Level 43
: Blinds 2,000,000/4,000,000, 4,000,000 ante
In the 843rd episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway and Kyna England are joined at Level 9 Studio by Joey Ingram, who served as special co-host to talk about the latest happenings at the 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) as well as his new partnership with GTO Wizard.
The biggest story is that of Scott Seiver, who captured his third bracelet of the summer and became just the seventh player in history to win three bracelets in the same year. Could he make history by becoming the only player to win four? He has two more weeks to do it.
Despite winning three bracelets, you might be surprised to learn that Seiver is far from a lock to win the 2024 WSOP Player of the Year; in fact, Jeremy Ausmus, who hasn't won a bracelet this summer, isn't too far behind in points thanks to a bevy of final table appearances. Would a non-bracelet winner winning POY over a three-time winner cause a controversy? The crew discusses that very possibility.
Chad then shares pictures and videos from the exclusive Global Poker party that took place at PokerGO Studio on Sunday night, while Ingram opens up about all things GTO Wizard. As usual, you'll also get your dose of other WSOP bracelet winners and a $25K Fantasy update. Oh, and did we mention talk about Daniel Negreanu, Nick Schulman, and Phil Ivey? Because that's all in there too.
A new PokerNews Podcast will drop twice weekly during the 2024 WSOP every Tuesday and Friday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode!
Level 43
: Blinds 2,000,000/4,000,000, 4,000,000 ante
Mikhail Zavoloka
Kyle Williamson announced all-in from the small blind and Mikhail Zavoloka wasted no time calling off his stack of 29,900,000.
Mikhail Zavoloka: A♠7♠
Kyle Williamson: A♦8♠
Zavoloka was dominated but the A♥7♥6♥ flop gave him two pair to take the lead. The 3♥ landed on the turn, giving some chop outs but the J♣ river changed nothing, sending another double toward Zavoloka.
Alexandre Barbaranelli was on the button when Mikhail Zavoloka raised from under the gun to 8,000,000. Barbarnelli made his move and shoved all of his chips in for 40,300,000 and Zavoloka made the call immediately.
The board came out monotone with 6♦3♦J♦ and Barbaranelli received more outs which came through on the turn of K♦ delivering the flush and the river K♥ which was irrelevant and Barbaranelli received a nice healthy stack.
Georgios Skarparis opened 10,000,000 in the cutoff and the table folded.
The following hand the action folded to Alexandre Barbaranelli in the small blind and he limped before Georgios Skarparis went for the maximum, announcing all-in. Barbaranelli thought about it for about five seconds, and pitched his cards into the muck.
Mikhail Zavoloka moved almost all in from under the gun for 21,000,000 and Kyle Williamson made the call from the big blind.
Kyle Williamson: Q♣7♠
Mikhail Zavoloka: K♣8♣
The board came out with 8♦4♦9♣10♥ and Williamson was quietly calling for a jack and the river obliged with J♠ and Williamson got a nice double for his stack.
Georgios Skarparis moved all-in on the button and Kyle Williamson called off his stack of about 45,000,000 from the small blind. Mikhail Zavoloka mucked the big blind and both hands were tabled.
Kyle Williamson: A♣K♠
Georgios Skarparis: Q♦J♦
The J♣10♠6♥ flop paired Skarparis' jack but Williamson still had life as he had a gutshot straight draw to go with his two overcards. Unfortunately for him though, the 6♦ turn and the 2♣ river were no help and he stood up from the table.
Georgios Skarparis limped in the cutoff and Mikhail Zavoloka called off his 2,800,000 in the small blind before Alexandre Barbaranelli checked his option.
The action checked to the K♦7♦9♠A♣7♥ river, where both players checked once again. Skarparis rolled 6♥5♥ for six-high, and Barbaranelli tabled Q♦6♦ for queen-high. Zavoloka hadn't seen his hand yet and slowly peeled the 10♠ first, and then the 2♥, not connecting with the board as he exited the table in third place.
The bracelet was out and the players were ready to go into heads up battle. Georgios Skarparis raised to 10,000,000 from the button and Alexandre Barbaranelli immediately moved all in from the big blind. Skarparis did not take long to call and they were off to the races.
Barbaranelli was in rough shape and called for a three but the board ran out with 5♥7♥7♦10♣2♣ and he was eliminated in second place after an amazing run.
Level 45
: Blinds 2,500,000/5,000,000, 5,000,000 ante
Georgios Skarparis
Georgios Skarparis of Cyprus displayed unwavering determination as he clinched his first World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet and a substantial $554,925 cash prize in Event #78: $1,000 Mini Main Event at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. Overcoming a field of 6,076 contenders that created a massive $5,361,840 prize pool, Skarparis emerged victorious after a grueling battle.
The atmosphere at the rail was poignant, particularly with one of Skarparis's students, Nikolas Kiourtzides, from Cyprus, fervently cheering him on, alongside the spirit of another student, Kyriakos Oxinos, who was there in memory.
In a tense final showdown, Skarparis outlasted Alexandre Barbaranelli of Italy, known for his numerous cashes yet securing his largest payout yet at $369,994. Barbaranelli's journey was highlighted by strategic plays, including a pivotal hand against Adam Rothschild and a crucial double-up through Mikhail Zavoloka during the final table.
Alexandre Barbaranelli
Winner's Reaction
Skarparis's emotional reaction underscored the significance of his victory, fulfilling a promise he made to honor Kyriakos Oxinos, a dear friend and mentee tragically lost in a car accident. Determined to dedicate a bracelet to Oxinos's memory, Skarparis has relentlessly pursued this goal, fueling his journey through numerous tournaments, including an ongoing quest for the Main Event title.
Transitioning from a legal career to professional poker just four years ago, Skarparis expressed gratitude to his mother for supporting his unconventional career choice. Despite setbacks during Day 2, where his chip stack took hits, he maintained composure and steadily rebuilt his position, ultimately dominating the field until the final hand.
Reflecting on his achievement, Skarparis acknowledged a sense of belonging in the poker world since his 2021 win in Cyprus, now solidified by his latest triumph and bracelet. His journey symbolizes the rewards of dedication, study, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in the game.
Georgios Skarparis
WSOP Event #78: $1,000 Mini Main Event Final Table Results
Place
Player
Country
Prize
1
Georgios Skarparis
Cyprus
$554,925
2
Alexandre Barbaranelli
Italy
$369,994
3
Mikhail Zavoloka
Russian Federation
$276,695
4
Kyle Williamson
United States
$208,444
5
Dirk Bruns
Germany
$158,191
6
Joshua Prager
United States
$120,950
7
Kaihung Hu
United States
$93,171
8
Stefan Widmer
Switzerland
$72,316
9
Hunter Frey
United States
$56,557
Day 3 Action
When play resumed today, each player was assured of taking home at least $158,191. The first to cash out was Dirk Bruns of Germany, whose journey ended in fifth place when his Big Slick failed to surpass pocket eights.
Following him in fourth was Kyle Williamson from Ohio, who started Day 2 as the chip leader. After doubling up with a straight, Williamson had his sights set on the top prize and made a crucial call against the chip leader from the small blind. He ultimately secured $208,444 for his impressive performance, cheered on by a strong contingent of supporters from California. This marked Williamson's inaugural final table appearance and the largest win of his career, although he's also renowned for his skills in house flipping and DIY projects back home.
Shortly thereafter, Mikhail Zavoloka from Russia, boasting a robust poker portfolio with over $1,000,000 in lifetime earnings, finished third, earning $276,695. With a short chip stack, Zavoloka was forced all in and despite calls from both opponents, the hands were checked down to conclude his tournament run.
The heads-up duel was swift and decisive. Within just five hands, the bracelet was placed on the table as the players collided in an ace-versus-ace showdown. Ultimately, Barbaranelli faced a kicker dilemma that went unresolved, solidifying the victory for the opposing player.
Skarparis's achievement adds to the rich tapestry of WSOP history, outlasting esteemed players like Main Event champion Stoyan Madanzhiev and Ryan Hughes who owns three bracelets, while icons like bracelet winner Marsha Wolak and legend and three-time bracelet winner Sam Farha also made notable appearances in this year's event.
For comprehensive coverage of the 2024 World Series of Poker, stay tuned to PokerNews for updates on all the action and highlights from the series.
