Two GOATS in their own right, Doug Polk and Phil Ivey, have both officially made their 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP) debuts in what is one of the most stacked tournaments of the summer.
Event #8: $25,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em Championship began at noon PT on Friday with 64 of the best and most popular players in the game, all just hoping to keep pace with the great John Smith, of course.
2-7 Razz
David Levi: 3x2x5x/6x4xQxAx5x
John Racener: 3x2x5x/8x10x3x4x
John Racener completed and then called after getting raised by David Levi.
Racener called a bet on fourth and then an all-in on fifth to put Levi at risk.
in the end, Racener made an eight-five low, while Levi drew to an qualifying six to become the first elimination of the final table.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
1,215,000
230,000
|
230,000 |
|
||
|
Busted | |
2-7 Razz
James Johnson: 7x6x/8x6xAx5x/9x
Clayton Mozdzen: 7x8x/4x10xKxQx/7x
James Johnson was all in on third street against Clayton Mozdzen and in a shining example of the added nuance to 2-7 Razz, by seventh street, Johnson had made a straight, while Mozdzen's queen-ten ended up being the winner.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
1,700,000
250,000
|
250,000 |
|
Busted |
A-5 Triple Draw
In a duel button versus small blind, chip leader Chad Eveslage took on John Racener. Both took two and Racener bet, Eveslage called. Racener patted the second draw and Eveslage took one for the former to bet and the latter to call.
On the final draw, Racener patted again and Eveslage discarded one. They checked and Racener won the pot with the 8x5x4x3xAx.
Both tangled again soon after in a three-bet pot after which Eveslage gave up after the second draw.
Clayton Mozdzen then raised on the button for Eveslage to defend the big blind,. Having discarded three versus one, Eveslage check-called a bet before both checked down the final two draws, discarding one each. Eveslage tabled his 9x6x4x3xAx and Mozdzen mucked deuces, mentioning he paired up three times.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
4,950,000
750,000
|
750,000 |
|
||
|
|
2,300,000
1,085,000
|
1,085,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
1,425,000
275,000
|
275,000 |
Stud 8 or Better
Clayton Mozdzen: XxXx / A♠10♠8♦K♠ folded on sixth
John Racener: XxXx / 8♥7♥5♥4♥
The Stud 8 or Better orbit went by in a breeze with no hand taking longer than 45 seconds and the most notable one saw John Racener bet a favourable runout. Clayton Mozdzen sigh-folded on sixth street as he mentioned to fold aces and tens while Racener flashed a straight with a gutshot straight flush showing on his open board.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
2,800,000
500,000
|
500,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
1,000,000
425,000
|
425,000 |
Badeucey
Chad Eveslage selected Badeucey and then proceeded to raise the button with Clayton Mozdzen calling out of the big blind. Eveslage discarded four versus trey and Mozdzen check-called a bet do then do so again after the second draw on which both discarded two.
Mozdzen took one on the final draw and Eveslage patted to bet when checked to, picking up a call by the Canadian. Eveslage had a three card with seven low but Mozdzen chopped.
Eveslage then raised for Mozdzen to defend the small blind and the latter took two, Eveslage patted. "Oh wow, good for you," Mozdzen instantly said after that announcement and grinned.
Mozdzen check-called a bet and took one, Eveslage patted and they checked. On the final draw, both patted and Mozdzen check-called another bet. Eveslage tabled the 6♠ / 9♦7♣3♥2♠ for a nine-nine and scooped a pot, leaving his opponent with just over one big bet.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
6,100,000
1,150,000
|
1,150,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
250,000
750,000
|
750,000 |
Badeucey
Clayton Mozdzen raised and then called all-in when Chad Eveslage three-bet. Both discarded two each on the first two draws and one each on the final draw to reveal the following showdown.
Clayton Mozdzen: 7♦ / 8♥3♣2♦
Chad Eveslage: 6♦ / 9♣7♥4♦
Eveslage had a three-card nine while Mozdzen was ahead with a three-card eight. The final card for Eveslage was the 10♠ as he improved to a ten-ten. Mozdzen peeled the A♦ for a third diamond and was eliminated in 5th place.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
6,500,000
400,000
|
400,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
2,125,000
675,000
|
675,000 |
|
|
||
|
1,800,000
750,000
|
750,000 |
|
||
|
1,050,000
535,000
|
535,000 |
|
||
|
|
Busted | |
A series of split pot games such as Stud Hi-Lo Regular, Stud 8 or Better and Badeucey saw no major action with split pots and hands not going to seventh street.
Chad Eveslage continues to be the firm chip leader.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
6,800,000
300,000
|
300,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
1,840,000
285,000
|
285,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
1,550,000
250,000
|
250,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
1,280,000
230,000
|
230,000 |
|
|
||
Badeucey
In a battle of the blinds in the last hand of Badeucey, both discarded two on the first draw and Chad Eveslage check-called a bet by John Racener. They discarded two again and Racener bet when checked to, sending Eveslage in a very rare tank. "The best in the world needs time?" Racener joked, Eveslage grinned back and called a minute later.
Eveslage discarded another two on the final draw while Racener took one. Eveslage check-called but couldn't beat the 7♠ / 9♦4♣3♠2♥ of Racener.
Big O
The final hand of the level brought Big O with Nick Kost as initial raiser, picking up calls from Racener and Andrew Kelsall in the blinds. They checked the Q♦6♠5♥ flop and Racener bet the 9♥ turn for 175,000. Only Kelsall called and the Q♣ river was checked.
Racener revealed the A♠J♥10♠9♦2♣ for queens and deuces to win the pot, with Kelsall sighing visibly.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
6,100,000
700,000
|
700,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
2,950,000
1,110,000
|
1,110,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
1,450,000
100,000
|
100,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
950,000
330,000
|
330,000 |
|
|
||
Level: 31
Limit Flop/Draw: 60,000-120,000, 120,000-240,000 Limits
Stud Games: 30,000 Ante, 30,000 Bring-In, 120,000 Completion 120,000-240,000 Limits,
Pot-Limit & No-Limit: 60,000-90,000 Ante, 30,000/60,000 Blinds
