Mixed Game Festival XV Day 2

TORSE Tournament Draws 27 Entries at Bellagio

The second day of Mixed Game Festival XV began at noon at Bellagio, with the $300 TORSE tournament as the centerpiece. The event started slowly, opening with two tournament tables and one low-stakes dealer's choice cash game, but three hours of late registration gave players time to arrive. The tournament ultimately drew 27 entries and generated a prize pool of $6,615.

Four players finished in the money. Joseph Hallock took the title after an ICM deal with runner-up Tony Porcheron, earning $2,534. Porcheron collected $2,228. Joe Santagata finished third for $1,125, and Shale Juster was fourth for $728. The tournament concluded after 16 levels of play.

A Surprise Pizza Delivery

The Mixed Game Festival is known for its relaxed atmosphere, and Day 2 offered another example. Although the official pizza party took place on Day 1, Lupe Soto, a member of the Women in Poker Hall of Fame and a longtime supporter of the festival, arrived with more free pizza for everyone. The delivery was unscheduled and spur-of-the-moment, adding to the day's informal character.

Bellagio Fall Classic Seat Giveaway

About halfway through the day, with six tables running across the tournament and cash games, the second $1,100 Bellagio Fall Classic seat giveaway took place. The winner was selected by a random draw of cards: the first draw chose the table, and the second determined the seat number. Patrick Moulder, a Las Vegas local, occupied that seat and won the free tournament entry, which carries a chance to compete for a share of the $100,000 guaranteed prize pool.

Player of the Day: Emir Delic

Day 2's Pokercoaching.com Player of the Day was Emir Delic, from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Originally from Bihac, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Delic learned about the festival from a friend and decided to make the trip, even though he considers himself a mixed game novice. He plays at Gun Lake Casino and in home games where players experiment with new mixed game variations. "The crazier, the better," he said.

Delic noted that mixed games are more complex than many people assume and involve substantial underlying strategy. Despite his limited experience, he has enjoyed the festival's welcoming environment. "Everyone's friendly and welcoming, making you feel comfortable at the table and helping instead of criticizing," he said.

Dealer of the Day: Kevin Poladyan

RunGoodGear Dealer of the Day Kevin Poladyan is originally from Armenia and has lived in Las Vegas for 27 years. His first dealing job was at Mandalay Bay, followed by a year at Hollywood Park in California. He returned to Las Vegas and began working at Bellagio in 2001, and he also spent nearly 13 years dealing at the Wynn.

Poladyan said his love of poker drew him to the job, though he now spends most of his free time with his three children. Mixed games are his favorite to deal because more is happening and the action changes constantly. He also recalled a high-limit mix session involving the late Doyle Brunson, who had a prop bet riding on a specific board and promised Poladyan a $5,000 tip if it came in. The bet did not materialize, and the tip never crossed the table.

Cash Games Continue Past Midnight

Action continued well after the tournament ended shortly after 9 p.m. Two $4/$8 dealer's choice games ran, with a $9/$18 table forming later. By midnight, one smaller table had broken, but two games continued for several more hours.

Day 3 features a $300 Triple Draw Mix tournament, additional cash game action, and the final $1,100 seat giveaway courtesy of BetMGM Poker. Play begins at noon, and seats can be reserved by calling the Bellagio Poker Room at (702) 693-7290.