Note: This story was updated on Dec. 5 to reflect newly available information from the players and tournament staff.
The Venetian Deep Stack Extravaganza recently wrapped up with its $2,500 main event. The no-limit hold’em tournament attracted 233 entrants and generated a total prize pool of $539,628. This was the ninth edition of the popular tournament series that pushed the trend of giving players more bang for their buck with more play in smaller buy-in events.
Among the notables to make the final two tables and cash included Denny Lee (14th), Tim Frazin (12th), and Blake Cahail (seventh).
When play got three-handed, a deal was struck according to the chip counts. Joanne "J.J." Liu held the chip lead, Ulises Roman was in second, and Nicholas Sliwinski was the short stack. A total of $15,000 was set aside to play for, though Liu was given credit for the victory. Because the players were so deep and the hour was late, the tournament took on a light-hearted feel and the all-ins came often. After spreading some chips around the table, Liu was eliminated in third. This score brought Liu near the $2-million mark for lifetime earnings.
After Liu’s elimination, the two remaining players agreed to chop the extra $15,000, resulting in an odd finish where all three players laid claim to a portion of the victory. Sliwinski took home the trophy, Liu took home credit for the win, and Roman took home the most cash.
Here were the final results:
- Joanne "J.J." Liu — $110,492*
- Ulises Roman — $115,760*
- Nicholas Sliwinski — $98,610*
- Richard Dinunzio — $48,567
- Stewart Yancik — $32,378
- Anasavanh Sittivong — $26,981
- Blake Cahail — $21,585
- Christopher MacNeil — $16,189
- Randy Dorfman — $10,793
* Based on a three-way chop awarding an extra $15,000 to the winner, which was chopped as well.
