Thursday, July 2, 2015 1:04 AM Local Time
EVENT #60: $25,000 buy-in High-Roller Pot-Limit Omaha
ENTRIES: 175
PRIZE POOL: $4,156,250
FIRST PLACE PRIZE: $1,122,196
PLACES PAID: 24
DATES: June 29-July 1, 2015
Anthony Zinno Wins Richest Pot-Limit Omaha Event in History
Reigning WPT Player of the Year Now Has Chance for Same 2015 WSOP Title
On Zinno’s Fifth Final Table Appearance of the Summer, Poker Pro Wins Gold Bracelet and $1,122,196
MEET THE LATEST WSOP GOLD BRACELET CHAMPION
Name: Anthony Zinno
Birthplace: Boston, MA
Age: 33
Current Residence: Boston, MA
Education: Suffolk University (Law Degree)
Profession: Professional Poker Player
Number of WSOP Cashes: 12
Number of WSOP Final Table Appearances: 5
Number of WSOP Gold Bracelet Victories: 1
Best Previous WSOP Finish: 5th (2015)
Total WSOP Earnings: $1,985,763
Personal
Facts: Zinno has a law degree and passed the bar exam, but took up
poker 8 years ago and has been playing full time ever since
[Note: All statistics above include the results of this tournament]
Up
until this night, Anthony Zinno’s record at the 2015 World Series of
Poker was truly astounding. He’d cashed four times this summer – and
each and every in-the-money finish was a final table appearance.
Zinno
previously finished 7th (twice), 6th (once), and 5th (once).
Remarkably, these deep runs were all in premier events – including the
$10K buy-in Omaha High-Low Split Championship, the $5,000 buy-in
Eight-Handed No-Limit Hold’em event, the $10,000 buy-in Limit Hold’em
tournament, and the $111,111 buy-in High-Roller for One Drop.
So,
it was no surprise that Zinno, the reigning World Poker Tour “Player of
the Year” from last season made yet another final table here at the
2015 World Series of Poker. However, this time the lawyer-turned-poker
pro from Boston did far better than just go deep in one of the year’s
most highly-competitive tournaments. He actually won the $25,000 buy-in
Pot-Limit Omaha event, which included the highest entry fee ever for
this single variant of poker in the 46-year history of the WSOP.
Zinno
topped a highly-competitive field of 175 players and ended up winning
his first gold bracelet after exploding upon the tournament poker scene
in recent years with a stellar resume and widespread peer respect among
his competitors. Zinno dominated much of the three-day tournament and
was an unstoppable force at the final table, which played out on the
ESPN Stage at the Rio in Las Vegas. Despite formidable opponents, Zinno
was never seriously threatened during the final several hours of the
tourney and managed to win one of poker’s most sought after titles by
making things look far too easy.
Zinno
collected one of the summer’s largest cash prizes for the win, which
amounted to $1,122,196. He also earned a long overdue amulet of
accomplishment, the famed WSOP gold bracelet, which was his first.
Zinno, now with 12 cashes and nearly $2 million in career winnings at
the WSOP alone in addition to millions won elsewhere in other
tournaments around the world, was cheered to victory by several friends
and fellow poker players who knew he was destined to win a gold
bracelet.
When asked how this poker feat compares with his other achievements, Zinno had a great sense of perspective.
“I
have to say – winning the LAPC (Los Angeles Poker Classic) back to
back was such a shock. That gave me three WPT titles,” Zinno said.
“But this is my first gold bracelet which is something you never
forget. So, they are equal in different ways.”
Zinno
first played in the WSOP back in 2008, when he cashed in the Main Event
Championship that year. Since then, he’s has 12 total cashes as well
as 6 in-the-money finishes on the WSOP Circuit. However, 2014 and 2015
have been breakout years with victories on the WPT and now a win at the
WSOP.
“I’ve
been coming to the WSOP for 8 years, so this is something I really
wanted longer,” Zinno said. “This is certainly my best day as a poker
pro, and it was made even better by winning it in a game I love which is
PLO and also against a very skilled final table, which is something
where I can take extra pride in that.”
Indeed,
Zinno’s final table lineup was brutally tough, with arguably the
standout adversaries being Shaun Deeb (8th), Juha Helppi (5th), and
Christina Harder (4th).
Zinno
has certainly enjoyed an amazing summer, with a WSOP win and five total
deep runs. He’s now in serious contention for the 2015 WSOP Player of
the Year title, ranking second at this time.
“Mathematically
speaking, you can’t explain this run I’ve had,” Zinno said. “Making
five final tables is just incredible. Obviously, there is some luck
involved. But I beat the odds. It’s a statistical anomaly,”
Zinno went on to explain why this year might have been a bit different than other years here at the series.
“For
me this summer was something I took very seriously. No drinking. No
partying. Sleep well,” Zinno said. “I looked at it this way – that
this is my job.”
Zinno
sees bigger things ahead for both the game and himself. He hopes to
use his success playing on the WPT and now a WSOP victory as a chance to
rise to a bigger platform to promote poker and encourage the game’s
growth.
“I
hope in 5 to 10 years to be someone on the level of a Daniel Negreanu,”
Zinno said. “I’d like to promote it that way. There’s more to poker
and being a professional than just skill. You have to be a part of the
game and promote it, too. You also should be respectful to others, and
act in a sportsmanlike manner. It’s a cumulative thing.”
Zinno
grew up and still lives in the Boston area. He graduated from Suffolk
University Law School and went on to pass the bar exam several years
ago. In 2008, he decided to try and play poker for a time before an
expected return to a regular job working in law. However, his success
created a detour and he’s been on a different path ever since.
“I
hope people see that you can do something different,” Zinno said. “I
want to encourage people to get good at something and pursue it, not
just in poker but music or art or whatever. You have to give it a shot
if that’s what you really want and you have to work at it, too.”
At
the final table, Zinno dressed in a suit and tie, highly unusual in the
sometimes rebellious and often casual atmosphere of poker. When asked
to explain his fashion choice, Zinno was even more reflective about what
the look meant.
“My
father passed away when I was 15 years old. My mother is still alive,”
Zinno said. “I think of them and I think this is the way they would
like to see me. I want to honor that. I want to make them proud. I
also want to do something different, and have fun. That’s what it’s
about.”
Following Zinno finish in the top spot, the descending order of results was as follows:
Second Place:
Pakinai Lisawad, from Bangkok, Thailand finished in 2nd place, which
paid $693,553. Lisawad became the highest finishing player from that
Asian country in WSOP history and biggest cash winner.
Third Place:
Christian Usterud, from Porsgrunn, Norway finished in 3rd place, which
paid $456,522. This marked his first time to cash in a WOP event.
Fourth Place: Christian
Harder, from Annapolis, MD finished in 4th place, which paid $332,998.
This is now 31 career cashes at the series for Harder.
Fifth Place:
Juha Helppi, from Helsinki, Finalnd finished in 5th place, which paid
$247,754. Helppi’s WSOP resume now includes two 2nds, a 3rd, a 4th, and
a 5th – but no victories yet.
Sixth Place:
Ismael Bojang, from Vienna, Austria finished in 6th place which paid
$187,571. Now with 29 cashes since the start of the 2012 series, that’s
the most in-the-money finishes by any player within that time span.
This marked his fifth cash of the 2015 series.
Seventh Place: Alexander Kostritsyn, from Volzhsky, Russia finished in 7th place, which paid $144,305
Eighth Place: Shaun Deeb, from Troy NY finished in 8th place, which paid $112,675. Deeb won a gold bracelet earlier at this year’s series.
Ninth Place: Christopher Santora, from East Amherst, NY finished in 9th place, which paid $89,234.
OTHER IN-THE-MONEY FINISHERS:
Aside
from the final table finishers, other gold bracelet winning players who
cashed included – David Chiu (13th), Mike Gorodinsky (17th), and Kory
Kilpatrick 22nd).
EVENT DIRECT LINKS:
For this event’s results, visit:
For Anthony Zinno’s official player profile page, visit:
For the Live Reporting Log for this event, please visit:
For photos from this event, please visit:
For the live stream archive of this event, please visit:
(Note: Will appear 48 hours after event concludes)
Wednesday, July 1, 2015 11:37 PM Local Time
Anthony Zinno - Winner!
Pakinai Lisawad raises to 300,000 from the button and calls all in for around 800,000 after Anthony Zinno raised enough to set him in.
"I have live suits!" shouts Lisawad to his rail on seeing Zinno's hand.
Lisawad:
Zinno:
The board ran out
Lisawad took the lead on the turn with two pair but the last drama of this amazing event was saved for the river, where Zinno made a set.
He was embraced by his fans rushing from the rail and it's safe to say that this is one of the most popular results of the summer so far. Lisawad, on the other hand, only jumped into this tournament on Day 2 and - with one result - has risen straight to the top of Thailand's all time money list!
Pakinai Lisawad - 2nd place
Wednesday, July 1, 2015 11:18 PM Local Time
The man they call "Blonde Tua", Pakinai Lisawad, raises to 300,000, only for Anthony Zinno to raise to 900,000. Lisawad folds and drops to 1,200,000.
He gets them back in the next hand when Zinno raises to 300k and Lisawad calls. They see a flop of and Lisawad bets pot, which is 600,000, leaving 225,000 behind. Zinno gives it up.
Pakinai Lisawad - 1,425,000
Anthony Zinno - 11,700,000
Wednesday, July 1, 2015 11:13 PM Local Time
Anthony Zinno raises to 200,000 and Pakinai Lisawud calls to see a
flop that is checked. Lisawud leads for 300,000 on the
turn and Zinno calls. He goes for another 600,000 on the
river but folds when raised to 1,400,00 and drops to 1,500,000 in chips.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015 11:09 PM Local Time
The very next hand, Pakinai Lisawad raises to 200,000. Anthony Zinno three-bets to 600,000, and Lisawad four bets pot, which is 1,800,000. Zinno moves all-in and Lisawad calls!
Zinno -
Lisawad -
Zinno has the best hand in Omaha but Lisawad has double suited aces. The flop is , giving Lisawad a flush draw, and the turn gives him a second flush draw in the . The river is the , which means it is a chopped pot!
Wednesday, July 1, 2015 11:07 PM Local Time
Anthony Zinno raises to 200,000, only for Pakinai Lisawad to three-bet to 600,000. Zinno calls and the pair see the dealer fan out a flop. Lisawad checks and Zinno bets 500,000. Lisawad calls.
The turn is the and both players check. The river is the and Lisawad checks for the third time. Zinno dwells before betting 875,000 and Lisawad calls. Zinno shows for a flush and Lisawad mucks.
Anthony Zinno - 10,500,000
Pakinai Lisawad - 2,500,000
Wednesday, July 1, 2015 11:00 PM Local Time
Anthony Zinno calls on the button and Pakinai Lisawud checks. Zinno bets 150,000 on a
flop. Lisawud check-calls and both check the
turn and river. Lisawud opens
and Zinno mucks.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015 10:47 PM Local Time
The chip counts at the start of heads up play:
Anthony Zinno - 8,950,000
Pakinai Lisawad - 4,175,000
Wednesday, July 1, 2015 10:46 PM Local Time
Stian Usterud - 3rd place
Pakinai Lisawad raises his button to 350,000 and calls after Stian Usterud moves all for around 100,000 more.
Lisawad:
Usterud:
The flop comes to see Usterud snatch the lead but the look on his face when the hits the turn says it all. The river is the and the Norwegian leaves to a warm round of applause.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015 10:39 PM Local Time
Pakinai Lisawad raises to 250,000 from the button and Stian Usterud calls in the big blind. The flop is and both players check their option.
The turn is the and Usterud checks. Lisawad bets 400,000 and Usterud quickly moves all-in. Lisawad instantly calls and shows for two pair, with Usterud showing for a flush draw and a pair.
The river is the , doubling Lisawad up to 3,650,000 and crippling Usterud to 500,000.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015 10:28 PM Local Time
| Level: | 27 | | Blinds: | 50,000/100,000 | |
Wednesday, July 1, 2015 9:27 PM Local Time
The players are on a 60-minute dinner break.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015 9:27 PM Local Time
Action folds to Stian Usterud in the small blind who raises pot, which is 240,000. Christian Harder calls in the big blind and the two see a flop. Usterud bets pot again, which is 480,000, and Harder moves all in for 600,000. Usterud calls.
Usterud -
Harder -
Usterud is ahead with his overpair but Harder hits the on the turn to make two pair. Unfortunately for Harder, the river is the , pairing the board and giving Usterud the higher two pair to eliminate Harder.
Christian Harder - Eliminated
Wednesday, July 1, 2015 9:27 PM Local Time
Stian Usterud opens to 225,000 from under the gun and Anthony Zinno defends from the big blind to see a
flop. Both players check to the
turn where Zinno calls a delayed 300,000 c-bet. The board completes with the
and Zinno leads out for 425,000.
Usterud shoots a look at his opponent and calls. Zinno opens
for a full house and Usterud shows
[x][x] and mucks.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015 9:19 PM Local Time
Juha Helppi raises to 280,000 on the button and Anthony Zinno calls in the big blind. The flop is and Zinno leads out for a pot sized bet of 600,000. Helppi moves in for not much more and Zinno calls.
Helppi -
Zinno -
Helppi is ahead but has to dodge a lot of outs for Zinno. He avoids one on the turn but the river gives Zinno a straight and knocks Helppi out of the tournament in 5th place, good for $247,754 in winnings.
Juha Helppi - Eliminated
Anthony ZInno - 7,600,000
Wednesday, July 1, 2015 9:08 PM Local Time
Pakinai Lisawad completes from the small blind and calls an Anthony Zinno raise to 165,000 from the big blind. He check-calls another 85,000 on the
flop and another 250,000 on the
turn. Both players check the
river and Lisawad says, "Might win with a seven!" before opening
. He was right as Zinno mucks.
The next hand, Lisawad raises to 200,000 from the button and Zinno calls from the small blind. The board comes
and Zinno bets 175,000 on the river to take the pot.
Pakinai Lisawad - 2,740,000
Anthony Zinno - 6,400,000
Wednesday, July 1, 2015 8:55 PM Local Time
Action folds to Ismael Bojang on the button who raises to 280,000. Stian Usterud is the only caller in the big blind and the pair see a flop of . Usterud bets 425,000 and Bojang unhappily calls off his last 355,000.
Usterud -
Bojang -
Bojang needs a queen but the on the turn leaves him drawing dead as Usterud makes a straight, and the river improves Usterud's holding to a flush but Bojang is already shaking hands by this point as he departs in 6th place.
Ismael Bojang - Eliminated
Stian Usterud - 2,000,000
Wednesday, July 1, 2015 8:51 PM Local Time
Pakinai Lisawad opened to 200,000 on the button and then committed all of his 1,195,000 chips after Ismael Bojang raised pot from the small blind.
Lisawad:
Bojang:
"What a set up!" said Bojang.
The board ran . Bojang was left with fewer than 700,000.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015 8:43 PM Local Time
Anthony Zinno raises to 175,000 on the button, only for Stian Usterud to three-bet to 605,000 from the small blind. Christian Harder folds in the big blind and Zinno calls.
The flop is and both players check. Usterud bets out 200,000 on the turn and Zinno dwells before calling. The river is the and Usterud checks. Zinno leads out for 450,000 and Usterud calls.
Zinno shows to scoop the pot and extend his lead. He has nearly half of the chips in play with 6,125,000 out of the 13,125,000 total.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015 8:38 PM Local Time
Alexander Kostritsyn - 7th place
The very next hand, Alexander Kostritsyn raised to 240,000 from the small blind and then called all in for 520,000 after Stian Usterud set him in from the big blind.
Kostritsyn:
Usterud:
The board ran to make Usterud quads.
Kostritsyn left with a a big smile on his face and went round shaking all his former opponents hands.
Stian Usterud - 2,600,000
Alexander Kostritsyn - eliminated