Tuesday, July 16, 2019 12:45 AM Local Time
Ensan Remains Commanding Chip Leader With Three Remaining; Livingston and Sammartino Advance to Final Day
The 2019 World Series of Poker $10,000 Main Event is just one day away from crowning a champion as the final trio remains out of a field of 8,569 entries with a clear odds-on favorite to claim the most-prestigious poker title of the year, the WSOP Main Event bracelet and the payday of $10,000,000 that comes along with it.
Hossein Ensan finished Day 7 and 8 at the top of the leaderboard and made it three in a row by establishing a commanding lead at the end of Day 9. Ensan increased his stack by more than 50% on the day and bagged up 326,800,000.
That's nearly two times as many chips as Alex Livingston (120,400,000) and Dario Sammartino (67,600,000) have combined at their disposal, and Livingston was the other big mover on the penultimate tournament day after going from second-bottom stack to second in chips when it came to bagging and tagging for the night.
There is 1:32:05 remaining in Level 40 (1,000,000/2,000,000, with a 2,000,000-big blind ante).
With all bags wrapped up and plenty of pictures taken, Ensan's focus was already on the next day and how to approach it.
"I have to prepare for tomorrow. There are three left and I think I will continue my same game. I have respect for all the players, but I have chips. When I lose one pot, I don't like it, but it can happen."
When asked if he considers Sammartino or Livingston as the more dangerous player, Ensan immediately said "both." and added the following right after.
"I have more chips than both players and this is my advantage. Playing deep is easier than as a short stack. Dario is a big name, for sure, and Alex has played very good. We have three left and anything can happen. Garry [Gates] was second chip leader and now he is out. In poker, anything can happen."
Livingston already showcased his talent in the Main Event with a 13th place in 2013, and he has locked up at least $4,000,000 for his efforts so far, moving up the ranks by claiming a lot of pots on Day 9.
"When I'm playing the tournament, I'm as confident as ever. I've always wanted to compete on the highest stage. I don't play a lot of no-limit hold'em these days because I don't like the tanking, I don't like the headphones and I don't like all of that stuff. But, the Main Event's an exciting event. It's filled with amateurs and obviously a lot of tough pros. It just brings me back to the old days of playing live cash and just looking at people and making reads. That's what I like to do."
One of those spot-on reads saw Livingston take a big pot off eventual fourth-place finisher Garry Gates with ace-jack suited on a four-card straight board, in which he rivered top pair, and he had the following to say about his thought process.
"That one was interesting. He's a fairly tight player preflop. I thought he played really solid, by the way. But I don't think he defends many hands that have a six in them. When he bets that size on the river, I don't think he goes thin with two pair. So, I think that's very polarized to a six, which he doesn't have that many combos of... I didn't expect to see king-jack but I expect to see nine-ten, ten-jack and jack-nine."
Alex Livingston
It is still a mountain to climb for Livingston, who will enter the final day with 60 big blinds, while Sammartino follows with 33 big blinds on the biggest stage of poker. Livingston is not too worried about his chip deficit, however, and expects a tough battle on the final day.
"Just to make the last day of the Main Event is pretty cool. As for my chip position, I have tons of big blinds to work with. So, I don't really care how many chips Hossein has. He has a ton of chips which is great for him. But, it's gonna be a long day tomorrow because we're all pretty deep. Today obviously went about as well as I could have asked for," Livingston added.
For Gates, an amazing Main Event run ended in 4th place when he jammed his last 14 big blinds with sixes and Livingston snap-called with pocket queens. No miracle six or straight appeared and the final three bagged up right after. While they were still busy on the main feature table, a very emotional Gates was accompanied out of the room by an enormous rail, which chanted his name for the entire Amazon room to hear.
The rail of Kevin Maahs was as loud when it came to supporting their favorite and Maahs' run came to an end in fifth place half an hour prior to the departure of Gates. In a classic flip, Maahs failed to connect with ace-ten suited against the pocket nines of Ensan, who cemented his status as the runaway chip leader throughout the day.
How did they get the final three there?
| Day | Hossein Ensan | Alex Livingston | Dario Sammartino |
|---|
| 1 | 180,000 | 159,000 | 121,000 |
| 2 | 209,000 | 360,600 | 522,700 |
| 3 | 336,000 | 681,000 | 552,000 |
| 4 | 3,250,000 | 660,000 | 2,302,000 |
| 5 | 7,100,000 | 3,935,000 | 860,000 |
| 6 | 34,500,000 | 2,800,000 | 19,850,000 |
| 7 | 177,000,000 | 37,800,000 | 33,400,000 |
| 8 | 207,700,000 | 45,800,000 | 23,100,000 |
| 9 | 326,800,000 | 120,400,000 | 67,600,000 |
Progress on the Final Table
The final three will return to the feature table of the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino at 5.30 p.m. local time on Tuesday, July 16th, 2019, to play down to a champion. PokerNews will provide hand-for-hand updates from start-to-finish and you can also watch the action on ESPN on a 30-minute delay.
Results and Remaining Payouts
| Place | Winner | Country | Prize (USD) |
|---|
| 1 | | | $10,000,000 |
| 2 | | | $6,000,000 |
| 3 | | | $4,000,000 |
| 4 | Garry Gates | United States | $3,000,000 |
| 5 | Kevin Maahs | United States | $2,200,000 |
| 6 | Zhen Cai | United States | $1,850,000 |
| 7 | Nick Marchington | United Kingdom | $1,525,000 |
| 8 | Timothy Su | United States | $1,250,000 |
| 9 | Milos Skrbic | Serbia | $1,000,000 |
Monday, July 15, 2019 11:51 PM Local Time
A Tearful Farewell from Garry Gates
Monday, July 15, 2019 11:33 PM Local Time
Maahs Bust Out Interview
Monday, July 15, 2019 10:26 PM Local Time
Play Concludes
The remaining three players are bagging up.
A recap of the action will be published later tonight.
| Hossein Ensan | 326,800,000 | 0  |
| Alex Livingston | 120,400,000 | 0 |
| Dario Sammartino | 67,600,000 | 0 |
Monday, July 15, 2019 10:22 PM Local Time
Garry Gates Eliminated in 4th Place ($3,000,000)
Hand #120: Garry Gates shoved all in for 29.2 million in the small blind and Alex Livingston woke up to in the big blind.
Gates was dominated with .
The flop brought some backdoor chances for Gates. The turn closed those off so it was down to needing a river six for Gates. Though his rail chanted enthusiastically for one, the dealer delivered the instead, harmlessly pairing the board.
Still, Gates' rail chanted his name.
Garry Gates
Garry Gates| Alex Livingston | 120,400,000 | 29,200,000  |
| Garry Gates | 0 | -29,200,000 |
Monday, July 15, 2019 10:21 PM Local Time
Hands #118-119: Gates Picked Off By Queen-High
Hand #118: Alex Livingston made it 4.5 million on the button. Dario Sammartino defended the big blind. On the flop, Sammartino check-folded to 4 million.
Hand #119: Sammartino completed and Garry Gates checked. They saw a board of for the minimum until Gates bet 2 million on the end. Sammartino called with after some tanking and the queen-high was good.
| Hossein Ensan | 326,800,000 | -1,000,000 |
| Alex Livingston | 91,200,000 | 7,500,000 |
| Dario Sammartino | 67,600,000 | -500,000 |
| Garry Gates | 29,200,000 | -6,000,000 |
Monday, July 15, 2019 10:13 PM Local Time
Hands #115-117: Ensan's Lead Grows
Hand #115: Hossein Ensan raised to 4,000,000 from the button and Garry Gates called from the big blind.
The flop was and Gates check-folded to Ensan's bet of 3,000,000.
Hand #116: Dario Sammartino raised to 4,500,000 from the button and Alex Livingston called from the big blind.
The flop was , Livingston checked, Sammartino bet 3,500,000 and Livingston folded.
Hand #117: Alex Livingston limped from the small blind and Hossein Ensan checked his option.
The flop came down and Livingston check-called 2,000,000 from Ensan.
The turn was the and Livingston check-called 5,000,000 from Ensan.
The river was the , Livingston checked, Ensan bet 9,500,000 and Livingston called.
Ensan tabled for aces and treys, Livingston mucked and Ensan won the pot.
| Hossein Ensan | 327,800,000 | 25,500,000 |
| Alex Livingston | 83,700,000 | -25,000,000 |
| Dario Sammartino | 68,100,000 | 6,500,000 |
| Garry Gates | 35,200,000 | -7,000,000 |
Monday, July 15, 2019 10:07 PM Local Time
Hands #112-114: Ensan and Livingston Tangle Twice
Hand #112: First to act, Hossein Ensan raised to 4,500,000 and Alex Livingston came along out of the big blind. On a flop, Livingston checked and Ensan quickly tossed in a continuation bet for 2,500,000. Livingston made the call and checked again the turn, Ensan fired a second barrel for 7,000,000 and that won the pot right there.
Hand #113: Livingston limped the small blind and Ensan checked the big blind. The flop brought a check-call for 2,000,000 by Livingston, who checked again the on the turn. Ensan bet 5,400,000 and picked up a call to go to the river.
Both checked and Livingston tabled for the second pair to win the pot.
Hand #114: Livingston raised the button to 4,500,000 and Dario Sammartino called from the big blind. The flop came and Sammartino check-raised a bet of 3,000,000 by Livingston to 9,000,000. No call followed and the pot was shipped to Sammartino.
| Hossein Ensan | 302,300,000 | -2,400,000 |
| Alex Livingston | 108,700,000 | -5,100,000 |
| Dario Sammartino | 61,600,000 | 8,500,000 |
| Garry Gates | 42,200,000 | -1,000,000 |
Monday, July 15, 2019 9:56 PM Local Time
Kevin Maahs Eliminated in 5th Place ($2,200,000)
Hand #111: Hossein Ensan raised to 4 million second to act. Kevin Maahs jammed in the small blind for 30.3 million and Ensan called.
Hossein Ensan:
Kevin Maahs:
The flop brought only backdoors for Maahs. The turn meant Maahs needed help on the river, but the didn't do it for him.
Maahs took home $2,200,000 for his fifth-place finish.
Kevin Maahs and Hossein Ensan| Hossein Ensan | 304,700,000 | 34,300,000 |
| Kevin Maahs | 0 | -30,300,000 |
Monday, July 15, 2019 9:55 PM Local Time
Hands #109-110: Gates Takes a Couple
Hand #109: Garry Gates moved all in second to act for 37.2 million and won the pot.
Hand #110: Gates raised under the gun to 4.2 million and won the pot.
| Hossein Ensan | 270,400,000 | -1,000,000 |
| Alex Livingston | 113,800,000 | 0 |
| Dario Sammartino | 53,100,000 | -5,000,000 |
| Garry Gates | 47,200,000 | 10,000,000 |
| Kevin Maahs | 30,300,000 | -4,000,000 |
Monday, July 15, 2019 9:50 PM Local Time
Level 40 started
Level: 40
Blinds: 1,000,000/2,000,000
Ante: 2,000,000
Monday, July 15, 2019 9:49 PM Local Time
Hands #106-108: Last Hands of the Level
Hand #106: Garry Gates received a walk.
Hand #107: Alex Livingston received a walk.
Hand #108: Dario Sammartino raised to 3,500,000 from under the gun and got no action.
| Hossein Ensan | 271,400,000 | -3,200,000 |
| Alex Livingston | 113,800,000 | 0 |
| Dario Sammartino | 58,100,000 | 4,000,000 |
| Garry Gates | 37,200,000 | 0 |
| Kevin Maahs | 34,300,000 | -800,000 |
Monday, July 15, 2019 9:45 PM Local Time
Hands #102-105: Livingston Beats Sammartino in Showdown
Hand #102: Kevin Maahs raised to 3,600,000 on the button and scooped the blinds and big blind ante.
Hand #103: From under the gun, Dario Sammartino raised it up to 3,500,000 and found no resistance.
Hand #104: Alex Livingston limped the button and Sammartino checked in the big blind. The flop was checked and the followed on the turn. Sammartino bet 3,200,000 and Livingston called, the appeared on the river. Sammartino now checked and Sammartino checked behind to win the pot with the for sevens and fours.
Hand #105: Hossein Ensan raised the button to 3,200,000 and Maahs called in the big blind. The flop brought and Maahs checked, Ensan bet 1,700,000 and Maahs folded.
| Hossein Ensan | 274,600,000 | 1,600,000 |
| Alex Livingston | 113,800,000 | 3,200,000 |
| Dario Sammartino | 54,100,000 | -3,200,000 |
| Garry Gates | 37,200,000 | -800,000 |
| Kevin Maahs | 35,100,000 | -800,000 |
Monday, July 15, 2019 9:39 PM Local Time
Hands #100-101: Gates Caught Bluffing
Hand #100: Hossein Ensan raised to 3.2 million on the button and Kevin Maahs defended the big blind. Maahs checked the flop and folded to 2 million.
Hand #101: Alex Livingston raised first to act to 3.8 million. Garry Gates defended the big blind and flopped. They both checked to the turn, which was an . Gates bet 3.8 million and Livingston called, bringing an . Gates fired big with 16 million into 17.6 million.
Livingston thought awhile then called. Gates showed for a bluff and Livingston had for top pair on the river.
| Hossein Ensan | 273,000,000 | 5,600,000 |
| Alex Livingston | 110,600,000 | 26,000,000 |
| Dario Sammartino | 57,300,000 | -800,000 |
| Garry Gates | 38,000,000 | -25,200,000 |
| Kevin Maahs | 35,900,000 | -5,600,000 |
Monday, July 15, 2019 9:26 PM Local Time
Hands #96-99: Ensan Pulls Even Further Away
Hand #96: Hossein Ensan raised to 4,200,000 from the cutoff and scooped the blinds and big blind ante.
Hand #97: Kevin Maahs made it 3,600,000 to go from the button and Alex Livingston called in the big blind. On a flop of , Livingston checked and Maahs made it 2,600,000 to go. Livingston opted to raise to 8,500,000 and Maahs sent his cards into the muck.
Hand #98: First to act, Dario Sammartino opened to 3,500,000 and the Italian rail cheered as the pot was pushed to Sammartino after all his opponents had folded.
Hand #99: Garry Gates made it 3,500,000 to go from the cutoff and Ensan came along from the small blind, Sammartino forfeited his big blind. On a flop, Ensan bet 3,500,000 and Gates made the call to see the turn. Ensan now checked and Gates bet small for 4,500,000, which Ensan called.
After the river, Ensan took the betting lead again and tossed in 4,500,000. Gates was sent into the think tank and eventually folded.
Garry Gates| Hossein Ensan | 267,400,000 | 15,500,000 |
| Alex Livingston | 84,600,000 | 6,200,000 |
| Garry Gates | 63,200,000 | -15,500,000 |
| Dario Sammartino | 58,100,000 | 800,000 |
| Kevin Maahs | 41,500,000 | -7,000,000 |
Monday, July 15, 2019 9:13 PM Local Time
Hands #92-95: Ensan Extends
Hand #92: Garry Gates limped from the small blind and Alex Livingston checked his option.
The flop was , Gates bet 1,700,000 and Livingston folded.
Hand #93: Kevin Maahs raised to 3,600,000 from the cutoff and Hossein Ensan called from the big blind.
They checked down a board of and Ensan won with .
Hand #94: Dario Sammartino received a walk.
Hand #95: Hossein Ensan raised to 3,200,000 from the button and Kevin Maahs called from the big blind.
The flop was , Maahs led for 1,700,000 and Ensan called.
The turn was the , Maahs checked, Ensan bet 3,300,000 and Maahs called.
Both players checked the river and Ensan won the pot with for aces and eights.
| Hossein Ensan | 251,900,000 | 14,200,000 |
| Garry Gates | 78,700,000 | 3,200,000 |
| Alex Livingston | 78,400,000 | -4,000,000 |
| Dario Sammartino | 57,300,000 | 0 |
| Kevin Maahs | 48,500,000 | -13,400,000 |
Monday, July 15, 2019 9:00 PM Local Time
Hands #89-91: Sammartino Takes a Showdown From Gates
Hand #89: Garry Gates opened for 3.2 million second to act and Dario Sammartino defended the big blind. They saw the turn for free, so the board read when Gates made a delayed continuation-bet of 2.8 million. Sammartino stuck around for the river.
Both players checked and Sammartino won showdown with .
Hand #90: Hossein Ensan raised to 3.2 million on the button and Sammartino called in the small blind. Kevin Maahs came along for cheap in the big blind and they saw a flop. Sammartino checked, Maahs bet out 4.1 million and the other two players folded.
Hand #91: Gates got a walk.
| Hossein Ensan | 237,700,000 | -4,000,000 |
| Alex Livingston | 82,400,000 | 0 |
| Garry Gates | 75,500,000 | -5,200,000 |
| Kevin Maahs | 61,900,000 | 5,600,000 |
| Dario Sammartino | 57,300,000 | 3,600,000 |
Monday, July 15, 2019 8:52 PM Local Time
Hands #86-88: Sammartino Above 50 Million
Hand #86: Dario Sammartino raised to 3,500,000 from the button and won the pot uncontested.
Hand #87: Hossein Ensan raised to 3,200,000 from under the gun, Dario Sammartino called from the cutoff and Garry Gates called from the small blind.
They checked to the turn of a board where Ensan bet 7,600,000. Sammartino called and Gates folded.
The river was the , Ensan checked, Sammartino bet 8,000,000 and Ensan folded.
Hand #88: Ensan received a walk.
| Hossein Ensan | 241,700,000 | -10,000,000 |
| Alex Livingston | 82,400,000 | -4,000,000 |
| Garry Gates | 80,700,000 | -6,400,000 |
| Kevin Maahs | 56,300,000 | -800,000 |
| Dario Sammartino | 53,700,000 | 21,200,000 |
Monday, July 15, 2019 8:41 PM Local Time
Play Resumes
The players have returned to their seat and the cards are back in the air.
Monday, July 15, 2019 8:25 PM Local Time
Hands #83-85: Livingston Takes One On the Flop Before Break
Hand #83: Alex Livingston open-folded the in the small blind and Hossein Ensan received a walk.
Hand #84: Garry Gates raised to 3,200,000 in the cutoff and earned the blinds and big blind ante.
Hand #85: Livingston raised to 3,800,000 in the cutoff and Kevin Maahs called in the big blind. The flop brought and Maahs checked, then faced a bet of 3,000,000 by Livingston. Maahs folded and the pot was awarded to Livingston.
Players went on break for 15 minutes after the hand was finished.
| Hossein Ensan | 251,700,000 | 0 |
| Garry Gates | 87,100,000 | 4,000,000 |
| Alex Livingston | 86,400,000 | 5,400,000 |
| Kevin Maahs | 57,100,000 | -5,400,000 |
| Dario Sammartino | 32,500,000 | -4,000,000 |