Saturday, October 28, 2017 11:23 PM Local Time
Theodore McQuilkin Wins WSOP Europe Event #4: €1,650 No-Limit Hold'em 6-Handed
Theodore McQuilkin's friend, a professional poker player who would know these things, advised against McQuilkin playing the €1,650 Six-Max at World Series of Poker Europe. It would be one of the toughest fields of the series, he told McQuilkin.
McQuilkin himself admitted he isn't the biggest fan of the format. Still, he took a shot. And boy, did it pay off.
The 24-year-old recreational player from France made it through a 240-player field to take down the €88,043 first-place prize and a gold bracelet. He bore a wide grin as he posed for his winner's photos.
"It's awesome," he said. "I'm not a poker professional at all but I love playing poker. It's a real passion."
McQuilkin admitted that his friend's reservations proved spot on — it was the toughest field in which he'd competed. Used to playing full ring private games a few times per week, McQuilkin found himself immersed in a series of tough hands against formidable opponents.
"Every table was very hard," he said. "Each decision was very, very hard."
Still, McQuilkin made it to the final table, although he was sitting just fifth of seven when Day 3 began. McQuilkin mostly sat our early but seemed to get his sea legs under him when he got a bluff through after floating against Andrej Desset in a medium-sized pot.
Shortly after the official final table got underway with the elimination of Ognjen Sekularac, McQuilkin eliminated Maksym Shulga when tens held against pocket fours after Shulga jammed over a raise for nearly 20 big blinds.
Jan Bednar looked like he wanted to be table captain, and when he surged into the lead after busting Petr Setka in fifth, the Czech player began ratcheting up the aggression. However, McQuilkin didn't back down, playing back both when he had and when he didn't.
Of course, it also helps to get dealt big pairs when shorter stacks are pushing small pairs. That's what happened again when Jerry Odeen raised with fives and four-bet shoved his remaining chips over McQuilkin's three-bet. The Frenchman called with jacks and took command of about two-thirds of the total chips.
It took less than 30 hands for McQuilkin to roll through his remaining foes, Bednar and Andrej Desset, hitting Bednar with a heads-up cooler when pocket kings held up against ace-queen.
McQuilkin was certainly dealt more than his share of big hands at the final table, and it didn't go unnoticed by the freshly minted champ.
"I have to say, I was running good," he said.
A player with only about $24,000 in live cashes coming into the event, McQuilkin said he's been getting away from home in Strasbourg, where he co-owns a real estate company, to travel the European circuit when he can. It hadn't exactly filled his pockets with dough, but McQuilkin enjoyed the travel and the poker, so he kept at it.
McQuilkin headed to Rozvadov for the weekend, and after he bagged Day 2 and zeroed in on the final table, he begged his poker-playing buddy to come sweat him.
"I told him I have a special feeling, please come," McQuilkin said.
Eventually convinced, the friend came out, and hours after McQuilkin picked him up, the two posed for a winner's shot together.
"My feeling was right," McQuilkin said with a smile.
While McQuilkin admitted he'd like a more robust celebration, he'll be keeping it mild. After all, the streets of Rozvadov aren't exactly lined with rocking clubs, and he's got to get back to Strasbourg tomorrow to be ready for work on Monday.
"We're going to drink a very nice bottle of whiskey," he said.
Official Final Table Results
Place | Player | Home Country | Prize |
1 | Theodore McQuilkin | France | €88,043 |
2 | Jan Bednar | Czech Republic | €54,410 |
3 | Andrej Desset | Slovakia | €35,714 |
4 | Jerry Odeen | Sweden | €24,046 |
5 | Petr Setka | Czech Republic | €16,618 |
6 | Maksym Shulga | Ukraine | €11,797 |
Saturday, October 28, 2017 10:40 PM Local Time
Jan Bednar Eliminated in 2nd Place (€54,410)
Hand #110: McQuilkin raised to 165,000 on the button with and Bednar raised all in with . McQuilkin called and Bednar could only shake his head and hope for an ace.
The board ran out , giving McQuilkin a flush and the win. Bednar, who entered today as the chip leader, takes home second place for €54,410. McQuilkin will take home the €88,043 first prize and his first WSOP gold bracelet.
Saturday, October 28, 2017 10:32 PM Local Time
Level 28 started
Level: 28
Blinds: 40000/80000
Ante: 10000
Saturday, October 28, 2017 10:31 PM Local Time
Hand #109: McQuilkin Calls the River With Two Pair
Hand #109: Jan Bednar limped the button with and Theodore McQuilkin checked his option, holding . The flop came and McQuilkin check-called 65,000. The turn was the and both players check. The river was the and McQuilkin checked a third time. Bednar took a moment before betting 80,000. McQuilkin called fairly quickly and won the hand with his two pair.
Saturday, October 28, 2017 9:22 PM Local Time
Andrej Desset Eliminated in 3rd Place (€35,714)
Hand #108: Bednar opened the button to 155,000 holding and Desset called for less with . The board ran out and Desset was eliminated in third place.
He will take home €35,714 for his finish. Bednar and Theodore McQuilkin are now taking a one-hour dinner break before starting heads up play.
Theodore McQuilkin | 5,175,000 | 975,000 |
Jan Bednář | 2,025,000 | 475,000 |
Andrej Desset | 0 | -1,450,000 |
Saturday, October 28, 2017 9:13 PM Local Time
Hands #101-107: River Double for Bednar
Hand #101: Everyone saw a flop for the minimum. Everyone checked and the hit. Theodore McQuilkin bet 75,000 with and Jan Bednar called with . The river was a and Bednar checked. McQuilkin fired 325,000 and Bednar paid off.
Hand #102: Bednar raised to 125,000 with . McQuilkin looked at in the small blind. He shipped all in and won the pot.
Hand #103: McQuilkin raised to 150,000 with and got no action.
Hand #104: Andrej Desset opened to 135,000 with . McQuilkin defended big blind with . The flop prompted a check from McQuilkin and a check from Desset. The turned and McQuilkin bet 105,000. Desset called and the river was a . McQuilkin fired 460,000 with his straight and took it down uncontested.
Hand #105: McQuilkin completed the blind with . Desset woke up with and shipped. McQuilkin folded.
Hand #106: Bednar got a walk.
Hand #107: Desset shoved all in with for 1,150,000 and Bednar called for less with 745,000, holding . The board ran out and Bednar earned the double up on the river.
Saturday, October 28, 2017 9:05 PM Local Time
Hands #98-100: Desset Gaining on Bednar, McQuilkin Pulling Away
Hand #98: Jan Bednar completed from the small blind with and Theodore McQuilkin raised with and Bednar folded.
Hand #99: Bednar opened the button to and McQuilkin called with before Andrej Desset shoved all in with both players folded to Desset's shove.
Hand #100: McQuilkin opened to 135,000 with and Bednar called with . The flop was and Bednar checked. McQuilkin bet 105,000 and Bednar called. The turn was the and Bednar checked again. McQuilkin bet 460,000 and Bednar called. The river was the and both the players checked. McQuilkin won the hand.
Theodore McQuilkin | 4,200,000 | 605,000 |
Jan Bednář | 1,550,000 | -675,000 |
Andrej Desset | 1,450,000 | 70,000 |
Saturday, October 28, 2017 8:57 PM Local Time
Hands #92-97: Desset Limps and Gets Value
Hand #92: Jan Bednar completed with and folded to a raise from Theodore McQuilkin, who had .
Hand #93: McQuilkin was dealt again and jammed. Andrej Desset folded .
Hand #94: McQuilkin opened on the button and won the pot.
Hand #95: Desset (button) and McQuilkin (big blind) saw a flop for the minimum and checked. The turn was a and McQuilkin bet 75,000. Desset called. the river brought a and McQuilkin check-called 265,000, mucking to the nines up.
Hand #96: Bednar opened with on the button and won the pot.
Hand #97: Bednar got a walk.
Saturday, October 28, 2017 8:46 PM Local Time
Hands #87-91: McQuilkin Moving Up
Hand #87: Theodore McQuilkin raised from the small blind with and Andrej Desset called from the big blind with . The flop came and McQuilkin bet 115,000. Desset called. The turn was the and McQuilkin bet again, this time making it 250,000 to go. Desset called. McQuilkin checked the river when the hit the river and Desset checked behind. Desset won the hand with ace high.
Hand #88: Jan Bednar got a walk.
Hand #89: Desset limped with and Bednar called from the small blind. McQuilkin raised to 210,000 with and everyone folded.
Hand #90: Bednar raised to 125,000 with and Desset called from the big blind with and the flop came . Desset check-called 75,000. The turn was the . Desset checked again and Bednar bet 230,000. Desset folded.
Hand #91: McQuilkin opened to 130,000 with on the button. Desset reraised from the small blind with , making it 390,000 to go. Bednar folded and McQuilkin shoved all in and Desset folded.
Saturday, October 28, 2017 8:29 PM Local Time
Hands #85-86: Desset Doubles
Hand #85: Andrej Desset limped from the small blind with and Jan Bednar checked his option with . The flop came . Both players checked. The turn was the and Desset check-called 125,000. Both players checked the on the river and Bednar won the hand.
Hand #86: Desset shoved all in for 645,000 on the button with . Bednar called with in the small blind. The boardran out , good for a double for Desset.
Theodore McQuilkin | 3,595,000 | -630,000 |
Jan Bednář | 2,225,000 | 90,000 |
Andrej Desset | 1,380,000 | 720,000 |
Saturday, October 28, 2017 8:25 PM Local Time
Level 27 started
Level: 27
Blinds: 30000/60000
Ante: 10000
Saturday, October 28, 2017 8:24 PM Local Time
Hands #83-84: Two for Bednar
Hand #83: Jan Bednar completed with and Theodore McQuilkin checked with . Bednar bet 55,000 on the flop and McQuilkin called. The hit on the turn and Bednar bet again to win the pot.
Hand #84: Bednar raised with on the button to 110,000. He won the pot.
Saturday, October 28, 2017 8:22 PM Local Time
Hand #78-82: Desset Gets a Little Back
Hand #78: Theodore McQuilkin shoved all in from the small blind with and Andrej Desset folded in the big blind.
Hand #79: McQuilkin raised to 105,000 with and Jan Bednar called with from the big blind. The flop came and Bednar check-called 90,000. The turn is the and Bednar check-called another 180,000. Both players checked the on the river and Bednar won the hand.
Hand #80: Unknown Action
Hand #81: Bednar raised to 135,000 with on the button and Desset called from the big blind with . The flop came and both players checked. The turn was the and Desset checked again. Bednar made it 65,000 to go and Desset raised to 200,000. Bednar called. The river was the and Bednar check-folded to Desset's river shove.
Hand #82: Bednar got a walk.
Saturday, October 28, 2017 8:09 PM Local Time
Jerry Odeen Eliminated in 4th Place (€24,046)
Hand #77: Jerry Odeen raised to 100,000 on the button with . Theodore McQuilkin made it 350,000 in the big blind with . Odeen responded with an all-in shove for 1.5 million and McQuilkin called.
The board ran out .
Theodore McQuilkin | 4,225,000 | 1,685,000 |
Jan Bednář | 2,135,000 | -320,000 |
Andrej Desset | 660,000 | -10,000 |
Jerry Odeen | 0 | -1,535,000 |
Saturday, October 28, 2017 8:06 PM Local Time
Hands #67-76: McQuilkin Takes the Lead
Hand #67: Theodore McQuilkin raised to 105,000 with and Jerry Odeen defended from the big blind with . Odeen checked the flop. McQuilkin bet 105,000 and Odeen folded.
Hand #68: Jan Bednar got a walk.
Hand #69: Bednar limped the small blind with . McQuilkin checked his option and both players checked the board all the way down. Neither connected with the board and Bednar's king high took down the pot.
Hand #70: McQuilkin raised to 130,000 from the small blind and Andrej Desset shoved all in. McQuilkin folded.
Hand #71: Odeen got a walk.
Hand #72: McQuilkin raised to 105,000 with and everyone folded.
Hand #73: Odeen limped the button with and Bednar raised to 245,000 from the small blind with . Odeen folded.
Hand #74: Desset got a walk.
Hand #75: Bednar raised to 150,000 under the gun with and Odeen called with . The flop came and Odeen checked. Bednar bet 75,000 and Odeen called. The turn was the and Odeen checked again. Bednar bet 175,000 and Odeen called. The river was the and both players checked. Odeen won the hand with a full house.
Hand #76: Theodore McQuilkin opened to 105,000 first to act with . Jan Bednar defended big blind with . McQuilkin won with a continuation-bet on .
Theodore McQuilkin | 2,540,000 | 805,000 |
Jan Bednář | 2,455,000 | -700,000 |
Jerry Odeen | 1,535,000 | 45,000 |
Andrej Desset | 670,000 | -150,000 |
Saturday, October 28, 2017 7:48 PM Local Time
Hands #59-66: McQuilkin Blasts Back at Bednar
Hand #59: Theodore McQuilkin raised to 105,000 on the button with . He won the pot.
Hand #60: McQuilkin opened to 105,000 with first to act. Jan Bednar defended big blind with and check-folded the flop.
Hand #61: Bednar raised to 130,000 with in the small blind. McQuilkin mucked in the big.
Hand #62: Bednar was dealt on the button and made it 150,000 to go. Both blinds mucked, including McQuilkin giving up in the small blind.
Hand #63: Bednar raised to 125,000 with . He won the pot.
Hand #64: McQuilkin raised under the gun with to 105,000. Bednar defended big blind with . The board was on the turn and Bednar bet 250,000. McQuilkin called. The river led to two checks and McQuilkin dragged the pot.
Hand #65: Andrej Desset shipped it in with and won the pot.
Hand #66: Bednar raised to 125,000 with on the button. McQuilkin called in the small blind with . Desset put in the requisite chips in the big blind with .
The flop brought , a whiff for everyone. Bednar bet 140,000 when checked to. McQuilkin slid in 410,000 and won the pot.
Saturday, October 28, 2017 7:35 PM Local Time
Hands #52-58: Bednar Pulling Away
Hand #52: Jan Bednar gets a walk.
Hand #53: Andrej Desset shoved all in for 960,000 with and everyone folded.
Hand #54: Bednar raised to 105,000 with from the button and Desset defended from the big blind with . The flop came and Desset checked. Bednar bet 90,000. Desset folded.
Hand #55: Desset limped the small blind with and Jerry Odeen checked his option with . The flop came and both players checked. The turn was the and Desset bet 60,000. Odeen called. The river was the and Desset checked. Odeen checked behind and Odeen won the hand with two pair.
Hand #56: Theodore McQuilkin raised under the gun with , making it 115,000 to go and everyone folded.
Hand #57: Odeen raised to 100,000 with on the button and everyone folded.
Hand #58: Bednar raised to 150,000 with on the button and everyone folded.
Jan Bednář | 3,155,000 | 65,000 |
Theodore McQuilkin | 1,735,000 | -55,000 |
Jerry Odeen | 1,490,000 | 145,000 |
Andrej Desset | 820,000 | -150,000 |
Saturday, October 28, 2017 7:23 PM Local Time
Level 26 started
Level: 26
Blinds: 25000/50000
Ante: 5000
Saturday, October 28, 2017 7:22 PM Local Time
Updated Chip Counts
Jan Bednář | 3,090,000 | 490,000 |
Theodore McQuilkin | 1,790,000 | -110,000 |
Jerry Odeen | 1,345,000 | -655,000 |
Andrej Desset | 970,000 | -850,000 |
Saturday, October 28, 2017 7:06 PM Local Time
Hands #42-51: Nothing Major Before Break
Hand #42: Jan Bednar opened button to 90,000 with . He won the pot.
Hand #43: Bednar raised to 90,000 with first to act. Andrej Desset picked up on the button. He shoved all in for 1,115,000 and won the pot.
Hand #44: Unknown action. Bednar made a straight with and won with a turn bet.
Hand #45: Bednar raised with in the small blind and won the pot as Theodore McQuilkin had .
Hand #46: Jerry Odeen opened to 85,000 with . Desset defended big blind with . The flop left Desset bereft of equity and he checked. A bet from Odeen instantly led to a fold.
Hand #47: McQuilkin raised to 85,000 on the button with . Odeen defended with . Both checked to the turn and the board read . McQuilkin bet the turn and won the pot.
Hand #48: McQuilkin opened again for 85,000, this time holding . Bednar defended big blind and flopped, a good spot for his . Both players checked and Bednar won with a turn bet on the .
Hand #49: Action folded to Bednar and he made it 150,000 in the small blind, getting another fold from McQuilkin and his .
Hand #50: McQuilkin completed and Desset checked . With on the board, McQuilkin bet 80,000. Desset slid the dealer his cards.
Hand #51: Bednar opened to 95,000 with under the gun. Nobody gave him action.
Players are on break.