Event #2: $500 Casino Employees No-Limit Hold'em

Jose Garcia "Placido" clinched his inaugural World Series of Poker bracelet in a thrilling showdown in Event #2: $500 Casino Employees No-Limit Hold'em, hosted at the esteemed Horseshoe and Paris Casino.

Emerging victorious from a tense heads-up battle with competitor Richard Rothmeier, Garcia, who is a poker dealer, secured a substantial prize of $79,134, while Rothmeier claimed an admirable $52,773 for his commendable second place finish.

This inaugural event garnered significant attention, drawing in a formidable field of 1,189 entries, ultimately accumulating a substantial prize pool totaling $499,380.
The intensity of the competition was palpable as players vied for dominance. The bubble burst on Day 1, and as Day 2 dawned, 179 determined contenders returned to the tables. With each hand, the stakes escalated, leading to the emergence of a final table.

As the tension reached its zenith, four skilled players remained: Jose Garcia (13,795,000), Richard Rothmeier (8,705,000), Lang Anderson (4,015,000), and Alexander Green (2,990,000). Notably, previous bracelet winner Michael Holtz narrowly missed the final table, concluding his impressive run in 11th place with a commendable prize of $4,962. PokerNews' ambassador Lukas Robinson also made an impressively deep run finishing in ninth place for $6,317.

Throughout the proceedings, Garcia showcased remarkable prowess, maintaining a dominant chip lead from the culmination of the final three tables onwards. Even in moments of adversity, such as a notable setback during a high stakes' confrontation with Rothmeier, where Garcia lost approximately four million in chips, his resilience and strategic acumen shone brightly, propelling him to a well-deserved victory.

Final Table Results

Winner's Reaction

Garcia's joy was palpable as he clinched his maiden gold bracelet at the World Series of Poker, marking a triumphant return after a well-deserved hiatus last year. Hailing from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Garcia is more than just a poker dealer at Sandia Resort; he's a seasoned enthusiast with a decade-long tenure in the game, cherishing every moment spent amidst the cards and chips. Known affectionately as a congenial presence both on the felt and behind the dealer's deck, Garcia's amiable demeanor has made him a recognizable figure in Albuquerque's poker circles.

Throughout the tournament, Garcia credited his success to what he fondly referred to as "The Placido Effect," a strategy he found particularly effective, earning him the moniker among his peers. His confidence soared as the field dwindled to 19 players, a pivotal moment arriving when he deftly outplayed Carolyn Adams, a friendly local dealer when she attempted a bluff and he called her down, ultimately sending her packing.

Displaying unwavering confidence in his gameplay, Garcia strategically employed verbal tactics to unsettle his opponents. During a crucial three-handed phase, he not only outmaneuvered his opponent Rothmeier with a well-timed three-bet but also acknowledged the insightful support of his rail, enhancing his momentum.

Acknowledging the camaraderie of his fellow poker enthusiasts, Garcia extends a heartfelt shout-out to his loyal supporters, including Derek Romero, Eric Alvarado, and Griff, who stood by him through the highs and lows of the tournament.

Day 3 Action

As the action intensified on Day 3, Garcia found himself among the final contenders, navigating through a fiercely competitive field. Lang Anderson's valiant efforts were no match for Garcia's strategic prowess, as he sealed his fate with a well timed straight, securing a significant pot and sending Anderson to the rail with $26,698 in winnings.

Alexander Green's journey also came to an end, succumbing to Rothmeier's aggressive play in a tense showdown of the blinds. Despite a brief resurgence, Green's tournament bid concluded in third place, earning him $37,264 in prize money.
Heads-up play was a brief but intense affair, with Garcia and Rothmeier exchanging blows until the final hand sealed the deal. With nerves of steel, Garcia made a decisive call, clinching victory with two pair, and claiming the coveted gold bracelet as his own.

As Garcia revels in his hard-earned triumph, the poker community eagerly awaits his next move, as he sets his sights on further tournament success, aiming to extend his winning streak.

Stay tuned to PokerNews for live updates and coverage of the exhilarating action at the 2024 World Series of Poker, unfolding at the iconic Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas venues.

After some back and forth between Richard Rothmeier and Jose Garcia, Rothmeier decided to go all in pre-flop, and Garcia snap-called.

Richard Rothmeier:    [allin]
Jose Garcia:   

Rothmeier needed help, but the board showed      , which didn't provide it as they both hit a pair of kings but Garcia made two pair. As a result, Rothmeier was eliminated.

Jose Garcia	29,725,000	13,675,000
Richard Rothmeier	0	-9,460,000

Alexander Green was sitting with a short stack at 1,510,000 and Richard Rothmeier moved all in from the small blind and Green called with authority.

Alexander Green:    [allin]
Richard Rothmeier:   

Rothmeier called for a five but the board did not oblige with      . Green doubled again.

Richard Rothmeier	3,315,000	-6,390,000
Alexander Green	3,020,000	-890,000

Jose Garcia initiated the action on the button with a raise to 700,000. From the big blind, Alexander Green went all in for 1,730,000, and after a brief consideration, Garcia called.

Alexander Green:    [allin]
Jose Garcia:   

Garcia shouted for a six on the     flop, then the   turn and   river also offered no help and Green doubled.

Jose Garcia	16,050,000	-4,150,000
Alexander Green	3,910,000	-370,000

Alexander Green went all in from under the gun with 1,765,000 and was called by Jose Garcia on the button.

Alexander Green:    [allin]
Jose Garcia:   

The flop came    , offering no help to Green. However, the turn brought the  , giving Green the better pair. The river   didn't change the outcome, allowing Green to double up and take a few chips from the chip leader.

Jose Garcia	11,000,000	-1,795,000
Alexander Green	4,280,000	265,000

The Tournament Director has announced, "Shuffle up and deal".

As the tension mounts at the World Series of Poker, Event #2: $500 Casino Employees No-Limit Hold'em showcases the persistence and skill of the four remaining contenders. Set against the backdrop of the illustrious Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, the event promises an electrifying showdown as it resumes today at 1 p.m. in the Horseshoe Events Center.

Leading the pack is Jose Garcia, hailing from New Mexico, with an impressive chip stack of 13,795,000. Close behind, Richard Rothmeier gained momentum, securing the second position after a series of strategic maneuvers, boasting 8,705,000 in chips. Third place in chips with 4,015,000, Lang Anderson commanded attention with the fervent support of an impassioned rail, arguably the most fervent in the room. Meanwhile, Alexander Green, once holding a formidable position, encountered setbacks, with his chip count dwindling to 2,990,000.

Yesterday proved to be a grueling test of skill and endurance, spanning an arduous 13-hour session that saw the departure of numerous players, including esteemed bracelet holder Michael Holtz and PokerNews' ambassador Lukas Robinson.

Among the standout moments was Barry Goldberg's meteoric rise, as he deftly dispatched opponents and amassed a substantial chip stack. However, fortunes swiftly turned when he faced formidable adversaries. A pivotal hand against Garcia, where Garcia held the    against Goldberg's   , marked a turning point. Additionally, Goldberg's subsequent clash with Rothmeier resulted in a critical double-up for Rothmeier, ultimately sealing Goldberg's fate and leading to his untimely exit from the tournament.

The event recommences at Level 33, with blinds set at 150,000/300,000 and a big blind ante of 300,000, with the remaining players are guaranteed at least $26,698. However, their eyes remain fixed on the top prize of $79,134 along with the prestigious gold bracelet, driving their unwavering determination to emerge victorious.

Final Table Payouts

Keep it with PokerNews today to see who will win the coveted bracelet and prize money as well as the rest of the action of the 2024 World Series of Poker at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas.