2023 World Series of Poker

Event #7: $1,500 Limit Hold'em
Day: 3
Event Info

2023 World Series of Poker

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
106
Prize
$146,835
Event Info
Buy-in
$1,500
Prize Pool
$703,545
Entries
527
Level Info
Level
34
Limits
250,000 / 500,000
Ante
0
Players Info - Day 3
Entries
17
Players Left
1

Event #7: $1,500 Limit Hold'em

Day 3 Completed

Vadim Shlez Wins Event #7: Limit Hold’em ($146,835)

Level 34 : Limits 250,000/500,000, 0 ante
Vadim Shlez
Vadim Shlez

A total of 17 players began Day 3 of Event #7: Limit Hold’em at the 2023 World Series of Poker at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. Only one was left standing when it mattered the most.

In a heads-up showdown featuring an all-Ukrainian flavor, Vadim Shlez outlasted the field and his fellow countryman Rostyslav Sabishchenko ($90,753) to win. With the victory, Shlez secured his first WSOP bracelet.

Final Table Results

PlacePlayerCountryPrize
1Vadim ShlezUkraine$146,835
2Rostyslav SabishchenkoUkraine$90,753
3Kerry WelshUnited States$63,577
4Raul CelayaUnited States$45,301
5John ArmbrustUnited States$32,840
6Chairud VangchailuedUnited States$24,228
7Jason DuongCanada$18,196
8David "ODB" BakerUnited States$13,917

Path to the final table

Shlez’s path came with plenty of obstacles, as he entered Day 3 with the 13th-most chips in play. Then he picked a good time to go on a run.

He conquered a formidable group of players. The field included multiple WSOP bracelet winners, including Adam Friedman, David "ODB" Baker, Joe McKeehen, Jason Gola, Mike Leah, Nick Schulman, Yueqi Zhu, Patrick Leonard, Justin Pechie, Ryan Leng, Tom Schneider, Richard Alsup, Erick Lindgren, Jim Collopy, Ryan Hansen, Humberto Brenes, Nick Guagenti, and Kevin Song.

Vadim Shlez and Rostyslav Sabishchenko
Vadim Shlez and Rostyslav Sabishchenko face off over the heads-up table.

Baker, who made the final table, finished in eighth place for $13,917.

Shlez also had to contend with notable WPT winners Scott Eskenazi, who busted in tenth place, and Lee Markholt.

A total of 527 entries turned out and generated a prize pool of $703,545.

Kerry Welsh finished in third for $63,577, while Raul Celaya took fourth for $45,301.

Winner’s Reaction

Shlez has been playing poker for more than 20 years, so he knows the significance of winning a WSOP bracelet.

Perhaps that’s why he was almost overcome with emotion when he discussed his journey.

“I’ve been working on it for pretty much my whole life,” Shlez told PokerNews with a wide smile. “I started poker pretty much with the World Series of Poker. … I didn’t expect to win in this discipline, even though it was my favorite game when I started.”

Shlez, who sported a Ukrainian flag lapel pin and draped himself in the flag after winning, said playing against Sabishchenko proved special.

“It was unbelievable,” Shlez said. “We thought it would be cool yesterday [Friday] when it went down to three tables. We hoped it was going to happen, but nobody expected this to happen. I mean, even making the final table together was great. It was unbelievable. To win it, it was unbelievable.”

Vadim Shlez
Shlez and Sabishchenko embrace.

Shlez acknowledged the stout competition he faced en route to his first WSOP bracelet, and he never got overconfident, even though he rode a hot streak to the final table. To him, victory arrived on the table.

“Not until the last cards hit,” he said.

Schlez isn’t going anywhere anytime soon after securing his first WSOP bracelet. He plans to continue playing other WSOP events with his wife and has his eyes on another bracelet.

“Hopefully,” Shlez said. “Hopefully for her, too”

This concludes coverage of Event #7 of the 2023 WSOP, but make sure to stay tuned to PokerNews for live updates of your favorite events throughout the summer.

Tags: Adam FriedmanErick LindgrenHumberto BrenesJason GolaJim CollopyJoe McKeehenJustin PechieKerry WelshKevin SongLee MarkholtMike LeahNick GuagentiNick SchulmanPatrick LeonardRaul CelayaRichard AlsupRostyslav SabishchenkoRyan HansenRyan LengScott EskenaziTom SchneiderVadim ShlezYueqi Zhu

Rostyslav Sabishchenko Eliminated in 2nd Place ($90,753)

Level 34 : Limits 250,000/500,000, 0 ante
Rostyslav Sabishchenko
Rostyslav Sabishchenko

Rostyslav Sabishchenko raised the button holding the K7, prompting a call from Vadim Shlez in the big blind holding the 106 to see a flop of 3107.

Shlez check-called a bet from Sabishchenko and the two players headed to a 2 turn card.

Sabishchenko continued with another bet only to face a raise from Shlez.

Sabishchenko thought for a brief moment before tossing out a raise of his own to put himself all-in and at risk with one card to come.

Shlez called and the cards were turned up revealing to Sabishchenko that he needed help.

The Q fell on the river, changing nothing and ending Sabishchenko's run in second place for $90,753.

Player Chips Progress
Vadim Shlez ua
Vadim Shlez
13,120,000 2,285,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Rostyslav Sabishchenko ua
Rostyslav Sabishchenko
Busted

Tags: Rostyslav SabishchenkoVadim Shlez

Sabishchenko Doubles with Ace-High

Level 34 : Limits 250,000/500,000, 0 ante

Rostyslav Sabishchenko raised A4 from the button and got called by Vadim Shlez holding K8.

The dealer spread a flop of 376 and Sabishchenko led out with a bet that was quickly met with a raise from Shlez. Sabishchenko called off the rest of his chips and the players were off to a runout.

The J turn and J river didn't improve Shlez's hand and secured the double up for Sabishchenko.

Player Chips Progress
Vadim Shlez ua
Vadim Shlez
10,835,000 1,750,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Rostyslav Sabishchenko ua
Rostyslav Sabishchenko
2,285,000 -1,740,000

Tags: Rostyslav SabishchenkoVadim Shlez

Sabishchenko Doubles Up with Trips

Level 34 : Limits 250,000/500,000, 0 ante

Rostyslav Sabishchenko raised on the button with 1010. Vadim Shlez looked down at AQ and responded by re-raising.

Sabishchenko reraised, and Shlez called to bring the flop.

The dealer placed 10J2 on the board, giving Sabishchenko middle set and Shlez a gutshot straight draw. Sabishchenko promptly bet and was immediately called by Shlez.

The turn saw 6 on the board, and it got interesting when Sabishchenko bet and Shlez came over the top with an all-in bet, which Sabishchenko quickly called, putting his tournament at stake.

Shlez was behind and needed any queen to hit the straight, but the dealer put 8 on the board and pushed the 4,030,000 to Sabishchenko.

Player Chips Progress
Vadim Shlez ua
Vadim Shlez
9,085,000 135,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Rostyslav Sabishchenko ua
Rostyslav Sabishchenko
4,025,000 -115,000

Tags: Rostyslav SabishchenkoVadim Shlez

Ace-High Good for Shlez

Level 34 : Limits 250,000/500,000, 0 ante

Vadim Shlez raised while holding A4 on the button and Rostyslav Sabishchenko called from the big blind with the K4 to see a flop of Q25.

Sabishchenko check-called a bet from Shlez, prompting the dealer to burn and turn the 8.

The players checked through to a 5 river before checking through to showdown.

The players turned up their cards and Shlez took the pot with ace-high.

Player Chips Progress
Vadim Shlez ua
Vadim Shlez
8,950,000 1,875,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Rostyslav Sabishchenko ua
Rostyslav Sabishchenko
4,140,000 -1,875,000

Tags: Rostyslav SabishchenkoVadim Shlez

Sabishchenko Pulls Back Within Striking Distance of Shlez

Level 34 : Limits 250,000/500,000, 0 ante

In heads-up action, Vadim Shlez raised the button with J7 then faced a three-bet from Rostyslav Sabishchenko holding KK. Shlez called to see a flop of 272.

Sabishchenko bet out and got a two-bet back from Shlez. Sabishchenko tossed in a call before seeing the 3 hit the turn.

Both players checked through to the A river. Sabishchenko led with a bet which prompted a fold from Shlez as the pot was pushed in Sabishchenko's direction.

Player Chips Progress
Vadim Shlez ua
Vadim Shlez
7,075,000 -1,375,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Rostyslav Sabishchenko ua
Rostyslav Sabishchenko
6,015,000 1,375,000

Tags: Rostyslav SabishchenkoVadim Shlez

Shlez’s Two Pair Secures Pot

Level 34 : Limits 250,000/500,000, 0 ante

Vadim Shlez raised on the button holding Q9 and was quickly called by Rostyslav Sabishchenko, who held KQ.

Both players saw Q68 hit the flop, giving each top pair. Sabishchenko held the edge with the K kicker which he checked. Shlez bet, and Sabishchenko called.

However, the turn gave Shlez the lead when 9 came on the board. Sabishchenko checked once again. Shlez bet and was called.

The J hit the river, putting a four-card straight on the board. Sabishchenko checked and Shlez bet, putting pressure on his opponent. Sabischenko decided to call and saw the bad news, as the 3,500,000 pot was pushed to Shlez.

Player Chips Progress
Vadim Shlez ua
Vadim Shlez
8,450,000 1,550,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Rostyslav Sabishchenko ua
Rostyslav Sabishchenko
4,640,000 -1,550,000

Tags: Rostyslav SabishchenkoVadim Shlez

Level: 34

Blinds: 125,000-250,000
Limits: 250,000-500,000