A Night of Big Wins: The Bad Beat Jackpot and World Poker Tour Playground Championship
Just after midnight on a brisk Saturday morning, the excitement in the air at Playground Poker Club located just outside Montreal, Canada, reached a fever pitch. The club’s Bad Beat Jackpot—a prize awarded to a player who loses with a strong hand—was triggered, resulting in a staggering CAD $964,471 windfall. This windfall occurred merely three weeks after another jaw-dropping jackpot of CAD $2.2 million was won, making this one of the most lucrative stretches in the club’s history.
The Triggering Moment
The jackpot was set in motion when Aymen Rhammaz achieved a straight flush, only to be bested by Chad Whittaker’s quad kings. In an unusual twist, Whittaker, although he lost the hand, walked away with the majority of the jackpot as he was deemed the ‘loser’ in the shine of victory for Rhammaz. This dramatic hand not only added a thrilling chapter to the history of Playground but also captivated spectators and players alike, making it a memorable experience for everyone involved.
WPT Playground Championship Day 1c: The Final Flight
Less than 12 hours after the jackpot win, the energy surged again with the third and final flight of the CAD $3,500 buy-in, CAD $1.5 million Guaranteed World Poker Tour (WPT) Playground Championship. Day 1c saw a captivating turnout of 434 runners, joining the previous two flights, which brought the total entries to a resounding 806. Although players were still able to register late, it was clear that this event was turning into a blockbuster tournament.
Chip Leaders Emerge
After ten grueling levels of play, a leaner field emerged with 168 hopefuls moving on, all vying to advance further in the tournament. The highlight of Day 1c was Jackson Oniske, boasting a commanding chip stack of 379,000, which placed him slightly behind Day 1b’s chip leader, Connor Daynard, who amassed 435,500 chips, and Day 1a leader Giuseppe Corapi, who held 401,000 chips.
Notable Players in the Mix
Among the notable players who made it through Day 1c with decent chip counts were seasoned competitors such as Duff Charette (319,500), Umut Ozturk (214,500), and WPT Global Ambassador Patrick Tardif (204,500). The competition was fierce, featuring division among high-profile pros and local legends, making each hand a spectacle of strategy and skill.
The Day 1c Chip Counts Overview
Here’s a snapshot of the top 10 chip counts from Day 1c, highlighting the player dynamics leading into Day 2:
| Place | Player | Count |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jackson Oniske | 379,000 |
| 2 | Gianluca Cedolia | 326,000 |
| 3 | Brady Spencer | 325,000 |
| 4 | Duff Charette | 319,500 |
| 5 | Robin Wezelenburg | 304,000 |
| 6 | Jamie Sequeira | 300,000 |
| 7 | Mahmut Zor | 293,000 |
| 8 | Vadim Rozin | 285,000 |
| 9 | Alexander Bylicki | 262,000 |
| 10 | Felix Martel-Racine | 257,000 |
High-Profile Eliminations
However, not everyone endured the trials of Day 1c. The field saw notable eliminations, including players like Ori Hasson and Josh Frazer-James, as well as faced fierce competition that left many talented players scrambling to reclaim their stakes. Most notably, Yuan Yuan Li faced an unfortunate end when he was all-in preflop with ace-king against pocket jacks, only to be outdone when the board revealed a flush for Josh Silverman.
Looking Ahead
As the excitement buzzes through the tournament hall, players have the opportunity to re-enter the fray as late registration remains open until Day 2 kicks off Sunday, October 27, at 11 a.m. local time. This accessibility adds an additional layer of strategy as players can reassess their game and possibly jump back into the competition.
Closing Thoughts
The atmosphere at Playground, accentuated by the enormous jackpot and the vibrant WPT Playground Championship, creates a unique blend of drama and thrill that any poker enthusiast would crave. PokerNews will be onsite throughout the week, covering the action and behind-the-scenes stories, ensuring readers and fans alike share in the excitement and celebration of one of the premier events in tournament poker.
With high stakes, passionate players, and a setting rich in poker history, the Playground Poker Club continues to establish itself as a must-visit destination for both seasoned pros and newcomers eager for a taste of high-caliber competition. Stay tuned for more updates as more drama unfolds in this riveting tournament saga!
Photos courtesy World Poker Tour (WPT) / Alicia Skillman
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