Local boy Zal Irani takes down the Chicago Poker Classic opener, after defeating Anthony Parille, in heads-up action, to win the $100,000 first prize and a seat into the $2,000 Main Event.
Zal Irani has just won $100,000, and not even his Mum is taking a piece of it.
The 42-year old former financial planner, took down Event #1 $360 No-Limit Hold’em, at the Chicago Poker Classic, in the Horseshoe Hammond, and it looks like he will keep every single penny.
“In this place, I can’t ever swap or sell. I cut [my mom] off this time which was so hard to do,” Irani told the WSOP after his win.
Irani left the world of finance to focus on a poker career in 2008. He didn’t get off to the greatest of starts. He wobbled. Then in 2012 he won close to $150,000. He has won six figures every year since. His latest victory pushes him over the $700,000 mark in lifetime earnings.
This one was far from easy. The smaller buy-in brought players into the casino in their droves. The event was held over four days, but had six starting days. 2,296 entrants making sure the $500,000 guarantee was smashed to bits. $100,000 for a £360 investment. Now that must be nice.
“I couldn’t pick any other place I’d want to play,” Irani said of the Horseshoe. “Las Vegas in the summer is fun for the World Series [of Poker], but coming into [the Horseshoe], honestly it reminds me of playing football in high school. I walk in here and it feels like home. I couldn’t ask for anything better. It’s hard not feeling pretty confident being in this place.”
Pretty confident.
I would say so.
Irani’s victory was his 15th Horseshoe Hammond cash, his ninth final table appearance, and his second outright victory.
The Seventh Annual Chicago Poker Classic runs from March 5 through March 16. There will be 10-events culminating in the $2,000 Main Event. Irani has already booked his seat in that one, as have Anthony Parille and Michael Hahn, who finished third and fourth respectively.
Final Table Results
1st. Zal Irani – $100,000*
2nd. Anthony Parille – $61,166*
3rd. Michael Hahn – $40,100*
4th. Edward Nassif II – $28,500
5th. John Rumishek – $21,500
6th. Dae Kim – $16,300
7th. Theodore Zalesiak – $12,400
8th. Ryan Gray – $9,450
9th. Allen Lanier – $7,210
10th. Maurice Dankha – $5,502
*And seat into the $2k Main Event
