Event #35: $3,000 Pot-Limit Omaha

It seems hard to believe it was almost seven years ago when most of us in the poker world first became aware of Jeff Madsen. Of course, his introduction on the scene was so sudden and spectacular, the impression was strong enough to last a long time.

As a 21-year-old Madsen became at the time the youngest ever to win a WSOP bracelet (a record since broken). Then within a week he'd win a second. A third-place finish at yet another event days later helped ensure 2006 WSOP Player of the Year honors for Madsen, and that we'd all be keeping an eye out for him at subsequent events for years to come.

Madsen has remained a part of the scene ever since, gathering more than 25 cashes at the Series although never quite getting back to the top. Until today, that is, as Madsen earned his third career bracelet and a first prize of $384,420 here in Event #35: $3,000 Pot-Limit Omaha.

Today's final day saw 19 return from the starting field of 640, with Madsen bringing the chip lead to the start of play. He'd continue to maintain it as they played down to a final table, with Steven Loube (19th), Christian Harder (18th), Jarred Solomon (17th), Mike Sexton (16th), and Ashton Griffin (13th) among those falling shy of the final nine.

Madsen kept out in front as the final nine whittled down as well, watching as Douglas Corning took out another two-time bracelet winner, Scott Clements, in fifth after hitting a four-outer to do so.

It was Corning who'd meet Madsen heads-up, and in fact for the only time all day Madsen would be in second position, though less than a big blind behind Corning as the pair's stacks were virtually even.

But they wouldn't stay that way for long, as Madsen took the lead on the first hand, began increasing it steadily over the next 30 hands, then after a few more finally claimed the last of a short-stacked Corning's chips.

Somewhat uncannily, Madsen becomes the fourth former WSOP Player of the Year to win a bracelet in 2013 along with Tom Schneider, Erick Lindgren, and Daniel Negreanu (winner of the WSOP APAC Main Event).

Madsen is presently posing for pictures and celebrating with friends, and perhaps like the rest of us is thinking back to seven years ago when he first grabbed the gold in Las Vegas. Congratulations to Madsen, and thanks to all for following our coverage of his stirring return to the top.

Hand #140: Jeff Madsen opened to 100,000 in the first hand of the new level, and Douglas Corning folded.

Hand #141: Corning raised to 110,000, and Madsen folded.

Hand #142: Madsen raised to 100,000 and won Corning's big blind.

Hand #143: Madsen got a walk.

Hand #144: Madsen raised to 100,000 and Corning called. The flop came    . Corning checked, Madsen bet 130,000, and Corning called. The turn was the   and both players checked.

The river then brought the   and a bet of 180,000 from Corning. Madsen riffled his chips and considered for a few seconds, then tossed away his hand.

Hand #145: Corning raised to 110,000, and Madsen folded.

Jeff Madsen	4,645,000	-205,000
Douglas Corning	1,115,000	205,000

Hand #135: Douglas Corning raised to 90,000, Jeff Madsen three-bet the pot (270,000), and Corning folded.

Hand #136: Madsen raised to 90,000, and won the pot.

Hand #137: Madsen received a walk.

Hand #138: Madsen raised to 90,000, and Corning folded.

Hand #139: Corning raised to 90,000, Madsen called, and the flop fell    . Madsen checked, Corning continued for 125,000, and Madsen folded.

Hand #126: Jeff Madsen had the button, and raised to 90,000. Douglas Corning called, the flop came    , and Corning checked. Madsen continued for 110,000, Corning called, and the turn was the  . Corning checked again, Madsen fired out 225,000, and Corning folded.

Hand #127: Corning raised to 90,000, and Madsen folded.

Hand #128: Madsen raised to 90,000, Corning defended, and the dealer spread    . Corning checked, Madsen bet 105,000, and Corning folded.

Hand #129: Corning raised to 90,000, Madsen defended, and the flop came    . Madsen checked, Corning checked behind, and the turn was the  . Madsen led out for 135,000, and Corning folded.

Hand #130: Madsen raised to 90,000, Corning called, and the flop fell    . Corning checked, Madsen continued for 105,000, and Corning called. The turn was the  , both players checked, and the river was the  . Corning led out for 135,000, Madsen raised to 315,000, and Corning folded.

Jeff Madsen	4,510,000	670,000
Douglas Corning	1,250,000	-670,000

Hand #116: Jeff Madsen raised to 90,000 on the button, Douglas Corning defended, and the flop fell    . Corning led out for 120,000, Madsen raised to 275,000, and Corning folded.

Hand #117: Corning raised and Madsen folded.

Hand #118: Madsen raised to 90,000, Corning three-bet the pot (270,000), and Madsen called. The dealer fanned    , Corning led out for 200,000, Madsen raised to 475,000, and Corning folded.

Hand #119: Corning raised to 90,000, and Madsen folded.

Hand #120: Madsen raised to 90,000, and Corning folded.

Hand #121: Corning raised to 90,000, Madsen three-bet the pot (270,000), and Corning folded.

Hand #122: Madsen raised to 90,000, and Corning surrendered his big blind.

Jeff Madsen	3,815,000	760,000
Douglas Corning	1,945,000	-760,000

The final two players' stacks are nearly even to begin heads-up play.

Douglas Corning	2,895,000	425,000
Jeff Madsen	2,865,000	0

Hand #100: The 100th hand of the Event #35 final table began with a raise by Michal Maryska to 75,000 from the button, Douglas Corning called from the small blind, and Jeff Madsen folded.

The flop came     and Corning checked. Maryska bet 90,000, and after pausing just a moment Corning called. The turn was the  , and Corning checked once more. Maryska then carved out chips and pushed a bet of 200,000 before him, and when Corning responded by reraising Maryska let his hand go right away.

Hand #101: Corning raised to 65,000 from the button and won the blinds.

Hand #102: Madsen raised to 70,000 from the button and Corning called from the big blind. The flop came    , and after a Corning check, Madsen bet 85,000 and Corning called. Both then checked the   turn.

The river was the  . Corning checked once more, and Madsen bet 160,000. Corning thought for about a half-minute, then folded.

Hand #103: It folded to Corning in the small blind who limped in, then Madsen raised to 100,000 and Corning called. The flop came     and Corning checked. Madsen bet 105,000, and Corning called. Both then checked the   turn and   river.

Madsen showed     , and it was good enough as Corning mucked.

Hand #93: Jeff Madsen raised to 70,000 on the button, winning the pot.

Hand #94: Michal Maryska raised to 75,000 on the button, and both blinds released.

Hand #95: Doug Corning folded on the button, Madsen raised to 90,000 in the small blind, and Maryska folded.

Hand #96: Madsen raised to 70,000 on the button, Maryska three-bet the pot (240,000) from the small blind, and Corning folded. Madsen called. The dealer spread    , Maryska moved all in, and Madsen folded.

Hand #97: Maryska limped in on the button, Corning completed the small blind, and Madsen checked. The flop fell    , both blinds checked, and Maryska took the pot with a bet.

Hand #98: Corning raised to 65,000 on the button, Madsen three-bet the pot (225,000) from the small blind, and Maryska tank-folded in the big blind. Corning called, and the flop fell    . Madsen led out for 255,000, and Corning folded.

Hand #99: Maryska raised to 90,000 out of the small blind, Corning called, and the flop came    . Both players checked. The turn was the suicide king ( ), Maryska checked, and Corning fired out 105,000.