The Heartland Poker Tour has just wrapped up its second event of Season 11. It was held at Ameristar Casino Hotel East Chicago. A total of 498 players took part in the $1,650 Main Event and a prize pool of $714,120 was created. It took three days before the name of the champion was announced. Mike Puccio, a landscape contractor from Illinois, finished first and won the amount of $164,249.
Minutes after his victory, he shared with interviewers that he was both really nervous and excited during the past several days. He could not even sleep. Yet, he was really happy with his victory and with the fact that it came right before Christmas.
Nine players took part in the final table and the first elimination came in Level 26. William Miner from Chicago was defeated by his fellow citizen Shiva Dudani. Miner earned $14,282 for his participation in the final table and his ninth place.
Yaroob “Ruby” Kaskorkis, who took part in last month’s HPT final table, and Nicholas LaFata were the next to go. They took eighth and seventh positions, respectively. Arris Kontos, an investment banker from Baldwin, Michigan, finished sixth.
Then, Ben Castle was eliminated after his [Ah][8h]
could not hold against Josh Turner’s [Kc][Qs]. Castle was awarded the sum of $34,635 for his fifth place.
It was Dudani who left the table next. He, too, was eliminated by Turner. Dudani got $46,275 for finishing fourth.
Thus, the names of the last three players on the final table became clear. Josh Turner, Bledar “Blade” Shaholli, and Mike Puccio had to face each other so as for the champion to be determined.
Turner was the first to leave this closing stage of the tournament. He was defeated by Shaholli. Turner’s [Ad][6c]
just could not stand a chance against his opponent’s [Kc][10c]. The player from St. Louis took the amount of $66,556 for his third place.
Shaholli’s defeat over Turner made him a chip leader at the beginning of the heads-up play. It took almost three hours before the name of the winner was announced. Puccio managed to catch up with his opponent and to take over the majority of chips.
The final hand occurred in Level 33 when Shaholli had [Ad][Qd]
in his hand, while Puccio was holding [7h][3d]. With the board showing [7d][4c][3x][10d][2c], it was Puccio who emerged victorious.
Shaholli received the amount of $100,405 for his second place and excellent performance throughout the event. As for the champion, he was awarded $164,249 of the entire prize pool.
This was the last HPT event for this year. The next tournament is scheduled for January 10, 2015 and will be held on a cruise ship.
