Ali Imsirovic Wins Back-To-Back Poker Masters Events and Purple Jacket

Ali Imsirovic had a breakout performance at the 2018 Poker Masters. The 23-year-old poker pro from Vancouver, Washington cashed three times across the seven-event series, accumulating $1,288,600 in earnings and winning two titles. Imsirovic emerged victorious in back-to-back events, taking down a $25,000 buy-in no-limit hold’em on Wednesday, Sept. 13 and then turning around to win the $50,000 buy-in no-limit hold’em event just a day later. With those two victories and an eighth-place showing in the series’ $10,500 buy-in kickoff event, Imsirovic earned enough ranking points to secure the 2018 Poker Masters Purple Jacket, which was awarded to the player of the series.

“There are very few things that can compare to this. This win is very prestigious for me because this event series has all the top players in the world,” said Imsirovic after locking up the jacket. “I know the World Series of Poker main event is seen as more prestigious, but in that event, you need to get very lucky across nine days battling against a below average field. In these fields, you constantly have to play your best because otherwise, you’re just going to get destroyed.”

Imsirovic picked up his very first live tournament score less than three years ago. Prior to his impressive run in this prestigious series, he had accumulated just over $1.1 million in live earnings. He has since more than doubled that to nearly $2.4 million.

Imsirovic won his second Poker Masters event in dominating fashion, busting 13 of his final 16 competitors. Although he did temporarily give up the chip lead during heads-up play, he was able to claw his way back and secure the win.

Here are five key hands that propelled Imsirovic to victory.

Tournament – Poker Masters Event No. 6
Buy-In: $50,000
No. of Entries: 47
Prize Pool: $2,350,000
1st Place Prize: $799,000

The Action

Imsirovic raised to 65,000 from early position and Kenney moved all in from the small blind for 215,000. Imsirovic called with 5 5, and was racing against Kenney’s A 9. The flop of A 9 6 was great for Kenney, giving him two pair, but the 10 on the turn gave Imsirovic a flush draw. The river was the Q, and Imsirovic made his runner-runner flush to scoop the pot and send Kenney to the payout desk for his $117,500 seventh-place prize.

The Action

Imsirovic raised to 70,000 from under-the-gun and Soverel moved all-in from the big blind for 225,000. Imsirovic quickly called the shove with his pocket queens, and Soverel turned over A K. The flop of 6 4 2 was a good one for Imsirovic, but the 9 on the turn gave Soverel a flush draw to go with his overs. The 2 on the river was not one of his 14 outs, and Soverel picked up $188,000 as a consolation prize for his fifth-place finish.

The Action

With four players left, Imsirovic opted to apply maximum pressure and move all in from the small blind. Schindler looked as his hand in the big blind and found pocket fours, which was enough to commit the rest of his 555,000 in chips. Imsirovic didn’t have much, with 7 5, but his two over cards made the encounter a virtual coinflip. The board ran out J 9 5 8 A and Imsirovic paired his five to win the pot. Schindler, a Card Player Player of the Year frontrunner, earned $235,000 for his fourth-place run.

The Action

Imsirovic limped in from the small blind and Davies raised to 110,000 from the big blind. Imsirovic called, and the flop fell A 6 5. Imsirovic checked, and Davies bet 155,000. Imsirovic check-raised all-in, and Davies immediately called off his 540,000 stack with pocket tens. Davies was correct that Imsirovic didn’t have an ace, but his 6 5 was ahead with bottom two pair. The turn was the 3, and the river was the Q. Davies was eliminated in third place, earning $352,500, while Imsirovic took a 5:2 chip lead into heads-up play.

The Action

Down to his final ten big blinds, Aldemir moved all in from the button and was quickly called by Imsirovic in the big blind. Aldemir only held 9 8, but at least he was drawing live against K Q. The flop of A 6 3 kept Imsirovic in the lead, and the Q on the turn gave him the lock on the hand. Aldemir earned $517,000 for his runner-up performance, while Imsirovic earned $799,000 for the second of his back-to-back tournament wins.

Final Table Results

1. Ali Imsirovic — $799,000
2. Koray Aldemir — $517,000
3. Seth Davies — $352,500
4. Jake Schindler — $235,000
5. Sam Soverel — $188,000
6. Justin Bonomo — $141,000