New Jersey had been selected as the inaugural host of the newly introduced PokerStars Festival format. And Atlantic City’s Resorts Casino Hotel had been selected as the host venue to the first-ever such event. Last night, local player Jason Acosta won the festival’s $1,100 Main Event to scoop his biggest live cash of $38,220 and the tournament trophy, and to be celebrated as the first PokerStars Festival champion.
Moments after his victory, Acosta told interviewers that he does not take part in live tournaments very often and that he prefers playing online. The player also revealed that he had qualified for the Main Event by playing in a 5,000 StarsCoin satellite on PokerStars’ New Jersey website. The world’s largest poker room was given the green light to enter the local market in March.
The PokerStars Festival – New Jersey Main Event was played over four days, featuring two starting flights and two more days of quality poker action at Resorts’ poker tables. Cards were thrown in the air on Day 3 of the tournament with 23 survivors out of a 208-person original field. Prominent poker pros like Matt Affleck, WPT champion Darren Elias, and PokerStars Team Online Pro Randy Lew were among those to have made it to the final day.
In fact, it was Affleck to lead the official nine-handed final table, once it was set. However, the player lost his advantage quite quickly to Eli Kim. Acosta was among the short stacks at that point. However, the player managed to improve his position thanks to excellent flipping skills and composure.
Eventually, Acosta found himself to be one of the two final players. He had to play heads-up against Michael Gagliano, with the latter holding a massive chip advantage. It took Acosta less than a level of play to double, close the gap, and take the lead. He then needed one more level to extend his advantage and to eliminate his last remaining opponent.
On the final hand in play, Gagliano moved all in for his last 1,000,000 and Acosta called. Gagliano had a pair of sixes and Acosta held [Ah][Kh]. The board ran out [Jc][Qs][9c][Jh][9d], giving Gagliano no chance for survival. The player settled for the consolation prize of $28,116.
Eli Kim took 3rd place in the $1,1000 Main Event for $20,683. David Johnston finished 4th for $15,215. Matt Affleck received $11,193 for taking 5th place. Sridhar Sangannagari scooped $8,234 for a sixth-place finish. Rocco Dicondina collected $6,057 for finishing 7th. Peter Smyth took 8th place, good for $4,455 in prize money. Jovy Ounthongdy rounded out the final table, taking home $4,455.
