Should you still haven’t read about Frank Funaro, it’s time to take note. Funaro is one of the most exciting and up-to-date poker players in the US, with a poker resume that already includes an online WSOP bracelet, three circuit rings, and several other deep runs in major events.
On Thursday, the Sewell native added another achievement to that list, taking sixth place in the World Poker Tour $10,500 World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas. It was the first seven-figure score of his career, earning him over $1.3 million.
Funaro outlasted nearly four players out of a 2,960-entry field, which created a WPT record $29 million prize pool. The tournament lasted six days, eight if you count all Day 1 starting flights.
“I’m feeling good. It was my time to shine,” Funaro told PlayNJ.com later Thursday evening after the tournament concluded. “It was a great experience. I had a lot of fun and have no regrets.”
Outspoken Funaro was initially due for just a $1-million ranking
Funaro has been putting in work in both the live and online arenas for years now. He was a staff pick to win a WSOP bracelet in 2021, but the prediction was a year early as he won his first bracelet this past March.
These accomplishments and several more WSOP results helped prepare him for the ups and downs that come with long days at the felt, where he built up substantial stacks on Days 2 and 4 before losing a hand at the end of Day 4, dropping him to 14th in chips with 37 remaining.
An 18-hour Day 5 on Sunday played down to the final six. Funaro chipped up early but found himself eighth in chips with 10 players remaining at the final table. He found a double-up to enter the final table of nine in the middle of the pack but was immediately crippled.
No one could put him away, though, and he made it to the final six several hours later. Unfortunately, his final day only lasted 14 hands, coming to an end after he ran ace-ten into the pocket kings of eventual champion Eliot Hudon.
Borgata’ s ‘ The Return’ brings online poker back to Shirt this The month of january
With the holidays now upon us, we can look forward to January for live poker.
Specifically, Borgata gets back into the swing of running the top tournaments it has become known for over the last 20 years. Its “The Return” event will work from January 2-8, featuring five events, including a $3 million guaranteed Main Event.
The full list of events:
– $2,200 NLH Mystery Stack (Event 1, Jan. 2-3) – $1M guaranteed
– $560 NLH Satellite Qualifier to Main Event (Event 2, Jan. 3) – 1 in 10 win
– $5,400 NLH Main Event (Event 4, Jan. 4-8) – $3M guaranteed
– $2,100 NLH 1K Stack (Event 5, Jan. 6-7) – $150,000 guaranteed
– $1,100 NLH Survivor (Event 6, Jan. 7-8) – $100,000 guaranteed
Live and NJ online poker satellites are running, and Main Event registration is available online through January 31 on BetMGM Poker. In-person registration opens at Borgata on January 2.
