2022 World Series of Poker

Event #4: $1,500 Dealer's Choice 6-Handed
Day: 3
Event Info

2022 World Series of Poker

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
a953
Prize
$126,288
Event Info
Buy-in
$1,500
Prize Pool
$574,050
Entries
430
Level Info
Level
34
Blinds
0 / 0
Ante
0
Players Info - Day 3
Entries
14
Players Left
1

Event #4: $1,500 Dealer's Choice 6-Handed

Day 3 Completed

For a Higher Cause: Brad Ruben Wins Bracelet #4 in 2022 WSOP Event #4: $1,500 Dealer's Choice

Level 34
Brad Ruben
Brad Ruben

Brad Ruben has won his fourth World Series of Poker (WSOP) gold bracelet and a $126,288 first-place prize in the 2022 WSOP Event #4: $1,500 Dealer’s Choice after defeating the defending champion, Jaswinder Lally, in heads-up play.

But, it was neither the money nor the trophy on his mind when playing at the final table.

Ruben proudly wore the shirt of a charitable organization named Shields & Stripes, an organization aiming to help veterans. Even after defeating defending champion Lally to win his fourth WSOP bracelet — he became the third player through four events to capture their fourth bracelet alongside David Peters and Scott Seiver -- Ruben’s focus was still on those the charity supports.

“This one is very, very special. I kind of feel like this one is a little bigger than me,” Ruben said following his victory. “I wore this shirt. It’s a charity called Shields & Stripes. They help vets. They help first responders and police officers who have injuries that aren’t really seen. I honestly feel like this is bigger than me. I’m very proud to be representing them this World Series. June is PTSD awareness month so it’s the perfect time to shine some light on such an amazing organization that helps those isolated and in pain so they don’t get left behind and can return to being heroes of their communities. I also hope to inspire other poker players to donate a portion of their winnings to a charitable cause.”

Ruben was introduced to the organization by one of his coaches when he asked about charities to support with his poker winnings. Poker is a solitary game, played by one player against a host of opponents, and Ruben was trying to find a way to get beyond the selfish nature of the game.

“I feel like when I play for a cause, I’m more fulfilled. It’s like a more wholesome way to play the game. The game can sometimes feel like it’s a little bit selfish, so this makes me feel more fulfilled," he said.

2022 WSOP Event #4: $1,500 Dealer's Choice Final Table Results

PlacePlayerCountryPrize
1Brad RubenUnited States$126,288
2Jaswinder LallyCanada$78,048
3Naoya KiharaJapan$52,282
4Ben YuUnited States$35,793
5Jorge WalkerUnited States$25,056
6Charles BransfordUnited States$17,944
7Alfred AtamianUnited States$13,153
Brad Ruben
Brad Ruben

Final Day Action

Ruben came into the final day as the chip leader and watched as players like Norman Chad (13th), Brian Rast (12th), and Marco Johnson (8th) came up short of the final table. He was third in chips at the start of the final table and eliminated Charles Bransford in sixth place with a straight in Stud 8.

He also knocked out another four-time bracelet winner, Ben Yu, by making two pair in another Stud Hi-Lo hand. It was yet another Stud hand that propelled Ruben on his way to victory. He showed down a full house against Naoya Kihara which catapulted him into a massive chip lead with three players remaining.

After Kihara’s elimination, Ruben and Lally engaged in a friendly, cordial heads-up match that ended in a hand of Omaha 8 or Better. Lally raised all in with two queens and Ruben called with {a-Clubs}{9-Hearts}{5-Hearts}{3-Clubs}. He paired his ace on the {a-Hearts}{k-Hearts}{j-Clubs} flop and improved to a flush on the {4-Hearts} turn. The river provided no help to Lally, who celebrated with Ruben with a toast after the match.

Lally’s attempt to win the event for a second consecutive year came up just one spot short, but Ruben had nothing but praise for his opponent.

“It was great. He’s very friendly. He’s the defending champ and a very good player. So I’m blessed I was able to beat him. I got the cards in the end,” he said.

Jaswinder Lally
Defending champion Jaswinder Lally finished runner-up this year.

Four Bracelets in Three Years

Ruben has WSOP cashes going back to 2013, but, not even two years ago, he had still yet to win a bracelet. He then won two events in the WSOP Online and after that he won the $1,500 Razz event at last year’s series. His four bracelets in the last two years have come in three different formats, both live and online. It’s the culmination of an effort he made years ago to adapt in order to survive in the game.

“I can kind of see how five, six, seven, eight years ago, hold’em, it was really tough to beat and players were getting better. So I really felt that I needed to get good at all the other games to kind of maintain my edge,” he said.

And he’s not done. Ruben plans to stick around for the entire series. The quest for bracelet No. 5 begins right away: “I’m going to play a lot. Hopefully, win my fifth. Gonna keep going and maybe even go for the Player of the Year."

He added: "Why not? I had a good start, so why not."

Brad Ruben
Brad Ruben and friends

That concludes coverage of the $1,500 Dealer’s Choice event. Keep following PokerNews for live updates from the 2022 WSOP in its new home at Bally’s and Paris Las Vegas.

Tags: Ben YuBrad RubenCharles BransfordJaswinder LallyNaoya Kihara

Jaswinder Lally Eliminated in 2nd Place ($78,048)

Level 34
Jaswinder Lally
Jaswinder Lally

Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better

Brad Ruben raised from the button and called when Jaswinder Lally moved all in for his last 1,100,000.

Jaswinder Lally: {q-Spades}{q-Hearts}{8-Diamonds}{7-Diamonds}
Brad Ruben: {a-Clubs}{9-Hearts}{5-Hearts}{3-Clubs}

Ruben flopped an ace on the {j-Clubs}{a-Hearts}{k-Hearts} flop. "I have hearts, too," he said as the {4-Hearts} came on the turn to give him a flush.

Lally needed to complete a low to split the pot but instead paired his seven on the {7-Spades} river as his quest to repeat as Dealer's Choice champion came up one spot short.

The two players shared a celebratory toast and took one more shot before the now four-time WSOP bracelet winner ran to his rail.

Stay tuned for a full recap of today's action.

Player Chips Progress
Brad Ruben us
Brad Ruben
WSOP 4X Winner
10,750,000 2,200,000
Jaswinder Lally ca
Jaswinder Lally
WSOP 1X Winner
Busted

Tags: Brad RubenJaswinder Lally

All In Moment...With the Same Hand

Level 34

No-Limit Hold'em

Brad Ruben went all in from the button for about 14 big blinds effective. Jaswinder Lally took a deep breath, looked at the rail, and put all his chips in the middle. The crowd cheered for the action, then the hands were revealed.

Jaswinder Lally: {a-Hearts}{6-Diamonds}
Brad Ruben: {a-Clubs}{6-Spades}

"Black!" yelled Ruben and his rail. "Red!" shouted Lally and his.

The board had two clubs on it, but the turn was red and players chopped up the pot.

Play continues heads-up with both players trading chips, and shots of tequila with the crowd.

Player Chips Progress
Brad Ruben us
Brad Ruben
WSOP 4X Winner
8,550,000 200,000
Jaswinder Lally ca
Jaswinder Lally
WSOP 1X Winner
2,200,000 -200,000

Tags: Brad RubenJaswinder Lally

Lally Draws Some Cheers

Level 34

Limit 2-7 Triple Draw

Brad Ruben raised before the draw and Jaswinder Lally called. Both players drew two and Ruben bet.

Lally came back with a raise and Ruben called. The defending champion stood pat and bet again. Ruben gave up his hand this time.

"Why is everyone so quiet," Lally asked the rail who erupted in cheers.

"Don't cheer for him," Ruben said to some laughs.

Player Chips Progress
Brad Ruben us
Brad Ruben
WSOP 4X Winner
8,350,000 550,000
Jaswinder Lally ca
Jaswinder Lally
WSOP 1X Winner
2,400,000 -550,000

Tags: Jaswinder LallyBrad Ruben

Level: 34

Limit Flop/Draw: 100,000-250,000, 250,000-500,000 Limits
Stud Games: 70,000-250,000, 250,000-500,000 Limits
No-Limit and Pot-Limit: 60,000-120,000, 120,000/180,000 ante

Keeping Pots Small, Talk Lively

Level 33

Big O

Brad Ruben and Jaswinder Lally just played two rounds of Big O without any pot advancing to the flop.

The two bracelet winners are being quite cordial with each other. Ruben bought a round of drinks for himself, Lally, and his supporters on the rail as they talk about their personal lives between hands

"Keeping it friendly," Ruben said.

"Friendly enough to double me up?" Lally asked.

"Not that friendly," Ruben replied.

Player Chips Progress
Brad Ruben us
Brad Ruben
WSOP 4X Winner
7,800,000 150,000
Jaswinder Lally ca
Jaswinder Lally
WSOP 1X Winner
2,950,000 -150,000

Lally's Mistake Works Out

Level 33
Jaswinder Lally
Jaswinder Lally

No Limit 2-7 Single Draw

Jaswinder Lally raised to 300,000 from the button and Brad Ruben made the call.

Ruben drew one, Lally drew two.

"You're only drawing one?" said Lally. "I didn't see the last one. Man, never draw two in this game."

But, he did, and Ruben took his shot by betting 475,000 post-draw. Lally called quickly.

"You got it," said Ruben. "Fours," saying he paired on the draw.

Lally showed, {9-}{7-}{6-}{5-}{2-} for a great two-card draw to the ninety-seven.

Player Chips Progress
Brad Ruben us
Brad Ruben
WSOP 4X Winner
7,650,000 -300,000
Jaswinder Lally ca
Jaswinder Lally
WSOP 1X Winner
3,100,000 300,000

Tags: Brad RubenJaswinder Lally

Naoya Kihara Eliminated in 3rd Place ($52,282)

Level 33
Naoya Kihara
Naoya Kihara

Five-Card Draw

Naoya Kihara was down to 800,000 after losing that massive pot to Brad Ruben and shoved all in. Ruben snap-called and showed {a-Diamonds}{a-Clubs} while drawing three.

Kihara had {j-Spades}{j-Diamonds} and needed to improve. He slowly turned over the {7-Diamonds}{10-Clubs} and was looking to pair up on his last card, but he flipped over the {2-Spades} and was eliminated in third place.

Player Chips Progress
Brad Ruben us
Brad Ruben
WSOP 4X Winner
7,950,000 700,000
Naoya Kihara jp
Naoya Kihara
WSOP 1X Winner
Busted

Tags: Brad RubenNaoya Kihara