Monday, June 13, 2016 6:28 PM Local Time
Paul Volpe is the newest multiple gold bracelet winner.
Two years after his first victory at the World Series of Poker, the poker pro from Philadelphia won the $1,500 buy-in Eight-Game Mix (Six-Handed) tournament, which concluded on Sunday night. Volpe won his debut victory in the $10K No-Limit Deuce-to-Seven Lowball competition. He’s since made six additional final tables, and even came in second twice, falling just short of a second win to Shaun Deeb ($10K Pot-Limit Omaha) and Keith Lehr ($10K Heads-Up No-Limit Hold’em).
He wasn’t to be denied this time.
The tournament was played over three days and nights and concluded on the ESPN main stage at the Rio in Las Vegas. Volpe collected $149,943 in prize money, making this one of the more sizable wins of his career. His WSOP earnings alone total $1,484,475. His earnings in cash games and other events is likely far greater, making him one of the best earners in poker over the last few years.
Volpe won his victory by prevailing at a final table which included a mix of pros and amateurs. The final moment of triumph came when Volpe scooped the final pot of the tournament on a Pot-Limit Omaha hand against Jason Stockfish, from Cleveland, who finished as the runner up. Volpe held the chip lead the last two hours of the tourney and never appeared to be in serious danger of relinquishing his advantage.
The final hand was crushing to Stockfish, as he held the best hand going into the river. He was ahead with two pair – aces and threes, with a nut-flush draw. Volpe had a pair of aces and needed to hit a higher second pair, which wasn’t a spade. Volpe caught his card on the river, a six, and ended up with an odd victory story for a player accustomed to usually being in the driver’s seat when it comes to showdowns.
Volpe was beyond satisfied with the final outcome, yet also reserved in his customary businesslike approach to the game. When asked to compare his two victories, Volpe was quote candid in reflecting upon the first win versus this moment of glory.
“Honestly, the first win was more meaningful,” Volpe said. “It was on such a bigger stage because it was heads-up versus (Daniel) Negreanu. There were so many more people sweating that one. But this is also special because it’s Eight-Game Mix, which is very hard to do. So, this one means a lot, but in a different way.”
This Eight-Game Mix event attracted 491 entrants which created a prize pool totaling $662,850. The top 74 finishers collected prize money. A similar tournament last year only drew 390 players, which marked a significant increase in interest for this mixture of poker games.
Aside from the winner, here’s a brief report of the other top finishers who made the final table:
Second Place: Jason Stockfish played extraordinary poker for three days and could very well have won his first victory in this event. However, he came up just short. Stockfish collected $92,638 as a consolation prize. This marked only his second time to cash at the series.
Third Place: Ron Ware, a.k.a. "Grumpy" from Discovery Bay, CA is a longtime tournament grinder dating back more than a decade. The collectables dealer owns a WSOP gold ring, but just missed out on what might have been a first gold bracelet. Ware was the chip leader for a good portion of the finale, but ran out of good fortune late and had to settle for a payout amounting to $60,882.
Fourth Place: Benjamin Ludlow, from Ney York City, put up his first WSOP cash ever with a fourth-place finish. He collected $40,911.
Fifth Place: Anthony Lazar, from Maple Grove, MN put up his first WSOP cash in five years with an impressive showing that resulted in a $28,123 payout. Lazar was the “Player of the Year” on the Ante-Up Poker Tour.
Sixth Place: Gavin Smith, from Anchorage, AK and originally from Canada made his best showing at the WSOP in three years with a respectable sixth-place finish. Smith won his gold bracelet in a Mixed Hold’em event back in 2010. Smith is back on his game again judging by the performance, which was rewarded with a $19,787 payday.
This was the 15th event on this year’s schedule. This leaves 54 gold bracelet events still to go.
Sunday, June 12, 2016 9:56 PM Local Time
Paul Volpe - Winner of Event #15
Pot-Limit Omaha
Jason Stockfish raises from the small blind and Paul Volpe calls.
The flop is and Volpe checks. Stockfish bets 80,000 and Volpe calls.
The turn is the and again Volpe checks. Stockfish bets 180,000 and Volpe thinks for a minute before announcing pot for 600,000. This is enough to put Stockfish all in and he calls.
Volpe:
Stockfish:
Stockfish is ahead with aces up and the nut flush draw, and Volpe needs to hit an offsuit king, queen, four, six, or eight to win the tournament.
The river is the and that sends the pot, and the victory, to Volpe, who is now a two-time bracelet winner, while Jason Stockfish earns the runner-up finish for $92,638.
Jason Stockfish - Seconnd Place
Sunday, June 12, 2016 9:48 PM Local Time
Omaha Hi-Lo
Paul Volpe had increased his chip lead to 8-1 before he raises, only to see Jason Stockfish three-bet. Volpe calls and the pair see a flop. Volpe calls one bet from Stockfish.
The turn is the and again Volpe calls one bet from Stockfish. The river is the and Stockfish bets again. Volpe calls, only to be shown by Stockfish which is good enought to scoop the pot with top pair and the nut low.
Jason Stockfish - 900,000
Paul Volpe - 2,800,000
Sunday, June 12, 2016 9:40 PM Local Time
| Level: | 27 | | Limits: | 50,000/100,000 | |
Sunday, June 12, 2016 9:07 PM Local Time
Players are on a 60-minute dinner break. Play will recommence at 10.05 p.m local time.
Sunday, June 12, 2016 9:07 PM Local Time
#1
In Limit Hold'em, Jason Stockfish raises, Paul Volpe three-bets and Stockfish calls.
The flop is and Volpe bets, with Stockfish calling. Volpe bets again on the turn but Stockfish gives it up.
#2
The very next hand, Volpe raises and Stockfish calls.
The flop is and Stockfish check/calls one bet from Volpe.
The turn is the and Stockfish check folds to a Volpe bet.
#3
Volpe - /
Stockfish - /
In Stud Hi-Lo, Volpe brings it in with the and Stockfish completes with the . Volpe calls.
Stockfish is first to act on fourth and checks. Volpe bets and Stockfish calls. On fifth, Stockfish again check-calls one bet from Volpe.
On sixth street, Volpe is first to act and leads for one bet, enough for Stockfish to give it up and fold.
Paul Volpe - 2,700,000
Jason Stockfish - 965,000
Sunday, June 12, 2016 8:57 PM Local Time
Paul Volpe
Pot-Limit Omaha
Jason Stockfish raises the button to 45,000, and Paul Volpe defends his big blind. The flop comes . Volpe checks, Stockfish bets 70,000, and Volpe calls. Both players check the on the turn
On the river, Volpe leads for 170,000, and Stockfish calls. Volpe fans out for trip eights, and Stockfish folds.
Four hands later, Stockfish raises the button to 50,000, and Volpe calls. Volpe check-calls a 65,000 bet on a flop. On the turn, Volpe checks, and Stockfish checks behind.
Volpe fires 175,000 on the river, sending Stockfish in the tank. Eventually, he calls, but Volpe has it again and tables for trip fours. Stockfish mucks.
Paul Volpe - 2,260,000
Jason Stockfish - 1,440,000
Sunday, June 12, 2016 8:47 PM Local Time
Razz
Paul Volpe - / /
Jason Stockfish - / /
After Paul Volpe wins a number of small pots to regain the chip lead, Volpe brings it in, Jason Stockfish completes, and Volpe calls.
Stockfish bets fourth, fifth and sixth street first to act, and Volpe calls on all streets.
On seventh, Stockfish fires again, and Volpe thinks for about 20 seconds before calling. Stockfish shows for a 6-5-4-2-A low, which scoops the pot.
Jason Stockfish - 1,940,000
Paul Volpe - 1,650,000
Sunday, June 12, 2016 8:41 PM Local Time
Jason Stockfish
No-Limit Hold'em
Jason Stockfish opens the button to 50,000, and Paul Volpe defends his big blind. On a flop, Volpe check-calls a 65,000-chip bet from Stockfish.
The turn is the , and Volpe leads out for 160,000. Stockfish takes around ten seconds to think it over, then calls.
The river is the . Volpe comes out with a bet of 250,000. After mere seconds, Stockfish shoves all in for around 1,200,000. Volpe literally snap-folds his cards, and surrenders the chip lead to Stockfish.
Jason Stockfish - 1,970,000
Paul Volpe - 1,730,000
Sunday, June 12, 2016 8:29 PM Local Time
2-7 Triple Draw
Jason Stockfish raises and Paul Volpe three-bets. Stockfish calls.
On the first draw Volpe draws two and Stockfish draws three. Stockfish then calls one bet from Volpe.
On the second draw, Volpe draws one and Stockfish draws two. Again, Stockfish calls one bet from Volpe.
On the third draw Stockfish stands pat, while Volpe draws one. Both players check and Volpe's is enough to take the pot.
Paul Volpe - 2,000,000
Jason Stockfish - 1,680,000
Sunday, June 12, 2016 8:15 PM Local Time
Paul Volpe and Jason Stockfish have commenced their heads up battle.
Jason Stockfish - 2,015,000
Paul Volpe - 1,668,000
Sunday, June 12, 2016 8:07 PM Local Time
The two remaining players have taken a short break before heads-up play commences.
Sunday, June 12, 2016 8:07 PM Local Time
Ron Ware
Stud Hi-Lo
Paul Volpe - / - fold
Ron Ware - / /
Jason Stockfish - / /
Paul Volpe is the bring in. Ron Ware completes and Jason Stockfish makes it two bets. Volpe calls and Ware makes it three bets. Stockfish makes it four bets, Volpe calls, and Ware calls all-in for 159,000 total.
On fourth street, Stockfish bets into the side pot and Volpe calls.
On fifth street the same action occurs.
On sixth street Stockfish bets again, and this time Volpe gives his hand up. Stockfish shows in the hole and Ware can only show , meaning he needs a king or a club to stay alive.
Unfortunately for Ware, he finds the , meaning his run in this event is over. Stockfish ends up rivering for a full house to complete the boards and take the pot.
Jason Stockfish - 2,015,000
Ron Ware - Eliminated in third place for $60,882
Sunday, June 12, 2016 8:00 PM Local Time
Pot-Limit Omaha
On the button, Ron Ware pot-raises to 70,000. Jason Stockfish calls in the small blind. Paul Volpe puts in a reraise to 170,000 from the big blind. Ware goes all-in for 182,000 total, Stockfish folds, and Volpe adds 12,000 to call.
Paul Volpe:
Ron Ware:
The flop is , keeping Ware in the lead with his pair of queens. "Five-ball," whispers Ware, wanting to get the hand right over with.
The turn is the , and now Volpe takes a huge lead with aces-up. Ware is left drawing to one of the non-club fives or the remaining queens to save his tournament life.
The river is indeed one of those outs, as the improves Ware's hand to a straight. Ware doubles up.
Ron Ware - 400,000
Sunday, June 12, 2016 7:53 PM Local Time
Game
|
Ante |
Bring-in or Small Blind |
Completion
or Big Blind |
Limits |
| Limit Flop/Draw |
- |
20,000 |
40,000 |
40,000/80,000 |
| Stud Games |
10,000 |
10,000 |
40,000 |
40,000/80,000 |
No-Limit & Pot-Limit
(No ante PLO)
|
5,000 |
10,000 |
20,000 |
- |
Sunday, June 12, 2016 7:52 PM Local Time
| Level: | 26 | | Limits: | 40,000/80,000 | |
Sunday, June 12, 2016 7:50 PM Local Time
Pot-Limit Omaha
Jason Stockfish raises to 55,000 and both Paul Volpe and Ron Ware call.
The flop is and Volpe checks. Ware has 7,000 left and moves all-in, with both of his opponents calling.
The turn is the and both players check. The river is the and again both check.
Ware shows for a flopped straight (and a higher straight on the river) and both Stockfish and Volpe muck.
Ron Ware - 186,000
Sunday, June 12, 2016 7:38 PM Local Time
Ron Ware
Stud Hi-Lo
Ron Ware - / /
Jason Stockfish - / /
Ron Ware leads out of fifth, sixth and seventh street. Stockfish calls fifth and sixth, and then puts in a raise on seventh. Ware calls, and Stockfish shows for two pair, aces and tens. Ware folds and is left really short.
Jason Stockfish - 1,900,000
Ron Ware - 50,000
Sunday, June 12, 2016 7:31 PM Local Time
Stud
Ron Ware - / /
Jason Stockfish - / /
Paul Volpe brings it in showing and Ron Ware completes the bet. Jason Stockfish makes it two bets, and Volpe folds, but Ware hangs around.
On fourth street Stockfish leads and Ware calls.
On fifth street Stockfish again bets, and this time Ware makes it two bets to go. Stockfish calls.
On sixth street Stockfish check-calls one bet from Ware.
On seventh street Stockfish checks in the dark. Ware bets, and Stockfish then comes over the top for two bets. Ware calls, and Stockfish rolls over for a king-high flush. Ware had a wry smile on his face as he flashed for a straight, commenting "I caught a spade on seventh as well!"
Jason Stockfish - 1,580,000
Ron Ware - 450,000
Sunday, June 12, 2016 7:20 PM Local Time
2-7 Triple Draw
Paul Volpe raises the small blind, and Ron Ware defends his big blind. Both players draw two cards on the first draw. After the draw, Volpe bets, and Ware calls.
Both players take one card on the second draw. Once again, Volpe bets, and Ware calls. Volpe and Ware elect to stand pat on the final draw. Volpe checks, and Ware checks behind. Ware shows , and Volpe mucks.
Ron Ware - 1,000,000
Paul Volpe - 1,100,000