2025 Pure Poker Tour Series #2 – Event #4: $300 PLO Deepstack Hyper

With a brand new structure and format, the Event#4: $300 PLO Deepstack Hyperturbo was bound to be electric from the start. That momentum kept up all the way to the final table as Benny Sarnelli bested the 69 player field. The tournament combined for a prize pool of $19,665.

While action slowed to a crawl with four players remaining, these players agreed to ICM chop leaving $200 and the trophy for the first place finisher. Each player received at least third place money with multiple getting at least the second place money. The average stack was 7 big blinds deep, and without the ICM implications, play was rapid.

Shortly after, Sarnelli took the chip lead back from Joseph Sylvain and never looked back. He won a race hitting an overpair to Sylvain’s small pocket pair in hand to take home his second PPT trophy.

Position	Player	Prize (*Denotes Deal)
1st	Benny Sarnelli	$4528*
2nd	Joseph Sylvain	$4262*
3rd	Saleh Abouelkhair	$3679*
4th	Stefan Maloney	$2944*
5th	Tony Comely	$1,060
6th	Andrew Taylor	$705
7th	Bruce Drake	$530

Early Action

The tournament quickly gained a large field of 24 players shortly after the start time. Benjamin Bolton found the first early elimination flopping two pair and turning his opponent dead. Bruce Drake found another elimination in a set up hand. He flopped the nut flush against his opponent’s king high flush to send them out early.

Saleh Abouelkheir had the most interesting hand of the early stages having rivered the nut full house. He gladly shipped all in, and was called by Joseph Sylvain who flopped quad fives. With just under 30,000 chips, Abouelkheir found double after double to end up as the chip leader by the first break. He was miles ahead of the rest with 353,000. Andrew Taylor (217,000) and Sylvain (202,000) rounded out the podium.

Mid-Day Madness as Registration Closes

Bash Ramahi found success shortly after the end of registration. He got it all in against two opponents with two pairs. Both other players had a flush draw that Ramahi blocked. However, it didn’t matter as the turn gave Ramahi a full house to soar to the chip lead (436,000).

Ramahi continued his upward trajectory to gain 643,000 before the second break. Sarnelli sat as the runner up with 405,000, closely trailed by Peter Flyma (357,000), and Joseph Sylvain (353,000). Looking to close that gap, Sarnelli eliminated Leo Zhang to bring him to 579,000. Tony Comely also rocketed up the ladder as he won a flip to eliminate Kenny Gooding.

Final Table Fiasco

Bolton fell just short of the money as his kings couldn’t hold against Abouelkheir’s flush draw. The remaining players locked up at least $530 for their efforts. Bruce Drake was the first to fall in the money flopping set over set. Comely held the case eight in his hand making Drake a less than 1% underdog.

Stefan Maloney flopped top set shortly after against Andrew Taylor to send him home in 5th place. Play slowed to a snails pace as Tony Comely’s chip stack bounced around. He began five handed play as the chip leader.

Back-to-back hands led him to be short stacked where he found a massive win to 180,000. However, he moved into the big blind and had 20,000 left after paying the ante and blind. He called his remaining 20,000 after Maloney made a flush and couldn’t improve to hit the rail.

A Deal is Made and the Tournament Draws to a Close

With the average stack being just over 7 big blinds, chips were passed around every hand. Stefan Maloney suggested an ICM chop and the remaining players agreed. With the adjusted numbers, $200 was set aside for the eventual winner along with the trophy. Maloney busted shortly after jamming his short stack with A♦Q♥Q♠8♥. Sarnelli found the elimination with K♥J♦5♣4♥, on the 9♣5♥8♣K♣4♦ board.

Abouelkheir would be the next to fall. He jammed 9♦9♣7♣4♥ into Sarnelli’s kings. He flopped a flush draw for some hope, but couldn’t improve to be sent home in the bronze medal place. Sylvain found a double up early on in heads-up play finding a flush on the river. However, Sarnelli battled back to the chip lead.

Just when Sarnelli got his foot on the gas, Sylvain picked up aces to double against Sarnelli’s jacks. Shortly after, Sarnelli moved all in with three broadway cards in hand. Sylvain had the worse hand, and was super behind after Sarnelli flopped trips. He improved to a full house by the river to regain the chip lead.

The short stacked Sylvain moved all in with Q♦4♦4♠2♠, and was called by Sarnelli. His Q♥10♦9♠7♣ closed out the tournament as the board ran out 3♦K♠J♥7♦5♥. The four players gathered for a group photo and chopped the money, leaving Sarnelli to take a photo with the trophy.

As blinds made the avg stack under ten big blinds, the remaining four players agreed to an icm chop saving an extra $200 for first place along with the trophy. Play was rapid as Benny Sarnelli took out multiple players to take home his second trophy.

A recap will follow with the details of the 1st to 4th place busts, and key missing hands. Saleh Abouelkhair managed to battle back from just shy of 30,000 chips after a massive cooler to remain in the final four. Also in the mix was PLO tourney veteran Stefan Maloney and Joseph Sylvain.

After a rollercoaster of hands, Tony Comely was left with 20,000 chips behind after paying the big blind and ante. Benny Sarnelli, and Stefan Maloney made the call. Comely checked his option.

The flop came Q♦7♦Q♥, and action checked through.

After the turn peeled the 4♦, Maloney fired for 80,000. Comely called and the two players revealed their holdings.

Tony Comely: K♠9♥7♣3♣
Stefan Maloney: 10♠8♥8♦6♦

The board completed with the K♣ to send Comely home.

Stefan Maloney: 1,120,000
Tony Comely: 0

Stefan Maloney moved all in for 328,000, and Andrew Taylor called for less. Both players revealed their holdings.

Andrew Taylor: A♦K♥8♠7♠
Stefan Maloney: K♠K♦7♥2♠

The board ran out 4♥9♣K♣3♠6♥ to give Maloney the pot.

Stefan Maloney: 479,000
Andrew Taylor: 0

Action was caught after the flop of 7♦J♠8♦, and Joseph Sylvain fired for 150,000. Bruce Drake moved all in and was called by Sylvain. Both players revealed their holdings.

Bruce Drake: A♠8♠8♥7♠
Joseph Sylvain: J♥J♣9♦8♣

The board completed with the 5♠2♦ to send Drake to the rail.

Joseph Sylvain: 712,000
Bruce Drake: 0

Benjamin Bolton moved all in from the small blind, and Saleh Abouelkhair made the call from the button. Both players revealed their holdings.

Benjamin Bolton: K♦K♣10♠6♥
Saleh Abouelkhair: 4♠4♣3♠3♣

The board ran out 5♣Q♣7♥7♣8♦ to send Bolton out. The remaining players have locked up a minimum of $530.

Saleh Abouelkhair: 725,000
Benjamin Bolton: 0

Late position opened to 40,000. Three players made the call.

The flop came 6♣2♠6♥, and Saleh Abouelkhair bet the pot of 168,000. The remaining players made the fold for Abouelkhair to take the pot uncontested.

Saleh Abouelkhair: 539,000

Tony Comely opened to 54,000 from early position, and Kenny Gooding moved all in for 159,000. Comely made the call and both players revealed their holdings.

Kenny Gooding: A♣K♦9♣8♦
Tony Comely: Q♦2♦Q♣5♣

The board ran out J♥3♠7♣J♠3♥ to send Gooding out before the final table.

Tony Comely: 607,000
Kenny Gooding: 0

Action was caught after the flop of A♥J♣Q♥, and Benny Sarnelli check to Leo Zhang. He moved all in for 63,000. Sarnelli took little time to make the call, and both players revealed their holdings.

Leo Zhang: K♥K♣7♣2♥
Benny Sarnelli: J♥10♣9♠7♠

The board completed with the 8♦9♦ to send the pot Sarnelli’s way.

Benny Sarnelli: 579,000
Leo Zhang: 0

Leo Zhang opened to 16,000 from middle position. Joseph Sylvain made the call, along with the big blind.

The flop came 10♠10♦5♥, and the big blind checked to Zhang. He fired for 16,000, and only Sylvain called.

After the turn peeled the A♥, both players checked their option.

The river came the 3♥, and Leo Zhang moved all in for 40,000. Sylvain took no time to make the fold.

Joseph Sylvain: 290,000
Leo Zhang: 133,000

Under the gun made the call, and Stefan Maloney raised to 10,000 from early position. The small blind and under the gun player made the call.

The flop came 3♣2♣J♠, and action checked to Maloney. He fired for 38,000 and was rewarded with the pot.

Stefan Maloney: 256,000

Action was caught after the flop of K♦5♣7♣, and Bash Ramahi potted for 83,500 from the big blind. Saleh Abouelkheir moved all in having Ramahi covered, and Skyler York called for less. Ramahi put his remaining chips in and the three players revealed their holdings.

Bash Ramahi: K♥J♥8♠7♦
Skyler York: A♣Q♣10♠5♥
Saleh Abouelkheir: A♠K♣2♣3♥

Ramahi didn’t have to sweat for long, as the board completed the 7♠K♠ to give him the triple up.

Bash Ramahi: 436,000
Saleh Abouelkheir: 89,500
Skyler York: 0

After the flop came K♥8♠4♥, the cutoff fired for 30,000. Saleh Abouelkheir made the call, and Ross Pugh moved all in for 49,700. The cutoff went into the tank and floor was called to give him an additional thirty seconds before he was forced to make a decision.

He took the time before making the disciplined fold. Abouelkheir made the call and both players revealed their holdings.

Ross Pugh: A♥5♥6♣7♠
Saleh Abouelkheir: K♣7♣7♥3♣

The board completed with the Q♠A♠ to give Pugh the double.

Saleh Abouelkheir: 276,000
Ross Pugh: 182,500

Saleh Abouelkheir recalled a hand where he went from excited to shove it in to dreading the decision.

Abouelkheir held 8♥8♦K♣J♣, and action was fairly light until the river peeled the 5♣5♠6♣7♦8♠. Joseph Sylvain fired for pot, and Abouelkheir repotted to put the shorter stacked Sylvain all in. He took no time to call and revealed 5♥5♦7♠K♦ for flopped quads.

Joseph Sylvain: 222,500
Saleh Abouelkheir: 55,700

As of this post, Abouelkheir has battled back and received a few massive double ups to become the current chip leader. He sits at 353,000, with the next closest player playing 217,000.

Action was caught after the flop of 2♥7♥9♥. An all in and call occurred between Bruce Drake and the player in the cutoff with less. Both players revealed their holdings.

Cutoff: K♥K♠8♥J♣
Bruce Drake: A♥A♦10♥9♣

The board completed with the A♣3♣ to give Drake the pot.

Bruce Drake: 67,200

Edward Sikorski raised to 1,600 and four players made the call.

The flop came 5♥10♥4♠, and the small blind was quick to check. The big blind fired for 8,600, and only Sikorski called.

After the turn peeled the K♠, The big blind continued for a pot sized bet of 25,800. Sikorski made the call.

The river was the J♠, and the big blind moved all in for his remaining 14,200. Sikorksi called and revealed A♥A♦J♥2♦ to best his opponent’s 7♥6♥Q♥5♦.

Edwarad Sikorski: 92,700

Action was caught after the flop of 6♥3♠A♠, and the big blind was quick to check. Tom Tonka fired for 2,000 from under the gun, and middle position made the call. Benjamin Bolton raised to 14,600 from late position. Only Tonka made the call.

The turn peeled the 2♣, and Tonka checked to Bolton. He moved all in for 27,900, and Tonka called with less. The two players revealed their holdings.

Tom Tonka: K♠Q♠5♠8♥
Benjamin Bolton: A♥Q♣J♥6♠

The board completed with the 6♣ to send Tonka to the rail.

Benjamin Bolton: 76,700
Tom Tonka: 0

Action was caught after the turn peeled the 5♣10♦7♥3♦, and Naz Sadovnik checked from the big blind.

Tom Tonka fired for 6,500 into the 9,000 pot.

Savodnik took little time to fold.

Tom Tonka: 57,000
Naz Sadovnik: 42,300

PLO HT DS Table 3

PLO HT DS Table 3

PLO HT DS Table 3

Action is underway as the PLO HyperTurbo Deepstack begins its debut. With an accelerated structure alongside the deeper start, play should be electric from the jump. Among the field are many familiar faces including Leo Zhang, Skylar York, and Ryan Smith. Registration remains open for around 2 hours as play will determine a winner tonight.

With a brand new structure and format, the Event#4: $300 PLO Deepstack Hyperturbo was bound to be electric from the start. That momentum kept up all the way to the final table as Benny Sarnelli bested the 69 player field. The tournament combined for a prize pool of $19,665.

While action slowed to a crawl with four players remaining, these players agreed to ICM chop leaving $200 and the trophy for the first place finisher. Each player received at least third place money with multiple getting at least the second place money. The average stack was 7 big blinds deep, and without the ICM implications, play was rapid.

Shortly after, Sarnelli took the chip lead back from Joseph Sylvain and never looked back. He won a race hitting an overpair to Sylvain’s small pocket pair in hand to take home his second PPT trophy.

Position	Player	Prize (*Denotes Deal)
1st	Benny Sarnelli	$4528*
2nd	Joseph Sylvain	$4262*
3rd	Saleh Abouelkhair	$3679*
4th	Stefan Maloney	$2944*
5th	Tony Comely	$1,060
6th	Andrew Taylor	$705
7th	Bruce Drake	$530

Early Action

The tournament quickly gained a large field of 24 players shortly after the start time. Benjamin Bolton found the first early elimination flopping two pair and turning his opponent dead. Bruce Drake found another elimination in a set up hand. He flopped the nut flush against his opponent’s king high flush to send them out early.

Saleh Abouelkheir had the most interesting hand of the early stages having rivered the nut full house. He gladly shipped all in, and was called by Joseph Sylvain who flopped quad fives. With just under 30,000 chips, Abouelkheir found double after double to end up as the chip leader by the first break. He was miles ahead of the rest with 353,000. Andrew Taylor (217,000) and Sylvain (202,000) rounded out the podium.

Mid-Day Madness as Registration Closes

Bash Ramahi found success shortly after the end of registration. He got it all in against two opponents with two pairs. Both other players had a flush draw that Ramahi blocked. However, it didn’t matter as the turn gave Ramahi a full house to soar to the chip lead (436,000).

Ramahi continued his upward trajectory to gain 643,000 before the second break. Sarnelli sat as the runner up with 405,000, closely trailed by Peter Flyma (357,000), and Joseph Sylvain (353,000). Looking to close that gap, Sarnelli eliminated Leo Zhang to bring him to 579,000. Tony Comely also rocketed up the ladder as he won a flip to eliminate Kenny Gooding.

Final Table Fiasco

Bolton fell just short of the money as his kings couldn’t hold against Abouelkheir’s flush draw. The remaining players locked up at least $530 for their efforts. Bruce Drake was the first to fall in the money flopping set over set. Comely held the case eight in his hand making Drake a less than 1% underdog.

Stefan Maloney flopped top set shortly after against Andrew Taylor to send him home in 5th place. Play slowed to a snails pace as Tony Comely’s chip stack bounced around. He began five handed play as the chip leader.

Back-to-back hands led him to be short stacked where he found a massive win to 180,000. However, he moved into the big blind and had 20,000 left after paying the ante and blind. He called his remaining 20,000 after Maloney made a flush and couldn’t improve to hit the rail.

A Deal is Made and the Tournament Draws to a Close

With the average stack being just over 7 big blinds, chips were passed around every hand. Stefan Maloney suggested an ICM chop and the remaining players agreed. With the adjusted numbers, $200 was set aside for the eventual winner along with the trophy. Maloney busted shortly after jamming his short stack with A♦Q♥Q♠8♥. Sarnelli found the elimination with K♥J♦5♣4♥, on the 9♣5♥8♣K♣4♦ board.

Abouelkheir would be the next to fall. He jammed 9♦9♣7♣4♥ into Sarnelli’s kings. He flopped a flush draw for some hope, but couldn’t improve to be sent home in the bronze medal place. Sylvain found a double up early on in heads-up play finding a flush on the river. However, Sarnelli battled back to the chip lead.

Just when Sarnelli got his foot on the gas, Sylvain picked up aces to double against Sarnelli’s jacks. Shortly after, Sarnelli moved all in with three broadway cards in hand. Sylvain had the worse hand, and was super behind after Sarnelli flopped trips. He improved to a full house by the river to regain the chip lead.

The short stacked Sylvain moved all in with Q♦4♦4♠2♠, and was called by Sarnelli. His Q♥10♦9♠7♣ closed out the tournament as the board ran out 3♦K♠J♥7♦5♥. The four players gathered for a group photo and chopped the money, leaving Sarnelli to take a photo with the trophy.

As blinds made the avg stack under ten big blinds, the remaining four players agreed to an icm chop saving an extra $200 for first place along with the trophy. Play was rapid as Benny Sarnelli took out multiple players to take home his second trophy.

A recap will follow with the details of the 1st to 4th place busts, and key missing hands. Saleh Abouelkhair managed to battle back from just shy of 30,000 chips after a massive cooler to remain in the final four. Also in the mix was PLO tourney veteran Stefan Maloney and Joseph Sylvain.

After a rollercoaster of hands, Tony Comely was left with 20,000 chips behind after paying the big blind and ante. Benny Sarnelli, and Stefan Maloney made the call. Comely checked his option.

The flop came Q♦7♦Q♥, and action checked through.

After the turn peeled the 4♦, Maloney fired for 80,000. Comely called and the two players revealed their holdings.

Tony Comely: K♠9♥7♣3♣
Stefan Maloney: 10♠8♥8♦6♦

The board completed with the K♣ to send Comely home.

Stefan Maloney: 1,120,000
Tony Comely: 0

Stefan Maloney moved all in for 328,000, and Andrew Taylor called for less. Both players revealed their holdings.

Andrew Taylor: A♦K♥8♠7♠
Stefan Maloney: K♠K♦7♥2♠

The board ran out 4♥9♣K♣3♠6♥ to give Maloney the pot.

Stefan Maloney: 479,000
Andrew Taylor: 0

Action was caught after the flop of 7♦J♠8♦, and Joseph Sylvain fired for 150,000. Bruce Drake moved all in and was called by Sylvain. Both players revealed their holdings.

Bruce Drake: A♠8♠8♥7♠
Joseph Sylvain: J♥J♣9♦8♣

The board completed with the 5♠2♦ to send Drake to the rail.

Joseph Sylvain: 712,000
Bruce Drake: 0

Benjamin Bolton moved all in from the small blind, and Saleh Abouelkhair made the call from the button. Both players revealed their holdings.

Benjamin Bolton: K♦K♣10♠6♥
Saleh Abouelkhair: 4♠4♣3♠3♣

The board ran out 5♣Q♣7♥7♣8♦ to send Bolton out. The remaining players have locked up a minimum of $530.

Saleh Abouelkhair: 725,000
Benjamin Bolton: 0

Late position opened to 40,000. Three players made the call.

The flop came 6♣2♠6♥, and Saleh Abouelkhair bet the pot of 168,000. The remaining players made the fold for Abouelkhair to take the pot uncontested.

Saleh Abouelkhair: 539,000

Tony Comely opened to 54,000 from early position, and Kenny Gooding moved all in for 159,000. Comely made the call and both players revealed their holdings.

Kenny Gooding: A♣K♦9♣8♦
Tony Comely: Q♦2♦Q♣5♣

The board ran out J♥3♠7♣J♠3♥ to send Gooding out before the final table.

Tony Comely: 607,000
Kenny Gooding: 0

Action was caught after the flop of A♥J♣Q♥, and Benny Sarnelli check to Leo Zhang. He moved all in for 63,000. Sarnelli took little time to make the call, and both players revealed their holdings.

Leo Zhang: K♥K♣7♣2♥
Benny Sarnelli: J♥10♣9♠7♠

The board completed with the 8♦9♦ to send the pot Sarnelli’s way.

Benny Sarnelli: 579,000
Leo Zhang: 0

Leo Zhang opened to 16,000 from middle position. Joseph Sylvain made the call, along with the big blind.

The flop came 10♠10♦5♥, and the big blind checked to Zhang. He fired for 16,000, and only Sylvain called.

After the turn peeled the A♥, both players checked their option.

The river came the 3♥, and Leo Zhang moved all in for 40,000. Sylvain took no time to make the fold.

Joseph Sylvain: 290,000
Leo Zhang: 133,000

Under the gun made the call, and Stefan Maloney raised to 10,000 from early position. The small blind and under the gun player made the call.

The flop came 3♣2♣J♠, and action checked to Maloney. He fired for 38,000 and was rewarded with the pot.

Stefan Maloney: 256,000

Action was caught after the flop of K♦5♣7♣, and Bash Ramahi potted for 83,500 from the big blind. Saleh Abouelkheir moved all in having Ramahi covered, and Skyler York called for less. Ramahi put his remaining chips in and the three players revealed their holdings.

Bash Ramahi: K♥J♥8♠7♦
Skyler York: A♣Q♣10♠5♥
Saleh Abouelkheir: A♠K♣2♣3♥

Ramahi didn’t have to sweat for long, as the board completed the 7♠K♠ to give him the triple up.

Bash Ramahi: 436,000
Saleh Abouelkheir: 89,500
Skyler York: 0

After the flop came K♥8♠4♥, the cutoff fired for 30,000. Saleh Abouelkheir made the call, and Ross Pugh moved all in for 49,700. The cutoff went into the tank and floor was called to give him an additional thirty seconds before he was forced to make a decision.

He took the time before making the disciplined fold. Abouelkheir made the call and both players revealed their holdings.

Ross Pugh: A♥5♥6♣7♠
Saleh Abouelkheir: K♣7♣7♥3♣

The board completed with the Q♠A♠ to give Pugh the double.

Saleh Abouelkheir: 276,000
Ross Pugh: 182,500

Saleh Abouelkheir recalled a hand where he went from excited to shove it in to dreading the decision.

Abouelkheir held 8♥8♦K♣J♣, and action was fairly light until the river peeled the 5♣5♠6♣7♦8♠. Joseph Sylvain fired for pot, and Abouelkheir repotted to put the shorter stacked Sylvain all in. He took no time to call and revealed 5♥5♦7♠K♦ for flopped quads.

Joseph Sylvain: 222,500
Saleh Abouelkheir: 55,700

As of this post, Abouelkheir has battled back and received a few massive double ups to become the current chip leader. He sits at 353,000, with the next closest player playing 217,000.

Action was caught after the flop of 2♥7♥9♥. An all in and call occurred between Bruce Drake and the player in the cutoff with less. Both players revealed their holdings.

Cutoff: K♥K♠8♥J♣
Bruce Drake: A♥A♦10♥9♣

The board completed with the A♣3♣ to give Drake the pot.

Bruce Drake: 67,200

Edward Sikorski raised to 1,600 and four players made the call.

The flop came 5♥10♥4♠, and the small blind was quick to check. The big blind fired for 8,600, and only Sikorski called.

After the turn peeled the K♠, The big blind continued for a pot sized bet of 25,800. Sikorski made the call.

The river was the J♠, and the big blind moved all in for his remaining 14,200. Sikorksi called and revealed A♥A♦J♥2♦ to best his opponent’s 7♥6♥Q♥5♦.

Edwarad Sikorski: 92,700

Action was caught after the flop of 6♥3♠A♠, and the big blind was quick to check. Tom Tonka fired for 2,000 from under the gun, and middle position made the call. Benjamin Bolton raised to 14,600 from late position. Only Tonka made the call.

The turn peeled the 2♣, and Tonka checked to Bolton. He moved all in for 27,900, and Tonka called with less. The two players revealed their holdings.

Tom Tonka: K♠Q♠5♠8♥
Benjamin Bolton: A♥Q♣J♥6♠

The board completed with the 6♣ to send Tonka to the rail.

Benjamin Bolton: 76,700
Tom Tonka: 0

Action was caught after the turn peeled the 5♣10♦7♥3♦, and Naz Sadovnik checked from the big blind.

Tom Tonka fired for 6,500 into the 9,000 pot.

Savodnik took little time to fold.

Tom Tonka: 57,000
Naz Sadovnik: 42,300

PLO HT DS Table 3

PLO HT DS Table 3

PLO HT DS Table 3

Action is underway as the PLO HyperTurbo Deepstack begins its debut. With an accelerated structure alongside the deeper start, play should be electric from the jump. Among the field are many familiar faces including Leo Zhang, Skylar York, and Ryan Smith. Registration remains open for around 2 hours as play will determine a winner tonight.