Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Winter Poker Open
Event 6: $165 No Limit Hold’em
December 9-11, 2013

Entries: 611
Prize Pool: $76,375

1st Place

$300 + $30 + $20 NLH 6-Max (Re-Entry)

It was a series of all in’s and double ups but eventually someone had to get luckier than the other and today in Event 7 at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa it was Devis Mulla who ran good to take home the title and $9,588.

The wild heads up match saw Mulla get lucky twice at the end to send a frustrated Lance Garcia to the rail in 2nd place. The first hand, the two got it all on a nine high flop with Devis holding 9-7 and Garcia holding an overpair with pocket Jacks. A 9 on the turn would keep Mulla alive and give him a commanding 800K to 140K chip lead.

Garcia would chip away and get it down to a 580K to 360K deficit when they would again get it all in on a nine high flop with Mulla holding top pair and Garcia holding an overpair. This time Mulla had K-9 and Lance had pocket Kings. The miracle 9 on the turn would give Devis trip 9’s yet again and an excited Mulla would clap his hands as his good fortune would send Garcia to the rail in 2nd place, good for a $5,217 payday.

“I got so lucky,” a humble Mulla said after the tournament. “I was due though. I’ve been running so bad.” Devis attributed a patient final table strategy as well as his run good as the keys to his victory. Congratulations on your win Devis!

Final Results:

$300 + $30 + $20 NLH 6-Max (Re-Entry)
Blinds 6k/12k/2k ante

Devis Mulla has taken back the chip lead with back to back double ups. The first time, the two were all in pre-flop with Devis holding Qh-Th and Lance Garcia holding Ks-Js. The flop had a little something for everyone… Kh-Qc-3h giving Garcia top pair and Mulla middle pair with a flush draw. The turn was the 9c to keep Garcia in the lead but the river was the Qs to give Mulla trips and the double up.

A few minutes later, they would get it all in on a Kh-5s-3d-Qd board with Mulla holding Jh-Th for an open ended straight draw and Garcia holding 7d-6d for a gutshot straight draw to go with a flush draw. The river would be the 3h and Mulla’s jack high would be good enough to scoop the pot.

$300 + $30 + $20 NLH 6-Max (Re-Entry)
Blinds 6k/12k/2k ante

Lance Garcia min-raised to 24K and was re-raised by Devis Mulla to 63K. Garcia announced he was all in and was called quickly by Mulla. Garcia had pocket 7’s and was up against the A-K of Mulla. “I’m supposed to win this race,” stated Garcia… and he would win the board would run out T-9-5-8-9. Lance doubled to 635K and Mullis is down to 205K.

$300 + $30 + $20 NLH 6-Max (Re-Entry)
Blinds 5k/10k/1k ante

Lance Garcia had assumed the chip lead and was looking to deliver the knockout blow to Devis Mulla when he limp shoved with pocket Queens and was called by Mulla and his A-Q. The flop would come with an Ace though to give Mulla the double up and leave Garcia muttering to Mulla that “the deck keeps saving you.” Mulla has 600K now and Garcia is down to 340K.

$300 + $30 + $20 NLH 6-Max (Re-Entry)
Blinds 5k/10k/1k ante

With the board reading Q♣J♦8♦8♥5♠, Lance Garcia moved all in and was called by Devis Mulla. Garcia showed 8♠6♥ for turned trip 8’s. Mulla had a pair of 9’s that was no good. Garcia is up to 420K and Mulla is down to 520K as the two battle back and forth.

$300 + $30 + $20 NLH 6-Max (Re-Entry)
Blinds 4k/8k/1k ante

Devis Mulla gets a couple of double-ups to take the chip lead from Lance Garcia.

First Mulla has 5-3 and hits a straight against Garcia’s QQ for 109k.
Then for 250k Mulla hits a set of 3s against Garcia’s A4.

Mulla has flipped the script and is now up 700k to 240k.

The final ten decided to make a deal and as a result Jesse Goulding was declared the winner. Jesse is a 21 year old amateur from Lansing, Michigan who primarily plays cash games when he plays. This is his first major tournament score. Jesse came down to Seminole Hard Rock Tampa with his friend and 7th place finisher Michael Manticoff. “We came down here for a little vacation and saw the tournament series going on and thought we would give it a shot.” Looks like that was a good idea on their part. Congratulations on your win Jesse!

Final results and payouts:

$300 + $30 + $20 NLH 6-Max (Re-Entry)
Blinds 4k/8k/1k ante

Mulla (left) Raises Garcia

Heads up Chip Counts

Devis Mulla (Tampa, FL) 735k
Lance Garcia (Houston, TX) 205k

$300 + $30 + $20 NLH 6-Max (Re-Entry)
Blinds 4k/8k/1k ante

A.Nonymous2 (Dillsburg, PA)
$3,638

On a board of K-9-3, Lance Garcia check-raises the second anonymous player (A2) in the field to 65k.

After betting the initial 25k, A2 moves all in for 300k and Garcia snap calls.

Garcia: KQ (pair of Kings)
A2: TT (under pair)

A2 doesn’t improve and is out in 3rd place for $3,638.

Garcia has a commanding 2.5 to 1 chip lead over Devis Mulla as they begin heads up play.