2011 World Series of Poker

Event #22: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha
Day: 3
Event Info

2011 World Series of Poker

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
q987
Prize
$292,825
Event Info
Buy-in
$1,500
Prize Pool
$1,445,850
Entries
1,071
Level Info
Level
27
Blinds
30,000 / 60,000
Ante
0

The WSOP by the Numbers

Level 25 : 20,000/40,000, 0 ante

There are all kinds of fun and interesting stats surrounding the World Series of Poker, so we thought we'd share some that were provided by the Official WSOP Media guide. Keep in mind these numbers do not take into account the 2011 WSOP:

The WSOP by the Numbers

  • $1,228,375,121—total prize money awarded
  • $8,944,310—Amount Jonathan Duhamel won for winning the 2010 Main Event
  • 525,000- # of individual poker chips deployed to run the WSOP each year
  • 420,834- # of entrants that have competed in the WSOP
  • 50,792- # of total entrants to compete in the WSOP Main Event
  • $50,000—Highest buy-in for a WSOP bracelet event in 2011
  • 41,417- # of entrants that have cashed
  • 7,318- # of people Jonathan Duhamel beat in 2010 to become champion.
  • 1970—Year that the first WSOP was held at Binion’s Horseshoe in Las Vegas
  • 893- # of WSOP Gold Bracelet winners [WSOP classifies all past winners as Bracelet winners]
  • 888- # of Official WSOP events [5 Mixed Double events had 2 winners, but were 1 event]
  • 858- # of gold bracelets awarded [In 1974, the Main Event winner received a bracelet. 1975 became the first year all event winners received a gold bracelet. In 1982, gold watches were awarded to the 15 winners instead].
  • $500—Smallest buy-in for a WSOP bracelet event in 2011 [Employee’s Event]
  • 193- # of millionaires created by the WSOP.
  • 117- # of nations represented at the 2010 WSOP [82 nations competed in Winter Olympics]
  • 97- Age of Jack Ury in 2010, the oldest player ever to compete in a WSOP event.
  • 40- # of cameras ESPN uses to cover WSOP [FOX used 32 to cover Super Bowl XLIV]
  • 21 years, 11 months, 22 days—Age of Joe Cada [Youngest Main Event Champion in history]
  • 11- # of people Moss beat in 1970 to become champion [by vote of his peers]
  • $0—Amount Johnny Moss won for winning 1970 Main Event [won a silver cup]
  • 1- # of countries represented at the 1970 WSOP

Heads-Up Photos

Rafe Kibrit and Elie Payan are now heads up for the World Series of Poker gold bracelet. Check out some of the images from the start of the match.

Heads Up: Rafe Kibrit & Elie PayanHeads Up: Rafe Kibrit & Elie PayanHeads Up: Rafe Kibrit & Elie PayanHeads Up: Rafe Kibrit & Elie PayanHeads Up: Rafe Kibrit & Elie Payan

A Look at the Current WSOP Player-of-the-Year Leaderboard

Level 25 : 20,000/40,000, 0 ante

Current 2011 WSOP Player-of-the-Year Leaderboard

PlayerPointsCashesBraceletsWinnings
Amir Lehavot330.7521$578,454
Viacheslav Zhukov31511$465,216
Jake Cody30011$851,192
Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier299.2531$364,565
Jason Sommerville291.5021$525,274
Sean Getzwiller28011$611,185
Eddie Blumenthal279.8020$589,784
Allen Bari279.5011$877,262
Richard Ashby273.6020$305,212
John Juanda27011$367,170

*Standings through Event #21

Arena Rockin' and Rollin' After Rafe Doubles-Up

Level 25 : 20,000/40,000, 0 ante

After Elie Payan had seemingly taken control of the match with his aggressive play, Rafe Kibrit made his stand and raised to 80,000 from the button. Payan made the call and the flop fell {A-Spades}{8-Spades}{3-Clubs}.

Payan checked and Kibrit continued with a bet of 135,000, which the Frenchman called. The turn card came {6-Clubs} and Payan knocked the table once more, prompting Kibrit to bet the pot of 435,000. Payan made the call and this bet put most of Kibrit's stack into the middle. The American-heavy rail began to stand in anticipation, as they knew it was do or die time for their man.

River: {10-Diamonds}

Payan checked for a third time and Kibrit pushed his remaining chips into the pot. Payan appeared discouraged but with the pot odds he was being laid he had to make the call.

Kibrit tabled the {A-Hearts}{8-Clubs}{2-Diamonds}{9-Spades} for two pair on the flop and Payan instantly mucked, eliciting a roar of approval from Kibrit's friends and fans. Kibrit doubled up to approximately 1,600,000 with the win and the final table arena is now rocking with shouts of "Ship It!" and "Let's go Rafe!"

Tags: Elie PayanRafe Kibrit

We Have a New Leader

Rafe Kibrit pumps his fist as he takes the chip lead
Rafe Kibrit pumps his fist as he takes the chip lead

Rafe Kibrit fired 180,000 on the {A-Diamonds}{Q-Spades}{2-Diamonds} flop and Elie Payan made the call to see the turn, which was the {5-Spades}. Kibrit stayed on the gas and fired 400,000 this time, one of the largest bets this tournament has seen. Payan again made the call and wasn't about to back down.

The {K-Spades} completed the board on the river and Kibrit checked. Payan fired the pot and had Kibrit's 1.11 million covered. Kibrit tanked for a minute or two and then finally announced a call.

When Kibrit called, Payan nodded as if to say, "Nice call, you're good." Kibrit then showed the {J-Spades}{10-Hearts}{9-Diamonds}{8-Hearts} for a Broadway straight. His cheering section erupted as Payan's hand spun into the muck.

Player Chips Progress
Rafe Kibrit
Rafe Kibrit
3,640,000
2,820,000
2,820,000
Elie Payan fr
Elie Payan
1,180,000
-2,820,000
-2,820,000
WSOP 1X Winner

Tags: Elie PayanRafe Kibrit

Kibrit Catching Cards, Momentum Officially Turned

Level 25 : 20,000/40,000, 0 ante

Riding that incredible rush which all poker players have known at some point in their lives, Rafe Kibrit raised to 80,000 from the button and Elie Payan came along for the ride.

Flop: {2-Diamonds}{A-Hearts}{8-Spades}

Both players checked the flop and the {8-Diamonds} fell on the turn. Payan checked it once more, his aggression a thing of the past at this point, and Kibrit fired 120,000 into the middle. Payan decided to peel off one more card and made the call.

River: {Q-Spades}

Kibrit slid eight green chips forward for a bet of 200,000 and Payan agonized briefly before deciding to look his red-hot opponent up. Kibrit calmly turned over his {J-Diamonds}{J-Hearts}{8-Clubs}{7-Hearts} for trip eights on the turn and Payan had paid him off once again.

Kibrit now holds all of the green 25,000 denomination chips on the table in a stunning reversal of fortune. In an entertaining coincidence, at least for Kibrit, his rush began immediately after a fan wearing all green entered the audience area to cheer him on. This fan tells us his nickname is "The Royal Sweat" and he seems to have the uncanny ability of rooting for eventual bracelet winners. Rafe Kibrit will certainly be thankful to "The Royal Sweat" for arriving just in the nick of time if he goes on to complete the comeback and capture the gold bracelet here tonight.

Tags: Elie PayanRafe Kibrit

Quick Break

Level 25 : 20,000/40,000, 0 ante

The players have stood to stretch and, perhaps in Elie Payan's case, shake off this recent run of bad luck as we are now on a quick ten-minute break.

Tags: Elie Payan

Level: 26

Blinds: 25,000/50,000

Ante: 0

Kibrit Can't Be Beat

Level 26 : 25,000/50,000, 0 ante

Rafe Kibrit limped in on his button and Elie Payan checked, bringing a flop of {10-Clubs}{5-Clubs}{2-Clubs} to the felt. Both players knocked the table and the turn came {K-Diamonds}.

Payan fired a bet of 100,000 and after Kibrit called, the dealer turned over the {K-Hearts} on the river.

Payan slowed down and checked it to Kibrit, who seized the moment of weakness by betting 150,000. This forced a fold by Payan and Kibrit is pulling away after having been on life support just an hour ago.

Tags: Elie PayanRafe Kibrit