The World Series of Poker tournament is a vast and varied event that attracts players from around the world, both those at the very top of the sport and the local, amateur players who have a passion and interest in being among peers and superiors. With that in mind, it’s no surprise that there are a few extra games floating around the main tables that allow the players to kick back and simply enjoy the thrill of the game.
So, what was so thrilling about it? We are taking a look back over the best hands of the game and seeing what really made our pulse quicken. Read on for all the details.
Event #8: $600 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack
The eighth event of the WSOP was a quick one, lasting only over an hour. It was fast-paced, and action-packed, making winner Zhi Wu stay on his toes as he played for his first WSOP Gold Bracelet.
Las Vegas resident, Ari Mezrich, was Wu’s final competition as the game quickly tossed players aside. The final boss fight came when, after some raising and checking, Mezrcih revealed a 10-7 of clubs and Wu showed his two black aces. The river was a jack of hearts and Mezrich was busted.
Not only did Wu win his first WSOP Gold Bracelet, but the Bostonian went home with $281,604 for his effort. Not bad for his first cash at WSOP!
All the action was followed on GGPoker who streamed the entire WSOP event, and you could practically hear the gasps coming from the audiences at home.
Event #5: $315 Bounty Deepstack
The WSOP tournament kicked off in great fashion with a spectacular win. Only five events in, the bar was well and truly set with Kacper Pyzara’s win at the $315 Bounty Deepstack.
Beating out 44 other players, the Polish poker player, Pyzara played his way to a whopping $79K! With players from all around the world contributing to a progressive bounty pool with $75 each. The catch was that as each player flunked out, the winning player would claim half of the opponent’s bounty and the other half would go to the table.
One by one they all fell down until it was just Pyzara and Kochubey standing. The Russian player came to the table as chip leader, and took the lead with a pair of eights, and yet, Pyzara didn’t let up on the pressure. This Goliath wasn’t going down easy, but, after Pyzara crossed the 100 million mark with a two pair on queen-ten against Kochubey’s jack-eight, the Russian doubled once more, making for a back and forth that had everyone on their toes.
Finally, Pyzara’s pocket sixes won over Kochubey’s ace-queen and Pyzara was able to say that he’d won his first WSOP bracelet.
Event #59: $600 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack Championship
And then there is the story of how one man made it into the WSOP Main Event table. The 22-year-old recent college graduate, Cole Ferraro became one of only three players this year to have a first and second place in bracelet events, putting him amongst names like Phil Hellmuth and Ryan Leng.
But the real story is how he won it. There was a lot of ups and downs in the chip changes, including big blinds and chip leads. The initial 3,923 players where whittled down until it was just Ferraro and Rustom.
Rustom went all-in only to be met with Ferraro’s pocket tens against his pocket fours.
Then he’s got to be happy with the $252,419 he went home with his first-ever cash win!