Nipun Java Takes Title in $360 No Limit Hold’em

2017 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
Hollywood, FL
Event #27
$360 No Limit Hold’em
Total Entries: 265
Prize Pool:$79,500

Nipun Java Wins $360 No Limit Hold’em

Nipun Java can generally be found in tournaments with six-figure or seven-figure first place prizes. Thanks to some flaky friends bailing on golf plans, Java took home a title in a smaller event than what he is used to playing.

On Tuesday, Java defeated a field of 265 entries and defeated Jorge Gomez heads-up to win $17,949 in the $360 no limit hold’em. A few days earlier, he made a deep run in the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Championship, finishing in 22nd place for $20,968.

“I told myself that I was happier to come in anything better than 22nd,” said Java with a laugh.

The pro from Southern California had originally planned to golf during the day and play the $2,200 pot limit Omaha in the evening. When his friends decided they wanted to change plans and not golf, Java found himself in the tournament area earlier than normal and playing the one-day $360 no limit hold’em.

“I was just like ‘Okay, let’s just play this and see what happens,'” said Java. “I was most likely going to bust and then I would just play the PLO. But as I got deeper, I kept looking at the late registration of the PLO and seeing when it was going to close and then I was like ‘Okay, I got to concentrate on this.’ But I won it and it feels good. Winning anything feels good.”

Java is usually on the west coast playing in the California casinos, but even with his roots out in the Golden State, he doesn’t like to miss stops at the Hard Rock.

“I just love this venue,” said Java about the Seminole Hard Rock. “I actually pick Florida as the best venue to play poker. It’s like the most well-run tournaments, the dealers are fantastic, and everything is around.

“The pool is so close by on breaks. You can go rest in your room on your break. That’s huge for me. If I can go get a nap or just 10 minutes of getting straight on my back. Cause I’m not longer young anymore, so I need the rest. I love it here.”

While he is arguably one of the best players traveling the tournament Circuit, Java is constantly strive to get better and credits the help of SHRP team member Chance Kornuth with a lot of his improvements in his game.

“I’ve been working with Chance,” said Java. “Chance has a coaching website called Chip Leader Coaching and that has helped me immensely. We have weekly sessions and we have a bunch of smart people in the group.

“So, just like brainstorming with them on how to play different hands helps. Also, I know a lot of people like Upeshka [De][Silva] and Daniel Strelitz and Dylan Wilkerson and on breaks, we discuss hands. It helps, you know, just hearing from other people who have been successful is generally a good idea.”

When Java was unable to take a shot at the pot limit Omaha event, he decided to buckle down and prove to himself that he could play his best regardless of buy-in.

After, by his own admission, a disappointing 2016, he wanted to rededicate himself to the game and not take anything for granted.

“Part of me was not taking poker seriously in the sense, like as a game,” said Java. “And maybe getting a little bit of entitlement creeping in and that can happen as you move up the stakes. You feel like you deserve more, but you’re playing better players. I just wanted to get back to the trenches and it’s still money in the end.”

In the end, he did get the money and can leave the Seminole Hard Rock on a high note.

“I thought I played really well this tournament,” he said. “And I never really got super lucky. I just played well.”

Final Table Results:

1st: Nipun Java – $17,949
2nd: Jorge Gomez – $12,636
3rd: Jonathan Hilton – $8,126
4th: Carlos Rodriguez Rojas – $4,957
5th: Jeffrey Trudeau Jr. – $3,828
6th: Ray St. Jacques Carrion – $3,172
7th: Matthew Zarcadoolas – $2,663
8th: Homero Molina – $2,226
9th: Bryce McVay – $1,795
10th: Ghassan Toubia – $1,511

Event 27: Nipun Java Leads Final 10 Players

$360 No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)
Level 20: 5,000/10,000 with a 1,000 ante
Players Remaining: 10 of 265

The $360 no limit hold’em re-entry event is down to its final 10 players and they have redrawn for seats at the unofficial final table.

With one more elimination, the final nine players will be credited with making a final table. There is about 15 minutes left in the current level and everybody is guaranteed a cash of at least $1,511.

Here is a look at the seating arrangement and chip counts for the final 10 players:

Seat 1: Ghasspan Toubia – 42,000
Seat 2: Matthew Zarcadoolas – 163,000
Seat 3: Jeffrey Trudeau Jr. – 406,000
Seat 4: Jorge Gomez – 510,000
Seat 5: Jonathan Hilton – 103,000
Seat 6: Ray St. Jacques Carrion – 51,000
Seat 7: Nipun Java – 574,000
Seat 8: Homero Molina – 90,000
Seat 9: Carlos Rodriguez – 480,000
Seat 10: Bryce McVay – 228,000

Here are the remaining payouts:

1st: $17,949
2nd: $12,636
3rd: $8,126
4th: $4,957
5th: $3,828
6th: $3,172
7th: $2,663
8th: $2,226
9th: $1,795
10th: $1,511

Event 27: Registration Closed; Top 34 Pay, $17K to First

$360 No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)
Level 12: 800/1,600 with a 200 Ante
Players Remaining: 51 of 265

Registration is closed in today’s $360 buy-in $50,000 guarantee and the prize pool has been finalized. The top 34 players finish in the money with a min-cash worth $545. Payouts escalate from there and top out in the form of a $17,949 top prize.

Full payouts:

1st – $17,949
2nd – $12,636
3rd – $8,126
4th – $4,957
5th – $3,828
6th – $3,172
7th – $2,663
8th – $2,226
9th – $1,795
10th-12th – $1,511
13th-15th – $1,292
16th-18th – $1,082
19th-21st – $894
22nd-24th – $716
25th-27th – $616
28th-34th – $545

At present, the clock shows 51 players remaining with 27 minutes left in Level 12. Among those still in are Carlos Loving, Jonathan Hilton, Jean LeBlond and Eric Rivkin.

We will provide another update when play reaches the final table.

Event 27: Buy Low; Win High

$360 No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)
Level 1: 25/50

The next big one-day tournament on the schedule kicks off soon with a $360 buy-in and $50,000 guaranteed prize pool tournament. Event 27 will bring out players of all bankroll levels for the shot at some nice money before the end of the day.

Entrants will start with 10,000 starting stacks and levels last 30-minute levels from start to finish. Late registration and unlimited re-entries are available until the start of Level 9 at 4:30pm followed by a dinner break at 6:30pm. They’ll return and play down to the Event 27 champion later this evening.

Action gets rolling at noon and we’ll keep track of their progress during the major parts of their day.

  • $50,000 Guaranteed Prize Pool
  • Players begin with 10,000 in chips and 30-minute levels
  • Late registration/re-entry available until start of Level 9
  • This is a one-day tournament and plays until completion
  • Event 27 Structure Sheet

Showdown Day 20 Schedule

Main Event Schedule

12PM: Day 3 – $10,000 WPT Seminole Hard Rock Finale

12PM: Event 27 – $360 No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)

  • $50,000 Guaranteed Prize Pool
  • Players begin with 10,000 in chips and 30-minute levels
  • Late registration/re-entry available until start of Level 9
  • This is a one-day tournament and plays until completion
  • Event 27 Structure Sheet

2PM: Event 28 Day 1 – $25,500 High Roller No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)

  • $1,000,000 Guaranteed Prize Pool
  • Players begin with 100,000 in chips and 40-minute levels
  • Late registration/re-entry available until start of Level 13
  • Day 1 will end when 8 players remain or Tournament Director discretion
  • High Roller Structure Sheet

5PM: Event 26 Day 1B – $150 No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)

  • $50,000 Guaranteed Prize Pool
  • Players begin with 10,000 in chips and 30-minute levels
  • Late registration/re-entry available until start of Level 9
  • Day 1 will end after Level 14 or Tournament Director discretion
  • Event 26 Structure Sheet

5PM: Event 29 Day 1 – $2,200 Deep Stack PLO (Re-Entry)

  • Players begin with 20,000 in chips and 40-minute levels
  • Late registration/re-entry available until start of Level 7
  • Day 1 will end after Level 12 or Tournament Director discretion
  • Event 29 Structure Sheet

Secondary and Satellite Schedule

9AM: Event 98 – $90 Turbo Satellite into Event 27 (1-in-5)

  • 2 seats guaranteed into $360/$50K GTD Event 24
  • Players begin with 6,000 in chips and 15-minute levels
  • Late registration/re-entry available until start of Level 9
  • Satellite will be held in The Poker Room
  • This is a one-day tournament and plays until completion
  • Event 98 Structure Sheet

8PM: Event 99 – $130 Survivor No Limit Hold’em (1-in-10)

  • 1-in-10 players will win $1,000 cash
  • Players begin with 10,000 in chips and 15-minute levels
  • Late registration/re-entry available until start of Level 9
  • This is a one-day tournament and plays until completion
  • Event 99 Structure Sheet

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Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood Property Update

Preparations are underway for the development of an iconic hotel tower and resort:

  • Parking – Poker players are encouraged to park in Winner’s Way Garage to access both the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown tournament space and The Poker Room
  • The Poker Room – Players may access the poker room by entering through the main lobby or via the exterior entrance on the opposite end of Winner’s Way Garage.
  • Inside hotel – Services and amenities inside the hotel will remain open along with regularly scheduled events and entertainment.

For additional construction updates, please visit TheNewHardRock.com