The glitz and glamour of Las Vegas have returned to the poker world with the ongoing 2024 PokerStars North American Poker Tour (NAPT). While the spotlight often shines on the prestigious $5,300 Main Event, the roster includes an array of tantalizing side events that promise heart-pounding action, emerging talents, and thrilling victories. This year’s event has already showcased remarkable skill and determination from some of poker’s notable players, leading to unforgettable moments.
The Thrill of Side Events
Amidst the anticipation surrounding the Gold Pass winners of the Main Event, the side events have produced their share of drama and excitement. Noteworthy victories have already marked this tournament, including Will “The Thrill” Failla, who claimed an unintentional event that left both fans and players buzzing. Similarly, Gregor Sverko took the $550 Mystery Bounty event by storm, finishing with a whopping $46,800 along with $19,500 in bounties.
As we delve deeper into the ongoing festivities in Las Vegas, let’s explore some of the standout players and unforgettable moments that have graced the NAPT so far.
Richard Bai: A Stellar Run in the RunGood Open
One poker player who has made waves at this year’s NAPT is Richard Bai, who recently clinched victory in Event #3: $1,100 RunGood Open. This exciting event attracted a healthy field of 480 runners, creating an impressive prize pool of $460,800 that would be distributed to the top 72 finishers. With stiff competition, Bai showcased his skills and resilience, ultimately emerging as the champion.
In a nail-biting heads-up battle, Bai struck a deal with fellow competitor Camilo Bencosme. Bai’s win not only earned him $68,530, which pushed his lifetime tournament earnings to an astounding $1,711,546, but it also further solidified his reputation as a formidable player in the poker scene. Richard’s impressive tournament history includes significant wins such as the 2017 MSPT Potawatomi for a career-high of $139,086 and the 2019 WSOP Circuit Main Event for $138,317, making his latest title yet another accolade in an already illustrious career.
NAPT RunGood Open Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richard Bai | $68,530* |
| 2 | Camilo Bencosme | $65,757* |
| 3 | Kyle Watanabe | $52,593 |
| 4 | Fabian Gumz | $31,260 |
| 5 | Ben Ludlow | $23,960 |
| 6 | Paul Lampl | $18,500 |
| 7 | Victor Holanda | $14,320 |
| 8 | Yi Lin | $10,940 |
*Denotes heads-up deal.
Ryan Hughes: Dominance in the Pot-Limit Omaha Event
Another strong contender this week was Ryan Hughes, who emerged victorious in Event #4: $1,100 Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO). This event attracted 102 entries, culminating in a prize pool of $97,920. Hughes, known for his sharp strategic play, fought through a challenging field to reach the final showdown.
After a competitive three-handed play, Hughes faced off against Justin “Lappy Poker” Lapka, and emerged triumphant, pocketing $26,120 along with the coveted trophy. Ryan’s excellent performance in this event underscores not only his adept skills in PLO but also his status as a consistent performer in high-stakes tournaments.
Event #4 Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ryan Hughes | $26,120 |
| 2 | Justin Lapka | $16,850 |
| 3 | Gary Bolden | $12,030 |
| 4 | Anthony Hu | $9,260 |
| 5 | Ethan Bennett | $7,400 |
| 6 | Erik Perez | $5,920 |
| 7 | Adam Walton | $4,740 |
| 8 | Kyle Knecht | $3,790 |
| 9 | Sven Rahmsdorf | $3,030 |
Celebrating the Side Event Victors
As we celebrate the achievements of Richard Bai and Ryan Hughes, it’s essential to note that the NAPT is steeped in exciting events where many players have already walked away with impressive cash prizes. Below is a sneak peek of some notable winners from the ongoing series:
| Date | Tournament | Total Entries | Prize Pool | Winner | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/4/24 | Event #1: $550 Mystery Bounty | 1,201 | $576,480 | Gregor Sverko | $46,800 + $19,500 |
| 11/5/24 | Event #3: $1,100 RunGood Open | 480 | $460,800 | Richard Bai | $68,530 |
| 11/5/24 | Event #4: $1,100 PLO | 102 | $97,920 | Ryan Hughes | $26,120 |
| 11/5/24 | Event #12: $330 Women’s Event | 182 | $50,960 | Sheila Stimson | $11,380 |
| 11/5/24 | Event #13: $360 NLH Unlimited Re-Entry | 101 | $30,300 | Martin Abraham | $6,650 |
As we continue to keep an eye on the NAPT at Resorts World Las Vegas, the camaraderie and spirit of competition flourishes. With more events on the horizon and several days remaining, players are eager to seize their moment in the spotlight. For those wanting to dive deeper into the action, be sure to check out all the latest developments, results, and player interviews.
For more insights and updates on the 2024 NAPT, you can follow all the action here.
In this article, we’ve highlighted the key players and results from the 2024 NAPT side events, weaving in narrative elements to celebrate their achievements and keep readers engaged. If there’s a specific aspect you’d like to delve deeper into or any additional style requests, feel free to let me know!
