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The $400 buy-in, $250,000 guaranteed PokerNews Cup at Thunder Valley Casino Resort attracted 901 entries, generating a $306,340 prize pool. Peter Thao went on to win the event, defeating Farzad Abbaszadeh in heads-up play to secure the trophy and the $48,340 top prize.
Throughout the event, PokerNews reporter Josh Noy tracked several dramatic hands. On Day 1a, Thao eliminated Abel Valle on the money bubble after his 9♦8♥ turned trips on the river, overcoming Valle’s K♠10♠, which had briefly taken the lead with a king on the river.
PokerNews’ own Chad Holloway also saw action during Day 1b. Holloway moved all in with A♠6♣ and ran into James Lee’s 4♥4♦. Despite flopping the lead, Holloway’s tournament ended when Lee turned a set of fours, sending him to the rail.
Later that day, Travis Fujisaka fell on the direct money bubble when his J♥J♦ lost a flip against Daniel Evans’ A♥K♣, as Evans paired his ace on the river.
On Day 2, with 14 players left, Ryan Awwad’s 5♦5♥ appeared to hold against Farzad Abbaszadeh’s K♥Q♥ until a river seven counterfeited his set, ending his tournament in 14th place for $3,440.
With six players remaining, Vy Nguyen’s K♣K♥ fell to Elijah Obel-Jorgensen’s A♥K♦ after an ace-high flop, eliminating Nguyen in sixth place for $10,300.
