Wednesday, June 17, 2015 2:38 AM Local Time
Jeff Madsen Wins His Fourth Career WSOP Gold Bracelet
Prodigal Poker Pro Tops $3K Pot-Limit Omaha High-Low Split Championship and Pockets $301,314
“I Have Fun and Love What I’m Doing,” Madsen Says Following Victory
MEET THE LATEST WSOP GOLD BRACELET CHAMPION
Name: Jeff Madsen
Birthplace: Santa Monica, CA (USA)
Age: 30
Current Residence: Las Vegas, NV (USA)
Marital Status: Single
Children: 0
Profession: Professional Poker Player
Number of WSOP Cashes: 40
Number of WSOP Final Table Appearances: 11
Number of WSOP Gold Bracelet Victories: 4
Best Previous WSOP Finish: 1st (2006, 2006, 2013)
Total WSOP Earnings: $2,650,499
Personal Facts: Madsen is the third-youngest gold bracelet winner in history
[Note: All statistics above include the results of this tournament]
Jeff Madsen won this fourth career World Series of Poker gold bracelet at the 2015 World Series of Poker, adding to the 30-year-old professional poker player’s prodigal legacy as one of the game’s most accomplished younger players.
Only a week removed from his 30th birthday celebration on June 7th, Madsen topped the $3,000 buy-in Pot-Limit Omaha High-Low Split tournament, which was played at the Rio Las Vegas. The three-day tournament ended late on a Tuesday night at 1 am with Madsen dominating the final stages of the grueling tournament with several chip-lead changes and dramatic moments, but none bigger than Madsen rising from the table with a pumped fist when initially realizing the victory.
Madsen topped a highly-competitive field of 480 entrants which created another big prize pool for the series amounting to $1,310,400. The top 54 finishers collected a payout, with the lion’s share going to Madsen for his big win. He earned $301,413.
This marked yet another personal and professional triumph for Madsen, who initially burst upon the poker scene nine years ago inside the very same room where he won gold bracelets one and two. Back in 2006, Madsen won two gold bracelets at the age of 21, the youngest in history to accomplish that feat. His win here also catapulted him into some mighty select company, ranking only behind poker greats Phil Hellmuth, Allen Cunningham, and Stu Ungar, who each won their fourth gold bracelet before their 30th birthday.
“I think the competition is the most important thing to me,” Madsen said following the win. “When I started out, I wasn’t thinking about winning 14 gold bracelets (the high mark held by Phil Hellmuth). If I just keep playing my game, I’ll rank up the stats.”
Madsen won his fourth title in a game that had its early genesis as an online poker game. Pot-Limit Omaha High-Low Split is rarely played anywhere in a live cash-game setting.
“I don’t play this game a lot, but then not many people do,” Madsen said. “I just tend to like anything related to Omaha, so this was a part of it.”
When asked to compare the meaning of wins over the course of his career, an older and wiser Madsen admitted he’s matured somewhat since the breakout year when he won “Player of the Year” honors at the WSOP back in 2006 and couldn’t fathom the notion that every year would be equally as lucrative.
“It’s all about maturity, it affects how you play the game,” Madsen said. “I’ve always tended to be a streaky player. But as I get older I am trying to be more consistent….As for which (WSOP) win is the best, the first win is better because it gives you money and confidence to keep on playing. So, I would say the first win.”
Madsen might have forgotten his third win, which took place two years ago. After that feat, the then 28-year-old poker pro was greeted by superstar DJ Steve Aoki onstage where they performed trademark jumps and exchanged high-fives. Indeed, whenever Madsen wins something, there always seems to be a bit of added drama.
The final table included a mix of veterans and newcomers. Two former gold bracelet winners made the finale – including Madsen and Rami Boukai. By contrast, two players -- Huarong Ma (7th) and Spencer Chen (9th) -- made their first WSOP cash in this tournament.
Among the more notable players who cashed in this event were Robert Mizrachi, fresh off his gold bracelet victory two weeks ago in the $1,500 buy-in Omaha High-Low Split event, and hoping for a fourth career WSOP victory. Mizrachi finished 12th. Also of note was three-time gold bracelet winner Perry Green (age 80), who cashed for the first time this year. Green famously finished as the runner up to poker legend Stu Ungar in the 1981 Main Event Championship. Canadian Jonathan Duhamel also deserves mention for cashing. He won the 2010 WSOP Main Event.
With this victory, Madsen now has 40 cashes and more than $2.6 in career WSOP earnings. His previous wins took place in the $2,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em event (2006), $5,000 buy-in Six-Max No-Limit Hold’em (also in 2006), and $3,000 buy-in Pot-Limit Omaha (2013).
Prior to becoming a full-time poker pro, Madsen attended the University of California at Santa Barbara as a student. However, he plans to stick with poker at least for now, and in the years ahead so long as the wins occasionally come.
“I have fun and love what I’m doing,” Madsen said when asked about his future goals and plans.
Following behind Madsen in the top spot, the descending order of results was as follows:
Second Place: When play was heads-up Jean-Marc Thomas appeared to be a serious threat to Madsen’s quest for a fourth WSOP win. Thomas drew close to even at one point in chips, but was still playing catch up during most of the two-hour duel. He lost the final hand to Madsen’s trip 6s. For Thomas, who is a 47-year-old real estate investor from Paris, this was a mixed emotional reaction – coming so close to the gold bracelet but also collecting $185,548.
Third Place: Rami Boujai put up a good fight, and with a break or two might have won the event. However, a cold run when play reached three-handed doomed the San Diego poker player who was striving for his second WSOP gold bracelet, following a win back in 2009 in a Mixed Pot-Limit Hold’em/Omaha. Boujai collected $123,976 for this, his 16th time to cash at the series.
Fourth Place: Richard Tucker, a 61-year-old owner of a construction company in Charlotte, NC, took 4th place. He’s a proud Vietnam War veteran who once served as a helicopter pilot. Since then, he’s owned and operated three successful companies. This was Tucker’s third time to cash at the series. He also has 9 WSOP Circuit cashes. Fourth place paid $92,003.
Fifth Place: Sun Kwak from Hicksville, NY took 5th place. He s 33-year-old poker pro originally from South Korea. This is the third WSOP Kwak has attended and marks his second time to cash. His payout amounted to $69,004.
Sixth Place: John O’Shea, from Dublin, hoped to become this year’s first winner from Ireland. However, he came in 6th place instead. The 30-year-old poker player now has 12 cashes and 2 final table appearance on his WSOP resume, with 5th place his best showing back in 2008.
Seventh Place: Huarong Ma, originally from China, took 7th place. He’s 47-years-old. For Ma, this was his first time to finish in the money at the WSOP.
Eighth Place: David “ODB” Baker, from the Houston suburbs, took 8th place. This was his third cash at this series, and 44th over the course of his career as a poker pro. Baker, the winner of a gold bracelet in 2012 (Eight Game Mix), now has close to $1.9 million in winnings at the WSOP dating back to 2004.
Ninth Place: Spencer Chen, a 34-year-old retiree and former Wall Street analyst from Las Vegas, rounded out the final table by finishing 9th. Chen made his first career cash in this event. Chen describes himself as a “miracle of medical science.” He’s survived 8 major operations and had 3 open heart surgeries.
OTHER IN-THE-MONEY FINISHERS:
Aside from the final table finishers, other notable players who cashed included – Michael Gracz (10th), Robert Mizrachi (12th), John Reading (17th), Jonathan Duhamel (19th), Tom Schneider (31st), Perry Green (36th), Jeremy Ausmus (42nd), and Fabrice Soulier (51st).
FUN FACTS:
Entries broken down by gender amounted to 468 males and 12 females.
The average age of participants was 39 years and 10 months.
EVENT DIRECT LINKS:
For this event’s results, visit:
http://www.wsop.com/tournaments/results.asp?grid=1136&tid=14231
For Jeff Madsen’s official player profile page, visit:
http://www.wsop.com/players/playerprofile.asp?playerID=19310
For the Live Reporting Log for this event, please visit:
http://www.wsop.com/tournaments/updates.asp?grid=1136&tid=14231
For photos from this event, please visit:
http://www.wsop.com/tournaments/photos.asp?grid=1136&tid=14231
For official winner photo, please visit:
http://www.wsop.com/pdfs/reports/14231-winner-photo.jpg
For the live stream archive of this event, please visit:
http://www.wsop.com/videos/?vcat=31
(Note: Will appear 48 hours after event concludes)
Written by Nolan Dalla (WSOP Media Staff)
Wednesday, June 17, 2015 1:29 AM Local Time
Jeanmarc Thomas raises to 240,000 on the button and Jeff Madsen announces "pot", making it 720,000. Thomas announces he is all in and Madsen stands out of his seat.
"Okay, lets do this," says Madsen as he flicks a single chip into the middle signifying a call.
Thomas:
Madsen:
Both players head towards their rails to sweat the hand as the dealer spreads the flop. Madsen improves to trip-sixes and Thomas picks up the nut low draw.
The hits the turn and Madsen remains in the lead, just having to survive one river card to capture his fourth bracelet.
The dealer burns a card and snaps off the on the river and Jeff Madsen defeats Jeanmarc Thomas to take down Event #31.
Jeanmarc Thomas will take home $186,548 for his second place finish, as Madsen takes home $301,413 and his fourth WSOP gold bracelet.
A full recap will be posted shortly.
Wednesday, June 17, 2015 1:14 AM Local Time
For the second time in as many hands, Jeanmarc Thomas has doubled up. Thomas calls on the button and Madsen raises to 240,000. Thomas calls and the flop is . Madsen leads for 215,000. Thomas snap-raises the pot, and before the dealer can count it down, both players announce they are all in.
Jeanmarc Thomas -
Jeff Madsen -
Thomas has a set but Madsen has flopped the nut straight. If Madsen can hold on, the tournament will be over. The turn is safe for Madsen, the . But the river pairs the board and Thomas doubles through.
Jeanmarc Thomas - 2,400,000
Jeff Madsen - 4,800,000
Wednesday, June 17, 2015 1:08 AM Local Time
Jeanmarc Thomas raises pot and Jeff Madsen moves all in. Thomas calls off for his last 600,000.
Madsen:
Thomas:
The board runs out and Thomas's queens fade Madsen's flush draw and any ace to double up.
Jeff Madsen - 6,000,000
Jeanmarc Thomas - 1,200,000
Wednesday, June 17, 2015 1:05 AM Local Time
Jeanmarc Thomas raises pot on the button to 240,000 and Jeff Madsen immediately announces all in from the big blind. Thomas verbally says "call" but after counting down the bets Thomas is left with 125,000 behind.
The dealer spreads a flop of and the two put in 125,000 and the hands are tabled.
Thomas:
Madsen:
Madsen is ahead and the on the turn keeps him in the lead. Thomas stands out of his seat as his rail is yelling for a queen.
The dealer burns a card and the falls on the river, improving Thomas to two pair. Thomas starts cheering as the chop keeps his tournament life alive.
"This is my tournament! This is destiny! I win this bracelet!"
Wednesday, June 17, 2015 12:58 AM Local Time
In three of the last four pots, Jeff Madsen has gotten his opponent to fold after putting in significant action.
It started with Jeanmarc Thomas on the button. Thomas raised to 240,000 and Madsen called. The flop came and both players checked. On the turn, Madsen led for 260,000 and Thomas folded.
In the next hand, Madsen raised on the button to 170,000 and Thomas called. The flop came . Thomas checked and Madsen bet 180,000. Thomas check-called. The turn was the and both players checked. On the river, Thomas checked again and Madsen bet 400,000 and took it down.
In the most recent confrontation, Turner is on the button and calls the big blind. Madsen raises to 160,000 and Thomas calls. The flop is . Madsen leads for 215,000 and Thomas calls. The turn is the . Madsen announces, "pot," which the dealer announces is a bet of 910,000. Thomas goes into the tank and after a minute releases his hand.
Jeff Madsen - 6,240,000
Jeanmarc Thomas - 960,000
Wednesday, June 17, 2015 12:46 AM Local Time
Since returning from break it has been all Jeff Madsen. Madsen took
down the first three pots with raises and has had his foot on the gas.
In the latest hand Jeff Madsen raises to 195,000 on the button.
Thomas calls and the two see a flop of . Thomas announces
pot, raising it to 390,000. Jeff Madsen sits forward in his chair and
eyes up Thomas's bet for a solid thirty seconds. Madsen announces all
in, but the pot sized bet is actually 1,560,000. Thomas has around
1,800,000 total and goes into the tank for nearly 2 minutes before
releasing his hand. Madsen takes it down.
Jeff Madsen - 5,300,000
Jeanmarc Thomas - 1,900,000
Wednesday, June 17, 2015 12:31 AM Local Time
| Level: | 29 | | Blinds: | 40,000/80,000 | |
Wednesday, June 17, 2015 12:15 AM Local Time
Jeff Madsen has regained the lead as he now sits with 4,190,000 to the 3,010,000 of Jeanmarc Thomas. Players will be returning to blinds of 40,000/80,000.
Wednesday, June 17, 2015 12:11 AM Local Time
Both players are now on a 20-minute break. Updated chip counts will be posted shortly.
Wednesday, June 17, 2015 12:10 AM Local Time
As play winds down here in Level 28, the tension in this heads up match has grown. When heads up play started, the rail was diverse and spread evenly around the featured table. Since, the rails of both players have separated and now stand behind their respective players. While the two players seem to be trying their best to keep it friendly, there is a very noticeable tension between the two rails. Security has been called over to the area twice and it appears as if the tensions have been diminished for now.
It will definitely be something to keep an eye on as play continues early into Wednesday morning with more than $300,000 on the line.
Tuesday, June 16, 2015 11:55 PM Local Time
Jeff Madsen raises to 150,000 on the button and Jeanmarc Thomas calls. The flop is . Thomas checks and Madsen bets 180,000. Thomas check-calls. The turn is the , pairing the board. Thomas announces, "Pot." The dealer clarifies this as a bet of 660,000, and Madsen lets it go.
Jeanmarc Thomas - 3,800,000
Jeff Madsen - 3,400,000
Tuesday, June 16, 2015 11:45 PM Local Time
Thomas raises to 180,000 on the button and Jeff Madsen calls. The flop is . Both players check the flop. The turn is the . Madsen checks and Thomas bets 175,000. Madsen check-calls. The river is the , and both players check. Thomas tables to scoop.
Jeanmarc Thomas - 3,200,000
Jeff Madsen - 4,000,000
Tuesday, June 16, 2015 11:37 PM Local Time
Rami Boukai (pictured) raises on the button to 160,000. Jeanmarc Thomas calls from the small blind and Madsen folds the big blind. The flop is . Thomas checks. Boukai bets 380,000. Thomas check-raises all in and Boukai calls.
Jeanmarc Thomas -
Rami Boukai -
Thomas is well ahead with three tens against Boukais straight outs. The turn is the , pairing Thomas to make a full house, and now outcome is inevitable as Boukai is drawing dead. The river is just a formality as Thomas scoops and Boukai's tournament is over.
Jeanmarc Thomas - 2,650,000
Rami Boukai - Eliminated
Tuesday, June 16, 2015 11:26 PM Local Time
Rami Boukai raises to 135,000 on the button and Jeff Madsen (pictured) calls from the big blind. The flop comes . Madsen checks and Boukai bets 200,000. Madsen raises the pot to 900,000. Boukai goes all in and Madsen calls.
Jeff Madsen -
Rami Boukai -
The pot is a massive 4,475,000 chips. Madsen is ahead with two pair against the aces for Boukai. Neither the turn or the changes anything and Madsen takes down a huge pot.
Jeff Madsen - 4,475,000
Rami Boukai -1,075,000
Tuesday, June 16, 2015 11:11 PM Local Time
| Level: | 28 | | Blinds: | 30,000/60,000 | |
Tuesday, June 16, 2015 11:09 PM Local Time
Rami Boukai raises the button to 125,000 and Jeff Madsen calls out of the big blind.
The flop falls and Madsen check calls a bet of 200,000 from Boukai. The falls on the turn and Madsen checks for a second time. This time Boukai slides forward a bet of 500,000 and again Madsen just calls.
The river is the and Jeff Madsen moves all in for his last 1,575,000. Rami stands out of his chair and after about twenty seconds, he makes the call.
Madsen tables for a pair of aces with the nut low and Boukai rolls over for top set. The two chop the pot.
Tuesday, June 16, 2015 11:05 PM Local Time
Jeff Madsen raises to 115,000 on the button and Jeanmarc Thomas calls out of the big blind. The dealer spreads a flop of and Thomas checks to Madsen, who checks behind.
The turn brings the and Thomas leads for 255,000. Madson calls and both players see the on the river. Thomas bets out big with 535,000 and Madsen folds.
Jeanmarc Thomas - 2,200,000
Jeff Madsen - 2,050,000
Tuesday, June 16, 2015 10:54 PM Local Time
With the exception of a few big hands fresh off the dinner break, play has slowed down substantially. Majority of pots are being won with raises on the the button preflop, or continuation bets on the flop.
Since returning from dinner majority of the chips have stayed with their original owners, with Boukai and Madsen occassionally taking a few chips from the stack of Jeanmarc Thomas.
Currently the three sit with the following stacks.
Rami Boukai - 3,050,000
Jeanmarc Thomas - 1,450,000
Jeff Madsen - 2,550,000
Tuesday, June 16, 2015 10:37 PM Local Time
Jeanmarc Thomas raises from the small blind to 150,000 and Jeff Madsen calls out of the big blind.
The flop falls and Thomas checks to Madsen who checks behind. The turn brings the and Thomas check-calls a bet of 210,000 from Madsen and the two see a river. Thomas now leads for 100,000 and Madsen raises to 330,000. Thomas thinks about it for a while but eventually mucks his hand awarding the pot to Madsen.
Jeff Madsen - 2,870,000
Jeanmarc Thomas - 2,450,000