James Carroll Grabs HPT Vegas Title for $104K
Las Vegas, NV -– Vegas poker pro James Carroll had work to do at Monday’s Heartland Poker Tour Final Table. He started as the short stack, but the 26-year-old demonstrated what it means to be a pro. “I still like my chances,” he said before filming the nationally-televised Final Table at Palms Casino Resort. One hand at a time, he earned every chip at the table and $104,253.
His HPT paycheck was a little bigger than the one he earned when he picked up a bracelet at the 2012 World Series of Poker. Although it’s been a good year on the job, his success on his first HPT attempt surprised him. “I never thought I’d win my first one,” said Carroll of Henderson, Nevada. While he’s running good, Carroll is hoping to play HPT’s final stop of the year next weekend at Belterra Casino Resort in Florence, Indiana.
“I thought (the tournament) was run very well. The staff was great. The prize pool got pretty big,” said the champ.
Many top names in poker turned out for the event, including David Williams, Barry Shulman, Gavin Smith, and Annette Obrestad. They joined HPT’s regulars who made the trip from tour hot spots like Colorado, Michigan, and Iowa. “It was nice to see some faces we recognize from other tour stops and some we recognize from TV,” said HPT Executive Producer Fred Bevill.
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The field grew by 47% over HPT’s April visit to the Palms. HPT has seen steady growth in the second half of the year. “We’re grateful for the support of the poker community and we’re excited to see what 2013 brings,” said Director of Operations Jen Mastrud. HPT will kick off their ninth season in January with a nationally-televised event aboard a Card Player Cruise.
HPT gained a loyal player in runner-up Michael Ryan. He traveled to Las Vegas from his home in Abbottstown, Pennsylvania to try his first major poker tournament. The trip was a huge success. “I went on a heater,” he said. Netting $58,669 on his first attempt, he’ll likely be back for more.
Vic Gupta is also new to HPT. “Statistically, I should finish third,” predicted the San Francisco man with an affinity for numbers. With pocket jacks against king-jack and a king on the flop, Gupta collected $37,818 for third place, as expected.
Vegas pros Randy Ohel and Trevor Pope also played HPT for the first time. Pope said the event was “one of the better events I’ve played just because how well it was run.” He’s got plans for the $32,707 he earned for fourth place. “I’ll spend it pretty quickly on things I don’t need and hope to win more,” he said. Ohel’s $25,144 for fifth place will go to his bankroll.
The most experienced player at the Final Table was Dan Alspach of Las Vegas. He’s been playing poker since Christmas Day of 1948, long before any of the other players were born. His experience got him to the Final Table, but king-four against ace-jack eliminated him in sixth place with ace-9-6-9-6 on the board. He adds $20,238 to $1.8 million in lifetime tournament winnings.
The Final Table filmed at the Palms will be produced into two one-hour episodes of Heartland Poker Tour set to air in January. Broadcast information and tour details are available at HPTpoker.com.
