The 2024 PokerStars North American Poker Tour Las Vegas wrapped up this past weekend, and it proved a successful affair with all events surpassing their guarantees, players coming from around the world, and 20 Gold Pass winners cashing for a combined $241,600 in the $5,300 NAPT Main Event!
PokerNews live reported several tournaments throughout the series, and during that time our reporters captured several big hands. For example, we already published an article on Jeremy Becker getting his aces cracked by Jonathan Little early in the $25,000 Super High Roller. You can read all about that hand here.
We also had a team offering live updates from start to finish in the $5,300 NAPT Main Event. There were plenty of hands to choose from for a “Hands of the Week” recap, including a couple that aired on the PokerStars livestream, and we offer a look at some of them below.
Here are five interesting hands from the PokerNews live updates from the 2024 NAPT Main Event, which attracted 895 entrants and awarded a $4,340,750 prize pool.
Defending Champ Spikes the River For a Double Knockout
In Level 11 (1,000/1,500/1,500) on Day 2, reporter David Salituro caught a big hand involving defending NAPT champ Sami Bechahed. It began when “Sami the Dealer” raised to 3,000 in the hijack before Diego Sanchez moved all in for 22,500 on the button. Maxx Coleman reshoved for 28,000 in the big blind and Bechahed called to put both players at risk.
Diego Sanchez: A♣K♠
Maxx Coleman: A♠Q♠
Sami Bechahed: A♥Q♦
Sanchez had Coleman and Bechahed dominated as he was poised for a triple-up on the 6♥4♥10♥J♦ board. The river, though, was the 7♥ as Bechahed hit a flush to win the pot and send Sanchez and Coleman to the rail. Bechahed went on to make a deep run, ultimately ending his title defense in 37th place for $17,100.
Canadian Gold Pass Winner Steven Maddison Flips for Tournament Life
In another hand from Day 2, it was Level 13 (1,000/2,500/2,500) when Canada’s Steven Maddison, who won a Gold Pass via a CNE Second Chance freeroll, got his last 20,500 all in preflop and was flipping for his tournament life against Grant Wang.
Steven Maddison: A♥K♠ [allin]
Grant Wang: J♠J♦
Maddison was in need of improvement and got it when the A♠2♠10♥ flop paired his ace. The Q♥ turn gave both players straight outs, and the J♣ completed the board on the river. Wang made a set of jacks but it was no good as Maddison made a Broadway straight.
Wang was left with 22,000 but lost it all a few hands later. Despite winning that hand, Maddison fell short of making the money in the tournament.
Prior to going to Las Vegas, Maddison did an interview with PokerNews Ontario Ambassador Kyle Anderson.
Click here to see everyone who cashed the 2024 NAPT Main Event.
Vanier Vanquished in Ultimate Cooler
On Day 4, it was Level 27 (30,000/60,000/60,000) when reporter Connor Richards saw Brock Wilson open to 125,000 in the hijack and Mike Vanier three-bet to 375,000 in the cutoff. Marco Johnson then four-bet to 850,000 in the small blind and Wilson folded as Vanier five-bet jammed a stack of around 2,300,000. Johnson called with a bigger stack.
Mike Vanier: K♣K♠
Marco Johnson: A♦A♥
Vanier picked up kings at the worst time and he was still behind after the 8♠2♠2♦ flop. The 6♠ turn gave him additional outs with a flush draw, but the black 2♣ river was the wrong suit to mark Vanier’s elimination as Johnson breathed a big sigh of relief. Vanier had to settle for 11th place and $56,950 in prize money.
Brutal Bustout for Madsen
On Day 5, it was Level 32 (100,000/200,000/200,000) and only three players remained at the final table. That is when Nick Marchington open-jammed in the small blind and Jeff Madsen called for 3,375,000 in the big blind.
Jeff Madsen: Q♥Q♣
Nick Marchington: A♥10♣
Madsen was in great shape to double and nothing changed on the 2♦5♥8♥ flop or J♣ turn. However, the A♣ landed from space on the river and the 2006 WSOP Player of the Year was sent to the rail in painful fashion. He took home $341,750 for his third-place finish.
One and Done in Heads-Up Play
Marchington took a 4:1 chip lead into heads-up play against Joel Micka, and while the former no doubt hoped to put up a good fight, he never got the chance as the very first hand they played was an epic cooler.
On the first hand of heads-up play, Marchington completed on the button and Micka checked his option in the big blind.
Micka checked on the flop of 5♣J♠6♦ and Marchington bet 250,000. Micka called called. Micka checked again on the 3♠ turn and Marchington bet 750,000. Micka called.
Micka checked once more on the 2♥ river and Marchington moved all in. Micka called off for 4,200,000. Marchington showed the stone nuts with 7♥4♠ and Micka showed a no-good straight with 5♦4♦. Micka had to settle for second place and $478,450 in prize money, while Marchington claimed the title and $762,500 first-place prize.
Check out other big hands from the 2024 NAPT in our first recap here!
PR & Media Manager
