Tripp Kirk Poker

The world's biggest source of competitive gaming information. Our mission at GosuGamers is to deliver the highest quality eSports content and coverage. I remember reading on pocketfives.com that he was running models the night before the monday night game and gave the 2nd place person a certain buy out or that might have been vice versa I cant remember. A bunch of poker circuit grinders also dabble in DFS. Tripp Kirk probably with the biggest win. I think he won a love PGA thing last year.

Tripp Kirk has picked up a cheque for $190,961 after outlasting a 625-strong field to take down the WSOPC Harrah’s St Louis main event in Missouri.

Atlanta’s Tripp Kirk has picked up a cheque for $190,961 after outlasting a 625-strong field to take down the World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) Harrah’s St Louis $1,620 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em main event at Maryland Heights in Missouri.

The 27-year-old faced Missouri’s Tim ‘Killer’ Killday in a thrilling but short-lived heads-up clash before emerging victorious to leave the runner-up with a rather nice $118,119 consolation prize.

With his victory, semi-pro Kirk – who also earned $26,253 for finishing third in the $335 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em Re-entry and $3,414 with his 15th place finish in the $1,090 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em event at this latest stop of the circuit – now has two WSPOC gold bracelets, as well as a place at this summer’s $10,000 buy-in National Championship in Las Vegas to look forward to.

Kirk’s first bracelet arrived in February of last year when he pocketed $25,220 for winning the $555 buy-in Six-Handed No-Limit Hold’em crown as part of the WSOPC Harrah’s Tunica stop. He now has 10 WSOPC cashes for a $268,251 in total earnings from the tour.

Champion’s Biggest Ever Cash

With the prize pool reaching $909,375 in what was a record-setting field – about 39% up on last year’s 449 entries – Kirk secured easily his biggest cash from his four years of seriously playing the world’s best game in what was a thrilling climax to the event.

Kirk’s head-to-head with Killday saw the former start with a near 2 to 1 chip lead, and he finally took the title – after just 10 hands – on a board that read 7♠ 4♦ A♣ 2♠.

Killday checked before Kirk made a 200,000 bet, only for the former – after some thought – to shove all-in on what turned out to be a bluff. Kirk immediately called to show A♥ 2♣ for two pair, while Killday revealed Q♥ 10♠ to be beaten, even before the 9♦ came on the river.

A total of 21 players started the third and final day of the main event, although that was quickly cut down with Missouri’s Michael McKuin busting within minutes of the start for an $8,021 pay day.

Alexandru Masek Exits in 20th

The likes of four-time WSOPC winner Alexandru Masek, of San Diego, crashing out in 20th for $8,021 in his quest for a record-equalling fifth bracelet, it didn’t take too long before 10 more players had hit the rail – including final table bubble boy Brian ‘Big Kat’ Davis, of Oklahoma City, in 10th place for $14,259.

The nine-handed final table was now set, with Jerry Milanos the first to go for $17,715. The 79-year-old Illinois entrant – who only plays poker part-time – saw his 9♦ 4♠ run into the 10♣ 10♠ of runner-up Killday on a flop of 9♣ 3♣ 8♣.

With the veteran all-in, the 5♦ turn and 8♦ river gave him no help and he hit the rail in ninth place.

Eighth place and $22,298 went to Detroit 59-year-old James Russell when he found himself all-in pre-flop for about 700,000. He showed K♥ Q♦ to face a race with Florida barman Chris Conrad’s 10♥ 10♦.

Again, the hand was almost over very quickly as the 10♠ 5♥ 4♣ flop gave Conrad trip tens and a massive lead. The Q♣ on the turn ensured him of the knockout, with the J♥ river a dead card.

Jeff ‘Anaconda’ Fitzgerald Out in Seventh

Not long after that elimination, another Missouri entrant, 22-year-old service technician Jeff ‘Anaconda’ Fitzgerald, was collecting $28,445 in seventh place.

Fitzgerald checked on an A♠ 8♥ 9♦ flop, only for Charles ‘Woody’ Moore, of Dallas, to bet 200,000. The former responded by check-raising to 460,000, with Moore then swiftly moving all-in for Fitzgerald to call.

The showdown saw Fitzgerald table A♥ 9♠ for top two pair, while Moore showed 8♦ 8♣ for trips. Fitzgerald needed a nine or an ace to stay alive, but the 5♦ turn and 4♥ river made sure of his exit.

Tennessee pro Bradley ‘Tip’ Lipsey – an online specialist – was next to hit the rail in sixth place for $36,784 to ensure that he is a force to be reckoned with after only taking up live tournament play this past year.

Lipsey bet 130,000 and was called by Killday, who then led out for 300,000 on a 9♥ Q♦ K♥ flop. Lipsey – who now has five WSOPC cashes this season, including three final table appearances – gave his next move some considerable thought before shoving.

Killday snap-called to show J♦ 10♣ for a straight, while Lipsey tabled K♦ 5♦ for top pair. The latter was left drawing dead moments later when the dealer placed the 7♥ on the table. Of course, the 10♣ meant nothing and that was that for the up-and-coming 28-year-old.

Gannesh Letchumanan Hits rail in Fifth

Just minutes later, Gannesh Letchumanan was also seeking out the cashier, for $48,224, after Kirk eliminated the Virginia player in fifth place. Letchumanan shoved all-in pre-flop to receive a call from Kirk, with the former showing K♥ Q♠ and the latter revealing A♣ 10♥. The board eventually showed Q♦ 6♣ A♥ 10♣ 7♥ to give Kirk two pair and the knockout.

Fourth place went to Moore – who picked up $62,584 for second place at the recent WSOPC Council Bluffs main event – for $64,093 after his elimination at the hands of Kirk.

In the small blind, Moore limped, leading to a check from big blind Kirk. They then saw an A♣ 5♣ J♣ flop and Moore checked, Tripp bet out with 60,000 and then the former check-raised to make it 225,000.

Kirk flat called, before then snap-calling Moore’s all-in move on the 3♥ turn. Moore already knew he was in deep trouble before showing his J♦ 9♣ hole cards. Bit he could hardly have expected Kirk to reveal K♣ 10♣ for the nut flush. The 6♥ river confirmed Moore’s exit to leave the event three-handed.

Chris Conrad Eliminated for Third Spot

That soon became two-handed when Conrad – who had begun the day as chip leader – exited in third place for $86,372. He got involved in a raising battle pre-flop that saw him all-in while holding Q♠ Q♦, only to be faced by the K♦ K♣ of Kirk.

It only got worse for Moore when Kirk made it trips on a K♥ 6♠ 5♣ flop, with the 3♦ turn and 8♣ river ensuring the knockout.

Thereafter, railbirds saw a quick but exciting heads-up clash that saw Kirk emerge victorious for the top prize.

Among the other notable players to also make the money were Jeff Wade (22nd for $6,793), Joe Kuether (23rd for $6,793), Steven Graham (25th for $5,820), Katherine Bowen (27th for $5,820), Steve Melton (33rd for $4,438), Ross Bybee (35th for $3,947), Scott Clements (36th for $3,947), Seneca Easley (37th for $3,547), Michael ‘Carwash’ Schneider (44th for $3,547), Travis Lutes (48th for $3,228) and Everett Carlton (52nd for $3,228).

Pop Star Nelly Fails to Cash

However, Grammy Award-winning hip hop star, entrepreneur and sometime actor Nelly failed to cash, as did the likes of Kurt Jewell, Casey Cavanaugh, Jennifer Parrish, Dennis Phillips, Sam Barnhart, Huy Nguyen, Joe Hebda, La Sengphet, Ben Smith, Drazen Ilich, Mark ‘Pegasus’ Smith, Matthew Chang, Bernard Lee, Amanda Musumeci and last year’s champion Kyle Cartwright – just as the money bubble was approaching.

The penultimate WSOPC stop for this 2011-2012 season pulls into Harrah’s Chester, in the Philadelphia area, on Thursday for another 12 days’ play until May 7, while the final leg of the tour arrives at Harrah’s New Orleans from May 10 to 21 – just six days before the World Series of Poker kicks off in Vegas with the $500 buy-in Casino Employees No-Limit Hold’em for almost two months of top-quality poker.

Top 10 Payouts from the WSOP Circuit Harrah’s St Louis

1. Tripp Kirk (USA) – $190,961

2. Tim ‘Killer’ Killday (USA) – $118,119

3. Chris Conrad (USA) – $86,372

4. Charles ‘Woody’ Moore (USA) – $64,093

5. Gannesh Letchumanan (USA) – $48,224

6. Bradley ‘Tip’ Lipsey (USA) – $36,784

7. Jeff Anaconda’ Fitzgerald (USA) – $28,445

8. James Russell (USA) – $22,298

9. Jerry Milanos (USA) – $17,715

10. Brian ‘Big Kat’ Davis (USA) – $14,259

The last few months have been a blur of poker and travel. I had a handful of days between wsop circuit stops to unwind and no spare time to write. I should say no spare time to write my blog. I have been working on a side project that has been eating up most of my creative writing efforts and cutting into my poker sessions. Hopefully the work pays off this summer and opens up some new business opportunities. Until things settle down I guess I will have to forgo sleep to fit in my blogging sessions.

St Louis Circuit Props:

Welcome to the St Louis WSOP please “smoke freely”

Picture by David Clark

Last year I had some trouble getting into the Harrahs St. Louis and almost missed the stop entirely after an issue with my temporary drivers license. I won’t get into how I got around that issue for fear of legal ramifications, but trust me it was a pain in the ass. St Louis was arguably the most annoying stop on the circuit with heaps of overzealous rules and regulations. I was going to spend some time getting into these problems here, but with the recent sale of Harrahs St. Louis to a rival corporation they are most likely moot points.

I wouldn’t shed any tears over the loss of Harrahs St Louis. The poker action was good, but with high smoke and noise levels on the floor plus strict gaming regulations and state taxes it’s an event I will be happy to scratch off the schedule. The last round of the event did produce some major fireworks though, with multiple circuit stars putting on a show and the roommates of room 143 stealing the spot light almost* entirely.

I should have known I was in for trouble when I came down from the room one night to sweat La and ended up at the bar with some circuit regulars. I just wanted to relax, have a beer, and sweat. These kid’s idea of a relaxing night at the bar is a shot, and then another, and another… As is often the case on the circuit, consumption of copious amounts of alcohol leads to trash talking, which in turn leads to prop betting.

I was in the company of most of room 143: Tripp “captain” Kirk (@tkirk1212), Matt “Bum” Hankins (@pokerskibum), Kyle Cartwright (@da_kyky), along with their friend @chronictown, with later appearances by my roomies La “CanULala” Sengphet (@lasengphet) and Andrew “Andy” Nguyen (@winnersnguyen). We decided to pick 2 player teams and bet on a series of props. We had a must-cash prop for the next event plus a last longer, and a series-long team total cashes prop (by this point Tripp had already finished 3rd in the re-entry so that result was excluded).

La struck early winning the must-cash prop and last longer for her and Andy. My teammate Kyle put a strong finish on the board next by shipping the 1k for his 4th ring and a 53k cash. He won his HU match against the other roommate of 143, Alex “Ap” Phahurat (@legitap47). Going into main event we had a 53k lead, meaning someone would have to get 4th or better to steal our lead and ship the props.

Number 4 for Kyle:

Picture by Eric Harkins of Image Masters

Tripp Kirk Poker Games

In typical Tripp Kirk fashion, he flashed his trademark smirk and then took a dump all over his roommate Kyle’s 53k score. He called the 53k and raised another 137k and a main event ring with a lil prop cheese on top. It’s Tripp’s second ring and his biggest score to date. Not a bad days work for a guy with a limited poker schedule and a day job that often ships him out of the country. I did get the last laugh on Tripp though. We left St Louis early and I was able to fade the pain of paying him and his smirk directly by giving the money to his partner Bum at the next stop.

Tripp Kirk and his smirk with his 2nd ring:

Picture by Eric Harkins of Image Masters

Tripp’s win would be the second St Louis main title for the roommates, Kyle took it down the year before. Overall the occupants of room 143 had 4 top 3 finishes in the 3 biggest prize-pools of the series. Tripp took 3rd in the re-entry and won the main, Kyle and AP took 1st and 2nd in the 1k, AP also had two near misses finishing 10th and 11th in two other prelims. Not a bad series boys, but next time you score big I would probably avoid tweeting your room number until after you left town #RookieMistake.

*Usually that would be the end of the story, but the last-chance ring event also had another usual suspect doing some work. Kurt Jewell (@kurtjewell), a two time wsop circuit main event winner with an O/8 ring from St Louis last year, added a forth ring to his twitter pic. Kurt delivered a drunken-master-like performance taking it down with a beer in one hand and cards in the other. Congrats on number 4 Kurt #YeahBuddy.

Tripp Kirk Poker Player

Kurt Jewell ships his 4th:

Tripp Kirk Poker Game

Picture by Eric Harkins of Image Masters