Cleveland Poker League - My 1st Year

Late last summer (2023), I joined the Cleveland Poker League after seeing my friend and league organizer, Dax Mellon, post about it on social media during the 2023 World Series of Poker Main Event. The CPL awards 2 WSOP Main Event seats each season - one to their Regular Season points champion and a 2nd seat to their Championship Game winner.

Dax's post piqued my interest, so I reached out to him for more information. He told me he had a spot open for the upcoming 2024 Main Event season, and since I had been winning consistently in my online game with CPMG friends, I decided to pony up the money to join the league. After 15 league games, all freezeout No-Limit Hold'em tournaments, I finished middle of the pack (18th) in points. Congrats to Stan Gudalevich for taking home the Regular Season Points title! Admittedly, it took me until about Game #6 to get a feel for the tournament structure and the players in the league, most of whom I was playing with for the first time. Going in, I only knew Caveman, Doza, Krazy Joe and Dax out of the 37 league members.

My lack of success in the points standings meant I'd have to win the championship game to qualify for the other remaining WSOP Main Event seat. The championship game is broken up into two heats - first, the 8th through 37th place finishers in the league points standings battle it out for one of 3 "wild card" spots. Basically, if you finish in the Top 3 of the "wild card" portion of the championship game, you make the final table. The final table also consists of the 2nd through 7th place finishers in the league points standings.

Given the elevated pressure and "big game" feel of the Cleveland Poker League Wild Card / Championship game, I decided to maintain a running blog of the tournament. The tournament was held about a month ago, on June 9th.

Cleveland Poker League - Championship Game for 2024 World Series of Poker Main Event Seat

I start the tournament with 66,900 chips, a stack equal to the number of points I accumulated during the 15 league games. Upon my arrival, I'm dismayed to see my table draw is especially tough, with Andrew Biddinger, Bob Kubec and Rob Makdessi to my direct left and Leo Golubitsky also at the table.

Level 1 - 100/200 blinds

The second hand of the tournament was a cooler between Andrew and Joe Golubitsky on a 4-club board with Joe holdings the Ace of Clubs and Andrew with the King. After folding my first few hands, I called a raise to 500 in the BB with J3o. I flopped a pair of 3s, but folded to a continuation bet. I also called a raise with pocket sixes, but the flop was all over cards. A bit later, I raise to 700 with pocket sevens and get 2 callers. Flop is 6 4 4. I led for 1600 and both players folded. With AdJd, I raise to 800 and get 3 callers. Flop is Ax 4d 2d. I led for 1600 and Leo G calls. Turn [Ax 4d 2d] Ks. I bet 3500 and Leo folds. I chip up a bit to end the level with 71,600.

Level 2 - 200/400 blinds

I pick up AA UTG and raise to 1200. Leo G and 1 other player call. Flop is 2 2 3. I bet 2000 and Leo is the only caller. Turn [2 2 3] J. I bet 3000 and Leo calls again. River [2 2 3 J] K, putting 3 clubs out there. I bet 6500 and Leo folds, thinking I had AK.

Level 3 - 300/600 blinds

Leo G raises to 1800 UTG. I flat call with A3cc in the CO. Andrew 3-bets to 6k on the BTN and Leo and I both call. Flop Ad 7c 6c. Action checks around. Turn [Ad 7c 6c] Kd. Leo and I check, while Andrew continues for 5000. I check-raise him all in and he folds.

I go to the 1st 10-minute break of the day with a healthy 94,700.

Level 4 - 400/800 blinds

I get surpass the 100k mark early in the level, but it's mostly quiet with nothing to report.

Level 5 - 500/1000 blinds

Another quiet level, I end with 94,000.

Level 6 - 600/1200 blinds

There are 3 limpers and I check my option in the BB with As 5s. Flop 7 5 2. Action checks around. Turn [7 5 2] 7. I bet 2k and Rob Bell calls. River [7 5 2 7] 2. I bet 3500 and Rob hits the river with a deuce. Several players bust out at our table - Vova, Joe G, Bob Kubec - and Krazy Joe gets seated to my left and Greg K to my right. Both have big stacks and are very active players. During the last hand of level, I raise to 3k with K9o. Krazy Joe and Leo G call. Flop is Kh 9h Qhx I bet 5k and Krazy Joe comes along. Turn [Kh 9h Qx] Qh. I check-call a 9k bet from Joe. The river is a brick and we both check, but Joe drags the pot with 5h 2h for a flush. I end the level with 46,000.

Level 7 - 800/1600 blinds

I call a raise from Greg K with QTo in position. Flop 9 8 5. Greg continues with a bet and I peel the turn to see what he does. Turn [9 8 5] is a brick and I fold to another bet from Greg. I'm down to 28,500 with 18 players left when we combine to 2 tables.

I go to the 2nd 10-minute break of the day with 24,500, which represents 12 big blinds going into 1/2k blinds.

Level 8 - 1000/2000 blinds

Dan Borison raises to 6k, Greg K calls and I look down at pocket nines in the BB. I ship it for 22.5k and they BOTH call. Flop is huge for me - K 9 3 with two diamonds. Bradley Graves is sitting next to me and I show him my hand. The turn and river are 2 more diamonds, putting a 4-flush out there. Luckily, neither Dan or Greg had a diamond and I score a huge triple up to 75,500. We all laugh at my near misfortune.

Level 9 - 1500/3000 blinds

Rob Makdessi raises to 8500 in EP. I push all in for 77k with AKo and he folds. I end the level with 84k

Level 10 - 2000/4000 blinds

I get a BB special, flopping 2-pair with 73o that holds on a scary board. The very next hand, it folds around to me in the SB and I raise to 9000 with Kh Th. Krazy Joe calls. I flop a King, but we check down to river and I win a small one to get back over 100k.

Level 11 - 3000/6000 blinds

Nothing notable to report, but I chip up during this level to 120,500.

Level 12 - 4000/8000 blinds

Rob Bell raises to 20k on the button. I look down at As Qd and make the call. Flop J T 4, two diamonds. I check-fold to a 24000 bet. I end the level with 96,500

Level 13 - 5k/10k blinds

Rob Makdessi raises to 25k. I’m in BB with AKo and go all in for 106k. He folds. I end the level with 147,000.

Level 14 - 6k/12k blinds

Nothing to report.

Level 15 - 7k/14k blinds

During this level, I make the "Wild Card" final table with 94,000. The final 3 from this final table move on to the Championship final table. I move all in 3 hands in a row - with AT, AJ and AQ - with no takers, but pick up a much-needed 63k in blinds.

Level 16 - 8k/16k blinds

8/16k - During the last hand of the level Rob Bell raises to 30k. I move all-in for 131k with TT. Andrey also moves AI right behind me and Rob calls. Andrey and Rob both have KK and I flop a Ten to triple up! This was definitely the key hand of the tournament for me.

Level 17 - 10k/20k blinds

I end the level with 383k.

Level 18 - 15k/30k blinds

I raise to 65k with Ah 3h. In the BB, Rochelle goes all in for 110k. I'm priced in and have to call and am a dog against her pocket nines. However, luck is on my side again when I flop an Ace to knock her out of the tournament. A few hands later, Rob Makdessi min-raises to 60k. I’m in BB with QTo and make the call. Flop is T T 5, two spades. I check, slow-playing my trips and Rob leads for 100k. He has roughly the same amount behind, so I go all in and he folds.

I'm the massive chip leader of the Wild Card portion of the tournament when Andrey busts on the Championship Final Table bubble. Rob Makdessi and Greg K are the other wild cards to make the Championship final table alongside me.

All of final table participants are in the money.

After playing 7+ hours in the Wild Card game, I have to adjust a bit with the blinds and stacks re-setting. I begin the final table with what I started with originally, the 66,900 that I earned in points throughout the season.

FT Level 1 - 100/200 blinds

I calls raises pre-flop with pocket 8's and pocket 4's and miss the flop each time. I end the level with 62,600.

FT Level 2 - 200/400 blinds

Rob Makdessi raises from EP and I call on the BTN with Th 8h. I miss the hand and bluff the river with a 4500 bet. Thankfully, Rob folds. I end the level with 66,300.

FT Level 3 - 400/800 blinds

Quiet level for me, I end with 63,300.

FT Level 4 - 600/1200 blinds

I'm on the BTN with Ad Jd and raise to 3100. A few callers, but I brick the flop and have to fold. I end the level with 57,700

FT Level 5 - 800/1600 blinds

Greg K raises UTG to 4200. Joe Ciani and Roman call. I have AKo and move all in for 67,600. Joe agonizes for several minutes and folds JJ face up.

I head to break with 79,600 and walk out to my car to hear him discussing the hand with several players, wondering what I had. Your spoiler is above.

FT Level 6 - 1k/2k blinds

I raise to 4.5k in late position with Ah 9h. Joe Makdessi calls from the SB. Flop Ad Kd Jx. With 2 diamonds on the board, I continue for 6.5k and Joe calls. Turn [Ad Kd Jx] Tx. I check and Joe bets 11.5k. I think this is a perfect card to bluff, as it's an easy fold if he raises. I raise to 26.5k and Joe folds an Ace face up. I show him my A9 and he asks me ‘are you suicidal?!?’ LOL! I end the level with 101k.

FT Level 7 - 1.5k/3k blinds

Early in the level, I lose a sizable pot against Leo Shuster with 9c 7c. A bit later, Roman raises to 7.5k and I call with Js Ts. Flop is A Q X. Check-check. Turn [A Q X] is another blank and he bets 10k. I put in a min-raise for another 10k because I didn't think he had an Ace and he folds. Despite winning the hand, I end the level with 77.5k

FT Level 8 - 2k/4k blinds

I wait for my spot, but it's a quiet level. I end with 77.5k.

FT Level 8 - 3k/6k blinds

Still waiting... I end the level with 50.5k.

FT Level 9 - 4k/8k blinds

I’m sitting on about 60k when Greg raises to 20K. I call with KQ in the BB and take down the pot with a bet. I end the level with 87,000.

FT Level 10 - 5k/10k blinds

I end the level and head to break with 81,000.

FT Level 11 - 6k/12k blinds

Joe Ciani goes all in for 70k. I look down at two red sevens and with just over 5 big blinds, I decide to go all in as well for 63k. I'm pleased to see Joe flip over A3, but he spikes an Ace on the flop to knock me out. After an 11.5 hour day of poker, I'm mildly disheartened with my 6th place finish, but still earned a nice payday. I'm proud of the way I played, especially at the final table.

Joe Ciani would go on to win the Final Table and earn his seat into the 2024 World Series of Poker Main Event. CONGRATULATIONS, JOE!

I'm really looking forward to competing in the Cleveland Poker League again next season. Thanks to Dax and all the players (new friends) that I made.

RunGood Poker Series Comes to the JACK - Part 2

On Tuesday, September 27th, I returned to JACK Cleveland Casino to play the RunGood Poker Series Guest Ambassador Bounty Ring event. This was a $200 buy-in No-Limit Hold'em tournament with bounties awarded if you knock out one of the 10 guest ambassadors. One of my long time poker friends, Linda Eisenstein, was one of the JACK ambassadors, while bracelet winner Chad Holloway of PokerNews.com and "Boston" Rob Mariano of Survivor fame also made the trip to Cleveland.

206 players entered the tournament with 21 making the money and 1st place earning a whopping $8,600. Everyone started with 20,000 in chips and the levels were 20 minutes long. Here's the structure:

The tournament gets off to a late start...

Listening to pre-tournament announcements & ambassador intros - Photo credit: RunGood

...but I soon find out which guest ambassador would be playing at my table - Chad Holloway!

With Chad Holloway from PokerNews.com - pleasure meeting & playing with you!

Tournament chips & guest bounty Chad Holloway

Let's dive right in, because this is a lengthy one...

Level 1 - 100/200 with a 200 big blind ante

15 minutes into the first level, I pick up 5d 3s in the BB and there are 5 players to the flop: 6h 4x 2h. With the heart draw on board, I'm not going to slow play my straight and lead out for 700. I get one caller, who was a nice gentleman I was playing cash with earlier in the day. I was able to pick up a tell on the guy earlier too. Turn [6h 4x 2h] 6c. The board pairs, but I still lead for 1,100 and he calls. River [6h 4x 2h 6c] Ax. No flush on board, so I bet 2,000 and am called. He mucks when I show him my straight and said he couldn't get away from his over-pair on the flop.

In the CO, I raise to 600 with pocket Tens and get SIX callers. This was something I was anticipating since it's a bounty tournament with re-entries. Flop is K 5 8 and we all check. Turn [K 5 8] 2. I bet 1,300 and get one caller. River [K 5 8 2] 3. We both check and my Tens are good.

I end Level 1 with 27,400. A great start!

Photo credit: RunGood's Joe Garrett

Level 2 - 200/300 with a 300 big blind ante

I pick up QJ off-suit from early position and raise to 800. Flop is J62, with two clubs. I bet 1,200 and get raised to 5,000. I'm still feeling out the table, so I fold and my opponent shows pocket Aces. Weird that they didn't 3-bet pre-flop.

In late position, I raise with Tc 2c and get several callers. I pair my Ten on the flop, but there's an Ace on board and 2 players stick around after my c-bet. I give up from there because it's clear one or both have an Ace.

There's nothing else noteworthy to report from this level and I have 22,500.

Level 3 - 200/400 with a 400 big blind ante

In the CO, I raise to 2,000 with pocket Tens and Chad Holloway calls. I want to play a lot of pots with him to see if I can earn his bounty. The Flop is 8 6 4, with two spades. I bet 3,500 with my over-pair to the board and Chad calls. Turn [8 6 4] Qc. We both check. River [8 6 4 Q] 7s, which brings the straight and spade possibilities. I check-fold to Chad's 4,500 bet and ask him if I bet the Turn if he would have folded. He says yes. I even tweet about the hand and it was fun to see him respond. Playing poker with Chad for much of the evening was really fun and he's a super nice guy!

Chad Holloway tweeting me back

Two hands later, I pick up pocket Nines in the SB. There's an all-in ahead of me for 1,300 and I call, along with several others. Flop is K 9 8, with two diamonds. I lead out for 3,500 and another player goes all-in. I call and my trip 9's hold up for a nice pot and I knock two players out of the tournament. No bounties though. This pot puts me over 30,000 and I end the level with 33,100.

Level 4 - 300/600 with a 600 big blind ante

During the first hand of the level, I limp in with pocket Twos. A new guy at my table who just sat down raises to 2,500. He has position on me, but I decide to peel a flop. The door card is a deuce and I check. My opponent jams and my set holds against his pocket Queens.

A bit later, I limp in from middle position with 5c 4c. Chad raises to 3,100 and there are 3 callers, including me. Flop 7 6 J. It checks around. Turn [7 6 J] Q. A nice lady at the table bets 1,200 and Chad and I both call. River is a blank for me and I get out of the way when she bets the river.

I'm in the BB with KQ of spades and there’s a few limpers. I raise to 2,500 and get one caller. Flop As Tx 5s, giving me the nut flush draw and gut-shot. I check-call a 3,000 bet. Turn [As Tx 5s] 6d. We both check. River [As Tx 5s 6d] 4s, giving me the nuts. I bet enough, roughly 8,000, to put my opponent all in and she folds an Ace.

I have 57,400 at the end of the level.

Level 5 - 400/800 with a 800 big blind ante 

There are 5 limpers ahead of me in the BB when I look down at pocket Queens. I pop it to 6,500. Chad thinks about calling for a while, but folds what he said was pocket Nines. Everyone else folds too, but I still pick up a nice pot. 

The very next hand, someone moves all in for 8,300 and I make a somewhat loose call with QJ of spades. It's a classic race against pocket Fours and I knock out another player when a Queen flops.

From the CO, I raise to 1,500 with J7 of diamonds. Chad calls in the big blind, and the flop is 8 4 6. We both check to see the Turn [8h 4x 6x] 3h. We both check again. River [8h 4x 6x 3h] 6h. I'm not sure I can win the pot with Jack-high, so I bet 2,600 and Chad makes a good call with A9.

I'm still cruising with 87,200 and I'll try to leverage that bluff I just showed to the table later on.

Level 6 - 500/1,000 with a 1,000 big blind ante

I raise to 2,500 with KT of clubs. One person calls, but another moves all-in for 19,000 and I let it go.

The next hand, I raise 2,500 again with AK of clubs. Somebody jams and I knock out my 4th player of the tournament, who had AJ.

I have a very healthy 110,200 stack heading into the first break of the day. To say I've been running hot would be an understatement.

Level 7 - 500/1,500 with a 1,500 big blind ante

The first hand back from break, I look down at pocket Eights in the BB. Everyone folds to the SB, who limps in. I make it 5,500 and he folds.

Later in the orbit, I'm UTG with KQ of spades and raise to 3,500. A short stack moves all-in for 6,000 more with KJ and hits the rail when a Queen flops for me.

Two more people arrive at the table, including a big stack who has me covered sitting directly to my left. I end the level with 117,500.

Chipping up

Level 8 - 1,000/2,000 with a 2,000 big blind ante

With no more re-entries allowed, I notice the tournament clock is updated with 206 entrants and 87 players remaining, with 21 getting paid.

Once again, I wake up in the BB with pocket Queens after a couple of limpers. I raise to 8,000 and both fold.

The next hand, it folds to me in the SB and I limp with JT of clubs. The BB is sharp player with a big stack and checks his option. Flop Q 9 6. I check-call a 2,000 bet. Turn [Q 9 6] 7. We both check. River [Q 9 6 7] 2. I miss my straight, but bet 4,000 and he folds what he said was a pair of 9's.

I end this level with 140,500.

Level 9 - 1,500/3,000 with a 3,000 big blind ante.

I knock out my 6th or 7th player of the tournament when she goes AI for only 7,000. I was in the BB with K8o and made 2-pair against her AQ.  This level is otherwise pretty quiet and I have 133,000, though I missed a bounty opportunity when Chad went all-in with QQ on my BB. Had there not been a limper UTG, I likely would have called with 3h 5h and made trips on the Turn. Instead, he doubled up through the UTG opponent who called.

Level 10 - 2,000/4,000 with a 4,000 big blind ante

Unfortunately, Chad busts from the tournament. The blinds and antes are getting higher and I have to make some moves despite not seeing as many good hands as I was previously.

I raise to 10,000 from the CO with 8s 6s. The BTN and SB both call and the Flop is terrible for my hand, Ad Kd 4h. I still lead for 12,000 and thankfully both fold. I end the level with 153,000.

Level 11 - 3,000/6,000 with a 6,000 big blind ante

I have A7 of hearts in the BB and the really quiet gentleman sitting next to me limps in from the SB. I raise to 10,000, but don't realize the blinds went up so I have to make it minimum raise of 12,000. The SB calls and the Flop is A 7 4. At least that worked out. I continue for 10,000 with top two-pair and he folds.

Later in the orbit, I raise to 12,000 (intentionally this time) with QJ off-suit. A new guy at my table gives me action from the BB and the flop is K 5 4. He checks and I continue for 15k. He immediately min-raises me and is fiddling with his cards on the table. Seems like he really likes his hand, so I muck.

A Pittsburgh native I played with in the PLO event a few days ago moves all-in for 17,500. I'm in the BB with 6s 5s and decide to give him action. I flop a 5 to knock out another player when his Ace-high doesn't improve.

I have 152,500 and there are 35 players left in the tournament.

Level 12 - 4,000/8,000 with a 8,000 big blind ante

It wasn't my intention to tighten up during this level, but there weren't many opportunities to make any kind of moves with the blinds so high and stacks getting shorter. 

Instead, I head to the 2nd break with 130,000. There are 31 players left and I'll come back with 13 big blinds.

Level 13 - 5,000/10,000 with a 10,000 big blind ante 

I raise to 25,000 with KQ of the clubs and everyone folds. Then, I call a 20,000 raise with KQ off-suit. Flop 4 3 2 and I fold to the 25,000 continuation bet. 

Eliminations have really picked up during this level and now there are only 23 left in the tournament - 2 away from the money.

I have 110,000 when the $$$ bubble bursts! I'm absolutely thrilled to have accomplished goal #1 - cash in the tournament. I text my fiancée Dana to report the good news.

Unfortunately, the blinds pass me by and I end the level with 85,000.

Level 14 - 5,000/15,000 with a 15,000 big blind ante

I end up folding A2 of spades to an UTG min-raise. The next hand, I'm now UTG and put my 85k at risk with 5s 3s. I get not one, but TWO callers - who both have AQ! These were the best hands I could have seen turned over and I'm delighted when a 3 flops and holds to triple up to 250,000!

Triple up with 5s 3s vs. AQ & AQ

Now there are 18 players left and my table breaks. I'm moved to a table with another long time poker friend, Nicole Patella, who has been playing from the start of the tournament with none other than Boston Rob.

Final 2 tables (18 left) with Boston Rob & Nicole Patella

I steal the blinds a few times and end the level with 335,000.

Level 15 - 10,000/20,000 with a 20,000 big blind ante

Playing with Boston Rob is a thrill for me. He's such a fun, happy and down to Earth guy who took time to engage with everyone at the table and everyone who approached him for pictures. He's the short stack at the table with only 45k, but triples up with 65 off-suit against two players who both had AJ. The power of Coors Light!

The next hand, he goes all-in with K8o and gets insta-called by pocket Queens. Rob ends up flopping two-pair to knock out his opponent!

I limp in from the BTN with pocket Sixes. Flop J T 5. It checks to me and I bet 20k. One customer comes along from the blinds to see the [J T 5] 5 turn. We both check. River [J T 5 5] A. My opponent bets 25k and I fold. He shows KQ for the rivered straight.

Level 16 - 15,000/30,000 with a 30,000 big blind ante

Boston Rob has gone from 45k to 500+k in the blink of an eye. He's laughing, ordering more drinks and having a blast. I'm taking in every memorable moment.

With the Final Table approaching, there are a couple of hands that I end up folding to pre-flop all-ins before I could act - KQ of spades and pocket Fours.

I have 275k at the end of this level.

Level 17 - 20,000/40,000 with a 40,000 big blind ante

The first hand of the level, I'm presented with another difficult decision and fold 77. My friend Nikki is getting short-stacked and ultimately busts out in 10th place. Someone else from the other table also busts in 9th, which means...

FINAL TABLE, BABY!

I'm gutted for Nikki, but I'm extremely proud of myself for reaching goal #2 for the night. My next mission is to win the damn thing.

After taking some final table photos, I got Rob to record a short video for Dana after we attempted to FaceTime her earlier in the night. The connection was bad and Dana couldn't see or hear Rob and I even though we could see and hear her. Rob's video message to Dana was amazing and something I'll cherish forever. What a ball buster!

We re-draw for seats. Despite being one of the chip leaders, Boston Rob immediately proposes an 8-way chop for $3,300 apiece. I'm the short stack and nod my head in agreement without trying to appear too excited. Everyone else at the table also agrees... EXCEPT for one Russian gentlemen sitting right between Rob and I who wants to play it out. He's also one of the chip leaders and has noticed my short stack. I'm internally peeved, but I totally get it.

So close...

During the first hand of Final Table play, I look down at pocket Nines and push for 195k, but no one calls. Then the blinds pass me by, so I'm back down to 195k when I pick up Ac 4c. I jam, but get a caller this time, who has me covered by 5,000 chips and flips over Kd Td. Sadly, a King flops and I don't improve.

I'm eliminated in 8th place at 2am and dejectedly head to the payout table to collect my winnings.

Tournament winnings!

Thankfully, Nikki and "DeJen" Malensek stuck around to cheer me on, so there are some familiar faces and friends there to make my elimination less painful. Since the blinds are so high, we all decide to stick around to rail Boston Rob.

During the wait for Final Table play to conclude, I meet Joe, who has been taking some awesome photos for RunGood. He's super nice and tells me he just started photography a few years ago. Kudos, Joe!

Boston Rob ends up winning the tournament. Nikki, Jen and I are even invited to join him for his winning "rail" photo!

Boston Rob and his CPMG Rail - Photo credit: RunGood

I thank Rob for coming to Cleveland and for being so awesome and he gives me a bro-hug.

Chad Holloway covered the event with results on PokerNews.com and included the Final Table. It's really cool seeing my name in a PokerNews article.

Ultimately, this was an unforgettable night. I wish I could have won the $8.6k and the coveted Contenders championship ring, but am still proud of my deep run despite being fully aware I ran ridiculously hot in the tournament. I still think I made some good plays along the way too.

To everyone who has read my latest blog posts - THANK YOU for the support! My passion for poker is at an all-time high and I can't wait to enter the next tournament.