For many, one of the highlights of the FTOPS calendar is the regular two-day event. Since FTOPS V it has proved to be a popular alternative to the standard online tournament, with the extended time period allowing for slower blinds and more considered play. This year it was positioned as Event #22, and commanded a hefty buy-in of $5000 + $200.
The prize pool was guaranteed at $2,000,000, but the 500 entrants ensured that it was boosted to $2,500,000. This left the first prize at a life-changing $635,000, with a further 53 places paying out. The eventual winner was fyrtuk, followed closely by high-stakes online pro Adam Levy, known online as Roothlus. He received $387,500 for second place, with ‘the best woman’ coming in third for $281,250.
Adam Levy has been playing poker since 2003 and, over the least few years, has established himself as one of the finest online tournament players. Since breaking into the big money on PartyPoker in 2005 he has earned over $600,000 in live tournaments, as well as plenty more online. His recent live successes include 5th place in the WPT $15,000 Annnual Festa Al Lago Classic in Las Vegas and 48th in the 2008 WSOP main event.
As one of the highest profile events in the FTOPS calender, you would expect to see one of the Team Full Tilt’s highest profile pros as host. No surprise then, to see tournament master Allen Cunningham overseeing the proceedings. Known as much for his quiet and reserved character as for his boundless success, Allen broke into poker in the late 90’s, notching up cash after cash in live tournaments around the U.S. He is one of only 16 players ever to have won 5 or more WSOP bracelets. A quick glance at those World Series titles evidences his all round ability, having won WSOP events in 7-Card Stud, Deuce to Seven and Texas Hold ‘em. His total career live tournament winnings exceed $10,000,000, making him the 5th most successful poker player in the world.
Here is the final outcome of those finishing in the money:
1 fyrtuk $625,000.00
2 Roothlus $387,500.00
3 the best woman $281,250.00
4 Wu_Wizard $218,750.00
5 utreg $162,500.00
6 donivan31 $118,750.00
7 holla-athca-boy $77,500.00
8 Egarim $62,500.00
9 gboro780 $48,750.00
10 WinnerFish $27,500.00
11 cartoon_heroes $27,500.00
12 makspak $27,500.00
13 GimmeDa1time $21,250.00
14 pokerzwerg $21,250.00
15 Jas11 $21,250.00
16 TwistedEcho $15,000.00
17 bigredAK $15,000.00
18 CrazyMarco $15,000.00
19 pokerjamers $11,250.00
20 FlopdaFlush99 $11,250.00
21 bzola $11,250.00
22 Sploder $11,250.00
23 dingepling $11,250.00
24 GooGie MonA $11,250.00
25 BickleAce $11,250.00
26 TheGorn $11,250.00
27 Genius28 $11,250.00
28 tedsfishfry $9,375.00
29 FarSeerCantDie $9,375.00
30 doubidoubi $9,375.00
31 JohnnyBelow $9,375.00
32 JJ-db-JJ $9,375.00
33 pwnosaurus $9,375.00
34 HU4ROLLZ $9,375.00
35 SCTrojans08 $9,375.00
36 Yeshaya $9,375.00
37 philbort $8,125.00
38 TheFatFISH $8,125.00
39 Stamdogg $8,125.00
40 ActionJeff $8,125.00
41 Kadabra $8,125.00
42 SlowRoastedCat $8,125.00
43 Reticulum $8,125.00
44 LeoEleven $8,125.00
45 PostflopAction $8,125.00
46 Halfrek $7,500.00
47 holdplz $7,500.00
48 YoungSupremacy $7,500.00
49 lowprofile9 $7,500.00
50 jordankickz $7,500.00
51 Bluffman85 $7,500.00
52 1-ronnyr3 $7,500.00
53 bballer88 $7,500.00
54 Comandr_Cool $7,500.00