The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is in full swing and has seen several big winners in past few days. Team India has already got its first bracelet with Nipun Java and Aditya Sushant winning the $1,000 Tag Team Event. Team PokerStars pro-Aditya Agarwal made his first-ever WSOP final table in Event 12 but unfortunately, he went out at ninth place for $30,774. Meanwhile, there are latest winners from the WSOP 2017. In Event 17: $10,000 Dealer’s Choice 6-Handed Championship, it was John Racener who managed to win his first-ever bracelet. In event 18: $565 Pot-Limit Omaha, it was Tyler Smith from U.S who emerged the winner. The star player Daniel Negreanu is shining again 8-Game Event.
Event 17: $10,000 Dealer’s Choice 6-Handed Championship
The Dealer’s Choice 6-Handed Championship drew 102 runners including some of the biggest names in the poker world. Finally, it was John Racener who managed to defeat the field and claim his first-ever bracelet. Racener really dominated the game and after Mike Matusow’s elimination in 5th place, Racener was almost taking down each pot. It was he who eliminated the last three players in quick succession to win the title and the coveted bracelet along with the top prize of $273,962.
Final Table Payouts (USD)
- John Racener – $273,962
- Viacheslav Zhukov – $169,323
- Chris Klodnicki – $117,786
- Dennis Eichhorn – $83,263
- Mike Matusow – $59,827
- Schuyler Thornton – $43,707
- Eric Crain – $32,474
Event #18: $565 Pot-Limit Omaha
In event 18 of the World Series of Poker (WSOP), it was Tyler Smith who emerged victorious for $244,344 and his first gold bracelet. This event drew a record-breaking 3,186 entries, making it the largest live PLO event ever held, a huge increase from last year’s previous record by 707 entries.
“It feels amazing,” said Smith. “You know, when you enter these things and there are so many people, it’s a minefield, but they seem unwinnable to an extent. So, kind of every level that you go and you make it a little bit further. It’s like a surreal experience.”
The win was the biggest cash of Smith’s career and put his lifetime earnings beyond $1,000,000. While Smith held chip lead for much of the final day, he still had to fight with tough players at the final table, including WSOP Asia-Pacific Main Event winner Scott Davies. In heads-up play, he defeated Jason Stockfish who moved all-in the middle preflop with a suited ace and connecting sidecards. Unfortunately, he got no help from the board and Smith won with ace-queen high and a pair of jacks.
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
| 1 | Tyler Smith | United States | $244,344 |
| 2 | Jason Stockfish | United States | $138,655 |
| 3 | Igor Sharaskin | Russia | $102,045 |
| 4 | Scott Davies | Canada | $75,699 |
| 5 | Marek Ohnisko | Czech Republic | $56,607 |
| 6 | Jessie Bryant | United States | $42,673 |
| 7 | John Dallaire | United States | $32,432 |
| 8 | Ryan Wince | United States | $24,852 |
| 9 | Yves Kupfermunz | Belgium | $19,201 |
Event #19: THE GIANT – $365 No-Limit Hold’em
Day 1A of the inaugural Event #19: THE GIANT lived up to its name and attracted a total of 1,629 entries, taking prize pool to $488,700 for just a $365 buy-in with a minimum payout of $557. The event saw lots of familiar faces, including some who will be returning for Day 2 and some who will have to return to play another Day 1. Barry Greenstein (90,000), Dylan Wilkerson (258,000), William Vo (359,000), Asher Coniff (152,000), Jesse Yaginuma (163,000), and Bernard Lee (359,000) are some of the players advancing to Day 2. Natasha Barbour, David Baker, Dennis Phillips, Scott Montgomery, and Jeff Gross were all eliminated but they still have four more starting days to take a shot at.
The Day 1A of the event 19 has concluded and it is Jeff Brin who leads the first flight field with 718,000 chips. He is then followed by Timothy Miles with 707,500. Other notable players still in the field include: Barry Greenstein (90,000), Dylan Wilkerson (258,000), William Vo (359,000), Asher Conniff (152,000), Jesse Yaginuma (163,000), and Bernard Lee (359,000).
Event #20B: $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em MILLIONAIRE MAKER
The first flight of this event got underway on Saturday and this year it attracted 3,438 entries, a nice increase of 350 last year. The day ended with 535 returning for Day 2. Leading the pack is Boris Kolev with 290,700 chips. He is followed by Barry Hutter on 2nd place with 259,900 in chips. Other big stacks include Scott Skirba (207,500), Michael Falson (191,700), Darwin Giles (185,000), Kevin Saul (146,200), and Jonas Wexler (150,000). Some notables still remaining include: 2009 Main Event winner Joe Cada (66,700), and Bertrand Grospellier (60,200), runner-up in the $111,000 High Roller for One Drop.
The second starting flight in this event got underway on Sunday and plenty turned out for some cool cash. The 5-day event featured one flight on Saturday and one on Sunday with many notables returning on Monday to begin Day 2. Keep following Online Poker News for the latest updates.
Event #21: $1,500 8-Game Mix 6-Handed
The mixed-game fun got underway on Sunday and drew a total of 472 entries for a first-place prize of $145,577. Leading the field was Christopher Vitch with 98,700 chips. Sitting on 2nd and 3rd spots were Alex Luneau (72,400) and Daniel Negreanu (57,300). Negreanu’s hopes are high for a bracelet after finishing second and third already this summer. Other big stacks include the five-time bracelet winner Jason Mercier (11,700) and wife Natasha Mercier (11,900), three-time bracelet winners Barry Greenstein (3,800) and Eli Elezra (22,400), and the former November Niner Josh Beckley (33,000).
The Day 2 action picked back on Sunday at 2 p.m. Keep following Online Poker News for updates!