savenkov etched his name into poker history, dominating the 2024 Mediterranean Poker Party’s $1,100 Luxon Pay Mystery Bounty. After an 18-hour marathon on Day 2, Savenkov emerged as the undisputed king, walking away with an $85,000 grand prize and a treasure trove of bounties. Kirill Burtin snagged a runner-up finish worth $57,800.
$1,100 Luxon Pay Mystery Bounty Final Table Results:
1. Aleksey Savenkov 🇷🇺 $85,000
2. Kirill Burtin 🇷🇺 $57,800
3. Konstantin Generalov 🇷🇺 $41,200
4. Vadzim Godzdanker 🇧🇾 $28,400
5. Tamazi Skhirtladze 🇬🇪 $21,200
6. Ebrahim Ehghaghi 🇮🇷 $17,100
7. Damir Gabdullin 🇷🇺 $14,300
8.… pic.twitter.com/EauORnE5iL— EAPT (@eaptpoker) May 5, 2024
The tournament’s sheer scale was breathtaking: 1,207 entries across five flights fueled a staggering $1,207,000 prize pool, shattering the $1 Million guarantee. The final day of action welcomed back 181 players, but the competition proved fierce, with nearly half of the field eliminated within the first few levels.
Savenkov’s final table rampage was a sight to behold. He single-handedly ousted six of the final nine players. Maxim Brovko kicked off the showdown, falling to Tamazi Skhirtladze’s ace queen despite a promising flush draw. Aleksandr Kirichenko missed the final table but snagged the largest bounty at $70,000. David Boyaciyan succumbed to Savenkov’s skill, finishing eighth after a tough race with ace-king against pocket sixes.
After a brief seven-handed lull, Damir Gabdullin‘s brief double-up was swiftly followed by his demise against Savenkov’s pocket queens. Ebrahim Ehghaghi suffered a cruel case of déjà vu, his pocket jacks crushed by Savenkov’s flush.
Tamazi Skhirtladze and Vadzim Godzdanker couldn’t stop the bleeding either, succumbing to Savenkov’s relentless pressure. Konstantin Generalov put up a brave fight, but Savenkov’s ace-six cut short his time.
The heads-up duel with Kirill Burtin was an epic clash. Burtin’s bold bluff was exposed by Savenkov’s trip eights, and a last-ditch effort with ace-high was unceremoniously swatted aside by Savenkov’s king-queen suited, culminating in a winning full house for the champion.
Final Table Results (USD)
- Aleksey Savenkov – $85,000
- Kirill Burtin – $57,800
- Konstantin Generalov – $41,200
- Vadzim Godzdanker – $28,400
- Tamazi Skhirtladze – $21,200
- Ebrahim Ehghaghi – $17,100
- Damir Gabdullin – $14,300
- David Boyaciyan – $11,300
Iman Alsaden Reigns Supreme in RGPS St. Louis Main Event ($77,192)
Iman Alsaden triumphed in the RunGood Poker Series (RGPS) $800 Main Event at Hollywood Casino in St. Louis, Missouri, outclassing a field of 586 entries to clinch a prestigious RGPS ring and a substantial $77,192 cash prize. This victory marks a significant milestone for Alsaden, topping their previous highest cash of $19,000 from a sixth-place finish at the RGPS Kansas City Main Event.
Another Main Event title for Kansas City! KC local Iman Alsaden bests a field of 586 entries in the $800 RunGood Main Event at @HollywoodSTL, bringing home $77,192 and the ring! 💍
Full PokerNews recap coming soon!
📸: @spensersembrat / @8131_Media pic.twitter.com/Xl0fEYNjvi
— RunGoodGear.com (@RunGoodGear) May 6, 2024
Reflecting on his evolution in poker, Alsaden noted, “It’s been a steady climb. I used to be a big cash game player, but then I went to Vegas for my birthday in 2022 during the World Series, and I thought, why not try some of these tournaments?”
Day 2 of the tournament saw players start in the money, leading to rapid eliminations with nearly half the field gone by the first break. Notable exits included last year’s champion Keith Heine (50th for $1,619), big stacks from Day 1A like Jason Aken (44th for $1,829) and Kenny Allen (24th for $2,852), RGPS Black Chip Bounty champion Keith Murrell (18th for $3,394), and rising talents Alvin Lewis (32nd for $2,428) and Jackson Turrentine (10th for $7,719). Turrentine departed on the final table bubble when his pocket tens were outmatched by chip leader Michael Chilton’s strong hand.
The final table action was brisk, quickly reducing from nine to eight players as Jesse Watson’s all-in with a weak hand was bested by Phil Youngclaus’ pocket sevens, which turned into a set on the flop. Brian Jones, who had crossed the 1 Million chips mark early, ended in eighth place after losing a critical hand to Paul Fehlig. Mike Hurley finished in seventh place after faltering against Chilton.
Day 2 chip leader Chris Audrain struggled amidst aggressive play to finish sixth. Paul Fehlig then bowed out in fifth place following a misjudged bluff. Jeff Riebeling, starting strong, exited in fourth, and Phil Youngclaus, with a dwindling stack, succumbed to Alsaden, finishing third.
In a riveting heads-up showdown, Iman Alsaden’s significant chip advantage was insurmountable, leading to victory over Michael Chilton, securing the title in a dramatic finale. Chilton, despite the defeat, earned $51,548 as the runner-up, concluding a fiercely contested event.
Final Table Results (USD)
- Iman Alsaden – $77,192
- Michael Chilton – $51,548
- Phil Youngclaus – $37,915
- Jeff Riebeling – $28,252
- Paul Fehlig – $21,292
- Chris Audrain – $16,233
- Mike Hurley – $12,521
- Brian Jones – $9,773
- Jesse Watson – $7,719
Content and Images Courtesy: WSOP and PokerNews
