Brad Freeman Wins CPPT Choctaw Main Event!
Apr 23, '18
The 2018 Card Player Poker Tour Choctaw $1,100 no-limit hold’em main event wrapped up early Monday morning in Durant, Oklahoma. After three action-packed days of play, Brad Freeman sat with all the chips at the end for a first-place prize of $170,984.
The 29-year-old from Spring, Texas used to play professionally, but now works as a production coordinator. His previous best score was $23,400 for a seventh-place showing in last year’s Potomac Poker Open.
Schuyler Thornton, who nearly made it through 14 hours of play on day 1A before busting just shy of the end of the night, came back on day 1B to bag a stack and run it all the way to a second-place finish. The two players made a deal during heads-up play, locking up $140,000 and playing for the difference.
The main event drew 1,086 entries, which generated a prize pool of $1,053,420. The turnout surpassed the numbers needed to meet the $1 million guarantee, as the tournament was the largest ever CPPT main event held at Choctaw Casino & Resort. Day 1B drew 702 entries, up from 384 entries on day 1A. Only 120 players survived to day 2.
The money bubble burst quickly into the second day of action. Notables who made the money included David Pham (8th), T.J. Cloutier (12th), Shawn Rice (16th), Brian Green (20th), Ben Mintz (21st), Chan Pelton (25th), Ebony Kenney (27th), Cord Garcia (43rd), Dan Heimiller (54th), Mina Greco (65th).
Here’s a look at the final table results.
| Finish |
Player |
Prize |
POY Points |
| 1 |
Brad Freeman |
$170,984* |
960 |
| 2 |
Schuyler Thornton |
$140,000* |
800 |
| 3 |
Brenda Bassett |
88,234 |
640 |
| 4 |
Stefan Williams |
66,365 |
480 |
| 5 |
Alex Carmosino |
50,533 |
420 |
| 6 |
Casey Brown |
38,934 |
360 |
| 7 |
Nenad Zbiljic |
30,349 |
300 |
| 8 |
David Pham |
23,923 |
240 |
| 9 |
Pej Premo |
19,067 |
180 |
*Based on a deal made heads-up.
Player Tags: Brad Freeman
Schuyler Thornton Eliminated In Second Place ($140,000)
Apr 23, '18
Schuyler Thornton raised all-in from the button for about 12 big blinds and Brad Freeman made the call from the big blind with pocket fives.
Thornton held K
4
and needed help to survive, but the board ran out A
QJ3
6 to give the pot and the title to Freeman.
After a deal made during heads-up play, Thornton will walk away with $140,000. Freeman earns $170,984 for taking down the tournament.
Player Tags: Brad Freeman, Schuyler Thornton
Brad Freeman Doubles
Apr 23, '18
Schuyler Thornton raised to 600,000 and Brad Freeman moved all-in from the big blind for 4,625,000. Thornton called with A4, but he was behind to Freeman’s pocket kings.
The board ran out 7521010 and Freeman doubled up to nearly even the match.
Player Tags: Brad Freeman, Schuyler Thornton
Alex Carmosino Bluffs A Lot Of It Off To Brad Freeman
Apr 22, '18
Alex Carmosino raised to 225,000 from under-the-gun and was called from the big blind by Brad Freeman. The flop came down 1086 and Freeman checked.
Carmosino bet 225,000 and Freeman called. The turn was the A and Freeman checked again. Carmosino bet 475,000 and Freeman called. The river was the 5 and Freeman checked for a third time.
Carmosino fire 750,000 and Freeman instantly called. Carmosino showed K9 for a busted straight and flush draw, while Freeman turned over A8 for two pair to scoop the massive pot. Carmosino is now down to 975,000.
Player Tags: Brad Freeman, Alexander Carmosino
James Placek Eliminated In 10th Place ($15,369)
Apr 22, '18
James Placek raised all-in for 1,025,000 and Brad Freeman moved all-in over the top to isolate. The blinds folded and Placek showed 1010.
Freeman turned over AJ for a race, and connected on a flop of AKJ.
Placek turned some more outs with the 8, but the 7 was a brick, ending his tournament run in tenth place.
Player Tags: James Placek, Brad Freeman
