Imsirovic Does It Again – Another Big Poker Masters Win
US poker pro scores $799,000 in $50,000 buy-in NLHE High Roller
US poker pro Ali Imsirovic has scored a back-to-back big win at the Poker Masters, following his $462,000 victory in the $25,000 buy-in Poker Masters NLHE High Roller event earlier this week with the top prize of $799,000 in the $50,000 buy-in NLHE High Roller.
It was his biggest pay day yet, and boosted his earnings at this year’s Poker Masters to over $1.2 million.
Despite facing a star-studded final table, Imsirovic powered his way through after starting the last day of action with over half the chips in play, eliminating top players like Justin Bonomo, Sam Soverel, Jake Schindler and Seth Davis.
Heads up Imsirovic faced German ace Koray Aldemir at the start of a tough, 100-hand struggle that saw the lead change hands several times before the American was able to eliminate Aldemir at second for $517,000.
This has been a profitable year for the US pro; in addition to his winning streak at the Poker Masters (he is now one of five contenders for the best-in-tournament Purple Jacket) Imsirovic can claim a $160,050 NLHE event at PokerStars Caribbean Adventure, and a Borgata Spring Open victory which rewarded him with $246,066.
Vayo Case Against Pokerstars Postponed
Parties argue over which court should have jurisdiction
Poker player Gordon Vayo’s court action against PokerStars for unfair non-payment of winnings of almost $700,000 has been postponed to November 6 whilst the question of judicial jurisdiction is sorted out.
Originally set down for September 25 before US District Court Central District of California Western Division Judge Frederick Mumm, the case centres on whether Vayo covertly played from within the United States in an event in the Spring Championship of Online Poker last year, contravening the T&Cs.
Vayo claims that he was in Canada at the time, but Pokerstars investigators allege he was actually using a mobile device in Los Angeles via a Canadian mobile internet provider, and the almost $700,000 he won was accordingly withheld.
Vayo claims that he was harassed during the investigation, and that Pokerstars has in the past approved U.S. citizens and residents for play, “happily taking their money” until they score a large win, when a “sham” investigation is triggered and payment withheld on grounds that the play was from within the USA and therefore in contravention of the T&Cs.
PokerStars wants the Vayo litigation pulled out of the California court, arguing that it is an Isle of Man-registered and licensed company and the action should therefore be heard there, but Vayo disputes this, saying that a California court is more appropriate.
David Peters Wins Over A Million In Poker Masters Main Event
But Ali Imsirovic takes the coveted Purple Jacket home for best tournament performance
Saturday saw the conclusion of the 2018 $100,000 buy-in Poker Masters NLHE Main Event at the Aria Resort and Casino, with US poker pro Don Peters besting a field of 25 top professional players to carry off the main prize of $1,150,000 after a gruelling 5 hour battle at the three-handed stage and a tough heads up against fellow US pro Dan Smith.
Peters dominated much of the second and final days play to face Koray Aldemir and Dan Smith at the three-handed stage, surviving to take on Smith in the heads up at hand 175 with the chip stacks almost even.
Then Peters surged ahead on three major hands with large pots, managing to maintain the momentum and eventually eliminate Smith at second for $700.000.
This year’s Poker Masters worked well for Peters, who kicked the tournament off with a big win in the $10,000 buy-in opening event and ended on the Main Event high note to conclude the festival.
However, the coveted Purple Jacket for top tournament player eluded him, going to Ali Imsirovic.
Other final table cashes included:
- Koray Aldemir Germany $400,000
- Bryn Kenney USA $250,000