Seat 8: Robert Panitch -- 338,000
Robert Panitch from Northbrook, IL received an entry into the 2013 World Series of Poker Circuit National Championship through an at-large bid after earning 175 points throughout the 2012-13 WSOP Circuit season. Those points were good enough to rank Panitch 20th overall, and he earned them through eight cashes and by winning one gold ring.
From his cashes on this season's WSOP Circuit, Panitch has earned $66,542. His best result was at Caesars Palace when he won the $365 No-Limit Hold'em Turbo for $18,010 and the gold ring. He also has cashes for $14,074 and $13,033 this season, the latter of which was a 12th-place finish in the WSOP Circuit Harrah's Atlantic City Main Event.
The 62-year-old Panitch is a fan favorite among the young circuit grinders, who have affectionately nicknamed him "Uncle Krunk." According to many of them, the squirrely elder statesman learned about the National Championship points race halfway through the season and then ended up getting it.
In addition, the circuit regulars have taken to telling a story about Panitch from The Lodge Casino stop in Colorado earlier in the season. As the story goes, Panitch was railing the Main FT and went into diabetic seizure. An ambulance came and took him to the hospital, but two hours later he was on the rail with a Heineken!
Panitch enters the final table today fifth in chips with 338,000.