Pros Alert: Isildur1 strong start in 2017 SCOOP; Negareanu’s big WSOP plans
The PokerStars Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) is heating up everyone’s computer consoles these days and now that they are halfway through the event, there are several pros that have been running well and outshining. Famous online pro Victor “Isildur1’ Blom is currently ranked 3rd overall, and pros Charlie “Epiphany77” Carrel, Martin Jacobson, and Ben Sulsky have claimed titles.
While that is ongoing, we also await the biggest poker event of the year, the 48th edition of the World Series of Poker kicking off at the end of May. Pro Daniel Negreanu has already planned out and announced his big intentions at the WSOP. Here’s a short look at all those stories.
Isildur1 strong start in 2017 SCOOP
Most poker players consider online pro Victor “Isildur1” Blom as mainly a cash game player. Many remember him as having been involved in the biggest pot in online history and also as one who has suffered the biggest losing session. But once in a while, Isildur1 takes time to log in hours of tournament mode. No one can forget his triumph at the SCOOP Main Event in 2013 where he pocketed over US$1 million.
This year, Isildur1 may not be shining at the online cash game tables however he seems to be running comfortably well at the current edition of PokerStars SCOOP, which has been ongoing since April 30th. As of today, he is ranked 3rd overall at the series.
Isildur1 has cashed in 17 of the events, reached the final table four times, and nearly claimed a victory at one of them. He finished 2nd at the SCOOP 11-L: $5.50+R PLO 6-Max 30K Gtd besting 4,037 entries to pocket over US$8K.
Charlie Carrel, Martin Jacobson, Ben Sulsky win SCOOP titles
With half of the SCOOP 2017 events now in the books, there were a few notable pros who shipped in some of those titles such as Charlie “Epiphany77” Carrel, Martin “M.nosbocaJ” Jacobson, and Ben “Sauce123” Sulsky.
For Charlie “Epiphany77” Carrel, he took down the SCOOP-16-H: $1,050 PLO8 (6-Max) 150k Gtd and earned US$67,410. Winning this title was a special one for him for a couple of reasons. First off, Epiphany77 announced in his Instagram account that he accidentally registered to the event only to go on and win it. Secondly, this title brings Epiphany77 one achievement away from being one of the rare Triple COOP winners. In 2016, Epiphany77 won a WCOOP title at the US$215+R NL Hold’em event. All he needs now is a TCOOP title to complete the trio.
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Martin “M.nosbocaJ” Jacobson, the #1 ranked Swedish poker pro who as we all remember banked US$10 million for his WSOP 2014 Main Event victory, has shown he can also take it down on the virtual arena. At the SCOOP-08-H: $530 +R NLHE 300k Gtd event, Jacobson overcame a field of 462 entries to capture his first SCOOP title and ship in over six figures amounting to US$106,948. He bested four players with previous SCOOP titles, one of whom was TUTI88 at the final heads up round.
Ben “Sauce123” Sulsky claimed a cool US$180,000 for his huge victory at the SCOOP-26-H: $25,000 NLHE Heads Up High Rollers $400k Gtd event. There were 16 players who coughed up the entry fee, and needless to say, it was a highly decorated field of heads-up specialists and world pros the likes of Doug Polk, Isaac Haxton, Ben “Ben86” Tollerene, defending champion Otb_RedBaron, and Sulsky. After doing well in the early rounds, Sulsky made quick work of Polk to reach the semis, but then took three hours to overcome his next opponent, “donthnrmepls” to enter the final round against “alimounda”. It only took 30 minutes to finish the deed and earn his second SCOOP heads-up title.
Daniel Negreanu big WSOP plans involving more than $1M in buy-ins
One of the most well known poker pros in the world, Daniel Negreanu, has just announced his intended plans for the upcoming WSOP which begins at the end of May. Throughout the 49 days of festivities, Negreanu has listed 40 events that he may be attending with buy-ins ranging from US$1,500-US$111,000. The list includes a wide variety of poker games, including of course the $10,000 Main Event. He has however decided to keep the NLH games to a minimum due to the absence of a shot clock.
Negreanu will be gunning to cash $1.5 million, capture three WSOP bracelets, and win his third WSOP Player of the Year title. Prior to the WSOP, he will also be participating in several events held at the Bellagio and at Aria leading up to the $300K Super High Roller Bowl.
In his fullcontactpoker blog, Negreanu wrote,
“This is a big summer with a lot at stake and buyins likely exceeding $1 million. I put up 100% of my buyins so it’s imperative that I am prepared and focused for the duration.”
Negreanu plans to keep a healthy routine and get lots of sleep to keep in top form and focused at the felt.
Article by Triccia David
