Engel, Sleeth & Seif Claim 2021 Venetian DeepStack Championship Titles

Since the beginning of May, Venetian Las Vegas has played host to the DeepStack Championship Poker Series, which will run through August 1 and offer more than $15 million in guaranteed prize pools.

Thus far through approximately 95 events in the 121-event series, over 30,000 entrants have participated and nearly $26 million in prize money has been awarded.

Among the highlights thus far were Chance Kornuth and Harlen Miller winning mid-six-figure prizes in a pair of MSPT Main Events; Sean Perry, Shawn Daniels, and Ali Imsirovic winning high roller titles, Chad Eveslage taking down the WPT Venetian for $910K, and side event wins by Jesse Lonis and Ashraf Chehata.

Below is a look at some other winners who’ve made headlines over the past couple of weeks.

Click here to view the entire Venetian DeepStack Championship schedule

Ari Engel Nabs Limit Omaha 8/B Title

On June 20, poker pro Ari Engel topped a 168-entry field to win Event #66: $600 Limit Omaha 8/B for $24,734.

The tournament offered up an $86,184 prize pool that was paid out to the top 18 players. Among those to cash but fall short of making the final table was Casey Hayes (16th – $1,207), Andrew Yeh (14th – $1,379), Cory Wilbur (11th – $1,551), and Christopher Castaneda (10th – $1,551).

Event #66 Final Table Results

Mark Seif Claims Back-to-Back Titles

In late June, Event #78: $600 NLH MonsterStack attracted 358 runners, which surpassed the $100K guarantee by creating a $182,580 prize pool. Seif made his way to the final table and wound up besting Ryan Dodd in heads-up play to claim the title and $41,991. It marked the first major win for Seif in more than 15 years since he captured two gold bracelets at the 2005 World Series of Poker.

Then, on June 30, Event #81: $800 NLH Ultimate Stack wrapped up. The tournament had attracted a massive 1,811 entries and offered up a $1,249,590 prize pool. Some of the familiar names to make deep runs and cash were Joey Weissman (10th – $15,932), Corey Paggeot (18th – $11,621), Ryan Laplante (34th – $5,123), and Andy Frankenberger (35th – $5,123).

Seif once again found himself at the final table and he posted the following to social media:

“I’m trying to do something pretty similar to what I did 16 years ago. In June 2005, I was fortunate enough to win back-to-back World Series of Poker bracelets. There’s still a long way to go but if I win this event at the Venetian DeepStacks Championship Poker Series, I’ll have won bac- to-back DCPS titles as well. I received an email this morning from a poker historian that tells me no one has ever won back-to-back WSOP titles and back-to-back DCPS titles”

Well, Seif managed to make history as he once again closed it out, this time for a much heftier $193,416.

Event #81 Final Table Results

Ashley Sleeth Wins LIPS Ladies Event

In late June, the two-day Event #74: $500 NLH LIPS tournament played out. The ladies event attracted 110 runners and offered up a $47,300 prize pool to the top dozen players. Among those to cash but fall short of the final table were Shannan Weeks, Jacqueline Pennington, and Lily Torrence, who finished 10th-12th respectively for $993 each.

The tournament came down to two well-known players in the community in Ruth Hall and Ashley Sleeth, the latter being the significant other of 2012 WSOP Main Event runner-up Jesse Sylvia. Sleeth ultimately prevailed and captured a $14,190 top prize.

Event #74 Final Table Results

DeepStack Championship Poker Series Winners

Here’s a look at all those who’ve captured title thus far:

_{*Images courtesy of Venetian.}