WSOP: Andres Korn Wins Gold for Argentina, $50K PPC Underway
Sunday was an exciting day at the 2017 World Series of Poker. Not only were two shiny gold bracelets awarded, but arguably the most prestigious tournament of the summer kicked off its Day 1. Here’s a run through all of Sunday’s WSOP action.
Andres Korn Wins Second-ever Bracelet for Argentina
When Ivan ‘Negriin’ Luca won a bracelet back in 2015, he became the first Argentinian to ever achieve such a feat. Two years later, he now has a fellow countryman wearing WSOP gold.
Andres Korn took down Event #56: $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em for $618,285 Sunday, having outlasted a 623-strong field after four days of play. He ultimately defeated a tough final table which included Mike Sowers and Andy Spears, before defeating Pete Chen heads up.
“The bracelet weighs so much more,” Korn said, when asked what meant more, the money or the bracelet. “I wasn’t even looking at the pay jumps; I was just focused on the bracelet. For us who play poker, this is the glory. And you don’t get that many chances to play for it.
“The money’s beautiful, but my main thing was the bracelet.”
Final table payouts:
- Andres Korn – $618,285
- Pete Chen – $382,122
- Thomas Boivin – $264,306
- Marton Czuczor – $185,794
- Mike Sowers – $132,767
- Simon Lam – $96,472
- Andy Spears – $71,300
- Mark Zullo – $53,615
- Sergio Cabrera – $41,031
$1,500 No Limit Pauses Heads Up
Another tournament due to finish Sunday was Event #58: $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em. However, it eventually got so late that the tournament was paused with just two players left.
Artur Rudziankov (8.93 million) and Mario Prats (4.29 million) will return Monday to play for the bracelet and a first-place prize worth $395,918. They both survived the ten-hour final table, which saw the likes of Martin Kabrhel and John Esposito go bust.
When they return, the blinds will be 60K/120K, with Rudziankov holding a 2:1 chip lead. If Rudziankov can pull off a win, he’ll become only the second ever bracelet winner from the Czech Republic.
Some big names busted before the final table was set, including Taylor Paur (16th – $15,250) and Roman Korenev(23rd – $12,297).
Final Table Payouts So Far
- – $395,918
- – $244,611
- Timothy Miles – $176,455
- Arman Zolnoorian – $128,645
- Christian Rudolph – $94,799
- Lee Watkinson – $70,618
- John Esposito – $53,184
- Martin Kabrhel – $40,500
- Scott Lychwick – $31,187
Jens Lakemeier Dominates $2,500 Big Bet Mix Finale to Win $112,232
In just 20 hands of final table play, Jens Lakemeiereliminated all four of his final opponents to take down the $2,500 Big Bet Mix. He came in to the finale as chip leader, and despite some early hiccups, he never faltered from the top thereafter.
After Kenneth Fitzgeraldbusted in sixth, five-handed play started slow. However, Lakemeier then went on a tear courtesy of a single Five Card Draw hand. Ashton Griffin opened, Jerry Wong jammed, and Lakemeier called. Griffin called all in too and showed two pair, while Lakemeier needed a queen to make a full house. He hit it, eliminating both in one hand.
In one of the very next hands, Andrew Kelsall fell in third place, leaving Lakemeier heads up with Jason Stockfish. It took just ten hands for Lakemeier to secure the victory.
For his win, Germany’s Lakemeier banked $112,232.
Final Table Payouts
- Jens Lakemeier – $112,232
- Jason Stockfish – $69,359
- Andrew Kelsall – $47,239
- Jerry Wong – $32,804
- Ashton Griffin – $23,235
- Kenneth Fitzgerald – $16,793
Crazy Eights Day 1 flights wrap up
Sunday saw the $888 Crazy Eights event, with a guaranteed $888,888 first place prize, finish up all its Day 1 flights.
It was a busy day indeed. A total of 2,072 sat down for 1C, while 1D attracted a massive 2,878 runners. 168 remained after 1D, with big and notable stacks belonging to Paul Berger(646,000,Alex Papazian (516,000), Danny Wong (385,000),Ian O’Hara(267,000), Shannon Shorr(262,000),Kevin MacPhee(250,000), William Kassouf(200,000), and Cate Hall (131,000).
Meanwhile in 1C, Danny Alvarez bagged the chip lead with 497,000, while Joao Vieira (410,000), Bill Germanis(407,000), Catherine Dever (391,000),JeWook Oh(390,000), and Vanessa Kade (424,000) all made it through.
All in all, this event got 8,120 entrants, which smashed last year’s 6,761 turnout. The full payout structure will be announced tomorrow during Day 2.
$50K Poker Players Championship Kicks Off
Mixed-game fans rejoice! It’s finally here.
Event #62, the 2017 $50,000 Poker Players Championship, got off and running on Sunday with 93 players taking their seats. There were only six players to bust in the whole day, meaning 87 will return for Day 2 tomorrow, with registration still open.
It was a bad day for Dan Cates. The Jungleman five-bet jammed pre-flop for over 200 big blinds with ace-king suited, and was called by Mark Gregorich with pocket aces, which held up. Cates was the first to bust, followed by Iraj Parvizi, David Benyamine, Dan Shak, Ben ‘Sauce123’ Sulsky, and Jared Bleznick.
On the flipside, it was a great day for the 2013 champion in this event, Matthew Ashton. He bagged up the chip lead with 705,500, collecting most of his chips by busting Sulsky.
Aaron Katz (682,700) and Robert Mizrachi (495,500) round off the top three, while Daniel Alaei, James Obst and Johnny Chan all finished with top 10 stacks.
This tournament really is a who’s who, so just about everyone you can think of is still in. It’s going to be another great day of poker tomorrow.
Top 10 chip counts:
- Matthew Ashton – 705,500
- Aaron Katz – 682,700
- Robert Mizrachi – 485,500
- Harry Madoff – 478,600
- Mark Gregorich – 465,200
- Brett Richey – 455,300
- Daniel Alaei – 446,100
- Marco Johnson – 422,900
- James Obst – 417,600
- Johnny Chan – 408,500
