The 2021 World Series of Poker Circuit Bicycle Casino $1,700 buy-in no-limit hold ’em Main Event ended with France’s Yoann Gimenez taking it down. The French player outlasted 525 entrants to it for $156,160 and his first WSOPC gold ring as the champion. This was the biggest live tournament score of Gimenez’s career topping the $26,880 he banked as the third-place finisher in a $1,700 buy-in event at the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood’s Rock’N’Roll Poker Open in late November.
- Total Entries: 525
- Prizepool: $795,375
- Places Paid: 79 Players
“It’s been amazing. I’ve been playing poker for a while now. I have a background like cash game players. I’ve been playing MTT (multi-table tournament) a few times, but I’ve been working a lot. For sure I’ve been very lucky, but I also played very well,” Gimenez told WSOP reporters after the win.
“I would like to say thanks to all my crew; My crew here, my crew in France, my girlfriend, parents, and also my crew in Thailand, like all my friends around poker. MTT games are very hard. When you have a victory, you have to enjoy yourself… Now it’s time to enjoy with my friends,” he added.
Gimenez entered the final day sixth in chips with 10 players remaining. He flopped a set of nines to bust David O’Day in 10th for $11,695 to move into the official FT. Derrick Yamada (9th for $14,545) and Thorben Vellrath (8th for $18,330) were the next to fall. Gimenez then picked up pocket aces to score another elimination. Start-of-day chip leader Darrell Lane was at risk with K-J facing the A-A Gimenez. The aces remained best on the board, and Lane was eliminated in 7th place for $23,415.
Two-time WSOPC ring winner Alan Myerson was the next to fall. He got all-in with Q-J that lost to Jared Smith’s K-Q. Despite winning that hand, Jared Smith was the next player to fall and he was busted by the eventual champion Gimenez whose next victim became John Smith (4th for $52,735).
Gimenez completed a hattrick by busting Hennock Fessehaie in 3rd place for $70,905. Finally, it came down to the heads-up between Gimenez and Sun Tongguang. The former held a massive chip lead and did not let his opponent take control. Finally, it all ended with Gimenez taking it down.
Eventually, Tongguang limped with 10s 5d and Gimenez checked with Kd 5c. The flop opened Ac Kc 7d and Gimenez checked-called a 400k bet. The turn brought the Jd and Gimenez checked again. Tongguang moved all-in with his gutshot straight draw. Gimenez made the call, and the Ad on the river secured him the pot and the title. Tongguang earned $96,535 as the runner-up finisher.
Final Table Payouts (USD)
- Yoann Gimenez – $156,160
- Sun Tongguang – $96,535
- Hennock Fessehaie – $70,905
- John Smith – $52,735
- Jared Smith – $39,720
- Alan Myerson – $30,300
- Darrell Lane – $23,415
- Thorben Vellrath – $18,330
- Derrick Yamada – $14,545