2020 Lucky Hearts Poker Open
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Hollywood, Florida
Event 28
$5,000 Eight-Handed NLH (Re-Entry)
$200,000 Guaranteed
Entries:  78
Prize Pool:  $370,500
January 21, 2020

One week ago, Jonathan Bussieres defeated Justin Harvell heads-up to win Event #15. Tonight, Bussieres did it again, winning Event #28 ($5,000 Eight-Handed No-Limit Hold’em) after making a heads-up deal with runner-up Faraz Jaka.

There were 78 entries in this one-day tournament, and the final 10 finished in the money. With the Money Bubble (and the tightened play that precedes it) only two spots away from the final table, the final table started with shallow stacks — the average was only 22 big blinds.

After James Calderaro busted in ninth place, the final eight players battle for nearly an hour as the blinds got higher and higher. But once Ray Qartomy busted in eighth place, a figurative dam burst, and they lost three more players in the next 26 minutes.

It was a frenetic final table, with frequent lead changes and lots of ups and downs. Eventually, Bussieres was able to build a lead and hold onto it, and after eliminating Joe McKeehen in third place, Bussieres had a 2-to-1 lead over Faraz Jaka. They quickly agreed to a deal, and as chipleader, Bussieres won the title and the trophy.

It was the second trophy of the series for Bussieres, and they both came in eight-handed events. But with a $5K buy-in, this victory carries more prestige, along with 12 times as much prize money.

Final Results:

1st:  Jonathan Bussieres  –  $100,760* + LHPO Trophy
2nd:  Faraz Jaka  –  $88,470*
3rd:  Joe McKeehen  –  $50,460
4th:  Mark Guariglia  –  $35,065
5th:  Craig Varnell  –  $25,450
6th:  Jim Collopy  –  $19,325
7th:  Greg Baird  –  $15,385
8th:  Ray Qartomy  –  $12,875
9th:  James Calderaro  –  $11,355
10th:  Paul Domb  –  $11,355

* Indicates a heads-up deal.