2016 Showdown Live Updates

Federico Castaing Wins Seniors Title

2016 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood
Event #10
$250 Seniors No Limit Hold’em
Total Entries: 161
Prizepool: $33,810

Federico Castaing Takes Home Seniors Title
Federico Castaing Takes Home Seniors Title

Federico Castaing already has a long list of accomplishments in the sport of equestrian and is on the right track to putting together a successful poker career as well.

Castaing took down the $250 Seniors No Limit Hold’em event in the early hours of Friday morning. He bested a field of 161 players to earn the trophy and $9,804.

“It’s my first tournament in America,” said the 55-year-old Argentina native after his win. “I play all the tournaments in South America. There are good players down there and I am learning.”

Castaing’s win in the Seniors event nearly doubles his career tournament earnings, but he already has put together quite a career in the equestrian world.

He was a professional rider for most of his adult life and was on Argentina’s national team in the 1996 Olympic games in Atlanta and earned a silver medal in the Pan-Am games.

Once his riding career was over, Castaing stayed in the equestrian world as a trainer. His nickname on the South American tournament circuit is “The Rider.”

“I’m a trainer of horse jumpers,” said Castaing. “I train horses and people. I used to be a rider and then I got old.”

Castaing flew to Florida as his first stop on an American poker vacation. He left his hometown of Buenos Aires to come to South Florida and play a few tournaments before heading to Las Vegas for the first time.

After playing poker for 30 years and Texas Hold’em for the last seven, Castaing decided it was time to make a trip to the center of the poker world.

“I go to Vegas and play some tournaments and just to vacation. I heard Vegas is a good place,” said Castaing. “I’m going to try it.”

Castaing came into the final table as one of the shorter stacks, but was able to skillfully maneuver his chips and run it up to one of the bigger stacks. With four players left, Castaing almost had half of the chips in play.

There was some talk about a four-handed chop, but it was Castaing who put a stop to those talks and forced the tournament to play out. It worked out for him, earning his first career tournament win and putting some extra cash in his pocket before heading to Vegas.

Here is a look at the final table results:

1st: Federico Castaing – $9,804
2nd: David Hixson – $5,784
3rd: Jay Klitzner – $3,381
4th: Robert Transue – $2,705
5th: Martin Robbins – $2,029
6th: Lisa Teebagy – $1,691
7th: Joe Trudden – $1,352
8th: Mike Parekh – $1,014
9th: Glenn Menne – $761

Seniors Event Final Results

Event 10: Federico Castaing Wins Seniors Event ($9,804)

$250 Seniors No Limit Hold’em
Level:23: 8,000/16,000 with a 2,000 ante
Players Remaining: 1/161

Federico Castaing
Federico Castaing

Federico Castaing moved all in on the button and David Hixson called out of the big blind. Hixson is all in for about 150,000 and shows AhJs, up against Castaing’s Kc10c.

The flop was 10h8s2d and Castaing took the lead. The turn was the 5c and the river was the 10d to give Castaing trips, the title and the first place prize money of $9,804.

Hixson finished in second place and takes home $5,784 for his runner-up finish in the seniors event.

David Hixson
David Hixson

Federico Castaing – Seniors Event Champion
David Hixson – Eliminated

Event 10: Federico Castaing Pulling Away

$250 Seniors No Limit Hold’em
Level:23: 8,000/16,000 with a 2,000 ante
Players Remaining: 2/161
Average Stack: 805,000

Federico Castaing raised to 55,000 on the button and David Hixson defended his big blind. The flop was KdQd9c and both players checked to see the 2c fall on the turn.

Hixson checked and Castaing bet 35,000. Hixson called and the river was the 4s. Hixson checked and Castaing bet 111,000. Hixson called.

Castaing showed KcJs and won the pot against Hixson’s Qc6s. Castaing takes the pot and leaves Hixson very short.

Federico Castaing – 1,670,000
David Hixson – 140,000

Event 10: Jay Klitzner – 3rd Place ($3,381)

$250 Seniors No Limit Hold’em
Level:23: 8,000/16,000 with a 2,000 ante
Players Remaining: 2/161
Average Stack: 805,000

Jay Klitzner
Jay Klitzner

Federico Castaing limped in from the small blind and Jay Klitzner checked his option from the big blind. The flop was 8h6c4c and Castaing checked. Klitzner moved all in for about 100,000 and Castaing snap-called.

Klitzner showed 8s3s, good for top pair, but was drawing to runners against Castaing’s 7s5s, giving him the nut straight.

The turn was the Ac and the river was the 2d to send Klitzner home in third. He earned $3,381 for his run and leaves Castaing heads-up with David Hixson for the title.

Federico Castaing – 1,350,000
Jay Klitzner – Eliminated

 

Event 10: David Hixson Doubles Through Federico Castaing

$250 Seniors No Limit Hold’em
Level:23: 8,000/16,000 with a 2,000 ante
Players Remaining: 3/161
Average Stack: 536,667

David Hixson raised to 50,000 on the button and Federico Castaing moved all in from the small blind. Hixson called and the cards were tabled.

Hixson showed AdJc and was dominated by Castaing’s AsQh. The flop was Kd5h3d, keeping Castaing in the lead, but the Jd came on the turn, giving Hixson the best hand and the nut flush draw.

The river was the 4d and Hixson doubled up with the nut flush. The dealer broke down Hixson’s stack and verified that he was all in for 141,000.

David Hixson – 298,000
Federico Castaing – 1,090,000

Event 10: Jay Klitzner Doubles Through David Hixson

$250 Seniors No Limit Hold’em
Level:23: 8,000/16,000 with a 2,000 ante
Players Remaining: 3/161
Average Stack: 536,667

Jay Klitzner moved all in from the small blind for 87,000 and David Hixson called out of the big blind. Klitzner tabled KcKd and was in the lead against Hixson’s Ah10c.

The board ran out Jc9c9s7h7d and Klitzner doubled up.

Jay Klitzner – 176,000
David Hixson – 155,000

Event 10: Robert Transue – 4th Place ($2,705)

$250 Seniors No Limit Hold’em
Level:22: 6,000/12,000 with a 2,000 ante
Players Remaining: 3/161
Average Stack: 536,667

Robert Transue
Robert Transue

On a flop of Qc9h6h, Federico Castaing checked from the big blind and Robert Transue moved all in from under-the-gun for 170,000. Castaing quickly called.

Castaing showed Jd9d and needed to fade a lot of cards against Transue’s Kh10h. Transue had two overcards, a flush draw and a gutshot straight draw, but bricked off as the board was completed with the 2s and 5c.

Castaing won the pot with a pair of nines and Transue, known to most in the area as “Papa Bear,” is eliminated in fourth place for $2,705.

This is Transue’s second final table in this event in the last two years after winning this in 2014.

Federico Castaing – 1,100,000
Robert Transue – Eliminated

Event 10: Jay Klitzner Doubles Through Federico Castaing

$250 Seniors No Limit Hold’em
Level:22: 6,000/12,000 with a 2,000 ante
Players Remaining: 4/161
Average Stack: 402,500

Jay Klitzner moved all in on the button for 106,000 and Federico Castaing called out of the big blind. Klitzner tabled KcJc and was behind Castaing’s Ah2s.

The board ran out Qs8c2d4sJh and Klitzner rivered a jack to stay alive.

Jay Klitzner – 226,000
Federico Castaing – 910,000

Event 10: Federico Castaing Picks Off Robert Transue

$250 Seniors No Limit Hold’em
Level:21: 5,000/10,000 with a 1,000 ante
Players Remaining: 4/161
Average Stack: 402,500

There is about 160,000 in the pot on the turn with the board reading Ac4h3h8h and Federico Castaing checks from the big blind. Robert Transue bets 80,000 from under-the-gun and Castaing calls.

The river is the As and Castaing checks again. Transue bets 115,000 and Castaing quickly calls.

“I missed,” said Transue. “Jack-high.”

Castaing takes the pot with AdQc, good for trips and he hits the 1 million chip mark.

Federico Castaing – 1,000,000
Robert Transue – 150,000