Event #55: $1,500 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better
Day 3 Completed
2023 World Series of Poker
Event #55: $1,500 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better
Day: 3
Event Info
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
Players Info - Day 3
2023 World Series of Poker
Buy-in
$1,500
Prize Pool
$755,610
Entries
566
Level
35
Limits
300,000 / 600,000
Ante
75,000
Entries
18
Players Left
1
Marcin Horecki Wins $155,275 and First WSOP Bracelet in Event #55: Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better
Level 35
: Limits 300,000/600,000, 75,000 ante
After three days of play, Marcin Horecki has emerged victorious in Event $55: Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better at the 2023 World Series of Poker at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. He outlasted a field of 566 entrants that generated a prize pool of $755,610 to take home $155,275 and his first-ever WSOP gold bracelet.
Horecki defeated Mike Matusow, who came just short of winning his fifth career gold bracelet, in heads-up play to secure the win.
Event #55: $1,500 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
| 1 | Marcin Horecki | Poland | $155,275 |
| 2 | Mike Matusow | United States | $95,957 |
| 3 | Scott Numoto | United States | $66,950 |
| 4 | James Cheung | United Kingdom | $47,475 |
| 5 | Sergio Braga | Brazil | $34,225 |
| 6 | Michael Estes | United States | $25,089 |
| 7 | Brian Rast | United States | $18,709 |
| 8 | Chris George | United States | $14,195 |
Winner's Reaction
Horecki, who has been retired from professional poker for five years, said the experience was a dream come true.
"As you know, it's the first bracelet for Poland, long-awaited. And I'm kind of old school, a grandfather, let's say, among Polish poker players. In actuality, I've been retired for five years, so I came back to play just for fun, and it seems I did not forget the game. The cards were going my way",
Horecki had a lively rail of friends and fellow poker players throughout the final table and was deeply appreciative of their support.
"When I used to play regularly in Vegas, there were maybe three to five Polish players. Now the group is twenty plus, and I really appreciate it. The atmosphere was perfect, and I couldn't ask for more."
When asked about facing Matusow heads up for his first bracelet Horecki credited much of his success to having a unique playing style, particularly in formats other than Texas Hold'em.
"I think he gave me too much credit. Of course, I think I played well, but I was expecting a hard time. The last hand, of course, was a bit lucky on my side, but he doubled up twice from 400,000. I made some really good plays where I bet and he folded the best hand or a chop. I think I did well. You would expect I would be rusty, but my biggest strength is playing in unorthodox games and unorthodox situations. Unlike in Texas Hold'em, in games like this, there are so many spots where you can use your imagination. I'm really happy I won a bracelet in such a game. Stud Hi-Lo is such an enjoyable game, and I enjoyed every second".
Before he left, he spoke about what the support of other Polish poker players meant to him.
"I would like to thank once again the support of all Polish poker players. It meant a lot to me. I hope now we will start winning a lot of bracelets for Poland. The first is done. I wish all professional poker players success, to enjoy the game, and to enjoy life".
Final Day Recap
The day started with 18 players, who were quickly reduced to an unofficial final table of nine. Early exits to start the day included Darryl Ronconi, Lonnie Heimowitz, Timothy Frazin, Ahmed Mohamed, Denny Axel, Kyle Hinnerichs, Jose Paz-Gutierrez, James Juvancic and Patricia Yannuzzi.
Kao Saechao was next to be eliminated when his two pair was bested by Day 2 chip leader James Cheung who had aces up. Saechao's elimination marked the start of the official final table.
Chris George was the first official final table casualty. He was on the receiving end of a brutal cooler when his two pair was cracked by Scott Numoto, who made trips on seventh street to send him to the rail.
Brian Rast found himself short-stacked at several points during Day 3 but consistently found ways to spin his chip stack buck up. He finally bowed out in seventh place after losing a monster pot to Horecki, leaving him very short-stacked. He bust out not long after.
Michael Estes was next to go, losing several key pots where he failed to connect with his draws, ultimately losing the last of his chips to Cheung who managed to hit a pair and a low while Estes bricked out.
Sergio Braga was one of the shorter stacks for much of the final table but did an admirable job of fighting back in key spots and laddering up. His tournament life came to an end at the hands of Scott Numoto, who hit both a two pair and a low to secure a massive triple up.
Day 2 chip leader James Cheung quickly followed him out the door to set up three-handed play. Then, following the elimination of Scott Numoto in third place, heads up play began between Matusow and Horecki.
Heads up play lasted about two hours. Horecki started heads-up play with roughly a 3-1 chip advantage, but Matusow put in a valiant effort, reducing the gap between himself and Horecki on several occasions. At one point, Horecki got Matusow to fold a chop and left him very short-stacked.
Although Matusow did manage to double up twice from that point, he had to settle for second place after Horecki pulled ahead of his pair of eights with a pair of jacks on sixth street and he was unable to improve himself.
This concludes the PokerNews coverage for this event, but there is still plenty more action to come at the 2023 World Series of Poker at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, so be sure to stay tuned for all the live updates from each and every bracelet event.
Marcin Horecki Wins Event #55: $1,500 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better ($155,275)
Level 35
: Limits 300,000/600,000, 75,000 ante
Marcin Horecki has defeated Mike Matusow heads-up to claim his first World Series of Poker bracelet and the $155,275 first-place prize.
The Polish poker professional will add to his $1.4 million in career-tournament earnings and bring home Poland's first-ever WSOP bracelet.
Stay tuned for a full recap of Day 3.
Mike Matusow Eliminated in 2nd Place ($95,957)
Level 35
: Limits 300,000/600,000, 75,000 ante
Mike Matusow: A♣8♣/8♥4♠J♣K♦/7♣
Marcin Horecki: K♣6♣/4♣8♦J♠J♥/2♥
In what would be the final hand of the tournament, Mike Matusow completed and Marcin Horecki called.
Horecki called a bet from Matusow on fourth and then raised a bet from Matusow on fifth. Matusow called all in and boards were run.
Matusow was well ahead with his eights, but Horecki caught a jack on sixth to vault into the lead.
Matusow bricked out on sixth and seventh and was eliminated in second place.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
14,150,000 | 1,400,000 |
|
Busted |
Matusow Doubles Twice
Level 35
: Limits 300,000/600,000, 75,000 ante
Marcin Horecki: 9♣8♣/10♥A♠4♦4♣/K♦
Mike Matusow: 6♣5♦/Q♣2♥3♥8♥/5♠
In the first hand Mike Matusow completed all in and boards were run.
Matusow ended up catching a pair of fives on seventh to double up his micro stack.
Marcin Horecki: Q♠7♣/A♦J♠4♦2♣/10♠
Mike Matusow: 9♣7♥/9♥K♥10♦3♦/4♣
In the second hand, Horecki completed and Matusow raised all in. Horecki called and Matusow's board left him best again with a pair of nines.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
12,750,000 | -1,000,000 |
|
|
1,400,000 | 1,000,000 |
Matusow on Fumes after Making Big Fold
Level 35
: Limits 300,000/600,000, 75,000 ante
Marcin Horecki: A♥8♥4♠/5♣3♦J♦3♠
Mike Matusow: 7♦7♥8♠/4♥J♠9♥Q♥ - folded on seventh street
Marcin Horecki completed with a five and Mike Matusow defended his bring in.
Fourth through sixth street saw action repeat itself with Horecki betting each time. On sixth street Matusow tanked for approximately two minutes before making the call.
On seventh Horecki bet again, enough to put Matusow all in. Once again Matusow went deep into the tank, at one point revealing that he had only a pair of sevens with no low and was contemplating making a huge hero call.
Eventually Matusow made the fold, leaving himself with just under one big bet. Horecki showed his cards, revealing he had gotten Matusow off a chop with only had a pair of threes and an eight low .
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
13,750,000 | 1,100,000 |
|
|
400,000 | -1,100,000 |
Level: 35
Ante - 75,000
Bring in - 100,000
Limits - 300,000-600,000
Horecki Leaves Matusow Short
Level 34
: Limits 250,000/500,000, 50,000 ante
Marcin Horecki: 10♠5♦4♥/10♦7♠2♦10♥
Mike Matusow: K♦J♠8♥/9♥K♣3♥J♣
Marcin Horecki completed and Mike Matusow called.
Horecki called bets from Matusow on fourth through sixth street and then bet himself on seventh. Matusow called and Horecki tabled 10♠5♦4♥ for trip tens.
An incredulous Matusow showed he held K♦J♠8♥ for two pair and Horecki scooped the large pot — leaving Matusow with his largest chip deficit of the match so far.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
12,650,000 | 3,000,000 |
|
|
1,500,000 | -3,000,000 |
Back and Forth Battle
Level 34
: Limits 250,000/500,000, 50,000 ante
Mike Matusow: XxXx/A♥5♥8♦
Marcin Horecki: XxXx/A♠3♣9♦ - folded on fifth street
Marcin Horecki completed and Mike Matusow defended his bring in. Matusow then took the betting lead on fourth and fifth, folding out Horecki on the latter of the two streets.
Marcin Horecki: J♥8♠7♠/J♠4♣2♥3♣
Mike Matusow: K♣5♠8♦/7♥Q♠A♠3♥
A few hands later, Marcin Horecki completed with a jack and was called by Mike Matusow in the bring in.
Both players checked fourth street. Matusow bet fifth and was called by Horecki. Both players then checked sixth and seventh.
Horecki tabled a pair of jacks and an eight low to scoop the pot versus Matusow's inferior eight low.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
9,650,000 | |
|
|
4,500,000 |
Matusow Fighting Back
Level 34
: Limits 250,000/500,000, 50,000 ante
Marcin Horecki: XxXx/8♠J♥5♦A♦/Xx
Mike Matusow: 6♠4♥3♥/3♣2♠3♦A♠
Marcin Horecki completed and Mike Matusow called.
Matusow called bets from Horecki on fourth and fifth street and then Horecki called bets from Matusow on sixth and seventh.
Matusow turned over 6♠4♥3♥ for trip threes with a low and Horecki mucked — conceding the pot to Matusow.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
9,650,000 | -2,000,000 |
|
|
4,500,000 | 2,000,000 |