Friday, June 9, 2023 11:28 PM Local Time
Valentino Konakchiev Wins Event #19: $2,500 No-Limit Hold’em Freezeout ($435,924)
A total of 1,137 took their shot in Event #19: $2,500 No-Limit Hold'em Freezeout but after a grueling three days, the final moments came down to a previous WSOP bracelet winner and a player vying for his first piece of hardware battled in heads-up action at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas.
When the dust settled, it was Valentino Konakchiev who stood alone after he defeated Andres Korn in heads-up action to take home $435,924 along with his first career WSOP bracelet while Korn collected $269,438 as the runner-up.
Final Table Results
Place | Winner | Country | Prize (in USD) |
1 | Valentino Konakchiev | Bulgaria | $435,924 |
2 | Andres Korn | Argentina | $269,438 |
3 | Alexandre Reard | France | $192,723 |
4 | Ruben Costa | United States | $139,671 |
5 | Girish Reknar | United States | $102,577 |
6 | Ankit Ahuja | India | $76,537 |
7 | Niall Farrell | United Kingdom | $57,620 |
8 | Adam Swan | United States | $44,087 |
9 | Qiang Xu | China | $34,210 |
Getting through Korn proved impressive enough, but it's further highlighted by Konakchiev journey to the win.
He outlasted a trio of WSOP bracelet winners at the final table, which boasted Korn, Alexandre Reard, who finished in third place for $192,723, and Niall Farrell, who finished in seventh place for $57,260.
Other notable bracelet winners to participate in the tournament were a trio of Poker Hall of Famers in Phil Hellmuth, Erik Seidel, and Kathy Liebert, anlong with Justin Bonomo, Jared Jaffee, Adrian Mateos, Mike Matusow, David Pham and Humberto Brenes, among others.
Konakchiev, however, stared down adversity and rose to the challenge throughout the three-day grind.
He displayed tenacity and aggression, such as a willingness to either check-raise with a gut-shot straight draw or outright bluff with air. Those attributes on Day 3 played a large role in carving his path to victory.
Winner's Reaction
Konakchiev, who hails from Sofia, Bulgaria, has visualized sitting alone at the table as a winner while soaking in a cheering rail for 16 years.
Now, the 31-year-old Konakchiev can cross off one item off his bucket list after winning his first WSOP bracelet.
"I've been dreaming about it since I've been watching poker when I was 15 on TV and I can't believe it actually happened," Konakchiev told PokerNews after winning the event.
Entering a large tournament field can cause anxious moment, but Konakchiev was relaxed. And it contributed to him making aggressive moves, all of which helped him reach the final table and the winner's circle.
"The beginning of the series, I could play a lot more freely until the end," Konakchiev said.
He also drew from his experience, which includes $549,442 career earnings, according to his Hendon Mob page, to apply against opponents during the three-day tournament.
"I got a feel for players, got some decent hands to bluff with," Konakchiev said. "So, I took them and tried to play for the win. And what happens, happens."
Did it ever.
Konakchiev admits he didn't know the final table boasted three WSOP bracelet winners, and he was responsible for knocking out two of them – Reard in third, and Korn in second – on his way to gaining his first. And the accomplishment against tough competition isn't lost on the WSOP newest bracelet winner.
"It feels really, really good," Konakchiev said with a wide smile. "They already have bracelets, so it was my time."
In the meantime, Konakchiev wants more after securing his first WSOP win. He plans on staying in Las Vegas to play more events and perhaps obtain more hardware.
"I'll play until pretty much the last tournaments, and stuff like that," he said. "Maybe get another one."
This concludes coverage of Event #19 of the 2023 WSOP, but make sure to continue to follow PokerNews for live updates of your favorite events throughout the summer.
Friday, June 9, 2023 11:02 PM Local Time
Andres Korn Eliminated in 2nd Place ($269,438)
Andres Korn shoved the button and got a quick call from Valentino Konakchiev to take the two players to a run out in an attempt to close the match out with a victory.
Andres Korn:
Valentino Konakchiev:
Korn was behind and neededhelp from the board to extend the heads up battle but when the board ran out , Konakchiev ended the match and secured the bracelet, sending Korn to the rail in second place for $269,438.
Valentino Konakchiev | 39,800,000 | 9,300,000 |
Andres Korn | 0 | -9,300,000 |
Friday, June 9, 2023 10:43 PM Local Time
Korn Doubles and Gets Some Chips Back
Andres Korn shoved from the button and Valentino Konakchiev quickly called to put Korn at risk.
Andres Korn:
Valentino Konakchiev:
The board ran out and Korn secured the double to move back over ten blinds.
Valentino Konakchiev | 30,500,000 | -4,900,000 |
Andres Korn | 9,300,000 | 4,900,000 |
Friday, June 9, 2023 10:40 PM Local Time
Konakchiev Doubles and Takes a Massive Lead
Valentino Konakchiev raised the button to 1,100,000 and watched as Andres Korn responded with a three-bet to 3,400,000.
Konakchiev decided to call and see a flop of .
Korn continued with a 1,700,000 bet and received a call from Konakchiev and the players watched as the hit the turn.
Korn checked and Konakchiev slid forward a bet of 2,100,000. Korn responded by announcing all in to put Konakchiev at risk who called and with one card to come.
Valentino Konakchiev:
Andres Korn:
Korn needed help going to the river to end this heads up match, but the didn't provide any as Konakchiev secures a massive double up and takes control of this match.
Valentino Konakchiev | 35,400,000 | 17,350,000 |
Andres Korn | 4,400,000 | -17,350,000 |
Friday, June 9, 2023 10:30 PM Local Time
Korn Drags Another Pot
Valentino Konakchiev raised the button holding the and Andres Korn came along in the big blind to a flop of .
Both players checked through to see the peel off on the turn.
Korn opted to lead out with a bet and got a call from Konakchiev before watching as the hit the river.
Both players checked through to showdown and Korn tabled his hand, prompting Konakchiev to toss his cards toward the muck.
Andres Korn | 21,750,000 | 2,700,000 |
Valentino Konakchiev | 18,050,000 | -2,700,000 |
Friday, June 9, 2023 10:26 PM Local Time
Konakchiev Gets Some Value on the River
Andres Korn raised the button to 1,050,000 holdfing and Valentino Konakchiev called with the to see a flop of .
Both players checked and headed to a turn of the . The players again checked through and watched as the hit the river.
Konakchiev bet out for the first time of the hand and Korn quickly called and watched Konakchiev turn over the winner before he tossed his cards toward the muck.
Valentino Konakchiev | 20,750,000 | 4,650,000 |
Andres Korn | 19,050,000 | -4,650,000 |
Friday, June 9, 2023 10:06 PM Local Time
Korn Gets Chips Back
Heads-up play is turning into a back-and-forth battle of double ups.
Valentino Konakchiev raised with to 1,100,000 million, and then Andres Korn moved all in with to put his tournament life on the line.
The dealer fanned on the flop, and then on the turn had Konakchiev drawing dead to the river, where an inconsequential appeared.
Korn secured the double up after earlier allowing Konakchiev to double up.
Andres Korn | 23,700,000 | 9,500,000 |
Valentino Konakchiev | 16,100,000 | -9,500,000 |
Friday, June 9, 2023 10:01 PM Local Time
Level 35 started
Level: 35
Blinds: 250,000/500,000
Ante: 500,000
Friday, June 9, 2023 9:50 PM Local Time
Konakchiev Doubles Through Korn
Andres Korn limped the button and saw Valentino Konakchiev raise to 1,750,000. Korn quickly shoved all and and got called by Konakchiev put himself at risk.
Valentino Konakchiev:
Andres Korn:
The board ran out , offering no help to Korn as Konakchiev's sixes held up to secure a full double up.
Andres Korn | 16,050,000 | -16,525,000 |
Valentino Konakchiev | 12,125,000 | 4,900,000 |
Friday, June 9, 2023 9:41 PM Local Time
Korn Goes in Trap-Mode
Andres Korn limped with , perhaps hoping for a raise from Valentino Konakchiev, who didn't oblige and checked his option with .
The flop, though, showed Korn flopped the world when hit the board. Korn flopped top pair, top kicker to go along with the nut flush draw. Konakchiev also flopped the inferior flush draw. Both players checked and the dealer went to the turn, which produced .
Konakchiev checked, and Korn bet 850,000. Konakchiev check-raised to 2,600,000, but the aggressive move backfired when Korn immediately announced he was all in.
Konakchiev mucked his hand.
Andres Korn | 32,575,000 | 3,900,000 |
Valentino Konakchiev | 7,225,000 | -3,900,000 |
Friday, June 9, 2023 9:20 PM Local Time
Korn Hits the Flop Hard
Valentino Konakchiev raised the button with the and Andres Korn put in a three-bet with the .
Konakchiev decided to call and the two opponents took a flop that came down .
Korn continued with a bet and Konakchiev thought briefly before deciding to let it go, prompting the dealer to push the pot in Korn's direction.
Andres Korn | 28,675,000 | 13,200,000 |
Valentino Konakchiev | 11,125,000 | -13,200,000 |
Friday, June 9, 2023 9:15 PM Local Time
Korn Muscles Way to Massive Pot
A limped pot produced a large pot.
Andres Korn called holding , and Valentino Konakchiev checked his option holding .
The dealer fanned , giving Korn top pair and Konakchiev with bottom two pair. Konakchiev checked, leading to Korn betting 500,000. Konakchiev then check-raised to 2,000,000, which Korn called.
The hit the turn, and Konakchiev led out with 4,000,000, which Korn called. The river got interesting when arrived. Konakchiev made a small 3,000,000 bet into a pot of 13,200,000. Korn took a few moments, and then moved all in.
Konakchiev appeared uneasy by Korn's bet, shuffling chips in his right hand. Konakchiev then folded, only to see Korn table his cards face up as the 26,075,000 was sent to Korn.
Andres Korn | 28,675,000 | 13,200,000 |
Valentino Konakchiev | 1,112,500 | -23,212,500 |
Friday, June 9, 2023 8:58 PM Local Time
Alexandre Reard Eliminated in 3rd Place ($192,723)
Valentino Konakchiev open-shoved from the small blind to set Alexandre Reard all in. Reard peeled his cards and thought for a moment before he decided to call it off to send the two players to a run out with Reard's tournament life at risk.
Alexandre Reard:
Valentino Konakchiev:
The flop of catapulted Konakchiev into the lead and left Reard needing help.
The turn and offered none and Reard was sent to the rail in third place for $192,723.
Valentino Konakchiev | 24,325,000 | 8,900,000 |
Andres Korn | 15,475,000 | 700,000 |
Alexandre Reard | 0 | -8,900,000 |
Friday, June 9, 2023 8:50 PM Local Time
Aggression Still Working for Konakchiev
Alexandre Reard raised the from the button and Valentino Konakchiev defended his big blind holfding the and both players headed to a flop of .
Konakchiev checked to Reard who bet out 1,100,000. Konakchiev thought for a moment before deciding to come back over the top with a check-raise in the amount of 3,500,000.
Reard thought for a moment of his own and eventually decided to toss his cards into the muck, conceding the pot to Konakchiev who again forces Reard off a superior hand with a well-timed bluff.
Valentino Konakchiev | 15,425,000 | 1,900,000 |
Alexandre Reard | 8,900,000 | -2,600,000 |
Friday, June 9, 2023 8:41 PM Local Time
Konakchiev Flops a Flush
Andres Korn limped the small blind with and Valentino Konakchiev checked his option to see a flop .
Korn led out with a bet of 500,000 and Konakchiev called to see a turn card.
Korn checked and Konakchiev opted to bet out 1,500,000. Korn put in the call and both players watched the peel off on the river.
Korn checked once more and Konakchiev decided on a bet sizing of 3,800,000, prompting a quick fold out of Korn as Konakchiev collected the pot.
Andres Korn | 14,775,000 | -3,525,000 |
Valentino Konakchiev | 13,525,000 | 2,400,000 |
Friday, June 9, 2023 8:34 PM Local Time
Level 34 started
Level: 34
Blinds: 200,000/400,000
Ante: 400,000
Friday, June 9, 2023 8:31 PM Local Time
Konakchiev Gets a Bluff Check-Raise Through
Valentino Konakchiev limped the small blind holding and Alexandre Reard checked his option in the big blind holding .
The flop came . Konakchiev check-called a bet of 300,000 from Reard and the two watched as the peeled off on the turn.
Konakchiev checked again and Reard bet out again, this time for 700,000.
Konakchiev thought for a bit before compiling raising chips and sliding them out into the pot to the tune of 2,800,000.
Reard thought for a few minutes before deciding to fold and send the pot over to Konakchiev.
Alexandre Reard | 11,500,000 | -1,200,000 |
Valentino Konakchiev | 11,125,000 | 5,450,000 |
Friday, June 9, 2023 8:21 PM Local Time
Ruben Costa Eliminated in 4th Place ($139,671)
Ruben Costa's run came to an end when he was forced to be all in on the big blind.
Down to his last 600,000 following a botched all-in bluff in the previous hand, Costa had 300,000 committed to the big blind and 300,000 to the ante.
His fate rested on whatever two cards were dealt to him, and it turned out to be against Alexandre Reard's .
The board ran out , sending Costa to the rail in fourth place for $139,671.
Alexandre Reard | 12,700,000 | 1,500,000 |
Ruben Costa | 0 | -4,475,000 |
Friday, June 9, 2023 8:00 PM Local Time
Girish Reknar Eliminated in 5th Place ($102,577)
Girish Reknar shoved his last four blinds from under the gun and Andres Korn called from the cutoff. The button and blinds folded and the two players were off to a run out with Reknar's tournament life at risk.
Girish Reknar:
Andres Korn:
The board ran out and with no improvement, Reknar was eliminated in fifth place for $102,577.
Andres Korn | 18,300,000 | 3,075,000 |
Girish Reknar | 0 | -1,875,000 |
Friday, June 9, 2023 7:55 PM Local Time
A Look Inside Phil Hellmuth's WSOP Break Room: How Does He Fit on that Couch?
When you hold the record for the most World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets, there are perks.
For Phil Hellmuth, whose 16 bracelets (and counting) may never be touched, one of those perks is his own personal break room at Horseshoe Las Vegas. That's a nice benefit especially on 90-minute dinner breaks.
Hellmuth granted PokerNews access to his small but intimate break room, which is in an undisclosed location. "Don't disclose the location. I don't need fans knocking on the door seeking autographs while I'm trying to rest," the Poker Hall of Famer joked.
Click here for a look at Hellmuth's WSOP break room!