Alex Massman Victorious at 2018 Los Angeles Poker Open

The LA Poker Open (LAPO) took place at The Commerce Casino in Southern California from November 2-18. The festival featured 18 events, culminating in its $1,100 No Limit Hold’em Main Event which ran from November 15-18.

All told, the LAPO Main Event attracted a total of 773 players, all vying for a chance to take home the trophy, as well as a first place prize worth $136,610. In the end, however, that honor belonged to Alex Massman, who also walked away with a $10K entry through to the 2019 LAPC WPT Main Event Championship.

Who is Alex Massman?

Californian player Alex Massman has enjoyed a measure of poker success in the past. In 2016, he recorded his previous best score after finishing 4th at the $1,675 WSOPC Los Angeles Main Event for $83,660. In 2017, he also finished the $10k WSOP Main Event in 101st place for a $53,247 payday.

Following his latest victory, Massman now increases his live career earnings to $543,306, and commenting later by twitter, wrote:

“Thank you @LAPC @CommerceCasino @TheJustinHammer @SavagePoker @commercechair for hosting series and thanks to my friends/twitterverse for the support n wishes. Much appreciated.”

LAPO Main Event

The $1,100 LAPO Main Event proved a popular affair, and managed to convincingly smash its original $500K guaranteed prize pool. Amongst the notable pros then seeing a return on their buy-ins was Eli Loewenthal in 43rd ($3,210), Jared Griener in 41st ($3,210), Barry Greenstein in 37th ($3,670), and Sohale Khalili in 24th ($5,000).

Final Table Recap

At the final table, Massman took down a number of important pots and scored some key double ups to move up the chip counts. This included doubling up against his eventual heads-up opponent Adam Demersseman (A-Q) holding pocket sevens.

Massman (8-8) subsequently eliminated Nikhil Gera (K-J) in 7th, before being dealt Q-10 and doing likewise to Cody Bell (A-9) in 6th. A while later, Massman (A-3) then got lucky after flopping a gutshot draw and turning a wheel on the river to oust Antonio Heredia (A-J) from the competition in 4th.

During an intense three handed battle, Massman (A-9) eventually looked up Robert Schmidt’s (J-7) all in shove. Following a Q-10-9-4-9 board, Schmidt departed in 3rd place for $66,570, leaving Alex Massman and Adam Demersseman to duke it out for the title.

Heads-Up

Massman began heads-up holding a 3:1 chip advantage over his remaining opponent. The final encounter was a brief one, though, and before long both players were all in with Demersseman’s pocket sixes up against Massman’s Q-J. The A-8-J flop instantly propelled Massman in front, with a K and 8 on turn and river completing his famous victory.

Speaking later to reporters, Massman said his brother gave him a pair of sunglasses to wear during the tournament. While he only decided to give them a go at the final table, they certainly appear to have proved a lucky talisman for the player from Calabasas in California.

Final Table Results

1st: Alex Massman $136,610
2nd: Adam Demersseman $90,340
3rd: Robert Schmidt $66,570
4th: Antonio Heredia $49,610
5th: Thomas Zanot $37,390
6th: Cody Bell 28,510
7th: Nikhil Gera $21,990
8th: Elvis Toomas $17,160
9th: Abbas Dehaghi $13,550

Rock “N” Roll Poker Open Underway

Meanwhile, on the other side of the country in Florida the Rock “N” Roll Poker Open (RRPO) is currently in full swing at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Florida. The festival runs from November 14-28, and features more than twenty events. Making an early is PokerStars Pro Chris Moneymaker, who entered his namesake tournament called the Moneymaker Tour.

The 2003 WSOP Main Event winner almost won his own tournament, too. In the end, however, he finished runner-up at the $86 event for $8,135, while Andres Risquez topped the 957 field, and collected a first place prize of $14,000, as well as a $30,000 Platinum Pass.

Nevertheless, three days later Moneymaker went on to triumph over a 96 player field at the $360 Omaha 8 or Better event for a $9,136 payday. As he commented later:

“You know, poker is supposed to be enjoyed and this whole tour is about enjoyment. It was just easy to play poker where everybody is having a good time. There’s not any pressure. It’s just a game.”