Andrea Ricci topped a 912-entry strong field in the 2021 World Series of Poker (WSOP) International Circuit Main Event at King’s Resort, Rozvadov, to claim his first WSOP gold ring and a career-best €236,489 (~$291,882). The Italian defeated fellow countryman Simone Lombardo (runner-up for €146,004) in the heads-up battle. Vincent De Neve (3rd place for €104,359) rounded out the podium finishers. This massive win took Ricci’s live tournament earnings to a whopping $699,527.
The €1,700 buy-in Main Event attracted a massive 912-entry field to crush its €1 million guarantee. The top 95 places were paid out from the €1,342,920 prize pool with a min-cash worth €3,656.
Ciprian Paunescu exited on the money bubble in 96th place, leaving all the remaining players in the money. Mihai Stinca bubbled the final table in tenth place for €15,965. The final table began with Andrea Ricci holding the chip lead. He extended his chip advantage further after eliminating Sam Karli (9th place) whose 10-9 failed to beat 2-2 of Ricci who hit a full house to take down the pot.
Ricci continued to fire and eliminated “Mr. Bond” in 7th place. Following “Mr. Bond” was the short-stacked Uri Gilboa who fell in 6th place. Mourad Tounnouti went out in 5th place. His pocket sixes lost to K-7 on the runout of 10c 3c 2c 7s Ks. Aliaksandr Shylko was the next to fall and exited in 4th place. Vicent De Neve went out in the 3rd place after K-5 lost to A-K held by Simone Lombardo.
Simone Lombardo (23,800,000) began the heads-up with a chip lead over Andrea Ricci (21,000,000). The heads-up turned into a lengthy battle that finally ened with Ricci winning it. The final hand of the heads-up finale saw Ricci getting it in with Jc 6c and Lombardo called with Qc 10d. The board Qd Jd 9d 6h Js gave Lombardo a straight but Ricci rivered a full house to win the pot as well as the title.
Final Table Payouts (EURO)
- Andrea Ricci – €236,489
- Simone Lombardo – €146,004
- Vincent De Neve – €104,359
- Aliaksandr Shylko – €79,943
- Mourad Tounnouti – €63,334
- Uri Gilboa – €49,329
- “Mr. Bond” – €35,943
- Ahmad Achegsei – €24,565
- Sami Karli – €19,459