Saturday at the 2021 World Series of Poker had everything – exciting final tables, a massive field in a hold’em event, and some stud and draw action. There were grinders and high rollers; there were people chasing their first bracelets and others trying to join the multiple-bracelet club.
Ultimately, the Limit Hold’em Championship final table kept much of poker’s attention with so many storylines of its own. Two WSOP regulars looking to win their first piece of that WSOP gold – after many years of working for it – met with one determined to win his fourth and several working for their first. And in the middle of it all was a famous statistician and founder of Five ThirtyEight, bringing some mainstream spotlight to the corner of the world that is the World Series of Poker.
Let’s see how it played out.
Event 15: $1,500 NLHE 6-Handed
The final day of this short-handed Hold’em tournament started with two tables of four, but it was the final table of six that eventually saw Bradley Jansen enter heads-up play as the underdog against Jeremy Malod. But Jansen fought for an hour to get ahead and stay there. Ultimately, the Wisconsin lawyer prevailed. He told PokerNews:
“It feels great. I’ve gone through this moment in my head many times before, and when it actually gets here, it’s unreal. … I’m going home tomorrow, and I can’t wait. I’m coming back out in a couple of days, but I can’t wait to go home to celebrate with my wife Katherine and my kid. My wife is my rock when it comes to poker. We have a seven-month-old daughter at home that I can’t wait to get home and see. … (Katherine) tells me to go out and do my thing. Someone believing in me means all the difference in the world. I think that’s why I’ve had so much success the last couple of years. Her faith in me keeps me grounded, and I couldn’t be more blessed.”
As mentioned, this final table was the one to watch. The day started with some early bustouts and John Racener losing his initial lead. He busted early, followed by the very well-respected Jason Somerville. Terrence Chan, who many regard as one of the very best Limit Hold’em players in the world, departed in fourth place.
Nate Silver, founder of Five ThirtyEight and nationally recognized statistician and election predictor, was no stranger to poker prior to this tournament. He was a poker pro at one time, during the poker boom, and he has continued to play as work allowed. Silver was excited to make this final table, and getting to heads-up play put the gold bracelet into clear view. But he had to beat three-time bracelet winner John Monnette. They did battle for almost three hours.
The valiant effort from both players found Monnette in the winner’s circle, taking home his fourth bracelet. He told PokerGO News what it meant to him:
“This is awesome. I had a couple of really bad years at the Series where I just did nothing, so to finally get back and do something is great. … (Sharing the moment with wife Diana was) the most special. Her and my kids, man. I’ve got two now. … My daughter’s a little over two, and my son is almost eight months. … Yeah, the moment with Diana … I couldn’t do it without her. She’s there for me in so many ways I can’t even describe right now.”
The 2019 Millionaire Maker brought in 8,809 entries. This year’s appears to have had 5,326, though the number is not official yet. That’s a 40% decrease. However, the winner of this event will still receive $1M as promised. WSOP officials just announced the final numbers as I posted this, so these are final.
Event 17: Day 1B of 5
$1,500 buy-in
NLHE Millionaire Maker (1RE/flight)
Total entries:
5,326
(Day 1A = 2,564 / Day 1B = 2,762)
Registration still open?
no
Total prize pool:
$6,990,060
Players paid:
799
Minimum payout:
$2,400
Winner payout:
$1,000,000
Chip leader:
Stephen Song
Players remaining:
1,174
(Day 1A = 567 / Day 1B = 607)
Day 1B start:
10am Sunday
Event 18: $2,500 Mixed Triple Draw Lowball
Mixed game players with a penchant for the rarer games came together for this event. In fact, it attracted nearly 300 entries. Day 2 started with 104 but played into the money and ended with a dozen competitors still eyeing the win.
Numerous players have been in this position before, Joao Vieira and Gary Benson each holding one bracelet, with short-stacked Mike Gorodinsky boasting of two and Brian Yoon of three. All want this one, though, and will play for it today.
Event 18: Day 2 of 3
$2,500 buy-in
Mixed Triple Draw Lowball (1RE)
Total entries:
253
Registration still open?
no
Total prize pool:
$562,925
Players paid:
38
Minimum payout:
$4,097
Winner payout:
$134,390
Chip leader:
Jason Daly
Players remaining:
12
Restart:
2pm Sunday
Event 19: $10K Seven-Card Stud Championship
A small but skilled group of stud poker aficionados gathered to play for a championship title. The first day of action brought in only 46 entries, though registration remains open until the start of play on Sunday. The previous corresponding event had only 88 entries, so this one has room to catch up. The star-studded group of 18 players surviving Day 1 will return today.
Event 19: Day 1 of 3
$10K buy-in
Seven-Card Stud Championship
Total entries:
46
Registration still open?
yes
Total prize pool:
TBD
Players paid:
TBD
Minimum payout:
TBD
Winner payout:
TBD
Chip leader:
Jose Paz
Players remaining:
18
Restart:
2pm Sunday
Highlight of the Day
Two-time WSOP champion Brandon Shack-Harris is a well-liked and respected poker player and entrepreneur. He enjoys bringing unique experiences to poker, making the game more fun. He has done that thus far at the 2021 WSOP. From a matching umbrella and face mask to tiny hands as card protectors.
Wait, tiny hands?! They’re funny all by themselves, but Shack-Harris has been using them to indicate poker moves and now handing them out as card protectors. Keep your eyes on him, as there is little doubt the fun will continue.
https://twitter.com/Oscillator_WSOP/status/1199258016874295301?s=20
https://twitter.com/Oscillator_WSOP/status/1446644989778280454?s=20
https://twitter.com/Oscillator_WSOP/status/1445866990933995526?s=20
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