All or Nothing
Deal-making, whether by chip-chop, equal shares, or ICM, is a common practice in smaller and larger poker tournaments. In the final stages, players reduce their risk through such agreements, following the well-known adage, "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." However, what long-time friends Mehmet Siginc and Nicholas Lee showcased during the WSOPC in Calgary was quite the opposite.
The second ring event of the festival was structured as NLH/PLO, attracting 201 entries at a $600 buy-in. In the final heads-up, Mehmet Siginc, vying for his second ring, faced Nicholas Lee, who had already secured four of these valuable pieces. These two gentlemen agreed that the winner of the heads-up would take the entire remaining sum, leaving the runner-up with nothing.
“Finally, Someone Took Up My Challenge!”
With words exchanged, the atmosphere was electric. Other, earlier eliminated finalists watched the rare duel in suspense. After almost two hours, Siginc took the lead, gradually solidifying his position, and ultimately claimed the ring and combined winnings of $24,850 + $15,965. His opponent, Nicholas Lee, on the other hand, left empty-handed.
Siginc later smiled at his unconventional victory and admitted that he had attempted to make such a bet for years, but Lee was the only one to accept it. “I finally made it, and I’d gladly take up such a challenge again in the future,” Siginc declared. This was Siginc’s second WSOP Circuit title, taking his tournament earnings to over $360,000.
A Festival Full of Records
Apart from this story that captured the poker world's attention, it’s worth noting that the WSOPC festival in Calgary has been rewriting one record after another. The Mini Main Event, in particular, saw massive player interest, with the label “Mini” hardly doing it justice. The entries count hit 2,269, setting a new record in all of Alberta.
The prize pool of $735,405 was divided among the top 114 players, with the biggest prizes awarded in yesterday’s final. Local players shone in this tournament, as every spot at the final table was claimed by Canadian players. The undisputed winner of the tournament was Benny Sarnelli, who scored his first ring alongside a reward of $101,977 for his fantastic achievement.
Final Table Results:
| Position | Player | Nationality | Winnings |
| 1 | Benny Sarnelli | Canada | $101,977 |
| 2 | Samson Mesenegeeshik | Canada | $62,983 |
| 3 | Michael Khan | Canada | $46,616 |
| 4 | Skyler York | Canada | $34,880 |
| 5 | Regan Duong | Canada | $26,388 |
| 6 | Mike Malm | Canada | $20,187 |
| 7 | Harpreet Padda | Canada | $15,618 |
| 8 | Brian Bond | Canada | $12,222 |
| 9 | Jimmy Lee | Canada | $9,675 |
| 10 | Michael Grol | Canada | $7,749 |
