2016 WSOP Day 30: Mercier Multitables as Deeb and Bicknell Book Second Bracelet Wins
The 30th day of the 2016 World Series of Poker saw two more two-time bracelet winners crowned. Plus, two new events kicked off, and two more got even closer to crowning champions.
In his chase for a third bracelet of the summer, Jason Mercier was a busy man, playing in three different events simultaneously, and once again, stole the headlines at the 2016 WSOP as a result.
All summer long, PokerNews.com will be bringing you daily coverage of the 2016 WSOP, brought to you by our sponsors, 888poker.
Online Legend Deeb Wins His 2nd Bracelet
One of the most accomplished tournament players in online poker history continued to add to his legend in the live game, winning his second World Series of Poker bracelet in Las Vegas on Thursday.
Troy, NY's Shaun Deeb took down the 2016 WSOP Event #49: $1,500 Seven Card Stud, collecting a bracelet, and $111,101 in first-place money, ultimately defeating a field of 331 players and a tough final table filled with many of the game's greats, who also happen to be his good friends.
"We had a lot of fun, and it’s just great when you play people you feel comfortable with because I think I play better when I’m relaxed,” Deeb Said.
Deeb ran incredibly hot throughout the final table and humbly claimed the win was due more to that, than any kind of skill edge over final table opponents that included fellow WSOP bracelet winners Adam Friedman, Max Pescatori, Eugene Katchalov, John Monette and Cory Zeidman.
"I didn’t really have to outplay anyone," he said. "Anyone would’ve won with my cards in that tournament."
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shaun Deeb | $111,101 |
| 2 | Adam Friedman | $68,666 |
| 3 | Max Pescatori | $46,312 |
| 4 | Katherine Fleck | $31,899 |
| 5 | Eugene Katchalov | $22,448 |
| 6 | Yaniv Birman | $16,147 |
| 7 | John Monette | $11,878 |
| 8 | Cory Zeidman | $8,941 |
Bicknell Wins Her 2nd Bracelet in the $1,500 Bounty
A former PokerStars SuperNova Elite player and World Series of Poker Ladies Championship Event champion, Kristen Bicknell won her second WSOP bracelet in Las Vegas on Thursday.
Bicknell won the 2016 WSOP $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em Bounty, ultimately defeating a field of 2,158 players to win the bracelet and a $290,768 first-place prize.
"I've played poker for 10 or 11 years, and it's a nice thing to win again," she said.
Originally scheduled for three days of play, the event ran into a fourth with three players remaining. Bicknell had the chip lead coming in and never looked back.
"It just feels really surreal, and I have slept very little for the last four days," she said. "It feels really good."
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kristen Bicknell | $290,768 |
| 2 | Norbert Szecsi | $179,625 |
| 3 | John Myung | $130,588 |
| 4 | Ryan Leng | $95,857 |
| 5 | Will "The Thrill" Failla | $71,049 |
| 6 | Sebastien Comel | $53,181 |
| 7 | Steve Gee | $40,203 |
| 8 | Fadi Hamad | $30,697 |
| 9 | Jason Singleton | $23,678 |
Down to 28 in the PLO Championship
Day 2 of the 2016 WSOP Event #51: $10,000 8-Handed Pot-Limit Omaha Championship played down to just 28 players remaining with Tommy Le grabbing the lead heading into Day 3.
Recognizable players including Brandon Shack-Harris, James Obst, Jesper Hougaard, Scott Seiver and Gary Benson are still in the hunt.
The money bubble burst just before 11 p.m. local time with names like Mike Watson, Joseph Cheong, Taylor Paur, Erik Seidel and Mike Matusow all making the money, but failing to advance.
Jason Mercier ran deep in this one, multitabling both the $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em and $1,500 Mixed PLO/8; Omaha 8; and Big O during the dinner break in his chase for a third bracelet this summer. He busted in 36th place during the final level of the night.
Play will resume at 2 p.m. local time Friday with plans to play down to a champion. A WSOP bracelet and an $894,300 first-place prize awaits the winner.
$1,500 Shootout Heads to Day 3 With 12 Remaining
The 2016 Event #50: $1,500 Shootout No-Limit Hold'em played down to just 12 players remaining on Thursday.
The group will return to play down to a winner Friday starting at two tables of six, then combining for a final table when ten players remain.
Each of the final 12 are guaranteed $17,255 while a WSOP bracelet and a $264,046 first-place prize awaits the winner.
Play will resume at 12 p.m. local time with the lineup as follows:
Table 1
| Seat | Name | Chip Count |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Niall Farrell | 651,000 |
| 2 | Raymond Ho | 630,500 |
| 3 | Alexander Lakhov | 646,000 |
| 4 | Daniel Tang | 640,000 |
| 5 | Erkut Yilmaz | 651,000 |
| 6 | Daniel McAulay | 641,000 |
Table 2
| Seat | Name | Chip Count |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Safiya Umerova | 654,000 |
| 2 | Damian Salas | 654,000 |
| 3 | Yuliyan Kolev | 631,000 |
| 4 | Sam Greenwood | 653,000 |
| 5 | Vanessa Selbst | 639,000 |
| 6 | Michael Mixer | 635,000 |
The $3K Draws 1,125
The 2016 WSOP Event #52: $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em drew 1,125 entries on Thursday, creating a $3,071,250 prize pool that will pay 169 spots. A min-cash is worth $4,556, and alongside a WSOP bracelet, a $596,158 first-place prize awaits the winner.
After 10 levels of play, 286 survived with amateur Erhan Iscan grabbing the overnight lead.
A bevvy of top pros also bagged big in this one, including Randy Lew, Jay Farber, Daniel Strelitz, Keith Lehr and Stephen Chidwick.
Although short, Jason Mercier also bagged up chips in what was one of three tournaments he played at the same time Thursday.
888poker Ambassador Sofia Lovgren also advanced to Day 2.
Play will resume at 12 p.m. local time Friday with plans to play into the money and through ten more levels.
The Omaha 8 Mixed Draws 668
The 2016 WSOP Event #53: $1,500 Mixed PLO/8; Omaha 8; and Big O drew 668 entries on Thursday, creating a $1,002,000 prize pool that will pay 101 spots. A min-cash is worth $2,243 while a WSOP bracelet and $189,223 top prize is reserved for the winner.
This first-time event at the WSOP features a mix of Pot-Limit Omaha, Limit Omaha 8 and Big O, which is essentially five-card Pot-Limit Omaha 8.
After 10 levels of play approximately 200 survived with John Monnette grabbing the overnight lead.
A group of recognizable pros also bagged in this one, including Yuval Bronshtein, David Bach, Michael Mizrachi, Eli Elezra, Mike Leah, Allen Cunningham, Greg Raymer, and Daniel Negreanu.
This event was among the three Jason Mercier played at the same time, and he busted before play ended.
Play will resume at 2 p.m. local time Friday with plans to play into the money and through ten more levels.
What's On Tap?
In addition to all the other action above, the 2016 WSOP Event #54: $888 Crazy Eights 8-Handed No-Limit Hold'em will kick off with the first two of four starting flights scheduled for 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. local time. This unique 888poker sponsored event allows players eliminated in one flight to enter any other, and includes an $888,888 guaranteed first-place prize.
As the 2016 WSOP rolls on, be sure to stay tuned to PokerNews for continued coverage, brought to you by our sponsors, 888poker.
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