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2014 45th Annual World Series of Poker The Official WSOP Live Updates

Sunday, June 22, 2014 to Thursday, June 26, 2014

Event #46: $50,000 Poker Players Championship

download official reportdownload official winner photo
  • Buy-in: $50,000
  • Prizepool: $4,896,000
  • Entries: 102
  • Remaining: 0

EVENT UPDATES

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Friday, June 27, 2014 1:27 AM Local Time
John Hennigan Wins $50,000 Poker Players' Championship for $1,517,767

Event 46 Champion John Hennigan

One of the most prestigious tournaments of the 2014 World Series of Poker—the $50,000 Poker Players' Championship – came to an end on Thursday. What began with 102 of the world's best players tested their mettle in an eight-game rotation, and after five days of play it was John Hennigan that emerged as the last man standing to capture the $1,517,767, a WSOP gold bracelet, and etch his name on the Chip Reese Memorial Trophy.

This marked Hennigan's third straight cash in the Poker Players' Championship, and his second consecutive final table after finishing third last year. It was an exciting moment for Hennigan, though after the win all he wanted to do was jump straight into the $10,000 Limit Hold'em Championship, which he promptly did after completing the obligatory winner's photo and post-game interviews. There's no rest for the wicked, nor is there for "Johnny World" even after winning his third gold bracelet.

Day 5 saw the final eight players return to action, and it didn't take long for the first two eliminations to occur, both of which happened in stud hi-low. The first to go was Allen Kessler, who claimed to have missed a flush draw against Abe Mosseri. Kessler was the short stack when play began, and he took home $134,101 for his eighth-place finish.

That meant the official final table of seven was set, and one player that was excited to be there was Melissa Burr, who became the first woman to ever cash in this event and by doing so won a $500 bet at 15-1 against Robert Mizrachi. As an added bonus, she became the first woman to ever final table this event, though her journey came to an end in seventh place when she ran into the quad aces of Hennigan.

Frank Kassela, the 2010 WSOP Player of the Year, was the next to go after he got his short stack all in on third street in stud. Hennigan ended up making a pair of tens on seventh, and that was enough to dispatch Kassela in sixth place for $212,829.

Not long after, Brandon Shack-Harris limped under the gun (he would later admit that he thought he was putting out the big blind), and that inspired three other players to do the same. The     flop saw three players checked to Hennigan, and he bet 80,000 from the button. Mosseri called from the small blind, and then online superstar Chun Lei "samorstan" Zhou check-raised to 160,000. Shack-Harris folded, the other two players called, and three players watched the dealer burn and turn the  .

Mosseri checked, Zhou bet all in for his last 160,000, and both Hennigan and Mosseri called. The two active players then checked the   river.

Mosseri:     
Hennigan:     
Zhou:     .

Zhou's two pair was no good as Mosseri had a flush for the high and Hennigan an 8-7-4-2-A low. The last of Zhou's chips were chopped up and he exited in fifth place for $286,122.

Mosseri, who finished 11th in this event back in 2010 for $129,957, bowed out in fourth place (not beforecleaning up in some side bets), and then three-handed play became an extended affair.

Hennigan was on the verge of elimination during this time, but managed a double in pot-limit Omaha. From there he seemed to do nothing but collect chips, and eventually Jesse Martin hit the rail in third place.

Hennigan began heads-up play with a big lead over Shack-Harris, who already had first, second, and third-place finishes at the 2014 WSOP prior to this event. Shack-Harris, who began the day as the chip leader, had high hopes of capturing his second bracelet of the summer, but he would have to settle for second place and a $937,975 consolation prize.

PlacePlayerPrize
1stJohn Hennigan$1,517,767
2ndBrandon Shack-Harris$937,975
3rdJesse Martin$594,570
4thAbe Mosseri$402,696
5thChun Lei "samrostan" Zhou$286,122
6thFrank Kassela$212,829
7thMelissa Burr$165,435
8thAllen Kessler$134,101

Congratulations to John Hennigan on capturing his third WSOP gold bracelet, the $1,517,767 first-place prize, and etching his name on the Chip Reese Memorial Trophy!

Friday, June 27, 2014 1:18 AM Local Time
Brandon Shack-Harris Eliminated in 2nd Place ($937,975)

Brandon Shack-Harris - 2nd Place

No-Limit Hold'em

Brandon Shack-Harris, who dropped down to 320,000, managed a double in the last hand of 2-7 triple draw, but he would fall when the game changed over to no-limit hold'em.

In what would be the last hand of the tournament, Shack-Harris moved all in from the button and John Hennigan called him.

Shack-Harris:   
Hennigan:   

Shack-Harris was behind, but he was drawing to two live cards. The     flop was no help to Shack-Harris, and neither was the   turn. Shack-Harris needed either a king or seven to stay alive, but it wasn't meant to be as the   blanked on the river.

Shack-Harris, who already had first, second, and third-place finishes at the 2014 WSOP prior to this event, is nipping at George Danzer's heels in the Player of the Year race, and his finish in this tournament will no doubt make it an even more heated affair.

John Hennigan15,300,000320,000
Brandon Shack-Harris0-320,000
Friday, June 27, 2014 1:12 AM Local Time
Shack-Harris Shorter

2-7 Triple Draw

Brandon Shack-Harris raised on the button, and John Hennigan called.

PlayerDraw OneDraw TwoDraw Three
Hennigan311
Shack-Harris321

Hennigan led out on every street - betting dark after the second draw - and Shack-Harris picked up his cards off of the felt on seventh, sighing.

"I hit my gut-shot," he said, showing a straight.

Hennigan fanned an eighty-six, and dragged the pot.

John Hennigan14,580,000880,000
Brandon Shack-Harris720,000-880,000
Friday, June 27, 2014 1:08 AM Local Time
First 2-7 Triple Draw Blood to Hennigan

2-7 Triple Draw

John Hennigan raised to 400,000 on the button and Brandon Shack-Harris called from the button. Shack-Harris drew two, Hennigan three, and then Shack-Harris led out for 200,000. Hennigan popped it to 400,000, Shack-Harris called, and then both players drew one.

Shack-Harris check-called a bet of 400,000 before drawing one. Hennigan stood pat. Shack-Harris checked, Hennigan bet 400,000, and Shack-Harris folded.

John Hennigan13,700,0001,220,000
Brandon Shack-Harris1,600,000-1,220,000
Friday, June 27, 2014 1:02 AM Local Time
Level 26 started
Level: 26
Blinds: 0/0
Ante: 0
Gorilla Gaming
Friday, June 27, 2014 12:47 AM Local Time
Time for Another Break

The final two players are now on another 20-minute break. When they return they will be playing 2-7 triple draw.

John Hennigan12,480,0001,040,000
Brandon Shack-Harris2,820,000-1,040,000
Friday, June 27, 2014 12:44 AM Local Time
Hennigan Pulls Back

Stud 8

John Hennigan:    /      /  
Brandon Shack-Harris:    /      /  

Hennigan brought it in, Shack-Harris completed, and Hennigan called. Hennigan led out on every subsequent street, Shack-Harris called him down, and Hennigan showed     for queens and threes.

Shack-Harris flashed    for a busted open-ended straight draw.

John Hennigan11,440,0001,140,000
Brandon Shack-Harris3,860,000-1,140,000
Friday, June 27, 2014 12:37 AM Local Time
One for Shack-Harris

Limit Hold'em

Brandon Shack-Harris raised to 300,000 from the button and John Hennigan called from the big blind, which brought about a flop of    . Hennigan checked, Shack-Harris bet 150,000, and Hennigan called.

Hennigan then checked for a second time on the   turn but check-raised to 600,000 when Shack-Harris bet 300,000. Shack-Harris made the call and then both players checked the   river. Shack-Harris tabled the    for nines, and Hennigan mucked.

John Hennigan10,300,000-1,090,000
Brandon Shack-Harris5,000,0001,090,000
Friday, June 27, 2014 12:33 AM Local Time
Hennigan Extends His Lead

John Hennigan

Pot-Limit Omaha

John Hennigan raised to 250,000 on the button, Brandon Shack-Harris defended his big blind, and the dealer fanned    . Shack-Harris check-called a bet of 250,000, and both players checked after the turn brought the  .

The river was the  , Shack-Harris checked a third and final time, and Hennigan tossed out five canary T100,000 chips. Shack-Harris folded.

Two hands later, Hennigan opened to 200,000 on the button. Shack-Harris called, the flop fell    , and both players checked. The turn was the  , Shack-Harris led out for 300,000, and Hennigan called.

The   completed the board, Shack-Harris fired out another 425,000, and Hennigan tank-called. Shack-Harris hesitated to show his hand, then mucked when Hennigan revealed      for just a pair of jacks.

"Nice hand," Shack-Harris told Hennigan.

John Hennigan11,390,0001,290,000
Brandon Shack-Harris3,910,000-1,290,000
Friday, June 27, 2014 12:26 AM Local Time
Queens Up for Shack-Harris

Pot-Limit Omaha

John Hennigan raised to 200,000 from the button, Brandon Shack-Harris called, and then both players checked the     flop. When the   appeared on the turn, Shack-Harris led out for 350,000, Hennigan called, and the   completed the board on the river. Both players returned to checking and Shack-Harris tabled the      for queens up. It was good as Hennigan mucked.

John Hennigan10,100,000-10,000
Brandon Shack-Harris5,200,00010,000
Playtika - Jason Alexander
Friday, June 27, 2014 12:18 AM Local Time
Back-to-Back Scoops

Heads Up for Rolls

Omaha 8

John Hennigan raised on the button, Brandon Shack-Harris defended, and the flop fell    . Shack-Harris check-called a bet, then check-raised on the turn ( ). Hennigan called.

The river was the  , Shack-Harris checked a third and final time, and Hennigan tossed out a bet. Shack-Harris called, then mucked when Hennigan showed      for a six-high straight and a six-five low.

The next hand, Shack-Harris raised on the button and Hennigan called. Hennigan proceeded to check-call bets on every street as the board rolled out      , and Shack-Harris scooped the pot with     .

John Hennigan10,110,000-190,000
Brandon Shack-Harris5,190,000190,000
Friday, June 27, 2014 12:12 AM Local Time
Aces Get the Job Done for Shack-Harris

Omaha 8

John Hennigan raised to 300,000 from the button and then called when Brandon Shack-Harris three-bet to 450,000 from the big blind. Shack-Harris then bet 150,000 on the     flop, Hennigan raised to 300,000, and Shack-Harris called.

Shack-Harris then check-called a bet of 300,000 on the   turn before both players checked the   river. Shack-Harris rolled over the      for aces and queens, and it was good as Hennigan mucked his cards.

John Hennigan10,300,000-1,230,000
Brandon Shack-Harris5,000,0001,230,000
Friday, June 27, 2014 12:02 AM Local Time
Jesse Martin Eliminated in 3rd Place ($594,570)

Jesse Martin - 3rd Place

No-Limit Hold'em

After getting three shoves through, Jesse Martin moved all in for around a million chips on the button. Brandon Shack-Harris snap-called in the big blind.

Martin:   
Shack-Harris:   

Martin failed to improve as the board came      , and he was eliminated in third place.

John Hennigan11,530,000530,000
Brandon Shack-Harris3,770,000930,000
Jesse Martin0-1,460,000
Thursday, June 26, 2014 11:58 PM Local Time
Hennigan Draws Five

John Hennigan

2-7 Triple Draw

Brandon Shack-Harris raised on the button, John Hennigan defended his big blind, and Johnny "World" drew five cards. Shack-Harris drew two, then bet when Hennigan checked.

Hennigan check-raised, Shack-Harris folded, and Hennigan showed      .

John Hennigan11,000,000350,000
Brandon Shack-Harris2,840,000-360,000
Jesse Martin1,460,000410,000
Thursday, June 26, 2014 11:55 PM Local Time
Hennigan Gets Some Back

2-7 Triple Draw

John Hennigan raised to 300,000 from the button and then called when Brandon Shack-Harris three-bet to 450,000 from the small blind. Shack-Harris drew one and bet 150,000 after Hennigan drew two. Shack-Harris stood pat, Hennigan drew two, and then Shack-Harris bet 300,000. Hennigan called and drew one after Shack-Harris stood pat. Both players then checked.

Shack-Harris showed a nine-seven low, but it was no good as Hennigan had made an 8-7-6-5-3 low.

John Hennigan10,650,000650,000
Brandon Shack-Harris3,200,000-900,000
Playtika - Jason Alexander
Thursday, June 26, 2014 11:53 PM Local Time
Perfect Low for Shack-Harris

2-7 Triple Draw

John Hennigan raised from the small blind and Brandon Shack-Harris called from the big. Hennigan drew two and then bet 150,000 after Shack-Harris drew three. Shack-Harris called and then drew two after Hennigan stood pat. Hennigan bet 300,000, Shack-Harris raised to 600,000, and Hennigan called.

Both players stood pat and Hennigan check-called a bet of 300,000 with an 8-5-4-3-2 low. Unfortunately for him it was no good as Shack-Harris had a 7-5-4-3-2 low.

John Hennigan10,000,000-850,000
Brandon Shack-Harris4,100,000700,000
Thursday, June 26, 2014 11:48 PM Local Time
Hennigan Continues to Extend

2-7 Triple Draw

John Hennigan raised on the button, and Jesse Martin defended his big blind.

PlayerDraw OneDraw TwoDraw Three
Martin22Pat
Hennigan31Pat

Martin check-called Hennigan after every draw, then mucked when Hennigan tabled      .

The very next hand, Brandon Shack-Harris raised on the button and Hennigan defended.

PlayerDraw OneDraw TwoDraw Three
Hennigan2PatPat
Shack-Harris221

Hennigan led out after every draw, and Shack-Harris called the first two bets before folding to the third.

John Hennigan10,850,0001,550,000
Brandon Shack-Harris3,400,000-400,000
Jesse Martin1,050,000-1,150,000
Thursday, June 26, 2014 11:40 PM Local Time
Hennigan Padding His Lead

Stud 8

John Hennigan had the bring-in with the   and then raised to 300,000 after Jesse Martin completed with the  . Martin called and then check-called bets on fourth through sixth streets before both players checked on seventh.

Martin:    /      /  
Hennigan:      /    

Hennigan showed two pair and Martin mucked.

John Hennigan9,300,000700,000
Brandon Shack-Harris3,800,0000
Jesse Martin2,200,000-700,000
Thursday, June 26, 2014 11:30 PM Local Time
Hennigan Adds

Pot-Limit Omaha

Jesse Martin raised the pot out of the small blind, John Hennigan called, and the flop fell    . Martin checked, Hennigan bet 275,000, and Martin folded.

Limit Hold'em

Hennigan made it two bets on the button, Brandon Shack-Harris called in the small blind, and Martin defended his big blind. The flop fell    , both players in the blinds checked, and Hennigan bet. Only Shack-Harris called.

The turn was the  , and Shack-Harris check-folded to a bet.

John Hennigan8,600,0001,580,000
Brandon Shack-Harris3,800,000-700,000
Jesse Martin2,900,000-1,150,000
Thursday, June 26, 2014 11:21 PM Local Time
"That's Nasty Isn't It?"

John Hennigan

Pot-Limit Omaha

Brandon Shack-Harris raised to 200,000 from the button only to have John Hennigan three-bet the pot to 640,000. Shack-Harris opted to just called and watched Hennigan bet the pot of 1.32 million on the     flop. Shack-Harris pushed back by raising the pot and Hennigan called off for 2.86 million total.

Shack-Harris:     
Hennigan:     

Hennigan held two pair while Shack-Harris had a flush draw.

"That's nasty isn't it?" Hennigan said when the   turn gave Shack-Harris a bunch more outs. Much to Hennigan's surprise, the   river failed to help Shack-Harris. "Wow," Hennigan said before retaking his seat and being pushed the double.

John Hennigan7,020,0002,670,000
Brandon Shack-Harris4,500,000-2,400,000
Gorilla Gaming
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