Event #36: $10,000 Dealer's Choice Championship
Day 2 Completed
2021 World Series of Poker
Event #36: $10,000 Dealer's Choice Championship
Day: 2
Friedman Looking to Become a Three-Time Champion of Event #36: $10,000 Dealer's Choice Championship
Level 17
: 15,000/30,000, 0 ante
The penultimate day of Event #36: $10,000 Dealer’s Choice Championship has come to a completion. After a solid twelve hours on the felt, the tournament has reached its final 10 players.
Heading into the final day all eyes will be on Adam Friedman and his attempt at a three-peat in this very event. He is currently the reigning two-time winner of this Championship event. This would be an amazing feat for a multitude of reasons, the $10,000 buy-in and dealer’s choice as two of the main ones. To complete a three-peat of such a prestigious event would be something to be remembered for many years to come.
Also looking to further cement his legendary status in WSOP history is none other than Phil Hellmuth. He has had a ridiculous start to this year’s WSOP, with multiple final tables as well as his 16th gold bracelet already locked up, Hellmuth will be going for #17 just three days after winning #16 in the Event #31: $1,500 Deuce to Seven Lowball Draw. Look for Hellmuth to keep everyone on their toes as he goes for even more WSOP gold and history.
Joining Hellmuth and Friedman in the quest for cash and WSOP gold are Mike Matusow and Daniel Negreanu, each looking to add a new bracelet to their respective collections.
Seat Draw Day 3 Event #36: $10,000 Dealer's Choice Championship
| Table | Seat | Player | Country | Chip Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Joao Vieira | Portugal | 182,000 |
| 1 | 2 | Adam Friedman | United States | 1,329,000 |
| 1 | 3 | Jake Schwartz | United States | 1,380,000 |
| 1 | 4 | Mike Gorodinsky | United States | 465,000 |
| 1 | 6 | Carol Fuchs | United States | 260,000 |
| 2 | 1 | Daniel Negreanu | Canada | 457,000 |
| 2 | 2 | Phil Hellmuth | United States | 424,000 |
| 2 | 3 | Andrew Kelsall | United States | 324,000 |
| 2 | 5 | Matt Glantz | United States | 343,000 |
| 2 | 6 | Mike Matusow | United States | 410,000 |
The play on day 2 was very fast right out of the gate with eliminations coming at a rapid pace. Johannes Becker, Ari Engel, and Sorel Mizzi all made early exits. As the players inched closer to the money bubble, however, things began to slow. It was not until near the end of level 15 that the money was reached. Benny Glaser had the misfortune of being the true bubble as he finished 15th when his ace-high failed to hold against the king-high of Friedman in No-Limit Hold’em.
After the money bubble burst, there were a few quick eliminations as Chip Jett (14th - $17,103), Ryan Miller (13th - $17,103), Scott Seiver (12th - $20,726), and Ray Henson (11th - $20,726) all hit the rail, but each exited with cash for their efforts.
Remaining Payouts
The remaining ten players will return Wednesday afternoon and play for a coveted WSOP gold bracelet and the $248,350 first-place cash.
Please stay tuned to PokerNews for live updates of this, as well as every 2021 WSOP event, or live here at The Rio Hotel and Casino in the Amazon Room where the final 10 players will be returning Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. (PST) local time where they will play down to one winner.
| Place | Prize (in USD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $248,350 |
| 2 | $153,493 |
| 3 | $107,861 |
| 4 | $77,437 |
| 5 | $56,826 |
| 6 | $42,646 |
| 7 | $32,746 |
| 8-9 | $25,741 |
| 10 | $20,726 |
End-of-Day 2 Counts
Level 17
: 15,000/30,000, 0 ante
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
1,380,000 | 5,000 |
|
1,329,000 | 29,000 |
|
465,000 | -5,000 |
|
457,000 | |
|
424,000 | |
|
410,000 | |
|
343,000 | |
|
324,000 | |
|
260,000 | -10,000 |
|
182,000 | 2,000 |
Day 2 Completed
Level 17
: 15,000/30,000, 0 ante
The second tournament day has completed with ten players remaining. All chip counts and a recap of today's action are to follow.
Friedman Scoops Vieira In Last Hand
Level 17
: 15,000/30,000, 0 ante
Seven Card Stud
Joao Vieira: 
/ 
/
Adam Friedman: / 
/
On the tail end of a bigger pot between Joao Vieira and Adam Friedman, the former had a four-card straight showing and Adam Friedman then bet seventh street. Vieira called after brief consideration and Friedman rolled over the 
for broadway to potentially claim the overnight lead in the final hand.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
1,300,000 | 200,000 |
|
|
180,000 | -195,000 |
Negreanu and Hellmuth Chop
Level 17
: 15,000/30,000, 0 ante
Stud Hi-Lo
Daniel Negreanu: / 
/
Phil Hellmuth: / 
/
Phil Hellmuth raised the completion of Daniel Negreanu, who came along for the ride. Hellmuth bet on fourth and then ended up check-calling from fifth to seventh street. Negreanu rolled over the 
for two pair and a low for half the pot as Hellmuth had 
for a ten-high straight.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
457,000 | -48,000 |
|
|
424,000 | 119,000 |
|
|
410,000 | 65,000 |
|
|
343,000 | -152,000 |
|
|
324,000 | 44,000 |
Schwartz Has "Every Trick in the Book"
Level 17
: 15,000/30,000, 0 ante
No-Limit Hold'em
Joao Vieira raised to 18,000 in the cutoff and Jake Schwartz three-bet to 71,000 in the small blind, picking up a call by Vieira. On the 
flop, Schwartz opted to check and Vieira made it 41,000 to go. Schwartz then check-raised to 155,000 and Vieira folded.
"Every trick in the book, eh?" Mike Gorodinsky inquired as Schwartz increased his stack further.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
1,375,000 | 200,000 |
|
|
1,100,000 | 64,000 |
|
|
470,000 | -185,000 |
|
|
375,000 | -175,000 |
|
|
270,000 | -5,000 |
Vieira Gets Some Back
Level 17
: 15,000/30,000, 0 ante
Omaha Hi-Lo
Joao Vieira raised in the cutoff and was called by Jake Schwartz in the small blind. The 
flop brought no major action and Schwartz then bet the 
turn. Vieira raised and Schwartz snap-folded.
Moments later, Andrew Kelsall picked Razz on the other table. It only took a few seconds for Mike Matusow to exclaim "All you idiots playing tournament poker for a living are insane."
Adam Friedman chimed in from the other table with a big grin on the face and said "Tournament poker is the best!"
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
1,175,000 | -45,000 |
|
|
550,000 | 70,000 |
Schwartz Wins Another Pot Off Vieira
Level 17
: 15,000/30,000, 0 ante
No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw
Joao Vieira opened to 22,000 in the hijack and Jake Schwartz three-bet to 68,000 on the button. Vieira gave it some consideration and called for both to pat. The Portuguese poker pro checked and Schwartz bet just 40,000. After mulling over his decision for a while, Vieira let go once more as Schwartz pulled further ahead.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
1,220,000 | 110,000 |
|
|
480,000 | -72,000 |
Updated Counts Table 414
Level 17
: 15,000/30,000, 0 ante
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
505,000 | -15,000 |
|
|
495,000 | -25,000 |
|
|
345,000 | 55,000 |
|
|
305,000 | 70,000 |
|
|
280,000 | -40,000 |