Saturday, June 30, 2018 2:09 AM Local Time
Mike Takayama Wins Event #59: $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em Super Turbo Bounty
There were 1,400 runners that began the day at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino and by the end of the late registration period, there was a total of 2,065 entries generating a prize pool of $1,858,500, exceeding the 1,867 runners who entered this tournament last year.
After the last chance saloon had closed for business it was Mike Takayama taking down Event #59: $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em Super Turbo Bounty. His victory against Lorenc Puka heads-up would earn the Filipino player a coveted WSOP gold bracelet and a prodigious $198,568 first place cash prize.
The structure of this tournament is one that favors brave players and Takayama was about as courageous as there was in the field. The words "all-in" seemed to fall out of his mouth more frequently than the words fold.
"I'm very happy with how I played and it is everyone's dream to win a bracelet" was Takayama's response when asked about his playing style.
The Philippines native was all in at two points with very few outs but still managed to hit the cards he needed to win.
"Two suck out hands then I kept building and building," Takayama said when asked about the hands in question, before smiling and declaring: "I am now the first Filipino to ever win a bracelet".
Final Table Results
| Position | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|
| 1 | Mike Takayama | Phillipines | $198,568 |
| 2 | Lorenc Puka | Italy | $122,627 |
| 3 | Matthew Smith | United States | $88,938 |
| 4 | Steve Jelinek | United Kingdom | $65,145 |
| 5 | Spencer Baker | United States | $48,196 |
| 6 | Kavish Shabbir | United States | $36,019 |
| 7 | Elizabeth Montizanti | United States | $27,193 |
| 8 | Jack Duong | United States | $20,743 |
| 9 | Oliver Rusing | Germany | $15,988 |
Event Recap
The day began with many notable pros in the field including Phil Laak, Mike Watson, Greg Raymer, Phil Hellmuth, Kevin Eyster, Scott Davies, Mohsin Charania, and many more. One name especially that stood out was Shaun Deeb, who has been on a heater and is currently occupying the top spot for 2018 player of the year. Deeb made the money but came up short when he got it all in on a flip and went out 172nd place for $1,214.
A total of 310 places were paid at least a min-cash of $1,000, in addition to any bounties acquired. By the time the tournament was nearing the bubble Jacob Snider was the chipleader, but could not go the distance and he would end up going out in 50th place ($3,490).
Among the players to cash the event were Michael Moore (24th - $6,275), Pablo Mariz (32nd - $5,103), Jake Bazeley (33rd - $5,103), Jaspal Brar (48th - $3,490), Jordan Polk (71st - $2,497), Greg Raymer (120th - $1,471), and Taylor Wilson (122nd - $1,471).
The official final table bubble was Jens Thomsen who moved his short stack all in from the button, only to run into a Takayama's bigger hand. Oliver Rusing would be the first official final tablest to hit the rail after Takayama hit an ace against his pocket queens to put him out in ninth.
Jack Duong was just another casualty to Takayama's run-good. Duong got it in as a big favorite to double, but Takayama spiked two pair against him and he exited in eighth place.
Elizabeth Montizanti moved all in preflop and got two callers. Takayama bet the pot to chase the other player out and the two turned over their cards with Takayama's top pair holding on for the elimination of Montizanti.
A round after Kavish Shabbir lost a big all in against Matthew Smith to get short. Shabbir ended up all in preflop against Takayama shortly afterward. Takayama would river a three to send him out in sixth.
Spencer Baker held on as long as he could and then moved all in from the button. Smith called him from the big blind and the board would not run out in Bakers favor as Smith would flop a jack, holding on for the pot.
One of the bigger stacks late in the day was Steve Jelinek who would go toe-to-toe with Takayama and as everyone else did before, would fail and be sent home with Takayama's set of deuces besting his ace high.
Smith shoved from the button and Takayama called his all in. Takayama was in rough shape as Smith turned two pair, but the river completed a straight for Takayama and Smith was sent home in third.
Steve Jelinek-Eliminated 4th Place ($65,145)
The heads-up play was fast and furious as Takayama applied immense pressure to Puka. It started off well for the Italian, who doubled at the very beginning of heads-up play. But Takayama just kept pushing his stack around and when the final buzzer went, it was Takayama who came out on top. Takayama took down the title, the bracelet, and the $198,568 first place cash prize.
Lorenc Puka-Super Turbo Bounty Runner-Up
The PokerNews team will be bringing you full coverage of every WSOP event this summer.
Saturday, June 30, 2018 1:37 AM Local Time
Lorenc Puka Eliminated in 2nd Place ($122,627)
Hand #49: Mike Takayama moved all in from the button and Lorenc Puka called. The two players turned over their hands and Puka would be at risk.
Mike Takayama:
Lorenc Puka:
The flop came down a scary one as the dealer fanned out and both players caught a piece. The turn came the and Puka would need to hit but the on the river did not help him as he was eliminated by Takayama's two pair.
| Mike Takayama | 10,325,000 | 775,000  |
| Lorenc Puka | 0 | -800,000  |
Saturday, June 30, 2018 1:33 AM Local Time
Hand #45-48: Takayama Steam Rolling Puka
Hand #45: Mike Takayama opened to 350,000 from the button and Lorenc Puka folded.
Hand #46: Puka called the button and Takayama moved all in, Puka folded.
Hand #47: Takayama moved all in and Puka folded.
Hand #48: Takayama got a walk in the big blind.
| Mike Takayama | 9,550,000 | 450,000 |
| Lorenc Puka | 800,000 | -450,000 |
Saturday, June 30, 2018 1:29 AM Local Time
Hand #41-44: Takayama Taking Over
Hand #41: Mike Takayama opened to 300,000 from the button and Lorenc Puka called from the big blind. The flop came down , action checked to to Takayama who bet 300,000 and Puka moved all in for 1,030,000. Takayama made the call and players flipped their hands.
Puka turned over for a pair of aces and Takayama tabled for a pair of nines. The turn came a and Puka would need to dodge some outs. The river was the and Puka held on for the double.
Hand #42: Puka opened to 300,000 from the button and Takayama folded.
Hand #43: Takayama opened to 300,000 and Puka called. The flop came and Puka checked to Takayama who bet 400,000. Puka made the call and the turn came the .
Action checked to Takayama who bet 700,000 and Puka thought for a few moments before making the fold.
Hand #44: Puka opened to 320,000 from the button and Takayama called. The flop fell and both players checked.
The turn came the and Takayama bet 300,000. Puka made the call and the river came the . Both players checked and Takayama tabled for two pair, Puka mucked.
| Mike Takayama | 9,100,000 | 900,000 |
| Lorenc Puka | 1,250,000 | -150,000 |
Saturday, June 30, 2018 1:17 AM Local Time
Hands #39-40: Takayama Takes Two
Hand #39: Mike Takayama called from the button and Lorenc Puka checked his option.
The flop came and Puka checked. Takayama bet 150,000, Puka folded, and Takayama took the pot.
Hand #40: Takayama got a walk in the big blind.
Saturday, June 30, 2018 1:13 AM Local Time
Matthew Smith Eliminated in 3rd Place ($88,938)
Hand #38: Matthew Smith shoved from the button and Mike Takayama called from the big blind.
Matthew Smith:
Mike Takayama:
Takayama had the preflop edge and Smith needed to improve to stay alive. The board ran out and Takayama took the pot with Broadway to end Smith's deep run in this event.
| Mike Takayama | 8,200,000 | 350,000 |
| Matthew Smith | 0 | -450,000 |
Saturday, June 30, 2018 1:06 AM Local Time
Hands #31-37: Puka Doubles Through Smith
Hand #31: Lorenc Puka got a walk in the big blind.
Hand #32: Mike Takayama got a walk in the big blind.
Hand #33: Puka shoved from the button and won the pot uncontested.
Hand #34: Puka got a walk in the big blind.
Hand #35: Takayama got a walk in the big blind.
Hand #36: Takayama called from the small blind and Matthew Smith checked his option.
The flop came , Takayama bet 150,000, Smith folded, and Takayama took the pot.
Hand #37: Matthew Smith shoved for 1.3 million from the small blind and Puka called to put himself at risk.
Matthew Smith:
Lorenc Puka:
Smith had the preflop edge and Puka needed to improve to survive. He caught up on the flop, and neither the turn nor river were any help to Smith, so Puka took the pot to double up.
| Lorenc Puka | 1,400,000 | 700,000 |
| Matthew Smith | 450,000 | -1,525,000 |
Saturday, June 30, 2018 1:03 AM Local Time
Steve Jelinek Eliminated in 4th Place ($65,145)
Hand #30: Steve Jelinek opened to 300,000 from the button and Mike Tamayaka then moved all in with a covering stack. Jelinek made the call and the players turned over their hands.
Mike Takayama:
Steve Jelinek:
The board ran out and Takayama took down the pot with a rivered set. Jelinek was eliminated and Takayama moved into a huge chip lead position.
| Mike Takayama | 7,850,000 | 3,500,000 |
| Steve Jelinek | 0 | -3,165,000 |
Saturday, June 30, 2018 1:01 AM Local Time
Hand #27-29: Takayama Keeps Up With the Pressure
Hand #27: Mike Takayama opened to 250,000 from the button and everyone folded.
Hand #28: Takayama opened to 250,000 from under the gun and everyone folded.
Hand #29: Takayama got a walk in the big blind.
Saturday, June 30, 2018 12:59 AM Local Time
Spencer Baker Eliminated in 5th Place ($48,196)
Hand #26: Spencer Baker opened all in for 360,000 from the button and Matthew Smith called from the big blind. The players then turned over their hands with Baker at risk.
Matthew Smith:
Spencer Baker:
The flop came down and Baker would now need to hit a queen to stay alive. The on the turn and on the river did not help him as he was eliminated to the hands of Smith.
| Matthew Smith | 1,975,000 | 50,000 |
| Spencer Baker | 0 | -1,010,000 |
Saturday, June 30, 2018 12:56 AM Local Time
Hand #23-25: Takayama Applying Pressure
Hand #23: Mike Takayama opened to 250,000 from the cutoff and everyone folded.
Hand #24: Lorenc Puka moved all in from the button and everyone folded.
Hand #25: Steve Jelinek opened to 275,000 from the button and everyone folded.
Saturday, June 30, 2018 12:54 AM Local Time
Level 32 started
Level: 32
Blinds: 60000/120000
Ante: 20000
Saturday, June 30, 2018 12:53 AM Local Time
Hands #21-22: Puka Doubles With Queens
Hand #21: Lorenc Puka shoved for 335,000 from under the gun and Matthew Smith called to put him at risk from the big blind.
Lorenc Puka:
Matthew Smith:
Puka had the preflop advantage and Smith needed to improve in order to stack him. The board ran out and Puka took the pot with queens and nines to double up.
Hand #22: Mike Takayama got a walk in the big blind.
| Lorenc Puka | 700,000 | 200,000 |
Saturday, June 30, 2018 12:50 AM Local Time
Kavish Shabbir Eliminated in 6th Place ($36,019)
Hand #20: Action folded around to the blinds, Kavish Shabbir shoved from the small, and Mike Takayama called from the big to put Shabbir at risk.
Kavish Shabbir:
Mike Takayama:
Shabbir had the preflop edge and Takayama needed to improve in order to eliminate him. He did just that when the board ran out and Takayama took the pot with a pair of threes to end Shabbir's deep run in this tournament.
| Mike Takayama | 4,350,000 | 700,000 |
| Kavish Shabbir | 0 | -350,000 |
Saturday, June 30, 2018 12:46 AM Local Time
Hand #19: Takayama and Baker Chop
Hand #19: Mike Takayama raised to 250,000 from under the gun, Spencer Baker shoved from the small blind, and Takayama called.
Mike Takayama:
Spencer Baker:
A chop looked likely as both players held the same hand. After the board ran out they were still tied so they split the pot.
Saturday, June 30, 2018 12:43 AM Local Time
Hand #14-18: Smith Taking Off
Hand #14: Matthew Smith moved all in from under the gun for 510,000 and Kavish Shabbir shoved all in for more from the small blind. The two players then turned over their hands.
Matthew Smith:
Kavish Shabbir:
The board ran out and Smith's full house secured him a double up.
Hand #15: Mike Takayama called from the small blind and Smith then raised to 250,000. Takayama called and the flop came , both players checked.
The turn was the and Takayama bet 175,000. Smith called and the river was the . Takayama bet 250,000 and Smith called. Takayama showed for two pair and Smith then tabled for a higher two pair.
Hand #16: Takayama opened to 250,000 from the button and everyone folded.
Hand #17: Steve Jelinek got a walk in the big blind.
Hand #18: Jelinek moved all in from the small blind and Spencer Baker folded.
| Mike Takayama | 3,650,000 | -485,000 |
| Matthew Smith | 1,925,000 | 920,000 |
| Kavish Shabbir | 350,000 | -460,000 |
Saturday, June 30, 2018 12:35 AM Local Time
Hands #9-13: Puka Doubles Through Smith
Hand #9: Action folded around to the blinds, Mike Takayama shoved from the small, and Matthew Smith folded his big.
Hand #10: Action folded to the blinds, Matthew Smith raised to 250,000 from the small, and Lorenc Puka called to put himself at risk from the big.
Matthew Smith:
Lorenc Puka:
Puka was ahead and Smith needed help from the deck in order to stack him. The board ran out which missed both players entirely and Puka took the pot to double up.
Hand #11: Mike Takayama raised to 250,000 from the cutoff and won the pot uncontested.
Hand #12: Kavish Shabbir shoved from under the gun and won the blinds and antes.
Hand #13: Steve Jelinek shoved from the button and won the pot uncontested.
| Lorenc Puka | 500,000 | 165,000 |
Saturday, June 30, 2018 12:22 AM Local Time
Level 31 started
Level: 31
Blinds: 50000/100000
Ante: 10000
Saturday, June 30, 2018 12:17 AM Local Time
Chip Counts at the Break
| Mike Takayama | 4,135,000 | -215,000 |
| Steve Jelinek | 3,165,000 | 1,080,000 |
| Spencer Baker | 1,010,000 | -40,000 |
| Matthew Smith | 1,005,000 | 515,000 |
| Kavish Shabbir | 810,000 | -290,000 |
| Lorenc Puka | 335,000 | -215,000 |
Saturday, June 30, 2018 12:15 AM Local Time
Hand #8: Smith Doubles Through Takayama
Hand #8: Matthew Smith moved all in for 483,000 from under the gun. It folded to Mike Takayama who called in the big blind.
Matthew Smith:
Mike Takayama:
The board ran out . "Yes!" cried Takayama as the seven hit on the river, "You win!" he said.