Friday, July 5, 2019 4:38 AM Local Time
Finnish Poker Hero Juha Helppi Claims 1st Bracelet and $306,622 in $10,000 Limit Hold'em Championship
After a grueling thirteen hours on the final day of Event #72: $10,000 Limit Hold'em Championship , the Finnish poker legend that is Juha Helppi finally claimed his first WSOP bracelet and the first-place prize of $306,622 that comes with it. Helppi played Mike Lancaster heads-up for a long four hours to come out victorious in the end. The 50th Annual World Series of Poker edition of this tournament attracted 118 entries which beat last year's number.
This is not Helppi's biggest win ever but the bracelet does mean the most to him: "I've been close to winning a bracelet many times, that's why it was so exciting because it happened to me many times in the past. Finally getting that bracelet that I've been looking for, like for 16 years, it's amazing."
Helppi has come close many times indeed, finishing in 2nd place three times, 3rd once, 4th once, and 5th once. The most recent deep run was last year in Event #70: $3,000 Limit Hold'em 6-Handed where he lost out to Yaser Al-Keliddar. Helppi built his bankroll by playing Limit Hold'em and has a lot of heads-up experience.
Helppi already collected just over a million in cashes during the WSOP events and even though he added a chunk to it now, he's already got his sights set on the Main Event: "I'm playing it tomorrow, so I don't have much time to rest but maybe a new bracelet will be coming!"
Limit Hold'em Championship Final Table
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize (USD) |
|---|
| 1 | Juha Helppi | Finland | $306,622 |
| 2 | Mike Lancaster | United States | $189,505 |
| 3 | Tommy Hang | United States | $133,718 |
| 4 | Anthony Marsico | United States | $96,272 |
| 5 | Kevin Song | United States | $70,750 |
| 6 | Josh Arieh | United States | $53,095 |
| 7 | Kyle Ray | United States | $40,709 |
| 8 | Qinghai Pan | United States | $31,902 |
| 9 | Robert Como | United States | $25,566 |
The day started with 15 players in their seats but it didn't even take ten minutes before the first player was sent to the payout desk. Spain's Raul Paez was the first to go when he got all his chips in with pocket treys on the jack-seven-five flop and was called by Josh Arieh who held pocket kings. Arieh stayed ahead to claim Paez's chips in the end. Day 1 chip leader Andrew Brown started the day as the absolute short stack and couldn't find a way to build his stack up as he was eliminated in 13th place.
Eli Elezra wouldn't be adding another bracelet to his collection of four as Lancaster took him out. John Racener wasn't going to win a second bracelet either as he also fell victim to Lancaster. Jerry Robinson would become the final table bubble boy when Helppi eliminated him in tenth place. The final table was almost an all-American fairy tale but for the lone Finnish player in Helppi who ended up beating them all. Helppi went into the final table second in chips and stayed near the top for most of the almost 12 hours it lasted.
It went from nine to six in a span of 30 minutes with Robert Como, Qinghai Pan, and Kyle Ray busting in that order. It would take another eighty minutes of six-handed play before Arieh was ousted with pocket sevens. Lancaster held king-queen on the queen-six-ten flop and held throughout the board to take Arieh down in sixth place. Forty minutes later, Kevin Song was done for the night as he wasn't going to claim his second WSOP bracelet in this event. Both him and Lancaster had flopped a pair of kings but Lancaster was ahead with the ace-kicker and stayed ahead.
The four remaining players would play two more hours before they all went into the dinner break with Lancaster in the lead. Almost fifteen minutes after returning from the dinner break, Anthony Marsico ran out of chips when he was up against Helppi with ace-six while Helppi had ace-king. No help of the board and Marsico was sent to the payout desk to collect his second and biggest ever WSOP cash.
Tommy Hang finished in third place for $133,718
Tommy Hang had the biggest and loudest rail of all which also included Chino Rheem and JC Tran during the breaks of the Main Event but after hanging on with a short stack for hours, Hang was hung out to dry when it almost all went in preflop with ace-ten. Helppi held ace-eight and they both made a flush on the river with Helppi holding the nuts with the ace of spades.
Mike Lancaster and Juha Helppi shake hands after the final hand of the night
Heads-up the chips kept flying back and forth, both claiming the chip lead at certain points throughout the long battle but in the end, Helppi managed to grind it out and claim the win. "I think I've played the heads-up well, he was a good player. I caught a few of his bluffs and I was able to do some correct moves and get some extra value when I had a hand so, in the end, I think… I deserved it."
"My rail helped me so much, it helped me through the bad times, it helped me play my A-game," Helppi added at the end while his rail was still celebrating, drinking, and chatting in a totally empty Amazon room in the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino.
Juha Helppi and his rail
Friday, July 5, 2019 3:07 AM Local Time
Mike Lancaster Eliminated in 2nd Place ($189,505)
Mike Lancaster raised from the button and Juha Helppi called.
The flop came , Helppi checked, Lancaster bet, and Helppi raised. Lancaster wasted no time and three-bet while Helppi quickly four-bet for Lancaster to five-bet. Helppi confirmed with the dealer if there was a cap and she nodded so Helppi just called.
The turn was the , Helppi bet and Lancaster called for his last 60,000.
Mike Lancaster:
Juha Helppi:
Lancaster had a pair of queens but Helppi was ahead with the pair of kings.
They both got up from their chairs to see the dealer deal the final card which was the . Helppi roared and ran to his rail to celebrate while they chanted several Finnish terms. After that, Helppi walked to Lancaster to shake hands and chat a bit before Lancaster made his way out of the tournament area to collect $189,505 for finishing in second place.
Helppi wins his first-ever WSOP bracelet and $306,622. A recap of today's action is to follow.
| Juha Helppi | 7,080,000 | 705,000  |
| Mike Lancaster | 0 | -705,000  |
Friday, July 5, 2019 2:59 AM Local Time
Super Short Lancaster
Mike Lancaster raised from the button and Juha Helppi called.
The flop came , Helppi check-raised the bet of Lancaster who called.
The turn was the to bring three of them on the board. Helppi bet again and Lancaster called.
The river completed the board with the and Helppi barreled another bet over the line. Lancaster shook his head, sighed and sat back. He looked at his cards once more.
"Show the bluff," Lancaster said before folding but Helppi just pushed his cards over the line before scooping up the pot.
| Juha Helppi | 6,375,000 | 700,000 |
| Mike Lancaster | 705,000 | -700,000 |
Friday, July 5, 2019 2:55 AM Local Time
Lancaster Loses More Chips
Juha Helppi raised from the button and Mike Lancaster three-bet which Helppi called.
The flop came , Lancaster bet and Helppi called.
They both checked through the on the turn to the on the river. Lancaster check-called the bet of Helppi but mucked when he tabled for two pair.
| Juha Helppi | 5,675,000 | 895,000 |
| Mike Lancaster | 1,405,000 | -895,000 |
Friday, July 5, 2019 2:50 AM Local Time
Lancaster Gets a Fold from Helppi
Mike Lancaster raised and called a three-bet from Juha Helppi.
A flop appeared and Lancaster called Helppi's bet. On the turn, Helppi bet again and called a raise from Lancaster.
The river was the and this time Helppi check-folded, showing for a missed draw.
| Juha Helppi | 4,780,000 | -450,000 |
| Mike Lancaster | 2,300,000 | 450,000 |
Friday, July 5, 2019 2:47 AM Local Time
Good Call for Helppi
Mike Lancaster raised and Juha Helppi called.
The flop brought and Helppi check-called. Both players checked on the turn.
When a fell, Helppi checked and called once more. Lancaster showed for ten-high and the pot was sent to Helppi with for queen-high.
| Juha Helppi | 5,230,000 | 555,000 |
| Mike Lancaster | 1,850,000 | -555,000 |
Friday, July 5, 2019 2:42 AM Local Time
Lancaster Claims Some Chips Back
Juha Helppi raised from the button and Mike Lancaster three-bet for Helppi to make the call.
The flop came , Lancaster bet and Helppi called.
The turn was the , Lancaster bet and Helppi called again.
The river completed the board with the and they both quickly checked through it. Lancaster tabled for two pair.
"That's dirty!" Helppi said with a smile.
"What?" Lancaster asked for clarification.
"That that is dirty..." Helppi explained and then showed for the lower two pair.
Lancaster just laughed and agreed.
| Juha Helppi | 4,675,000 | -695,000 |
| Mike Lancaster | 2,405,000 | 695,000 |
Friday, July 5, 2019 2:38 AM Local Time
Lancaster Getting Shorter
Mike Lancaster raised from the button and Juha Helppi called.
The flop came , Helppi check-raised the bet of Lancaster and Lancaster called.
The turn was the , Helppi bet and Lancaster called again.
The completed the board and Helppi bet for the last time. Lancaster called but mucked after a while when Helppi tabled for the turned straight.
| Juha Helppi | 5,370,000 | 650,000 |
| Mike Lancaster | 1,710,000 | -650,000 |
Friday, July 5, 2019 2:32 AM Local Time
Level 25 started
Level: 25
Blinds: 100,000/200,000
Ante: 0
Friday, July 5, 2019 2:32 AM Local Time
Big Pot for Helppi
On a raised pot, the flop read when Juha Helppi check-raised a bet from Mike Lancaster, who made the call.
The turn was the and Helppi led out with a bet. Lancaster raised and Helppi opted to three-bet. Lancaster quickly called.
The river fell a and Helppi checked. Lancaster thought about his move for a minute and bet before facing a raise from Helppi. Lancaster tanked for a minute and made the call, saying "I'm not good enough to fold that".
Helppi tabled for a straight while Lancaster showed before sending his cards into the muck.
| Juha Helppi | 4,720,000 | 695,000 |
| Mike Lancaster | 2,360,000 | -695,000 |
Friday, July 5, 2019 2:23 AM Local Time
Lancaster Misses the Straight Draw
Juha Helppi raised on the button and Mike Lancaster called.
They both checked through the flop to the on the turn. Lancaster bet and Helppi called.
The river completed the board with the , Lancaster bet and Helppi called.
"Missed," Lancaster said before turning around for the missed straight draw.
Helppi tabled to pick up the pot with ace-high.
| Juha Helppi | 4,025,000 | 505,000 |
| Mike Lancaster | 3,055,000 | -505,000 |
Friday, July 5, 2019 2:17 AM Local Time
Sixes Are Good for Lancaster
Mike Lancaster raised on the button and Juha Helppi made the call.
A flop fell and Helppi check-raised when Lancaster made a continuation bet. The latter called.
The turn was the and Lancaster called Helppi's bet, as well as on the river. Lancaster showed and Helppi mucked.
| Mike Lancaster | 3,560,000 | 280,000 |
| Juha Helppi | 3,520,000 | -280,000 |
Friday, July 5, 2019 2:12 AM Local Time
More for Finland
Juha Helppi raised from the button and Mike Lancaster called.
The flop came , Lancaster check-called the bet of Helppi.
The turn was the , Lancaster check-called Helppi's bet again.
The river completed the board with the , Lancaster checked for the last time. Helppi bet and Lancaster snap-called but mucked when Helppi tabled for the turned pair of queens.
"SUOMI!" Helppi's railed chanted (which means Finland in Finnish).
| Juha Helppi | 3,800,000 | 870,000 |
| Mike Lancaster | 3,280,000 | -870,000 |
Friday, July 5, 2019 2:06 AM Local Time
Two Pots for Lancaster
Juha Helppi raised and Mike Lancaster made the call.
The flop brought and Lancaster check-called Helppi's bet. The same action happened on the turn.
The players checked on the river and Lancaster took down the pot with for a pair of queens.
A few minutes later Helppi raised and called a three-bet from Lancaster. A flop came and Helppi called Lancaster's bet.
The turn was the and this time Helppi raised after Lancaster made a second barrel. Lancaster called and the river fell a . Both checked and Lancaster grabbed the pot with .
| Mike Lancaster | 4,150,000 | 1,110,000 |
| Juha Helppi | 2,930,000 | -1,110,000 |
Friday, July 5, 2019 1:58 AM Local Time
Helppi Takes the Chip Lead Back
Juha Helppi raised from the button and Mike Lancaster three-bet for Helppi to call.
The flop came , Lancaster bet and Helppi called.
The turn was the to pair the board up. Lancaster check-called the bet of Helppi.
The river completed the board with the . Lancaster checked for the last time and Helppi bet. Lancaster called and wasn't pleased when Helppi tabled for the turned trips. Lancaster showed he held .
| Juha Helppi | 4,040,000 | 880,000 |
| Mike Lancaster | 3,040,000 | -880,000 |
Friday, July 5, 2019 1:53 AM Local Time
Straight for Helppi
Juha Helppi raised and called a three-bet from Mike Lancaster.
The flop fell and Helppi called Lancaster's continuation. Both checked when a showed up on the turn.
On the river, Lancaster check-called Helppi and mucked his hand when Helppi tabled for a straight.
| Mike Lancaster | 3,920,000 | 190,000 |
| Juha Helppi | 3,160,000 | -190,000 |
Friday, July 5, 2019 1:48 AM Local Time
Back to Almost Even
Juha Helppi raised from the button and Mike Lancaster called.
The flop came , Lancaster check-raised the bet of Helppi who called.
The turn was the and the bet of Helppi was enough to make Lancaster check-fold.
| Mike Lancaster | 3,730,000 | -270,000 |
| Juha Helppi | 3,350,000 | 270,000 |
Friday, July 5, 2019 1:45 AM Local Time
Helppi Coming Back
Juha Helppi raised from the button and Mike Lancaster three-bet for Helppi to call.
The flop came , Lancaster bet and Helppi called.
Lancaster bet again on the on the turn and Helppi called.
The river completed the board with the to pair the board up. Lancaster check-called the bet of Helppi but mucked when Helppi tabled for the flopped two pair.
| Mike Lancaster | 4,000,000 | -820,000 |
| Juha Helppi | 3,080,000 | 820,000 |
Friday, July 5, 2019 1:39 AM Local Time
Flush Over Flush for Lancaster
Juha Helppi raised on the button and called a three-bet from Mike Lancaster.
The flop appeared and Lancaster bet. Helppi raised it and Lancaster called.
When a fell on the turn, Lancaster check-raised a bet from Helppi, who made the call.
A came to complete the board and Lancaster first bet. Helppi raised it and Lancaster reraised behind, putting Helppi into a decision. Helppi ended up calling, showing for the flush but only to see in Lancaster's hand for a higher flush.
| Mike Lancaster | 4,820,000 | 1,295,000 |
| Juha Helppi | 2,260,000 | -1,295,000 |
Friday, July 5, 2019 1:34 AM Local Time
Counterfeited Chopped Pot To Even the Stacks
Mike Lancaster raised from the button and Juha Helppi called.
The flop came , Helppi check-raised the bet of Lancaster which Lancaster called.
The turn was the , Helppi bet and Lancaster raised which Helppi called.
The river completed the board with the for both of them to check.
"You probably sucked out on the river," Helppi said before showing .
Lancaster tabled for the same two pair and kicker to chop the pot.
| Juha Helppi | 3,555,000 | 395,000 |
| Mike Lancaster | 3,525,000 | -395,000 |