The $5 million ClubWPT Gold Invitational Freeroll kicked off Friday at Wynn Las Vegas with some fireworks that concerned a former Halo champion.
Aaron Elam’s nickname within the gaming world is, fittingly, “Ace,” and he used an ace to win a wild hand proper off the bat to safe an early double up.
ClubWPT Gold, the latest on-line poker platform from the World Poker Tour (WPT), is internet hosting the biggest freeroll in poker historical past as a part of the WPT World Championship competition. Gamers resembling Elam received Golden Passports into the occasion by way of satellite tv for pc tournaments on ClubWPT Gold, social media contests, or have been invited as a content material creator. Greater than 1,400 gamers took their seats contained in the Wynn-Encore conference heart at 10 a.m., and it took no time earlier than the motion heated up.
What a Hand
Elam sat down at his desk within the record-setting freeroll and picked up A♥A♣ in one of many first few palms. He engaged in a five-bet and all-in battle with one other participant on the desk, a dream scenario for pocket rockets. Properly, it was till his opponent additionally turned over A♠A♦.
It did not seem the now 31-year-old gamer, who received $200,000 in 2013 on the Halo 4 International Championship, was going to get something out of the hand aside from chopping up the blinds. The 5♣5♥Ok♣ flop was at the very least promising, nevertheless, because it ensured he could not probably lose the hand and picked up runner-runner flush prospects to scoop the pot outright.
The J♣ on the flip made the unknown opponent sweat even additional, after which the 6♣ on the river accomplished the flush, doubling up Elam and sending the opposite participant dwelling moments after “shuffle up and deal” was introduced. A merciless technique to exit the largest freeroll ever.
An early double up is at all times welcomed by any participant, however it is a three-day occasion. It’ll be a grind and grabbing an early chip lead would not assure a money. However even when Elam would not win the $1 million first place prize or run deep, he’ll at the very least have a narrative to inform.
Elam, identified for his time on Staff Liquid, has been lively within the gaming world since 2006. Maybe if he spins it up within the ClubWPT Gold freeroll, he’ll begin enjoying poker tournaments frequently.
