WCOOP and Powerfest updates: Leon Tsoukernik wins Highroller; First big scores for Asian players

With both Powerfest and WCOOP kicking off on partypoker and PokerStars, tournament grinders have entered their busiest time of the year.

Leon Tsoukernik wins partypoker’s Powerfest Super High Roller

One of the more controversial figures in poker has had an excellent day at the partypoker Powerfest tables, winning $208,000 for taking down the Super High Roller event. Leon Tsoukernik has been embroiled in disputes during the last year or so, but with those problems now in the past, the owner of Kings Club Casino has set about showing everyone that he can rub shoulders with the big guns and come out on top during high roller tournaments.

‘lovexiup‘ claims WCOOP title for China, Justin JaeWook Shin takes 3rd in the $2,100 NLHE 4-max

While several Asian players made deep runs during the series, it’s ‘lovexiup’ who succeeded in claiming the first trophy of the series for the Asian contingent. He took down the $1,050 NLHE WCOOP with a total of 1,293 runners for $101,049.

A regular figure of the Asian live poker circuit – Justin JaeWook Shin – also made promising start in the WCOOP series under the screen name “level1pro”. He finished 3rd for $55,438 in the $2,100 NLHE 4-max – an event which also saw “ga207” from Vietnam taking 9th for $15,840.

Double champ ‘nilsef’ takes quick-fire WCCOP titles

Within the first week of play in a major online championship, it is unusual to see a double winner. At the WCOOP this year though, we have already had three in quick succession, with the first arriving during the first few days. Germany’s ‘nilsef’ takes the plaudits for not only being the first double winner of the series, but also winning his two events in the same day. First, ‘nilsef’ bagged $41,878 for 1st place in the $1,050 Omaha hi/lo before also taking victory in the $2,100 ‘Win the Button’ event for a further $74,459. He is not a first-time winner either, having won event 10 back in 2010 for over $50,000.

‘aDrENalin710’ wins three WCOOP Titles

Almost immediately after ‘nilsef’ had claimed his second crown of the series, Russia’s ‘aDrENalin710’ matched the accomplishment. They took down the $109 PLO event for $31,824 before adding the $2,100 Razz title to pocket another $49,595. The Russian pro almost made it a hat-trick just two days later, finishing 2nd in the $2,100 HORSE event for $34,000. Having narrowly missed a third title in the HORSE, ‘aDrENalin710’ jumped into the 5 Card Draw, and bested a field of 2,094 to win the $11 event for $3,233.

Riess and Galfond come close

Ryan Riess took to Twitter to let followers know about his near miss yesterday. He finished 2nd in the $1,050 2-7 Single Draw WCOOP while playing under the name ‘MrMaximize’.

He picked up $ but was clearly disappointed with the result, posting “Finished 2nd place in the 1k NL 2-7 single draw WCOOP. My favorite variant of poker, I really wanted to win that one”.

Finished 2nd place in the 1k NL 2-7 single draw WCOOP. My favorite variant of poker, I really wanted to win that one. 12 left in the 2k Razz tomorrow then off to NYC for a wedding #mixedgamepro

— Ryan Riess (@RyanRiess1) September 4, 2018

Phil ‘MrSweets28’ Galfond also came close to picking up a WCOOP title on the same day, going deep in the $1,050 Omaha hi/lo, eventually finishing 4th place for $18,819.

Article by Craig Bradshaw