LAS VEGAS (AP) — Players have hit the money at the World Series of Poker main event, with each of the 693 top finishers getting at least $19,000 each.
Reza Kashani, a 31-year-old flooring company owner from Irvine, Calif., busted Friday in 694th place, sending the remaining players into a frenzy as they learned they would profit from a $10,000 entry.
Kashani moved in for the last of his roughly 150,000 in chips with a pair of kings and an inside straight draw, but was called by Joseph Cheong, last year’s third place finisher. Cheong had a set of queens, which held on the turn and river.
Tournament officials awarded Kashani a free entry into next year’s tournament.
Eleven-time bracelet winner and 1989 champ Phil Hellmuth exited just after the day’s first break.
