For many, one of the highlights of the FTOPS calendar is the regular two-day event. Since토토 꽁머니 V it has proved to be a popular alternative to the standard online tournament, with the extended time period allowing for slower blinds and more considered play. This year it was positioned as Event #22, and commanded a hefty buy-in of $5000 + $200.
The prize pool was guaranteed at $2,000,000, but the 500 entrants ensured that it was boosted to $2,500,000. This left the first prize at a life-changing $635,000, with a further 53 places paying out. The eventual winner was fyrtuk, followed closely by high-stakes online pro Adam Levy, known online as Roothlus. He received $387,500 for second place, with ‘the best woman’ coming in third for $281,250.
Adam Levy has been playing poker since 2003 and, over the least few years, has established himself as one of the finest online tournament players. Since breaking into the big money on PartyPoker in 2005 he has earned over $600,000 in live tournaments, as well as plenty more online. His recent live successes include 5th place in the WPT $15,000 Annnual Festa Al Lago Classic in Las Vegas and 48th in the 2008 WSOP main event.
As one of the highest profile events in the FTOPS calender, you would expect to see one of the Team Full Tilt’s highest profile pros as host. No surprise then, to see tournament master Allen Cunningham overseeing the proceedings. Known as much for his quiet and reserved character as for his boundless success, Allen broke into poker in the late 90’s, notching up cash after cash in live tournaments around the U.S. He is one of only 16 players ever to have won 5 or more WSOP bracelets. A quick glance at those World Series titles evidences his all round ability, having won WSOP events in 7-Card Stud, Deuce to Seven and Texas Hold ‘em. His total career live tournament winnings exceed $10,000,000, making him the 5th most successful poker player in the world.
Full Tilt Poker’s FTOPS XI continued last night with Event 15. The No Limit Hold’em Turbo 6-max event brought out 2,528 players, just enough to surpass the guaranteed prize pool of $500,000. The accumulated $200 + $16 buy-ins brought the prize pool up to $505,600. Of the 2,528 players, 35 were red pros, but none were able to outlast winner daCav04.
The intelligent and ambitious red pro Brandon Adams hosted the turbo event. Adams, who finished in 1331th place, is recognized for his academic achievements along with those that he’s made on the felt. Not only has he been featured on several tournament shows, placed sixth in the 2007 WSOP $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha event, and earned over $390,000 in lifetime tournament winnings, but he also holds two Master’s degrees in finance and real estate, is receiving a PhD in business from Harvard, and has authored the book Broke: A Poker Novel. It is no doubt that Adams’ presence brought some added life to the tournament.
Some of the other red pros that made an appearance were Allen Cunningham (1267th), David Pham (2142nd), Julian Gardner (464th), Scott Fischmann (198th), and Steve Wong (959th). Two WSOP bracelet winner Fischmann was the only one to place in the money, finishing 198th for $364.03.
While this is daCav04′s first win in FTOPS XI, this isn’t daCav04 first cash finish. He also finished in 145th place for $599.90 in Event 8. He now sits in 13th place on the overall FTOPS XI leaderboard with 200 chips. Very nice!
