2011 World Series of Poker

Event #3: $1,500 Omaha Hi-Low Split 8 or Better
Day: 3
Event Info

2011 World Series of Poker

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
qq33
Prize
$262,283
Event Info
Buy-in
$1,500
Prize Pool
$1,248,750
Entries
925
Level Info
Level
28
Blinds
25,000 / 50,000
Ante
0

Event #3: $1,500 Omaha Hi-Low Split 8 or Better

Day 3 Completed

Francesco Barbaro Wins Event #3! Omaha Hi-Low Split 8 or Better ($262,283)

Level 28 : 25,000/50,000, 0 ante
Francesco Barbaro - Champion!
Francesco Barbaro - Champion!

The biggest field in Limit Omaha Hi-Low history finished early this morning with victory for the overnight chip leader Francesco Barbaro, defeating a field of 925 players to claim his first ever WSOP bracelet.

Barbaro began today as the chip leader just ahead of Matthew Waxman and although he was to relinquish the chip lead to Waxman as they reached the final table, Barbero regained the momentum at a crucial point with around five left and completely dominated once we got four handed.

The day began extremely quickly as we lost 11 players inside the first hour including Team PokerStars Pro Lex Veldhuis and double Omaha bracelet winner Scott Clements. Jimmy Fricke was another casualty, suffering a very swingy day while Day 1 chip leader Guillaume Rivet just failed to make the final table. As the event reached the final table, it was Barbaro, Waxman and Kostas Kalathakis who emerged as the three big stacks while the other players' chips began to dwindle and indeed they were the last three left standing.

After winning these two crucial hands, it always looked likely that Barbero would be the first person to take down a non Hold'em event. Those hands put him over the 3 million mark and knocked Kostas Kalathakis and Waxman down to about 500,000 each and from then on it seemed academic that Barbaro would claim the bracelet.

With Waxman finished off when Barbaro flopped a straight, it was left to Kalathakis to try and stop the bulldozer-like momentum of the chip leader. Although the short stack doubled up, it wasn't too last long and after only five minutes of heads up play, it was all over and bracelet was Barbaro's.

Congratualtions to him and all the winners in this event. Remember to rejoin us tomorrow for a whole new set of events as well as more Day 2's and final tables as the WSOP continues!

Tags: Francesco Barbaro

Kostas Kalathakis Eliminated in 2nd Place ($161,675)

Level 28 : 25,000/50,000, 0 ante
Kostas Kalathakis
Kostas Kalathakis

Francesco Barbaro entered heads up play with a commanding 4,100,000 to 150,000 lead over Kostas Kalathakis. In the second hand, Kalathakis raised and Barbaro reraised him all in. Kalathakis called and showed {A-Clubs}{Q-Diamonds}{10-Spades}{6-Diamonds}. Barbaro held {9-Clubs}{5-Diamonds}{5-Hearts}{4-Diamonds} and would have a chance to finish Kalathakis off. However the board ran out {7-Clubs}{6-Spades}{4-Spades}{7-Spades}{Q-Clubs} to give Kalathakis two pair and the much needed double up.

Shortly after Kalathakis was all in preflop and at risk again. He held {J-Hearts}{9-Diamonds}{8-Spades}{7-Hearts} while Barbaro had {Q-Hearts}{Q-Diamonds}{3-Spades}{3-Clubs}. The board rolled out {9-Clubs}{10-Spades}{K-Spades}{5-Clubs}{K-Clubs} which gave Barbaro the better two pair and the win.

Tags: Francesco BarbaroKostas Kalathakis

Matthew Waxman Eliminated in 3rd Place ($104,770)

Level 28 : 25,000/50,000, 0 ante
Matthew Waxman
Matthew Waxman

Francesco Barbaro opened to 100,000 on the button and Matt Waxman made it 150,000 in the big blind. Call.

The flop came down {8-Hearts}{9-Diamonds}{10-Spades} and Waxman bet 50,000 before Barbaro raised, Waxman made the call. The {Q-Spades} turn saw Waxman check-call a bet of 100,000 to see the {K-Clubs} river.

Waxman checked once more and Barbaro put out 100,000 to cover Waxman's remaining chips.

"One in a bazillion?" sighed Waxman. Finally he called only for Barbaro to turn over {A-Spades}{J-Diamonds}{10-Clubs}{7-Clubs} for the nut straight. Waxman's hand of {A-Clubs}{K-Spades}{2-Spades}{10-Hearts} went into the muck and Barbaro goes into heads up with a huge chip lead.

Tags: Matthew WaxmanFrancesco Barbaro

Barbaro The Lead Horse

Francesco Barbaro raised on the button and Kostas Kalathakis called from the small blind. On the {A-Diamonds}{5-Hearts}{3-Clubs} flop, Kalathakis checked and Barbaro bet. Kalathakis came back with a raise which was just called by Barbaro. Kalathakis led the {5-Clubs} turn and Barbaro called again. Both players checked the {6-Spades} on the river and showed their cards. Kalathakis produced {A-Clubs}{8-Clubs}{4-Diamonds}{X-} while Barbaro showed {A-Hearts}{J-Spades}{8-Spades}{4-Spades} which was good for three quarters of the pot.

Shortly after, Barbaro raised on the button and Matthew Waxman called from the big. Waxman led out on the {Q-Hearts}{9-Hearts}{8-Clubs} flop and Barbaro answered with a raise. Waxman just called and led out again when the {6-Clubs} hit the turn. Barbaro reraised him and Waxman just called as they saw the {K-Diamonds} on the river. Waxman check called Barbaro’s bet and Barbaro revealed {A-Clubs}{Q-Diamonds}{J-Clubs}{10-Spades} for the nut straight to scoop the pot.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Francesco Barbaro us
Francesco Barbaro
3,100,000
1,150,000
1,150,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Profile photo of Matthew Waxman us
Matthew Waxman
600,000
-700,000
-700,000
Profile photo of Kostas Kalathakis
Kostas Kalathakis
550,000
-450,000
-450,000

Tags: Francesco BarbaroKostasKalathakisMatthew Waxman

One For Kalathakis, One For Barbaro

Level 28 : 25,000/50,000, 0 ante

Kostas Kalathakis raised preflop with Francesco Barbaro calling in the big blind to see a {9-Clubs}{8-Hearts}{6-Spades} flop. Barbaro called a 50,000 chip bet on the flop, but folded to a 100,000 bet on the {2-Hearts} turn.

Next round saw Kalathakis raise again and Barbaro again defended to see an {A-Hearts}{3-Hearts}{10-Clubs} flop where Barbaro check-called a 50,000 bet. This time both players checked the {4-Diamonds} turn and Barbaro bet 100,000 on the river with Kalathakis quickly folding.

The stacks are fairly deep here.

Tags: Kostas KalathakisFrancesco Barbaro

Let 'Em Play

Level 28 : 25,000/50,000, 0 ante

Although there is a rule in place this year stating that no event can play more than 10 levels in a night, all three players have agreed to play it out until a winner is crowned. We shall keep you posted on whatever happens.

It's Getting Choppy in Here

Level 28 : 25,000/50,000, 0 ante

Matthew Waxman raised on the button and Francesco Barbaro called from the small blind.
Barbaro check called Waxman’s bet on the {K-Clubs}{9-Diamonds}{8-Clubs} flop. The action was the same on the {6-Clubs} turn. When the {3-Clubs} hit the river, Barbaro led out this time and got raised by Waxman. He elected to just call and the players showed their cards. It was {A-}{10-Clubs}{4-Clubs}{4-} for Waxman who had a flush and the second nut-low. But Barbaro earned half the pot with his {A-}{2-}{6-}{K-} for the nut low. The two players also chopped the next pot for good measure.

Tags: Francesco BarbaroMatthew Waxman

Level: 28

Blinds: 25,000/50,000

Ante: 0