Timothy Banks Survives Two Hours of Tough Three-Handed Play to Win His Second Trophy

2020 Lucky Hearts Poker Open
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Hollywood, Florida
Event 29
$2,200 Deep Stack PLO (Re-Entry)
Entries:  35
Prize Pool:  $70,000
January 21-22, 2020

Event 29 Champion Timothy Banks
Event 29 Champion Timothy Banks

Timothy Banks survived more than two hours of three-handed play against David Prociak and Melisa Singh before building up a big chip lead and winning the trophy in a three-way deal.

“It feels great,” said Banks, who hails from Charlottetown, the capital of Prince Edward Island in Canada. “I’m a PLO player by nature. I play it all the time as a cash game, but I never get to play tournaments because they never have any back home.”

Banks finished fourth in his last two PLO tournaments — the $1,100 PLO in last year’s Lucky Hearts Poker Open, and a $400 PLO event at Coconut Creek last February.

After his success in his last two Pot-Limit Omaha events, Banks said, “I just thought I better give this tournament a shot to see what happens.”

Banks faced some very tough competition at this final table. When play resumed on Wednesday afternoon with the final four players, Andrei Mitsiuk was eliminated in the first five minutes. Then the final three players battled it out for more than two hours.

One of the players battling Banks for the title was David Prociak, who has the career record for most wins here at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood (seven), including five in PLO.

The other was Melisa Singh, who is on an incredible hot streak right now, with 18 final tables and three victories in the past eight months.

“They’re both really good competitors,” said Banks. “They’re young and they’re making a living at it. I’m recreational, so I’m glad to be able to make this deal with them, and get the trophy as well.”

Event 29 Champion Timothy Banks with David Prociak and Melisa Singh
From Left to Right: David Prociak, Timothy Banks, and Melisa Singh

Three-handed play lasted nearly two-and-a-half hours, with all three players holding the chip lead and the short stack at different points. Banks reached the lowest point, with just 40K in chips, but was able to bounce back.

“That’s my style,” said Banks. “I’m like a yo-yo. If I feel that the hand’s there, then I’m putting it all in. If I go home, I go home.”

Eventually, Banks built up a sizeable lead when the average chip stack was about 23 big blinds, and that’s when the three players agreed to an even chop of the remaining prizepool. As chipleader, Banks won the title and the trophy.

Banks wrapped up his winner’s interview by praising the staff. “What impresses me the most about the Seminole Hard Rock is the dealers,” said Banks. “They’re very nice people, and they’re very courteous to others, and I always have a great time here.”


Final Results:

1st:  Timothy Banks  –  $18,484* + LHPO Trophy
2nd:  Melisa Singh  –  $18,483*
3rd:  David Prociak  –  $18,483*
4th:  Andrei Mitsiuk  –  $8,280
5th:  Emmanuel Sebag  –  $6,270

* Indicates a three-way chop.

Event 29: Timothy Banks Wins in a Three-Way Deal with Melisa Singh (2nd) and David Prociak (3rd)

$2,200 Deep Stack PLO (Re-Entry)
Structure | Payouts
Level 16:  5,000/10,000
Players Remaining:  1 of 35

Event 29 Champion Timothy Banks with David Prociak and Melisa Singh
From Left to Right: David Prociak, Timothy Banks, and Melisa Singh

All three players limped for 10,000 each to see a flop of 7c5d2c. The blinds checked, and Timothy Banks bet 25,000. Melisa Singh folded the small blind, and David Prociak called from the big blind.

The turn card was the 6s, and both players checked. The river card was the Qc, and they checked again.

Timothy Banks:  AhJc9c6d  (jack-high flush)
David Prociak:  7s7hXxXx  (set of sevens)

Banks won the pot with his jack-high flush to increase his lead.

Seat 1.  Melisa Singh  –  162,000  (16 bb)
Seat 2.  David Prociak  –  129,000  (13 bb)
Seat 3.  Timothy Banks  –  409,000  (41 bb)

Two hands later, all three players limped to see a flop of Kc4h3c. The blinds checked to Prociak, who bet 10,000, and then Banks check-raised from the small blind to 60,000. Singh folded, and Prociak called.

The turn card was the Jc, and Banks moved all in. Prociak folded, saying he had the best hand on the flop, and Banks took the pot without showing his cards.

Seat 1.  Melisa Singh  –  142,000  (14 bb)
Seat 2.  David Prociak  –  95,000  (10 bb)
Seat 3.  Timothy Banks  –  463,000  (46 bb)

At that point, the final three players agreed to a three-way even chop. As chipleader, Timothy Banks was declared the winner, receiving the trophy and the title.

1st:  Timothy Banks  –  $18,484* + LHPO Trophy
2nd:  Melisa Singh  –  $18,483*
3rd:  David Prociak  –  $18,483*
4th:  Andrei Mitsiuk  –  $8,280
5th:  Emmanuel Sebag  –  $6,270

Stay tuned for a recap from this event to be posted later tonight.

* Indicates a three-way chop.

Event 29: Melisa Singh Back in the Lead, Then Timothy Banks Doubled Thru Singh to Take It Back

$2,200 Deep Stack PLO (Re-Entry)
Structure | Payouts
Level 15:  4,000/8,000
Players Remaining:  3 of 35

Event 29 - Final 3 Players
Event 29 – Final 3 Players

All three players limped for 8,000 each to see a flop of Jd8h6d. Timothy Banks checked the small blind, and Melisa Singh bet 13,000 from the big blind. David Prociak called from the big blind, and Banks also called.

The turn card was the 4s, the blinds checked, and Prociak bet 15,000. Banks and Singh both called.

The river card was the 10s, and Banks bet out for 60,000. Singh moved all in for about 255,000, and Prociak and Banks both folded. Singh took the pot to increase her chip lead.

Seat 1.  Melisa Singh  –  432,000  (54 bb)
Seat 2.  David Prociak  –  137,000  (17 bb)
Seat 3.  Timothy Banks  –  131,000  (16 bb)

About five minutes later, David Prociak raised from the button to 18,000, Timothy Banks called from the small blind, and Melisa Singh called from the big blind.

All three players checked to the turn on a board of Kd8d4s10s, and Banks pot-bet 54,000. Singh thought for a while before she called, and Prociak folded.

The river card was the Qc, Banks moved all in for 91,000, and Singh thought for a while before she called.

Timothy Banks:  AdJh9h9c  (ace-high straight)
Melisa Singh:  mucked

Banks turned over the nuts to win the pot, double up in chips, and take the chip lead.

Seat 1.  Melisa Singh  –  255,000  (32 bb)
Seat 2.  David Prociak  –  101,000  (13 bb)
Seat 3.  Timothy Banks  –  344,000  (43 bb)

About five minutes later, Level 15 came to an end and the players took a 15-minute break. These were the official chip counts with the blinds increasing to 5K-10K:

Seat 1.  Melisa Singh  –  222,000  (22 bb)
Seat 2.  David Prociak  –  134,000  (13 bb)
Seat 3.  Timothy Banks  –  344,000  (34 bb)

With three players remaining, the average chip stack is about 233,000 (23 big blinds), and the next player to bust will earn $11,675.

Event 29: Back-to-Back Lead Changes

$2,200 Deep Stack PLO (Re-Entry)
Structure | Payouts
Level 15:  4,000/8,000
Players Remaining:  3 of 35

Event 29 - Final 3 Players
Event 29 – Final 3 Players

Timothy Banks raised from the button to 24,000, and David Prociak called from the big blind. Both players checked to the turn on a board of JdJh6hKd, Prociak checked, Banks pot-bet 52,000, and Prociak called.

The river card was the Kh, and both players checked.

Timothy Banks:  5d4h3h2d  (heart flush)
David Prociak:  mucked

Banks had two flush draws on the turn, and won the pot with a rivered heart flush to take the chip lead.

Seat 1.  Melisa Singh  –  233,000  (29 bb)
Seat 2.  David Prociak  –  153,000  (19 bb)
Seat 3.  Timothy Banks  –  314,000  (39 bb)

The next hand, after a flop of 9c7c2h, both blinds checked and Melisa Singh bet 13,000 from the button. David Prociak called from the small blind, and Timothy Banks called from the big blind.

The turn card was the Ah, and all three players checked. The river card was the 4h, action checked to Singh, and she bet 40,000. Prociak folded, and Banks called.

Melisa Singh:  Kh9s6h5c  (king-high flush)
Timothy Banks:  mucked

Singh won the pot with her king-high flush to take the lead.

Seat 1.  Melisa Singh  –  308,000  (39 bb)
Seat 2.  David Prociak  –  137,000  (17 bb)
Seat 3.  Timothy Banks  –  255,000  (32 bb)

With three players remaining, the average chip stack is about 233,000 (29 big blinds), and the next player to bust will earn $11,675.

Event 29: Melisa Singh Doubles Thru Timothy Banks

$2,200 Deep Stack PLO (Re-Entry)
Structure | Payouts
Level 15:  4,000/8,000
Players Remaining:  3 of 35

Melisa Singh
Melisa Singh

Timothy Banks raised from the button to 25,000, and David Prociak called from the big blind. Both players checked to the turn on a board of 10s3d2s9d, Prociak bet 25,000, and Banks called.

The river card was the Kd, Prociak bet 25,000, and Banks called with KhQdJd3s for a queen-high flush draw. Prociak mucked, and Banks won the pot.

Seat 1.  Melisa Singh  –  90,000  (11 bb)
Seat 2.  David Prociak  –  215,000  (27 bb)
Seat 3.  Timothy Banks  –  395,000  (49 bb)

A short while later, Timothy Banks limped from the button for 8,000, Melisa Singh pot-raised from the small blind to 32,000, and Banks called.

The flop came Jd5h4h, Singh moved all in, and Banks called.

Timothy Banks:  Qs7s7d3c  (pair of sevens, straight draw)
Melisa Singh:  AsAcQdJc  (pair of aces, pair of queens)

The turn card was the 8h, the river card was the 10s, and Singh won the pot with her pocket aces to double up in chips.

Seat 1.  Melisa Singh  –  181,000  (23 bb)
Seat 2.  David Prociak  –  205,000  (26 bb)
Seat 3.  Timothy Banks  –  314,000  (39 bb)

With three players remaining, the average chip stack is about 233,000 (29 big blinds), and the next player to bust will earn $11,675.

Event 29: Timothy Banks Dropped to 7 Big Blinds But Bounced Back

$2,200 Deep Stack PLO (Re-Entry)
Structure | Payouts
Level 14:  3,000/6,000
Players Remaining:  3 of 35

Timothy Banks
Timothy Banks

With the blinds still at 3K-6K, David Prociak raised from the button to 12,000, and Timothy Banks called from the small blind.

The flop came Ah4h2c, Banks checked, Prociak bet 10,000, and Banks called. The turn card was the 6c, Banks bet 30,000, and Prociak called.

The river card was the Kh, Banks checked, Prociak bet 35,000, and Banks folded. Prociak took the pot.

Seat 1.  Melisa Singh  –  235,000  (39 bb)
Seat 2.  David Prociak  –  382,000  (64 bb)
Seat 3.  Timothy Banks  –  83,000  (14 bb)

A few minutes later, with the board showing 10h5s3hQs on the turn and 48K in the pot, David Prociak bet 25,000 from the small blind. Timothy Banks called from the big blind, leaving himself just 40K behind, and Melisa Singh tanked for a while before she folded.

The river card was the Jd, and both players checked.

David Prociak:  Ah5c3s3d
Timothy Banks:  7c6s4dXx

Prociak won the pot with a set of threes, and Banks dropped to just 40K in chips.

Seat 1.  Melisa Singh  –  237,000  (40 bb)
Seat 2.  David Prociak  –  336,000  (56 bb)
Seat 3.  Timothy Banks  –  40,000  (7 bb)

Timothy Banks bounced back a bit before raising from the button to 21,000, and Melisa Singh called from the small blind.

The flop came JsJc10c, Singh moved all in, and Banks said, “Snap,” as he snap-called all in for 46,000 with a full house.

Melisa Singh:  KsQd10h7s
Timothy Banks:  Jd10s9h8h

The turn card was the 3h, the river was the 4h, and Banks won the pot with his full house to double up in chips.

Seat 1.  Melisa Singh  –  172,000  (29 bb)
Seat 2.  David Prociak  –  395,000  (66 bb)
Seat 3.  Timothy Banks  –  140,000  (23 bb)

With three players remaining, the average chip stack is about 233,000 (29 big blinds), and the next player to bust will earn $11,675.

Event 29: Timothy Banks Doubles Thru David Prociak

$2,200 Deep Stack PLO (Re-Entry)
Structure | Payouts
Level 13:  3,000/5,000
Players Remaining:  3 of 35

Timothy Banks
Timothy Banks

With the board showing Js3s2sAd on the turn and 90K in the pot, Timothy Banks checked the big blind, and Melisa Singh pot-bet 90,000 with about 30,000 remaining behind.

Banks went into the tank for a while, at one point saying, “I have one of my own outs.”

Banks eventually folded JcJd4d2d face up for a set of jacks with a gutshot straight draw. Singh showed two cards — Ks7s for a spade flush — as she took the pot.

“Nice fold,” said Singh. “I’m never bluffing there.”

Seat 1.  Melisa Singh  –  210,000  (42 bb)
Seat 2.  David Prociak  –  310,000  (62 bb)
Seat 3.  Timothy Banks  –  180,000  (36 bb)

A short while later, after a limped three-way flop of Jd5d3s with 15K in the pot, Melisa Singh checked the small blind, David Prociak bet 10,000, and Banks bet the pot. Singh folded, Prociak moved all in, and Banks called all in for 105,000.

David Prociak:  9c6d3d3h  (set of threes, six-high flush draw)
Timothy Banks:  10d10c6h4d  (pair of tens, ten-high flush draw, straight draw)

The turn card was the 7h, the river was the Qs, and Banks turned a seven-high straight to win the pot and double up in chips.

Seat 1.  Melisa Singh  –  270,000  (54 bb)
Seat 2.  David Prociak  –  205,000  (41 bb)
Seat 3.  Timothy Banks  –  225,000  (45 bb)

With three players remaining, the average chip stack is about 233,000 (47 big blinds), and the next player to bust will earn $11,675.

Event 29: Andrei Mitsiuk – 4th Place ($8,280)

$2,200 Deep Stack PLO (Re-Entry)
Structure | Payouts
Level 13:  3,000/5,000
Players Remaining:  3 of 35

Andrei Mitsiuk
Andrei Mitsiuk

Melisa Singh raised from the cutoff to 10,000, Timothy Banks called from the small blind, and Andrei Mitsiuk called from the big blind.

The flop came 9s8d3h, Banks pot-bet 30,000, and Mitsiuk moved all in for 59,000. Singh folded, and Banks called.

Timothy Banks:  QdJd9d9c  (set of nines, gutshot straight draw)
Andrei Mitsiuk:  8h8c5d2h  (set of eights)

The turn card was the 5c, the river card was the 6h, and Banks won the pot with his set of nines to eliminate Mitsiuk in fourth place.

Timothy Banks  –  185,000  (37 bb)
Andrei Mitsiuk  –  Eliminated in 4th Place  ($8,280)

With three players remaining, the average chip stack is about 233,000 (47 big blinds), and the next player to bust will earn $11,675.

Event 29: David Prociak Leads Restart

$2,200 Deep Stack PLO (Re-Entry)
Structure | Payouts
Level 13:  3,000/5,000
Players Remaining:  4 of 35

David Prociak
David Prociak

In addition to the WPT LHPO Championship final table, we might also have some history made in the Poker Room. The $2,200 Pot Limit Omaha event returns at 3 pm with four players remaining and David Prociak looking to extend his SHRP record to eight titles.

Melisa Singh, Timothy Banks, and Andrei Mitsiuk will do their best to deny him number eight and win a title of their own.

Cards go back in the air in 15 minutes and we will bring the action along with the Championship final table.

Seat 1.  Melisa Singh  –  174,000  (35 bb)
Seat 2.  David Prociak  –  346,000  (69 bb)
Seat 3.  Timothy Banks  –  106,000  (21 bb)
Seat 4.  Andrei Mitsiuk  –  74,000  (15 bb)

1st:  $26,265 + LHPO Trophy
2nd:  $17,510
3rd:  $11,675
4th:  $8,280

LHPO Day 14 Schedule

Primary Event Schedule

2PM: Final Table- $3,500 WPT Lucky Hearts Poker Open Championship

3PM: Event 29 Day 2 – $2,200 Deep Stack PLO (Re-Entry)

5PM: Event 27 Day 2 – $150 No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)


Complete 2020 Seminole Hard Rock Lucky Hearts Poker Open Schedule