Claiming the title in Event #31: $1,500 Seven Card Stud at the 2018 World Series of Poker (WSOP) was the musician and producer Steven Albini, who emerged victorious defeating a 310- entry field and a tough final table to win his career-first WSOP bracelet along with $105,629 in prize money.
The 55-year-old Albini beat a stacked final table that included the likes of two-time bracelet winner Frankie O’Dell and six-time bracelet winners in Chris Ferguson and Jeffrey Lisandro.
Post his victory, Albini said, “I owe him an awful lot for my development as a player. I owe a lot of it to my peer group… all the people that I play with all the time in Chicago, they’re all friendly people who are open with their knowledge. I also owe an enormous debt of gratitude to my wife, Heather. There was a lot of complicated stuff going on at home and she was gracious enough to say it would be okay if I came out here for this. I really appreciate her indulging me in my… hobby.”
Final Day Story
Albini came into the final day fifth in chips with 9 players remaining. The first player to leave on the final day was Stephen Rivers in ninth place ($6,451). Following him was Esther Rossi in eighth place ($8,355. Both players were eliminated by Ferguson to take the lead at the final table.
Later, Katherine Fleck knocked out Michael Moore in seventh place ($11,095). Albini kept himself going well by busting Paul Sexton in sixth place ($15,096). A few hands later, Ferguson further extended his chip lead when he eliminated Frankie O’Dell in fifth place ($21,035).
The turning point for Albini was when he won a massive pot against Ferguson. Albini made queens full against a nut flush for Ferguson to win a pot large enough to take the lead. After a short while, Ferguson became the short stack at the table, and was knocked out in fourth place ($29,999). Later, Lisandro busted Katherine Fleck in third place to enter heads-up against Albini.
The heads-up did not last long and very soon the final hand came where Lisandro was down to just four antes and he ended up getting his chips in on third street. The boards ran as follows:
Lisandro: (6h-2h)Qc Jc 4d 10s(9c)
Albini: (10c 9s)Ah 4c 2d10d(Jd)
Albini made a pair of ten to win the pot and the coveted title. Lisandro earned $65,282 for his runner-up finish in this event.
Final Table Results (USD):
- Steven Albini – $105,629
- Jeff Lisandro – $65,282
- Katherine Fleck – $43,765
- Chris Ferguson – $29,999
- Frankie O ‘Dell – $21,035
- Paul Sexton – $15,096
- Michael Moore – $11,095
- Esther Rossi – $8,355