Eight more bracelets have been handed out since our last update on the 2012 WSOP (World Series of Poker). The lower buy in No Limit Hold ‘Em events begin to draw in the big fields, Phil Ivey is making a splash once more and Mike Matusow is putting on a strong showing this year as he makes another final table.
Event #21: $1,000 No Limit Hold ‘Em
The smallest buy in No Limit event saw large fields with almost 2,800 entrants making for a prize pool of over $2.5 million. The final was filled with relatively unknown players. Only 2 past champions reached the final 9 and among the finalists, only 4 had cashed in the WSOP prior to this. Brussels native, Michael Gathy would capture his first WSOP bracelet and more than $440,000. Former bracelet winners, John Esposito and Eric Baldwin would place 4th and 5th respectively.
Event #22: $2,500 2-7 Triple Draw Low Ball
The odd events such as this one seem to feature nothing but the pros. Competing for the final table were top pros such as Barry Greenstein, Layne Flack, Josh Arieh and Berry Johnston. Flack and Arieh would both make the final 9 along with 3 time bracelet winner Farzad Bonyadi. American Randy Ohel would be another first time bracelet winner by taking the event and the $145,247 that came along with it. Entering the final, Bonyadi would be chip leader and a sure favorite to win bracelet #4, but he couldn’t outlast the savvy Ohel and would finish 4th.
Event #23: $3,000 No Limit Hold ‘Em Six Max
Simon Charette would bob and weave his way through a tough final day to win his first ever bracelet and more than $560,000. Charette would have to outlast the likes of, Eugene Katchalov, Freddy Deeb, Scott Monygemery and Bertand “Elky” Grospellier. Those players alone combine for over $25 million in WSOP winnings. Montgomery and “Elky” would enter the final short on chips and place 7th and 6th. Just missing the final table was Freddy Deeb coming in at 10th place. Katcholov could not get anything going on the final day of play and would place 17th.
Event # 24: $5,000 Omaha Hi-Lo Split 8 or Better
This event only saw 256 players enter but it would be a star studded field and one of the toughest final tables yet. The focus would be on Phil Ivey again who would be at his 3rd final of the year and looking to win his 9th bracelet. It wouldn’t come easy as he would be facing some of the best poker players in the world. Among those fighting for first were: Mike Matusow, Meng la, Scotty Nguyen, Bart Hanson and Joe Cassidy. A total of 17 bracelets were being represented at this final table.
Ivey would put in a strong showing but again fell short finishing 3rd. The final would be between Ngyuen and Cassidy. Cassidy would have a 4-1 chip lead going into the final day of play, but Scotty being the champion he is put up a strong fight. He would be down to just 2 blinds at one point, but fought back to keep the game going for a few more hours. The chip lead would prove to be too much for Nguyen to overcome and Joe Cassidy would win his first bracelet and $294,777.
Matusow would come in 8th, La 4th and Hanson 7th. Fun little fact of the day. Bart Hanson is the host of the popular podcast “Deuce Plays” on Deuces Cracked poker training site.
Event # 25: $1,500 Limit Hold ‘Em Shootout
The limit events continue to attract low interest. Even with a small buy in, only 366 players would enter the shootout event. Brian Meinders from New Jersey would win his first bracelet and the $116,118 that comes along with it. Only one player with a bracelet would be at the final and the only known player was Victor Ramdin. Not a terribly exciting event but it needed to be played. The only notable names placing in the money were, Justin Bonomo and Greg “FTB” Mueller.
Event #26: $3,000 Pot Limit Omaha
Poker pro Austin Scott would make his second final of this event and as they say second time’s a charm. Or is that third time? Either way Scott put on a spectacular performance by overcoming a 2-1 chip disadvantage heads up. Once in charge, Scott would never look back. He would go on to defeat Scott Stanko. For his win Austin takes home $361,797. Among the cashes were 2 time winner, Dutch Boyd, Erik Seidel and Robert Williamson the 3rd. Williamson becomes the all time leader in cashes for pot limit Omaha at the WSOP with 11. He also holds 1 bracelet in this form of poker.
Event #27: $1,500 H.O.R.S.E
This event features 5 games and to win, you’ve got to excel at all of them. The games are Hold ‘Em, Omaha, Razz, Stud and Eight or Better. The event saw 889 entrants competing for the first place prize of $267,081. The winner would be former “November Niner” Ylon “Noah” Schwartz.
Other notable cashes include, Allen Cunningham-10th, Chip Jett-19th. Former Main Event Champion Huck Seed would place 50th and cash game specialist Eli Elezra would place 63rd.
Event #28: $2,500 No Limit Four Handed
Canada saw its 3rd bracelet of the year when Timothy Adams won $392,476 in the first ever 4 handed event at the WSOP. This inaugural event saw a solid turnout with 750 players paying the $2,500 entry fee. Notable cashes were Eric Froehlich-15th and Gavin Smith-58th.
Events running and upcoming
The seniors’ event is down to its final 32 players and should play to a winner by the end of the day. This event actually broke the record for largest ever first day with 4,128 senior citizens all filling the Rio. To find more seniors in one spot at once you would need to travel to the beaches of Florida.
Also playing is the $1,500 2-7 Draw Lowball event. The final table is set to be completed today and it should be an interesting final. Brandon Cantu goes in as chip leader but has tough task in front of him. Standing in his way are Michael Mizrachi and Erik Lindgren.
Three other events will remain play on the 17th. The $1,500 No Limit, $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. and the $1,000 No Limit events are all on tap. Phil Ivey is in decent shape in H.O.R.S.E. event but there’s still a ways to go. Stay tuned for all further upcoming news and updates.
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