Phil Galfond is playing more tournaments and it paid off with a second bracelet last night
1. OMG! Phil Galfond gets his second
Phil Galfond – one of the best all-round poker players in the world – got married a month ago and it looks like his new-found status is doing wonders for his game. Galfond – who’s never been the most prolific tournament player – is playing a lot of events at this World Series and almost won in the $10k 2-7 Triple Draw, where he finished fourth.
It looks like he prefers a single draw, as he won the $10k 2-7 Draw Lowball No-Limit Championship last night. He earned every cent of the $224,383 prize money as he overcame a tough final table that included Nick Schulman (2nd), Dan Smith (3rd), Erik Seidel (4th) and Eli Elezra (6th).
Galfond said afterwards: ‘It means a lot — especially in a field this tough and at a table this tough. I have a ton of respect for all my opponents… It’s been seven years since I won [a bracelet]. I’m very happy.’
He hopped straight from his win into the $5k 6-Max, where he proved his sense of humour is still fully functioning by tweeting the following:
‘Wow. Hopped in the 5k 6-max. Got Q-Q in vs. A-Ko and lost. Ridiculous how unlucky I am.’
2. It’s all over baby… but not for Hoyt Corkins
Yes, the Monster Stack event is still going on! After 31 full levels it still hasn’t reached the final table, but for Scotty Nguyen it’s all over after a heroic run that finished in 101st position.
One name you might recognize is that of chip leader Hoyt Corkins. Corkins has two WSOP bracelets and almost $6m in career winnings but hasn’t had a six-figure cash since he came fourth in the WSOP Seniors event in 2012. Could he stay on top and claim a seven-figure one here? Kevin Kung is second, with the UK’s Jonathan McCann in third. Action restarts at 11am and the plan is to get the thing finished later today.
3. Event #30: $1k No-Limit Hold’em
Chris Moorman, the world’s best online tournament player, is busy proving that poker’s a skill game live as well. He’s currently third in the $1k cavalry charge that attracted 2,150 runners and is now down to the final 21. Moorman must now be considered one of the best players not to have won a bracelet but as a NLHE expert it’s much harder to come through the big fields. He’s already had two seconds and a third – this represents another great shot at the gold.
Play resumes at 1pm and the plan is to play down to a winner. If they play 10 full levels though, another day will be added.
4. First of the big 6-maxes
If you’re a recreational player looking for your first WSOP experience, we’d have suggested avoiding the two big 6-Max events this week. The pros love them and the $10k that starts on Wednesday is thought of as one of the toughest events – if not the toughest – at the WSOP. The $5k is a bit of a warm-up. 550 players entered and just 190 remain after the first day. The UK’s Simon Deadman is currently top of the pile, with 2015 bracelet winner Tuan Le in third, Jennifer Tilly in fifth and Sorel Mizzi in 16th.
Also still in and hoping to make a deep run are JC Tran (31st), Jason Somerville (50th), John Gale (56th) and Phil Hellmuth (95th). Play resumes at 1pm with the money bubble set to burst at 60 players.
5. Event #33: $1,500 Limit 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball
Greg Raymer is leading Event #33 after the first day, when 388 players were reduced to just 121. Brian Hastings (7th), Vanessa Selbst (19th), Phil Galfond (64th) and Stephen Chidwick (104th) are all looking to catch the Fossilman when action resumes at 2pm.
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