Event #11: $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship

"I'm exhausted."

Those were the first words we've heard Viacheslav Zhukov speak in English all day, and they came just moments after he pulled the gold bracelet out of its box and hoisted it into the air. Photographers were clamoring for their shots, and Zhukov could barely muster a smile. Perhaps it'll be a bit later on tonight or tomorrow before the news that he's just won WSOP gold and $465,216 dollars sinks in.

This fourth day (of the three-day event) began with our final three players battling it out for the bracelet. Steve Billirakis began the day on the short stack with just more than three big bets, and it wasn't but a few hands before he was escorted to the cashier's table in third place. The board ran out           with George Lind and Viacheslav Zhukov checking it down the whole way. Zhukov bet the river finally, and Lind laid it down. Billirakis could only show         for two pair, and it would get him nothing. Zhukov tabled        , and his trip kings brought the match to heads-up.

After such a short journey to two-handed today, one could be forgiven for expecting a quick resolution. The orbits came and went, though, with pots growing ever-larger to keep pace with the escalating betting limits. Many times over the course of the three-hour duel it looked as if the momentum had finally swung for good. Every time, though, the other player struck right back to square the match. Every pot, it seemed, had half the chips in play up for grabs. Finally, during the 32nd level of the event, when there were just 12 big bets in play, things finally unraveled all the way for Lind.

It seems likely from his reactions that he was rivered in a big pot on a board that came          . Lind check-called a flop bet, then led the turn and river. Zhukov popped it up to 1 million straight after the final bet, and Lind was forced to fold, leaving himself with just 1.4 million of the 6 million in play. On the final hand of the match, Lind got his money in ahead with just a pair of fours, but Zhukov's         ran down the wheel on the           board. It was the last hand of the day, and it was the one that gave the title to Zhukov.

Zhukov now has two career cashes on his poker tournament stat sheet. The first was a win in an EPT side event, and the second is another title here today, a World Series of Poker title. He's the first Russian to win gold in 2011, and he seems a bit too tired to enjoy it fully right now. Perhaps in the morning. "I'm exhausted," he says.

That's all for Event #11, but the Amazon Room is buzzing with action. Check out the coverage of Event #16, the $10,000 2-7 Draw event if you're craving some more Championship action. We'll see you over there!

Viacheslav Zhukov opened with a raise, and George Lind came along to the flop. It was      , and Lind check-called a bet. On the   turn, Lind took the lead with the big bet of 500,000, and Zhukov called before the   completed the board. Lind took pause before leading out again, and Zhukov came over the top with a raise to one million straight. Lind clapped his chips together and let out a frustrated sigh, and he'd spend the next couple minutes in the tank. After some time, he waved the white flag and returned his cards to the muck, and the tides have turned in Zhukov's favor.

He's got about 4.6 million now, while Lind falls to 1.4 million.

George Lind raised the button, and Viacheslav Zhukov called to see a flop. It came      , and Zhukov check-called a bet. The   came on fourth street, both men checked, and the   paired the board on the river. Zhukov checked again, and Lind made the final bet. His opponent spent a few long minutes considering, but he eventually mustered the gumption to call.

Lind had         for eights full, and it was good. He's got about 3.5 million now as the chip lead changes hands once again.

Viacheslav Zhukov raised, George Lind called, and they took a       flop. Lind check-called a bet there, and he check-called another one after the   on fourth street. The   landed on the river, and the two men were content to check it down.

Lind showed first, and         was good. Queens up gives Lind the pot, and it moves him into a 2:1 chip lead now with just over 4.1 million.

Viacheslav Zhukov raised the button, George Lind called, and they took a       flop. Lind checked, then raised Zhukov's continuation bet. They put in two small bets apiece, and the turn   drew a follow-up bet from Lind. Zhukov called, and they both checked through the   river.

Lind showed         for a lowly pair of fives, and Zhukov's         gave him the pot and a 2:1 chip lead once again.

Viacheslav Zhukov raised the button, and George Lind flatted for the flop. It came      , and Lind knocked the table. Zhukov bet, Lind check-raised, and Zhukov put in the extra bet to see the   on the turn. Lind only had 245,000 chips left, and he stuck them in there to put his tournament life at risk.

Showdown
Lind:        
Zhukov:        

Lind was guaranteed to get his money back, and he'd scoop if he could fade a diamond. The river was red but the wrong shade, and the   means a double up to 2.09 million.

"The wheels on the bus go round and round," T.D. Robbie Thompson sings on the mic.

Viacheslav Zhukov raised the button, and George Lind called to see the flop. It came out      , and Lind check-called a bet. He checked again on the   turn, and Zhukov checked it back as the   completed the board. Check from Lind, bet from Zhukov, and a call.

Zhukov had run down the flush with        , and his low was good enough to take both halves of the pot. He's opened up a 2:1 chip lead now with about 4 million to Lind's 2 million.

Viacheslav Zhukov raised the button, and George Lind called for the flop. It came      , and Lind check-called the continuation bet. The   drew another bet from Zhukov, and Lind check-called again before the   rivered. When Zhukov fired the last bullet, Lind spent a long while in the tank, probably longer than at any other point. It was at least a minute or so, but he eventually slipped his cards into the muck, sending the pot to Zhukov.

With it comes the chip lead, and he's in front with about 3.2 million now.

George Lind has won a couple of small pots to pull the match essentially back to even, and we picked up this hand as he raised from the button. Viacheslav Zhukov called, and the flop brought      . Zhukov check-called, and he did the same when the   turned on fourth street. The river came the  , and Zhukov led out into the pot with a bet of his own. Lind quickly called.

Showdown
Lind:        
Zhukov:        

Zhukov's flush takes the high half, and Lind's live ace is good for the low. Chop it up.