Kassela Continues to Climb

Chad Holloway

Frank Kassela is no stranger to Stud. Back in 2010 when he captured the Player of the Year honors, the father of five captured two bracelets in Stud events: $10,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Low Split-8 or Better Championship for $447,446 and $2,500 Razz for $214,085. While neither of those are in the same variant as today's tournament, Kassela is well on his way to a third bracelet.

In a recent hand, Kassela brought it in only to have a player in Seat 6 complete. Both the player in Seat 4 and Kassela came along for the ride, and then the latter led out after taking the lead on the turn, which both his opponents called.

Kassela: {2-Spades} {4-Clubs} / {3-Spades} {A-Spades} {5-Hearts} {6-Diamonds} / {6-Spades}
Seat 6: (x-x) / {Q-Diamonds} {8-Hearts} {A-Diamonds}
Seat 4: {10-Hearts} {Q-Spades} {8-Spades} / {10-Diamonds} {J-Hearts} {7-Hearts} {6-Clubs}

Fifth street saw Seat 6 check and Seat 4 fire out a bet. Kassela put in a raise, Seat 6 folded and Seat 4 made the call. Kassela proceeded to bet sixth, Seat 4 raised and a call ensued. Seventh saw Kassela slow down with a check-call, and he seemed somewhat surprised his straight was good against his opponent's two pair.