2022 World Series of Poker

Event #10: $10,000 Dealer's Choice 6-Handed Championship
Day: 4
Event Info

2022 World Series of Poker

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
77
Prize
$299,488
Event Info
Buy-in
$10,000
Prize Pool
$1,146,975
Entries
123
Level Info
Level
25
Blinds
0 / 0
Ante
0
Players Info - Day 4
Entries
2
Players Left
1

Event #10: $10,000 Dealer's Choice 6-Handed Championship

Day 4 Completed

Ben Diebold Secures First WSOP Gold Bracelet in Event #10: $10,000 Dealer's Choice 6-Handed Championship ($299,488)

Level 25
Ben Diebold
Ben Diebold

The 2022 World Series of Poker (WSOP) in its new home at Bally’s and Paris Las Vegas has crowned a new gold bracelet winner as Ben Diebold came out on top of a short-lived heads-up duel with Mike Gorodinsky in Event #10: $10,000 Dealer's Choice 6-Handed Championship to lock up the marquee victory. One of the most coveted mixed game competitions set a new attendance record of 123 entries in this, the seventh edition, surpassing the previous record from 2019 by one entry.

Diebold and Gorodinsky shared the biggest slice of the $1,146,975 prize pool and it took just 45 minutes on the extra day to determine a champion. The 28-year-old from Mt. Pleasant near Charleston in South Carolina entered the duel against two-time WSOP bracelet winner Gorodinsky with a 3.5-to-1 lead and was never in danger of losing it.

Both title contenders were in a very jovial mood not only during the heads-up play but also on the final table last night as well and Diebold described his opponent as an "incredible player." By default an Omaha cash game player, Diebold started taking tournaments more seriously in the last few years and simultaneously expanded his choice of poker variants, also thanks to Gorodinsky.

"He's a very, very good friend of mine. He's helped me a lot in my mixed game. A lot of this is because of him. He's a great guy, a great player and a very good person."

The first WSOP gold bracelet for Diebold came with a top prize of $299,488 while Gorodinsky was denied a third victory and had to settle for a consolation prize of $185,095.

Event #10: $10,000 Dealer's Choice 6-Handed Championship Final Table Results

PlaceWinnerCountryPrize (in USD)
1Ben DieboldUnited States$299,488
2Mike GorodinskyUnited States$185,095
3Brian RastUnited States$134,370
4Christopher ClaassenUnited States$98,738
5Naoya KiharaJapan$73,453
6Randy OhelUnited States$55,329

Even after Diebold got his hands on a WSOP gold bracelet, he said that he was still full of adrenaline.

"It's pretty exhilarating," he told PokerNews. "My heart's still pumping! I woke up a couple of times last night and realized it wasn't 11 a.m. or midday, but 6 a.m." The eventual winner showed up a few minutes early and was already eagerly awaiting the arrival of Gorodinsky as both had agreed last night, after the elimination of Brian Rast in third place, to postpone the duel for the title.

In the opening stages of the extra day, both contestants settled on no-limit hold'em and Badeucey while then also adding Limit 2-7 Triple Draw and A-5 Single Draw into the equation as well. The game selection for the heads-up match was entirely based on the stack distribution as confirmed by Diebold.

"Mike's good at a lot of games. He's a very, very tough limit player. I thought the stack sizes and the big antes in No-Limit Hold'em were the best for me." That choice turned out to be the winning strategy as Diebold sealed his victory in NLHE by winning a flip with pocket sevens versus queen-jack suited.

Mike Gorodinsky
No third WSOP bracelet for Mike Gorodinsky just yet

The game selection during the first three days of the tournament was certainly different, however, as he went back to his roots. "I predominantly picked pot-limit Omaha the entire tournament until probably last night where I had the chip lead. I don't think I picked a limit game the entire tournament. I play a lot of limit games, but I think I just stuck with no-limit."

Diebold will have the opportunity to showcase his talents in WSOP tournaments throughout the next few days and weeks, as three high-stakes competitions in his preferred poker variant, pot-limit Omaha, await. The first of them is just around the corner and will kick off on Thursday, June 9th at 1 p.m. local time.

"I'll play the $25,000 Pot-Limit Omaha tomorrow. I might play tonight. But I don't have any plans," Diebold said before leaving the secondary feature table, moments before the final table of Event #12: $50,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold'em kicked off.

Biggest Dealer's Choice Championship in History

Despite the absence of several well-known poker pros and mixed game specialists, the seventh edition of the $10,000 Dealer's Choice 6-Handed Championship and first WSOP at Bally’s and Paris Las Vegas attracted a new record attendance. A total of 123 entries surpassed the previous largest field by one entry and the incredible win streak of Adam Friedman ended.

Since 2018, the last three editions were won by Friedman and this unique feat has been widely considered as one of the most impressive achievements in the history of the WSOP. Friedman was also involved in the action for a potential fourth consecutive victory but bowed out on the first day of the tournament this time. Diebold has now followed in his footsteps and will be full of confidence for the remainder of the series in Las Vegas.

YearEntriesPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpTop Prize
2015108$1,015,200Quinn DoRep Porter$319,792
2016118$1,109,200Jean GaspardWilliam O'Neil$306,621
2017102$930,600John RacenerViacheslav Zhukov$273,962
2018111$1,043,400Adam FriedmanStuart Rutter$293,275
2019122$1,146,800Adam FriedmanShaun Deeb$312,417
202193$867,225Adam FriedmanPhil Hellmuth$248,350
2022123$1,146,975Ben DieboldMike Gorodinsky$299,488

Tags: Bally's Las VegasBen DieboldBrian RastChristopher ClaassenMike GorodinskyNaoya KiharaRandy Ohel

Mike Gorodinsky Eliminated in 2nd Place ($185,095)

Level 25
Mike Gorodinsky
Mike Gorodinsky

No-Limit Hold'em

Down to just over 1.1 million and on the button, Mike Gorodinsky glanced at his stack a few times before pushing all in. Ben Diebold wasted no time at all and once more called instantly.

Mike Gorodinsky: {q-Clubs}{j-Hearts}
Ben Diebold: {7-Clubs}{7-Diamonds}

The pocket pair remained ahead on the {k-Hearts}{9-Diamonds}{6-Hearts} flop and {9-Spades} turn. Gorodinsky had plenty of outs with his two overcards, gutshot and counterfeit outs. However, none of them appeared on the {5-Spades} river to end his bid for a third WSOP gold bracelet. Gorodinsky had to settle for second place and takes home $185,095 while Diebold has secured his first gold bracelet and a payday of $299,488.

A recap of the action and the winner's reaction are to follow.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Ben Diebold us
Ben Diebold
7,355,000
1,295,000
1,295,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Profile photo of Mike Gorodinsky us
Mike Gorodinsky
Busted
WSOP 3X Winner

Tags: Ben DieboldMike Gorodinsky

Gorodinsky Fades Gutshot; Doubles Through Diebold

Level 25

No-Limit Hold'em

Mike Gorodinsky pushed all in from the button for 610,000 and Ben Diebold called instantly in the big blind.

Mike Gorodinsky: {a-Spades}{k-Diamonds}
Ben Diebold: {a-Hearts}{6-Clubs}

The {9-Spades}{8-Hearts}{5-Clubs} flop gave Diebold a gutshot to go with his live card but he missed on the {5-Hearts} turn and {2-Spades} river.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Ben Diebold us
Ben Diebold
6,060,000
-645,000
-645,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Profile photo of Mike Gorodinsky us
Mike Gorodinsky
1,295,000
645,000
645,000
WSOP 3X Winner

Tags: Ben DieboldMike Gorodinsky

Diebold's Ten Leaves Gorodinsky Short

Level 25
Ben Diebold
Ben Diebold

2-7 Triple Draw

On first draw Mike Gorodinsky drew three and Ben Diebold drew two. Gorodinsky check-called a bet and drew two. Diebold drew one.

Again Gorodinsky check-called a bet and drew one on the final draw. Diebold stood pat and both players checked.

Diebold tabled {10-}{7-}{6-}{5-}{2-} and won the pot.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Ben Diebold us
Ben Diebold
6,705,000
625,000
625,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Profile photo of Mike Gorodinsky us
Mike Gorodinsky
650,000
-625,000
-625,000
WSOP 3X Winner

Diebold Extends Lead Once More

Level 25

Limit 2-7 Triple Draw

Ben Diebold limped in and Mike Gorodinsky raised, which Diebold called. Gorodinsky took two and Diebold discarded three. The bet of Gorodinsky followed and Diebold instantly folded.

No-Limit Hold'em

In a limped pot to the {a-Clubs}{10-Spades}{5-Clubs} flop, Diebold check-called for 50,000 and the {k-Spades} turn was checked by both. Diebold then led the {9-Spades} river for 100,000 and Gorodinsky made the call.

"Ace" Diebold announced and tabled his {a-Diamonds}{2-Clubs}. That was good enough to win the pot and extend the lead once more, as Gorodinsky folded.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Ben Diebold us
Ben Diebold
6,080,000
460,000
460,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Profile photo of Mike Gorodinsky us
Mike Gorodinsky
1,275,000
-460,000
-460,000
WSOP 3X Winner

Tags: Ben DieboldMike Gorodinsky

Diebold Has the Superior Straight

Level 25

5-Card Draw High

Mike Gorodinsky made it 100,000 to go and then reluctantly folded after Ben Diebold three-bet to 400,000.

No-Limit Hold'em

Gorodinsky raised to 150,000 and Diebold called to then check-call a flop of {q-Hearts}{j-Spades}{10-Diamonds} for 150,000. Diebold check-called for another 250,000 on the {k-Spades} turn and Gorodinsky knuckled it back on the {7-Spades} river. Diebold turned over the {a-Clubs}{3-Diamonds} for broadway and Gorodinsky mucked the {9-Diamonds}.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Ben Diebold us
Ben Diebold
5,620,000
540,000
540,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Profile photo of Mike Gorodinsky us
Mike Gorodinsky
1,735,000
-540,000
-540,000
WSOP 3X Winner

Tags: Mike GorodinskyBen Diebold

Diebold Pulls Further Ahead; Then Loses Profit

Level 25

5-Card Draw

After trading chips back and forth through two orbits of Limit 2-7 Triple Draw and No-Limit Hold'em, they switched things up as Mike Gorodinsky selected A-5 Draw High.

In the first hand, Ben Diebold called a raise to 125,000 by Gorodinsky and took three new cards while Gorodinsky switched one. They checked and Diebold flashed the {10-Diamonds}{10-Clubs}{10-Spades}{q-Spades}{7-Spades} for a set of tens.

"You really make the greatest fuckin checks," Diebold exclaimed to Gorodinsky in table chat.

Down to around 1.2 million, Gorodinsky then got the chips back in the second hand. After the draw, he check-raised from 175,000 to 600,000 and Diebold called. Gorodinsky tabled the {8-Spades}{8-Hearts}{8-Diamonds}{j-Diamonds}{2-Hearts} for a set of eights to recover the previous losses.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Ben Diebold us
Ben Diebold
5,405,000
-525,000
-525,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Profile photo of Mike Gorodinsky us
Mike Gorodinsky
1,950,000
525,000
525,000
WSOP 3X Winner

Tags: Ben DieboldMike Gorodinsky

Diebold Trips Up Gorodinsky

Level 25

No-Limit Hold'em

Mike Gorodinsky raised pre-flop and Ben Diebold called.

Diebold check-called 75,000 on the {a-Spades}{j-Hearts}{2-Spades} flop and the turn was the {10-Diamonds}.

Diebold checked again and called 275,000 from Gorodinsky.

The river {10-Hearts} went check-check. Diebold tabled {10-Spades}{5-Spades} for trip fives and Gorodinsky re-checked his hole cards before mucking.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Ben Diebold us
Ben Diebold
5,930,000
675,000
675,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Profile photo of Mike Gorodinsky us
Mike Gorodinsky
1,425,000
-675,000
-675,000
WSOP 3X Winner