Sunday, June 28, 2015 2:45 AM Local Time
EVENT #52: $1,500 buy-in Dealers Choice
ENTRIES: 357
PRIZE POOL: $481,950
FIRST PLACE PRIZE: $127,735
PLACES PAID: 36
DATES: June 25-27, 2015
Reserve One WSOP Gold Bracelet for Carol Fuchs
Hollywood Screenwriter of 2007 Hit Movie “No Reservations” Wins an Impressive Victory
Fuchs Becomes the First Female Winner at 2015 WSOP
Defending Champion Robert Mizrachi Finishes Third
MEET THE LATEST WSOP GOLD BRACELET CHAMPION
Name: Carol Fuchs
Current Residence: Los Angeles, CA (USA)
Marital Status: Married
Children: Yes
Profession: Screenwriter/Film Producer
Number of WSOP Cashes: 2
Number of WSOP Final Table Appearances: 1
Number of WSOP Gold Bracelet Victories: 1
Best Previous WSOP Finish: 27th (2014)
Total WSOP Earnings: $131,689
Personal Facts: Fuchs was the screenwriter on the 2007 hit Hollywood movie, “No Reservations.”
[Note: All statistics above include the results of this tournament]
Reserve one gold bracelet for Carol Fuchs.
The successful Hollywood screenwriter and film producer won one of the toughest events on the entire 2015 World Series of Poker schedule, earning her first major poker victory and bragging rights for outlasting the rest of the field in one of the series’ most demanding tournaments. Fuchs, who describes herself as an amateur part-time poker player, is best known as the credited co-screenwriter on the 2007 film, “No Reservations,” starring Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Fuchs topped 357 players, plus a brutally tough final table lineup that included several top players vying for a WSOP gold bracelet victory. However, in the end it was Fuchs who ended up with the most prized piece of jewelry in poker.
The $481,950 prize pool was divided into 36 shares, with Fuchs taking the largest portion. Her cut of the pot amounted to a $127,735 first place prize.
Fuchs, who started out as a serious gin player, has been playing poker tournaments for more than a decade. She plays regularly at the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles, preferring Pot-Limit Omaha cash games. She previously posted some deep runs and a few wins, but nothing on the scale of a WSOP victory.
This marked Fuchs’ second time to cash at the WSOP. Her other in-the-money showing was a min-cash last year. She’s played in four events this year so far. However, Fuchs has also amassed an impressive record in tournaments for an amateur, mostly in the Southern California-area card clubs. Fuchs previously won titles at the L.A. Poker Open in 2005 and 2011.
“It’s encouraging when someone like me who is an amateur, and a woman, and – let’s just say someone ‘older than 30’ – wins something big like this,” Fuchs said. “I respect what the pros do, but for a non-pro to come out here and win, is encouraging for all players and especially for amateurs and women.”
When it comes to mastering all the major poker games, no competition is as diverse or as prestigious as the $1,500 buy-in Dealers Choice event. This year marked the second consecutive time the Dealers Choice (Six-Handed) event was included on the schedule. After last year’s success and favorable feedback, many players apparently like testing themselves and each other in a manner which is unequalled by any other major poker tournament of this kind.
Dealers Choice (Six-Handed) requires that players have some knowledge and ability in 18 different games, including some forms of poker that aren’t played much anymore, at least in public cardrooms (Five-Card Draw and Omaha High, for instance). Players declare their game preference in rotation, which means virtually all games are played at some point.
Last year’s champion was a testament to the overriding skill factor as Robert Mizrachi won his (then) second gold bracelet victory (he’s since won one more). In the 46-year-history of the WSOP, no event has included a wider variance of different forms of poker, and it’s expected this will be an annual tradition carrying added prestige given the required mastery of so many different games.
Fuchs was surprised that she adjusted so easily to the changing conditions, even to games that she didn’t know very well. For instance, Fuchs admitted she had never played the game “Big-O” before, but ended up liking it. Deuce-to-Seven Single Draw was another game where Fuchs seemed to excel, often distancing herself from more experienced opponents.
Fuchs shocked the poker world with this victory, not because she’s the first female to win an open event since Vanessa Selbst’s victory last year early at the series, but more precisely because this tends to be an event which favors players with lots of experience playing in mixed games, and even some forms of poker that are quite rare.
“When I was playing at the final table, I really felt comfortable. I didn’t really feel much pressure,” Fuchs said. “It’s fun for me. It’s not a payday. They had more pressure, I think. For me, this is a bonus.”
Fuchs still lives in Los Angeles, but travels to Las Vegas frequently. Prior to writing and producing films, she worked for seven years as an entertainment lawyer in Hollywood. Fuchs has future plans to work in movies and is currently working on a suspense-thriller that she hopes will get greenlighted and start shooting.
“Winning a gold bracelet or getting a movie made – I’m not sure which is tougher,” Fuchs joked afterward. “I think they’re both pretty challenging.”
Ilya Krupin, from Moscow, Russia finished as the runner up. He appeared to be in good position to win what would have been his first gold bracelet about midway through the final table, which was played out on the third and final day of the 3-day tourney. However, Krupin seemed helpless towards the end of the tournament when playing heads up and simply couldn’t overcome his chip disadvantage. He collected $78,933 as a consolation prize.
With this victory, Fuchs becomes the 21st female to win a gold bracelet in an open event in the 46-year history of the annual poker competition.
Following Fuchs’ finish in the top spot, the descending order of results was as follows:
Second Place: Ilya Krupin, from Moscow, Russia finished 2nd. He received $78,933. This marked Krupin’s fourth time to cash at the series – all of which have taken place this year. Krupin now has three top-15 finishes in 2015.
Third Place: Robert Mizrachi came remarkably close to defending his title, but finished in 3rd place instead. Mizrachi was on pace to accomplish something that’s only been done twice in the last five years. However, late in the tourney, the Miami-born and Las Vegas-based poker pro ran cold and was denied his fourth career gold bracelet victory. Mizrachi did managed to collect $51,236. This marked his fifth time to cash at the 2015 series, with 4 of those finishes being in the top 12.
Fourth Place: Chris Klodnicki finished in 4th place. The Philadelphia-based poker pro collected $34,252.
Fifth Place: Yuval Bronshtein, the Tel Aviv born poker pro now residing in Las Vegas, finished in 5th place, which paid $23,428.
Sixth Place: Viktor Celikovsky, from Prague, Czech Republic cashed for the first time at the WSOP with this 6th-place finish. Celikovsky collected $16,588.
Seventh Place: Matt Szymaszek, Charlestown, MA, rounded out the official final table, taking $12,000 for the effort.
OTHER IN-THE-MONEY FINISHERS:
Aside from the final table finishers, other gold bracelet winning players who cashed included – Scott Clements (8th), Konstantin Maslak (9th), Randy Ohel (13th), Viascheslav Zhukov (14th), Tom Schneider (21st), Jeremy Ausmus (26th), Mike Leah (27th), Jeffrey Lisandro (29th), Todd Brunson (32nd), Steven Loube (33rd), and Michael Chow (34th).
FUN FACTS:
Participation this year saw a slight decline from 419 entries (in 2014) to 357 (this year).
EVENT DIRECT LINKS:
For this event’s results, visit:
http://www.wsop.com/tournaments/results.asp?grid=1136&tid=14252
For Carol Fuchs’ official player profile page, visit:
http://www.wsop.com/players/playerprofile.asp?playerID=122519
For the Live Reporting Log for this event, please visit:
http://www.wsop.com/tournaments/updates.asp?grid=1136&tid=14252
For photos from this event, please visit:
http://www.wsop.com/tournaments/photos.asp?grid=1136&tid=14252
For official winner photo, please visit:
http://www.wsop.com/pdfs/reports/14252-winner-photo.jpg
For the live stream archive of this event, please visit:
http://www.wsop.com/videos/?vcat=52
(Note: Will appear 48 hours after event concludes)
Sunday, June 28, 2015 1:11 AM Local Time
Ilya Krupin raises all in from the button and Carol Fuchs calls.
Krupin is ahead with against the of Fuchs.
The flop is pairing Fuchs and leaving Krupin drawing thin. The on the turn and the on the river leave Krupin drawing dead.
Fuchs goes to her rail and shares in the joy of victory. 357 players and 19 games later, she is the Dealers Choice Champion.
Krupin will earn $78,933 for his second place finish. Fuchs wins $127,735 for her first place finish and the WSOP gold bracelet! A full recap will be posted shortly.
Sunday, June 28, 2015 1:03 AM Local Time
Omaha Hi-Lo
Carol Fuchs raises from the button and is called by Ilya Krupin in the blinds.
The flop comes down and both players check their options.
After the falls on the turn Krupin check before folding after Fuchs bets.
Carol Fuchs - 2,357,000
Ilya Krupin - 310,000
Sunday, June 28, 2015 12:59 AM Local Time
Carol Fuchs raises from the button and Ilya Krupin three-bets out of the big blind. Fuchs calls and they see a flop of . Krupin bets and Fuchs raises. Krupin calls and the hits the turn.
They both check and the falls on the river. Krupin bets again and Fuchs raise again. Krupin calls and Fuchs shows for a flush with a low to scoop the pot. Krupin flashes the .
Carol Fuchs - 2,250,000
Ilya Krupin - 390,000
Sunday, June 28, 2015 12:53 AM Local Time
No-Limit Hold'em
Ilya Krupin raises to 55,000 from the button before Carol Fuchs bumps it up to 199,000 from the big blind.
Fuchs asks for an exact count before sitting back in her chair. She deliberates for a minute before finally releasing her hand.
Ilya Krupin - 1,037,000
Carol Fuchs - 1,640,000
Sunday, June 28, 2015 12:50 AM Local Time
Carol Fuchs raises to 62,000 from the button and Ilya Krupin calls from the big blind. They check the flop of .
Krupin checks the to Fuchs who bets 75,000 with Fuchs calling. The hits the river and they both check. Krupin shows to rake the pot.
Sunday, June 28, 2015 12:44 AM Local Time
Omaha Hi-Lo
Carol Fuchs raises from the button and is called by Ilya Krupin in the blinds.
The flop comes down and both players opt to check.
The turn brings the which sees Krupin check call a bet from Fuchs.
Both players then check the on the river before Fuchs tables her for trip sixes. The hand is enough to take down the pot as Fuchs moves to over two million in chips.
Carol Fuchs - 2,237,000
Ilya Krupin - 440,000
Sunday, June 28, 2015 12:41 AM Local Time
Omaha Hi-Lo
Ilya Krupin raises from the button and is called by Carol Fuchs in the blinds.
The flop comes down and Fuchs check raises a bet which is called.
After the drops on the turn Fuchs bets and is called.
The completes the board and once again Fuchs bets. Krupin then mucks his hand as he relinquishes the pot.
Carol Fuchs - 1,987,000
Ilya Krupin - 690,000
Sunday, June 28, 2015 12:36 AM Local Time
Omaha Hi-Lo
Robert Mizrachi limps from the button and calls the raise of Ilya Krupin from the small blind. The flop comes and Krupin bets into Mizrachi who calls.
Krupin bets the turn and Mizrachi calls all in.
Mizrachi has against the two pair of Krupin. Mizrachi has outs for a set, higher two pair, flush and a straight.
The river card is the , missing Mizrachi's outs and his quest for for back-to-back Dealer's Choice bracelets along with his second bracelet of 2015 will be denied.
Ilya Krupin - 880,000
Robert Mizrachi - Eliminated
Sunday, June 28, 2015 12:29 AM Local Time
Omaha Hi-Lo
Carol Fuchs raises from the small blind and is called by Robert Mizrachi in the big blind.
The flop comes down and Fuchs bets before calling a raise from Mizrachi.
After the falls on the turn Fuchs check calls another bet from Mizrachi.
The completes the board and Mizrachi's bet is called after Fuchs checks first.
Mizrachi announces a pair of kings before tabling .
Fuchs then turns over for trip eights which is enough to scoop the pot.
Carol Fuchs - 1.8 million
Robert Mizrachi - 130,000
Sunday, June 28, 2015 12:20 AM Local Time
Game Order
|
Antes in
NLH, NL2-7,
and Stud Games
|
Low/High Card
or
Small Blind
|
Completion
or
Big Blind
|
Limits
|
Limit Flop/Draw Games
|
-
|
25,000
|
50,000
|
50,000/100,000
|
Stud Games
|
10,000
|
20,000
|
50,000
|
50,000/100,000
|
No-Limit/Pot-Limit Games
|
6,000 (NLH/2-7)
|
12,000 |
24,000 |
-
|
Sunday, June 28, 2015 12:20 AM Local Time
| Level: | 29 | | Blinds: | 50,000/100,000 | |
Sunday, June 28, 2015 12:07 AM Local Time
Players are on another 20-minute break.
Sunday, June 28, 2015 12:04 AM Local Time
Badacey
Robert Mizrachi raises from the button and is called by Carol Fuchs in the blinds.
Both players draw two before Fuchs check calls a bet from Mizrachi.
On the next draw both players take one. Fuch check raises Mizrachi who calls.
Fuch then stands pat and bets as Mizrachi draws one. He makes the call before Fuchs tables for a seven-six low and a three card badugi.
Mizrachi rolls over for a eight-six low and a worse three card.
Saturday, June 27, 2015 11:57 PM Local Time
Omaha Hi-Lo
Robert Mizrachi limps from the small blind and Ilya Krupin checks his option. Mizrachi bets the flop and Krupin calls.
The comes on the turn and Mizrachi check-calls another Krupin bet. Mizrachi check-calls again on the river. Krupin turns over for two pair and a low.
Robert Mizrachi - 840,000
Ilya Krupin - 900,000
Saturday, June 27, 2015 11:54 PM Local Time
Omaha Hi-Lo
Carol Fuchs raises from the small blind and Robert Mizrachi calls from the big blind.
The flop is . Fuchs bets, Mizrachi raises and Fuchs calls. Fuchs checks the turn over to Mizrachi who bets and Fuchs calls behind.
Fuchs check-calls another bets on the river and mucks after seeing Mizrachi's for straight with a low.
Saturday, June 27, 2015 11:48 PM Local Time
Omaha Hi-Lo
Ilya Krupin raises from the button and is called by Robert Mizrachi on the big blind.
The flop comes down and Mizrachi check calls a continuation bet.
After the falls on the turn Mizrachi check calls another bet before the completes the board.
Both players check their options before Mizrachi rolls over . His two pairs is enough to scoop the pot after Krupin mucks his hand.
Robert Mizrachi - 650,000
Ilya Krupin - 800,000
Saturday, June 27, 2015 11:44 PM Local Time
Robert Mizrachi raises from the button before Ilya Krupin comes over the top with another bet. Mizrachi calls before both players watch the flop come down .
Krupin bets out before Mizrachi raises. The bet is called before the drops on the turn.
Both players decide to check before the completes the board. Krupin bets one last time and is called before tabling his for second nut low and a pair of aces for the high. Mizrachi sits motionless for a moment before releasing his hand into the muck.
Ilya Krupin - 1,050,000
Robert Mizrachi - 400,000
Saturday, June 27, 2015 11:36 PM Local Time
Omaha Hi-Lo
Carol Fuchs raises from the small blind and Robert Mizrachi three-bets from the big blind. Fuchs calls and the flop comes down . Fuchs bets into Mizrachi who calls.
The turn is the and Fuchs checks to Mizrachi who bets. Fuchs calls and the hits the river. They both check and Fuchs shows to scoop the pot.
Carol Fuchs - 1,265,000
Robert Mizrachi - 850,000
Saturday, June 27, 2015 11:33 PM Local Time
No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw
Robert Mizrachi raises to 40,000 from the button and Carol Fuchs calls from the big blind. They both draw one and Fuchs bets 75,000 with Mizrachi calling. Fuchs shows to win the pot.