Main Event
Day 3 Completed
2017 European Open Special Edition
Main Event
Day: 3
Joe Serock Wins European Open Special Edition in Las Vegas for $113,059
Level 34
: 100,000/200,000, 30,000 ante
After four intense days of poker action at the Wynn Las Vegas, the European Open Special Edition has concluded with Joe Serock capturing the title and the $113,059 first prize.
The European Open Special Edition was making its first appearance on the shores of the USA, and with it saw a 673-player field created over the two starting flights to smash the $400,000 guarantee and create a prize pool worth $665,866 that would ensure the top 98 players a piece of that sweet money.
Players from all aspects of the poker world made an appearance, while 200 online qualifiers also made the trip from Europe to take part in the European Open along with Unibet Ambassadors that included Charlotte Van Brabander, Sara Chafak, Dara O'Kearney, Andrew Mackenzie, Daiva Byrne, Alan Widmann, Ian Simpson, along with ex-professional footballers Regi Blinker, Henrik Larsson, George Boateng, and Phill Babb. From the closer shores of the USA, World Champions Dan Harrington, Barry Shulman, and Ryan Riess made an appearance, as well as respected tournament veterans Matt Affleck, Allen Cunningham, Scott Clements, Eric Baldwin, Phil Laak, Max Pescatori, Dutch Boyd, Ankush Mandavia, Jeff Madsen, Jon Turner, Sorel Mizzi, Andrew Lichtenberger, and David Sklansky.
When Day 2 began on Sunday afternoon, the 44 players from Day 1a, and the 75 players from Day 1b, merged to see just 119 players remaining. The action began intensely, and as tables broke at a furious rate, the tournament was quickly shifted to hand-for-hand bubble proceedings. Unfortunately for Michael Macey, he would become the tournament bubble boy when he called off what remained of his chips holding 
against Federico Butteroni's 
. Things never improved for Macey, and he would be out the door with nothing to show for his efforts but this hand in the blog. From there, action would flow at an incredibly fast rate as the likes of Scott McMillan (93rd), Ting Ho (91st), Frank Rusnak (85th), Denaa David (79th), Andrew Mackenzie (77th), Ryan Laplante (72nd), Rauno Tahvonen (68th), Dan Murariu (67th), Kirk Morrison (59th), Katie Lindsay (58th), David Sklansky (56th), David Lappin (53rd), and Jimmy Tran (28th) all were eliminated before play was halted due to security reasons after the unfortunate incident that occurred on the Las Vegas Strip.
Returning for the final day of play would be 17 players all looking to ascend to the top to take home the $113,059 first prize and European Open Special Edition title, and once play began, the final table of nine would be reached as players headed on their second break of the day. Jordan Cristos held a plethora of chips for the majority of the tournament, and it peaked as he headlined the final table as the chip leader slightly ahead of Joe Serock. It would take nearly an hour until the first elimination occurred, and when Ryan Readenour fell in 9th, Andrey Plotnikov fell just a few hands later before Rex Clinkscales and Martin Soukup following shortly after them in 7th and 6th place respectively as play broke for dinner with Cristos holding more then a third of the chips in play.
Once play resumed, Andrew Warren mounted a huge comeback up the leaderboard before playing a monster pot against Joris Springael that started with a Springael straddle. Warren three-bet his 
and Springael shoved his 
and Warren called all-in to see a 
run out that sent Warren to the rail in 4th place while Springael now would hold over half the chips in play three-handed. The final three players handed chips back and forth, each sharing the chip lead, and as Cristos snatched back the chip lead and started to gain momentum he would play a massive pot against Springael where Cristos was crippled when his 
was unable to improve on a 
flop against Springael's 
. Although Cristos managed to survive a little longer, he would fall in 3rd shortly afterwards to leave Springael entering heads-up play with Serock holding a 9,235,000 to 4,260,000 chip advantage.
Serock began heads-up play with a flurry as he chipped away at Springael before eventually finding a double when his held against Springael's 
to put the stacks nearly at even. However, just as quickly, Springael wrestled the lead back before Serock found value with a pair of jacks to hold a two-ante lead heading into break. With the limits high, and chips flipping between the two players, eventually the final hand would Serock put Springael all in on the river of a board reading 
with Serock holding 
. Springael deliberated for over five minutes before calling all-in holding 
, and thus was eliminated in 2nd place.
European Open Special Edition Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Joe Serock | USA | $113,059 |
| 2nd | Joris Springael | Belgium | $72,814 |
| 3rd | Jordan Cristos | USA | $48,941 |
| 4th | Andrew Warren | USA | $34,625 |
| 5th | Egi Adriaans | Belgium | $25,769 |
| 6th | Martin Soukup | Czech Republic | $20,076 |
| 7th | Rex Clinkscales | USA | $16,114 |
| 8th | Andrey Plotnikov | Russia | $13,384 |
| 9th | Ryan Readenour | USA | $11,320 |
For Serock, this is his second lifetime tournament win after a plethora of final tables that include close calls at the WSOP, on the WPT, and all around the world. With this win for $113,059, Serock now eclipses $3,500,000 in lifetime earnings and will move up to 307th on the All-Time Money List over-taking Liv Boeree, Vanessa Rousso, Berry Johnston, and Jeff Shulman.
Congratulations to Joe Serock for winning the European Open Special Edition for $113,059, along with everyone that finished in the money, or participating in this fantastic event that was held at the Wynn Las Vegas, and part of the Wynn Fall Classic.
A Champion is Crowned!
Joris Springael Eliminated in 2nd Place ($72,814); Joe Serock Wins!
Level 34
: 100,000/200,000, 30,000 ante
From the button, Joe Serock opened with a min-raise to 400,000 and Joris Springael called in the big blind as the dealer spread a flop.
Springael checked over to Serock who bet out 475,000. Springael sat there for a few moments and then announced a raise to 1,200,000.
Serock called, and the turn landed the as Springael announced another bet of 1,200,000. Serock took his due time before pushing out the necessary calling chips as the completed the board on the river.
Springael checked, and Serock stood up to assess how many chips Springael had remaining; approximately 1,955,000. Serock then announced he was all in and Springael began talking to Serock as he contemplated calling off his tournament life.
"Whatever happens Joey, I still get your flip flop right?" asked Springael.
Serock sat there motionless as Springael stared him down while shuffling 55,000 in pink 5,000-denomination chips for close to five minutes before plunking them into the pot to signify a call.
Serock immediately reached for his cards, tabled his for two-pair and stood up and started walking to his rail.
Springael was forced to show his for a rivered pair, and when Serock saw the good news, he was immediately embraced by his rail that included Anthony Spinella.
With that, Springael is eliminated in 2nd place for a $72,814 payday as Serock is crowned the European Open Special Edition Champion, and recipient of the $113,059 first prize and Wynn Fall Classic trophy.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
13,495,000 | 4,785,000 |
|
Busted |
Springael Bets Out Serock on River
Level 34
: 100,000/200,000, 30,000 ante
Joris Springael opened to 400,000 and Joe Serock called. The flop landed 
and Serock check-called 350,000 as the turn landed the 
.
Both Serock and Springael checked as the river landed the 
. Serock checked, Springael bet 1,100,000, and Serock folded.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
8,710,000 | -450,000 |
|
|
4,785,000 | 450,000 |
Trips for Serock
Level 34
: 100,000/200,000, 30,000 ante
Joris Springael opened for a min-raise on the button and Joe Serock called in the big blind.
The flop landed 
and Serock check-called a bet of 400,000 as the turn landed the 
.
Serock checked, Springael bet 1,500,000, and Serock called before both players checked the on the river.
Serock tabled his 
for trips, and Springael mucked.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
9,160,000 | 1,820,000 |
|
|
4,335,000 | -1,820,000 |
Springael Closes the Gap
Level 34
: 100,000/200,000, 30,000 ante
Joris Springael raised to 420,000 and Joe Serock defended his big blind as both players checked the 
flop.
The turn landed the and Serock led out for 550,000 only to have Springael raise to 2,000,000.
Serock folded, and Springael captured the pot.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
7,340,000 | -1,655,000 |
|
|
6,155,000 | 1,655,000 |
Serock Dominating
Level 34
: 100,000/200,000, 30,000 ante
Joris Springael opened to 400,000 and Joe Serock three-bet to 1,100,000 from the big blind.
Springael called, and both players checked the flop as the landed on the turn. Serock bet out 1,400,000 and Springael called as both players checked the 
on the river.
Serock tabled his to beat out Springael's . Serock now holds a little worse then a two-to-one chip advantage.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
8,995,000 | 2,635,000 |
|
|
4,500,000 | -2,635,000 |
Kings-Up for Serock
Level 34
: 100,000/200,000, 30,000 ante
Joe Serock limped in and Joris Springael checked to see a 
flop. Both players checked, and the turn landed the 
and Springael bet out 500,000.
Serock called, and the river landed the 
and both players checked.
Springael showed 
, but it would be Serock's 
that would see him collect the pot.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
7,135,000 | -730,000 |
|
|
6,360,000 | 730,000 |
Springael Wrestles the Lead Back
Level 34
: 100,000/200,000, 30,000 ante
Joris Springael raised to 400,000 on the button, and Joe Serock called in the big blind before he checked the flop.
Springael bet out 250,000 and Serock called as the turn landed the 
.
Serock now led out for 575,000 and Springael called as the river landed the 
and Serock checked.
Springael bet 2,000,000 and Serock folded.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
7,865,000 | 1,155,000 |
|
|
5,630,000 | -1,155,000 |