2023 World Series of Poker

Event #53: $1,500 Millionaire Maker
Day: 5
Event Info

2023 World Series of Poker

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
kq
Prize
$1,201,564
Event Info
Buy-in
$1,500
Prize Pool
$13,905,360
Entries
10,430
Level Info
Level
41
Blinds
1,000,000 / 2,000,000
Ante
2,000,000
Players Info - Day 5
Entries
7
Players Left
1

Event #53: $1,500 Millionaire Maker

Day 5 Completed

Pavel Plesuv Earns First Moldovan Bracelet after Taking Down Event #53: $1,500 Millionaire Maker

Level 41 : Blinds 1,000,000/2,000,000, 2,000,000 ante
Pavel Plesuv
Pavel Plesuv

The 2023 World Series of Poker in its home at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas has crowned a new champion as Moldovan Pavel Plesuv has won his first bracelet. He was the last player standing in Event #53: $1,500 Millionaire Maker No-Limit Hold'em. Although this is his first bracelet, Plesuv has found high success in various WSOP events prior.

With his bracelet win, Plesuv has found his biggest live cash to date. With such prestige and notoriety, Plesuv has won the grand prize of $1,201,564 and his first WSOP bracelet. Plesuv stormed through the field of bracelet winners and notable names as he outmaneuvered the entrants over five days to claim the bulk of the $13,905,360.

It was with little adversity, since Plesuv came into the final day as the chip leader and continued to run hot until the end of the event. Plesuv was supported by a rail of friends and family as he seemed unstoppable marching his way to the bracelet.

Event #37: $1,500 Millionaire Maker Final Table Results

PlaceWinnerCountryPrize
1Pavel PlesuvMoldova$1,201,564
2Florian RibouchonFrance$1,003,554
3Paul GunnessUnited States$650,058
4Andreas KniepGermany$501,182
5Anton SmirnovRussia$373,524
6Myles MullalyUnited States$287,522
7Vitor De Souza CoutinhoBrazil$222,749
8Andras MatraiHungary$173,683
9Charles BenoitCanada$136,302

Many notables were in the field with David “OBD” Baker chasing his forth WSOP bracelet. However, Baker was eliminated near the beginning of Day 4 in 30th place. Another bracelet winner Blair Hinkle was also eliminated early in day 3 at 33rd Place.

Plesuv came into Day 5 as the chip leader and he managed to secure the win with little risk. He was never all in or at risk of elimination as he took the tournament down.

Winner's Reaction

PokerNews asked about his success in WSOP events, and how he felt after winning this tournament. Plesuv said:

"It feels amazing, as you said I had some deep runs in the world series but no bracelets. So, it’s really nice to win my first bracelet in such a big field, and for such a big amount my best cash. It feels amazing"

When asked about plans and how he was gonna spend the money, Plesuv responded:

"We’ll see. First of all, I will pay my taxes. Second, I will have some beer and party, and I will continue supporting Ukraine and people in need. Maybe I’ll buy a house we will see"

When asked if he felt there was a tipping point or hand that was crucial to his win of the tournament, Plesuv said:

“Honestly, I don’t have this feeling that I will definitely win. The stacks were pretty shallow and it is swingy. If I lose this A2 vs AA hand I will not be chip leader. I’d say the turning point where I got the chip lead and far ahead of the others was at two tables on the second feature table. We got big stacks there close to each other, and I was getting good hands in good spots to accumulate some chips.”

Finally, when asked if there was anything else he wanted to say to the readers, Plesuv said:

“Keep studying and keep believing in your dreams. Follow your passion and the results will come. Don’t let results affect your life too much. You can extract a lot of good things, even when you have a losing streak.

Pavel Plesuv
Pavel Plesuv

Recap of the Day

The day started with Andreas Kniep putting the pressure on the rest of the table, and the first elimination could be credited to Kniep when Vitor De Souza Countinho lost a flip to him. This eliminated the Brazilian in 7th place for $222,749.

The next victim was Myles Mullaly who saw himself on the wrong end of a two outer hit. This tragically ended the American's run in 6th place for $287,522.

Anton Smirnov was knocked out next. He lost a flip to be eliminated in 5th place for $373,524. Following shortly after was Andreas Kniep who had his Aces beat to send him home in 4th place for $501,182.

Next up was Paul Gunness who was eliminated in 3rd place for $650,058. His Ace high hand was beaten in a flip against Plesuv.

The heads-up battle was a short affair and it was the Jacks of Florian Ribouchon that lost to Puslev in a flip. Florian took home $1,003,554 for his 2nd place finish.

Congratulations to Pavel for winning the 2023 WSOP Event #53: $1,500 Millionaire Maker!

Be sure to keep it with the PokerNews team for coverage of your favorite tournaments at the 2023 World Series of Poker.

Pavel Plesuv
Pavel Plesuv

Tags: Andras MatraiAndreas KniepAnton SmirnovBlair HinkleCharles BenoitFlorian RibouchonMyles MullalyPaul GunnessPavel PlesuvVitor De Souza Coutinho

Florian Ribouchon Eliminated in 2nd Place ($1,003,554)

Level 41 : Blinds 1,000,000/2,000,000, 2,000,000 ante
KQ vs JJ All In Moment
KQ vs JJ All In Moment

Pavel Plesuv raised 5,000,000 with KQ and Florian Ribouchon three-bet 13,500,000 with JJ. Plesuv made the call.

The flop came K52, pairing Plesuv's king to take the lead and Ribouchon check-called a bet of 9,000,000 from Plesuv.

The K paired the board on the turn and Ribouchon checked once again. Plesuv bet it all and Ribouchon called off his 31,100,000.

Florian Ribouchon: JJ
Pavel Plesuv: KQ

Ribouchon couldn't find one of the last remaining jacks as the 3 completed the board, sending him home in 2nd place and $1,003,554.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Pavel Plesuv md
Pavel Plesuv
260,100,000
60,100,000
60,100,000
Day 4 Chip Leader
WSOP 1X Winner
Profile photo of Florian Ribouchon fr
Florian Ribouchon
Busted

Tags: Florian RibouchonPavel Plesuv

Ribouchon Jams the River

Level 41 : Blinds 1,000,000/2,000,000, 2,000,000 ante

Florian Ribouchon raised limped Q6 and Pavel Plesuv looked down at 88 before raising to 6,500,000, which Ribouchon called.

When the 432 flop hit the felt, Plesuv continued for 5,000,000 and Ribouchon called.

The 5 hit the turn, improving Ribouchon to a straight and Plesuv fired 6,500,000. Ribouchon made the call.

When the K completed the board, Plesuv slowed down with a check and Ribouchon jammed all-in for 21,600,000. Plesuv thought about it for about a minute and let it go.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Pavel Plesuv md
Pavel Plesuv
200,000,000
-14,200,000
-14,200,000
Day 4 Chip Leader
WSOP 1X Winner
Profile photo of Florian Ribouchon fr
Florian Ribouchon
60,100,000
14,200,000
14,200,000

Tags: Pavel PlesuvFlorian Ribouchon

Ribouchon Flops Trips

Level 41 : Blinds 1,000,000/2,000,000, 2,000,000 ante
Florian Ribouchon
Florian Ribouchon

Pavel Plesuv limped 87 and Florian Ribouchon checked his option with 52.

The dealer fanned a flop of 655 and Ribouchon check-called a bet of 2,500,000.

When the K hit the turn, Ribouchon took the lead, betting 3,500,000. Plesuv called.

The A completed the board and Ribouchon fired another bet of 9,000,000, which earned him the pot.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Pavel Plesuv md
Pavel Plesuv
214,200,000
-8,500,000
-8,500,000
Day 4 Chip Leader
WSOP 1X Winner
Profile photo of Florian Ribouchon fr
Florian Ribouchon
45,900,000
8,500,000
8,500,000

Tags: Pavel PlesuvFlorian Ribouchon

Paul Gunness Eliminated in 3rd Place ($650,058)

Level 41 : Blinds 1,000,000/2,000,000, 2,000,000 ante
Paul Gunness
Paul Gunness

Pavel Plesuv raised to 22,000,000 in the small blind and Paul Gunness called off his stack of 19,500,000 in the big blind.

Paul Gunness: A3
Pavel Plesuv: Q8

The flop came K99 for Gunness' ace high to still be good but the Q turn left him drawing to an ace on the river. The 10 river was no help though as he was eliminated in 3rd place.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Pavel Plesuv md
Pavel Plesuv
222,700,000
40,200,000
40,200,000
Day 4 Chip Leader
WSOP 1X Winner
Profile photo of Florian Ribouchon fr
Florian Ribouchon
37,400,000
-11,700,000
-11,700,000
Profile photo of Paul Gunness us
Paul Gunness
Busted

Tags: Paul GunnessPavel Plesuv

Plesuv's Min-Raise on the River Gets Called

Level 41 : Blinds 1,000,000/2,000,000, 2,000,000 ante

Florian Ribouchon limped the small blind with Q2 and Pavel Plesuv checked his option with J7.

The dealer spread a flop of KKJ and both players checked to the Q turn. Both players checked once again.

When the J hit the river, Ribouchon bet 3,000,000. Plesuv put in a min-raise to 6,000,000 and Ribouchon called.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Pavel Plesuv md
Pavel Plesuv
182,500,000
17,000,000
17,000,000
Day 4 Chip Leader
WSOP 1X Winner
Profile photo of Florian Ribouchon fr
Florian Ribouchon
49,100,000
-12,000,000
-12,000,000
Profile photo of Paul Gunness us
Paul Gunness
27,800,000
-5,000,000
-5,000,000

Tags: Florian RibouchonPavel Plesuv

Andreas Kniep Eliminated in 4th Place ($501,182)

Level 41 : Blinds 1,000,000/2,000,000, 2,000,000 ante
Andreas Kniep
Andreas Kniep

Florian Ribouchon raised QJ on the button to 4,000,000 and Andreas Kniep flatted the small blind before and Pavel Plesuv jammed all-in in the big blind.

Ribouchon quickly folded and Kniep called off his stick of 26,800,000.

Andreas Kniep: AA
Pavel Plesuv: A2

The flop came 1053, giving Plesuv a straight draw. The 4 hit the turn immediately, and Kniep couldn't find another spade to make a flush or a duece to chop as the 7 rolled off on the river.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Pavel Plesuv md
Pavel Plesuv
165,500,000
30,800,000
30,800,000
Day 4 Chip Leader
WSOP 1X Winner
Profile photo of Florian Ribouchon fr
Florian Ribouchon
61,100,000
-4,000,000
-4,000,000
Profile photo of Paul Gunness us
Paul Gunness
32,800,000
-5,000,000
-5,000,000
Profile photo of Andreas Kniep de
Andreas Kniep
Busted
Day 3 Chip Leader

Tags: Andreas KniepFlorian RibouchonPavel Plesuv

Kniep Finds a Double

Level 41 : Blinds 1,000,000/2,000,000, 2,000,000 ante
Andreas Kniep
Andreas Kniep

Pavel Plesuv raised 4,000,000 and Andreas Kniep jammed for 11,900,000. Plesuv called and both hands were on their backs.

Andreas Kniep: A5
Pavel Plesuv: K10

Kniep had the lead and the A72 flop left Plesuv drawing thin. The Q hit the turn, giving Plesuv a gutshot straight draw but the 9 river was no help and Kniep doubled through him.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Pavel Plesuv md
Pavel Plesuv
134,700,000
-6,900,000
-6,900,000
Day 4 Chip Leader
WSOP 1X Winner
Profile photo of Andreas Kniep de
Andreas Kniep
26,800,000
11,900,000
11,900,000
Day 3 Chip Leader

Tags: Andreas KniepPavel Plesuv

Ribouchon Takes it on the Flop

Level 41 : Blinds 1,000,000/2,000,000, 2,000,000 ante

Florian Ribouchon raised 4,000,000 on the button with 86 and Pavel Plesuv defended the big blind with Q7.

The dealer spread a flop of AK9 and Plesuv check-folded to a continuation bet of 3,000,000 from Ribouchon.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Pavel Plesuv md
Pavel Plesuv
141,600,000
9,000,000
9,000,000
Day 4 Chip Leader
WSOP 1X Winner
Profile photo of Florian Ribouchon fr
Florian Ribouchon
65,100,000
-5,000,000
-5,000,000
Profile photo of Paul Gunness us
Paul Gunness
37,800,000
Profile photo of Andreas Kniep de
Andreas Kniep
14,900,000
-4,000,000
-4,000,000
Day 3 Chip Leader

Tags: Florian RibouchonPavel Plesuv