On a Roll: Gardens Qualifiers Continue Deep Run in WPT Gardens Poker Championship

By Sean Chaffin

One of the big stories here at the WPT Gardens Poker Championship late on Day 3 was the deep run of two qualifiers as play gets closer and closer to the bubble. Amazingly, both qualified for a pittance of the actual $10,000 buy-in and made into the money as the bubble burst.

At a minimum, both now stand to cash for at least $19,120 – with hopes of much more.

Charity Winner Running Hot

Local player Nicole Schwartz (pictured) qualified for the tournament after winning a charity poker tournament at the Gardens on Jan 12. She spent only $200 (one buy-in and one rebuy) – only 2 percent of the championship event’s buy-in.

Day 2 started a bit swingy for the married mother of two, who plays recreationally a couple times a month at the Gardens. After entering with a stack of 30,500, that quickly dropped to 8,000. She then quickly ran that back up to 30,000 again and by the first break in the day was up to 68,000 – and her big run continues on Day 3.

“I guess I never thought that I’d actually make it this far,” she said after the second break in the day. “I think that right now I’m really focused and would love to make it to the money.”

She’s now accomplished that and has her sights set on more. Throughout the tournament, Schwartz has caught some nice hands that helped her rake some big pots. She was taught how to play by her father, and he was railing her on the first day of play – chatting, offering advice, and bringing her some food. If her huge effort continues he may be making a return appearance.

“If I make it tomorrow,” she says, “I think I’ll ask him to come back.”

Satellite Spectacular Star

If Schwartz’s deep run weren’t enough, Downey, California, resident Dayron Huertas-Carballo (pictured) has an even smaller amount invested in this event, with the prospect of winning as much as the top prize of $548,825.

Huertas-Carballo made his way into the championship event after winning the Gardens’ Satellite Spectacular, a $20 promotional tournament for players who have accrued points by playing in events at the property. That amounts to only a 0.2 percent of the tournament buy-in – quite a nice return on investment.

“It’s amazing,” he said of the tournament during the second break of Day 3. “It feels good because I play a lot here. I know a lot of the people, so I feel like there’s less pressure.”

Originally from Cuba, Huertas-Carballo moved the U.S. three and a half years ago to build a better life than what he faced in his home country. He learned to play poker a year ago by watching WPT videos on YouTube and has become a regular player at the Gardens.

When not at the tables, he makes a living as a driver for Uber and Lyft. While he may be close to at least a min-cash, he has mind on playing well and just keeping the deep run going.

“I’m not thinking about the money,” he says. “I’m taking it step-by-step.”

Part of any winnings is already earmarked for something truly important to him. He says: “I’m sending some of it back to my family in Cuba.”

Sean Chaffin is a freelance writer in Crandall, Texas. His work appears in numerous websites and publications. Follow him on Twitter @PokerTraditions.

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