The 9TH ANNUAL WESTERN CANADIAN POKER CLASSIC wrapped up this weekend at Casino Yellowhead in Edmonton Alberta. The series consisted of a total of 4 events, including a two start day $500 event that came in at some of the country’s best turn out numbers at this buy-in level for quite some time, with 300 total entries. Perhaps Edmonton will take over as Alberta’s tournament hub in the future?
CanadaPoker.com was able to take in some of the fierce competition at the final 2 tables of the $1000 event, here are some quick highlights:
Bubble play seen some fierce completion, with players treading cautiously until well known player Mary Gabriel moved all in holding pocket nines versus Shane Brotherwood’s Jacks. She would catch no luck, finally seeing the money start for the remaining 12. Shortly after, Alem Makonen would be Brotherwood’s next victim, being eliminated the hard way, tabling pocket 66’s to Shanes Ace Queen. A board of JJ778 was no help, and the final table of 11 players was set.
Play was pretty standard until about two and half hours later, when John Wilson’s pocket Jacks eliminated both Lee Spence and Roger Simpson to bring the table down to five. Although a deal was briefly discussed, not everyone came for a mere $15,600 and play continued. Navroop Shergill was eliminated next, collecting $9,000 for his day’s work.
Once again, the final 4 decided to continue play until eventually, John Wilson and Jason Bidniak were left Heads Up. A small deal was made, but about 5th place money, bragging rights and the ring were left in the middle. John Wilson emerged the victor after around 14 hours of play, an incredible comeback story as after taking a crippling beat with pocket aces near the bubble had been left with about 3 blinds. Forced to take a flip with Q5 and surviving, Wilson didn’t look back and was one of the player’s who insisted on playing it out.
Congrats to all!
Casino Yellowhead $300 Event #1
Edmonton Alberta, April 27th, 2011
| 1st | Jimmy “The Greek” Anagnostou | $13,600 |
| 2nd | Al Thome | $8,500 |
| 3rd | Devin Verstraelen | $5,500 |
| 4th | Jonathan Kozel | $4,000 |
| 5th | Kimberly Mcleod | $3,000 |
| 6th | Lane Merta | $2,500 |
| 7th | Jody “Jofay” Fayant | $2,100 |
| 8th | Roger Hoyt | $1,900 |
| 9th | Aaron Haw | $1,700 |
| 10th | Scott Davis | $1,500 |
| 11th | Jason Vwan Koughnett | $1,300 |
| 12th | Kenneth Bernard | $1,100 |
| 13th | Jerome Makonen | $1,100 |
| 14th | Ronald Swanson | $1,000 |
| 15th | Jeffery Wittmeier | $1,000 |
| 16th | Gordie Ell | $847 |
| 17th | Charles Osgood | $718 |
| 18th | Michel Miltais | $700 |
Total Prize Pool $52,065 ($53400-2.5% AGLC Charity Portion)
Total Entrants: 178
Casino Yellowhead $500 Event #2
Edmonton Alberta,
April 28th (1a), 29th (1b), May 1st Finals
*3 way Deal for $25,000. Played to completion for remaining $4000, Title and Ring
| 1st | Richard Horseman | $40,000* |
| 2nd | Brian Lee | $24,000* |
| 3rd | Malcom Bolger | $15,000* |
| 4th | Ryan Zdunick | $10,000 |
| 5th | John Hopkins | $6,500 |
| 6th | Norm Thistlethwaite | $5,500 |
| 7th | Alex Dunning | $4,500 |
| 8th | Jason Bidniak | $4,000 |
| 9th | Brad Young | $3,500 |
| 10th | Frank Kreiner | $3,000 |
| 11th | Glen Cymbaluk | $2,600 |
| 12th | Kenny Robinson | $2,200 |
| 13th | Harold Boutillier | $1,800 |
| 14th | Tyson Lastiwka | $1,800 |
| 15th | Navroop Shergill | $1,800 |
| 16th | Mikhail Vaynshteyn | $1,600 |
| 17th | Ronald Lightning | $1,600 |
| 18th | Calvin Kochan | $1,600 |
| 19th | Dan Macnamara | $1,400 |
| 20th | Candace Eggers | $1,400 |
| 21st | Kelly Dalke | $1,400 |
| 22nd | Ron Lauzon | $1,200 |
| 23rd | Brandon Lang | $1,200 |
| 24th | Charles Osgood | $1,200 |
| 25th | Kathryn Chodzicki | $1,200 |
| 26th | John Wilson | $1,200 |
| 27th | Russ Rimmer | $1,050 |
| 28th | Alemu Makonen | $1,000 |
| 29th | Ka Chun Yung | $1,000 |
| 30th | Nick Forsyth | $1,000 |
| 31st | Mikail Wilkin | $1,000 |
Total Prize Pool: $146,250 ($150,000 – 2.5% AGLC Charity Portion)
Total Entries: 300
Casino Yellowhead $1000 Event #3
Edmonton Alberta, April 30th, 2011
| 1st | JOHN WILSON | $33,000 |
| 2nd | JASON BIDNIAK | $19,000 |
| 3rd | SHANE BROTHERWOOD | $15,O00 |
| 4th | BRAEDEN CRIDDLE | $12,500 |
| 5th | NAVROOP SHERGILL | $9,000 |
| 6th | ROGER SIMPSON | $7,000 |
| 7th | LEE SPENCE | $5,550 |
| 8th | FRANK KREINER | $4,500 |
| 9th | TIM SALANGSANG | $3,700 |
| 10th | GLEN CYMBALUK | $3,100 |
| 11th | KRIS STEINBACK | $2,700 |
| 12th | ALEM MAKONEN | $2,500 |
Total Prize Pool $117,000 ($120,000-2.5% AGLC Charity Portion)
Total Entries: 120
Casino Yellowhead $300 Event #4
Edmonton Alberta, May 1st, 2011
| 1st | Jonathan Sanborn | $9,500 |
| 2nd | Thomas Doran | $5,500 |
| 3rd | Carl Phin | $4,300 |
| 4th | Vince Lam | $3,200 |
| 5th | Jerome Makonen | $2,500 |
| 6th | Ken Pham | $2,000 |
| 7th | Miklo “X” | $1,600 |
| 8th | Yemane Nugusse | $1,300 |
| 9th | Macky Chimayt | $1,000 |
| 10th | Dennis Greffard | $9,00 |
| 11th | Edgar Zurawell | $8,00 |
| 12th | Tony Catena | $745 |
Total Prize Pool: $33,345 ($34200 – 2.5% AGLC Charity Portion)
Total Entries: 114
