Gilroy
’s hopes of a player advancing in the Shooting Star Tournament
as part of the World Poker Tour this week ended Tuesday when
contractor George Pagan was eliminated in the fourth level at Bay
101. Joel Gaeta, a local restaurateur, lost in the eighth level of
Monday’s action. Pagan, in a table of 1
0 along with WPT champion Erik Lindgren, had a strong first two
hours of action Tuesday, moving into the first break with a chip
lead ($19,100) at the table.
Gilroy’s hopes of a player advancing in the Shooting Star Tournament as part of the World Poker Tour this week ended Tuesday when contractor George Pagan was eliminated in the fourth level at Bay 101.
Joel Gaeta, a local restaurateur, lost in the eighth level of Monday’s action.
Pagan, in a table of 10 along with WPT champion Erik Lindgren, had a strong first two hours of action Tuesday, moving into the first break with a chip lead ($19,100) at the table.
Pagan survived the third one-hour level, then succumbed to an all-in attempt 35 minutes into the fourth level.
“I had Queen-Jack suited and the other player from early position had Ace-King off-suit,” said Pagan. The opponent earned two pairs on the flop, leaving Pagan little solace when a Jack turned up on the river.
“If the guy would have had a low pair, the river Jack could have won it for me,” continued Pagan.
“I should have waited for better cards, been more patient,” said Pagan. “I had pocket Queens early in the afternoon to get me among the chip leaders at the table. I should have been more patient. Especially when you’re the chip leader you have more time to play.”
Pagan will use Tuesday’s experience in the Garlic City Club satellite event in Gilroy on March 27 that earns a chair in the World Series of Poker.
Gaeta’s battle through nearly eight hours of no-limit hold ’em poker on Monday ended when a straight on the river negated the Gilroy cardplayer’s three Kings.
Playing on his fourth different table in the 440-player event, Gaeta, on the small blind and holding pocket Kings, raised after two other players limped into the pot. Patty Gallagher, the big blind, raised Gaeta. After the other two players folded, Gaeta called.
When a King, Queen and Four came on the flop, Gaeta had a set of Kings and believed that Gallagher, a professional poker player from San Diego, had pocket Aces.
Gaeta announced all-in, making the pot nearly $20,000 when Gallagher, with the two Aces, called.
Gallagher, needing either another Ace, two diamonds for a flush or two running cards for a straight, took the pot when a Jack came up on the turn and a Ten hit the River.
Gaeta’s roller-coaster ride through the eight levels ended 55 minutes away from his earning a chair for Wednesday’s action.
“Patty showed so much sportsmanship after that hand, letting me know that I had played the hand so well,” said Gaeta of the final action.
“I came away with a load of experience, having talked to several players who have made millions playing poker.”
Gaeta bounced between $6,000 and $15,000 in chips throughout the afternoon, finally moving for the third and final time to Table 3 with $10,000.
A total of 65 players from the field of 213 survived Monday’s action and advanced to Wednesday.
The survivors from Tuesday’s more than eight hours of play also joined Wednesday’s play, with action continuing until 36 remained for Thursday’s round.
The final six competed Friday for the first prize of $1 million.
