Sunday, July 2, 2017 2:16 AM Local Time
Jens Lakemeier Leads $2,500 Big Bet Mix Final Table
Thirty-seven players started Day 2 of Event #59: $2,500 Big Bet Mix and just six reached the official final table by the end of play. Leading the pack is Jens Lakemeier who used a dynamic mix of aggression and level-headedness to bag 702,000 in chips, which will stand him in good stead for the final day tomorrow.
Close behind him is Jerry Wong (680,000) and Jason Stockfish (514,000). The final table is completed by Ashton Griffin (232,500), Andrew Kelsall (185,500), and Kenneth Fitzgerald (143,000).
The day started just seven eliminations away from the money, with John Moore and three-time bracelet winner Brian Rast two of the players unlucky to miss out on a $3,750 min-cash.
John Bunch was the unfortunate bubble boy. Coming into hand-for-hand play, he had a little under 300 in chips and, by the second hand of hand-for-hand, he was all in on a five-card draw hand. He drew four to a queen and, although he made two pairs, he was eliminated by Tuan Le who had trip sixes.
There was still a wealth of talent with 30 players remaining, including multiple bracelet winners in the shape of Daniel Negreanu, Jason Mercier, and Mike Matusow.
Mercier was the first of these to go, clashing with Jerry Wong in a PLO pot. Mercier's aces were good on the flop, but Wong had an open-ended straight draw and a flush draw. The turn completed his flush draw and Mercier was eliminated.
By the time play got down to three tables, the chip lead was taken in dramatic fashion by Jason Stockfish in a pot-limit 2-7 triple draw pot worth over 250,000 in which Stockfish made a number three and was paid off by Ryan Hughes.
Stockfish held onto this lead and had close to 500,000 in chips with two tables remaining. Negreanu was eliminated in 12th place in a pot-limit 2-7 triple draw hand against Ryan Hughes. With Negreanu holding , he watched Hughes draw to . Hughes drew a , completing his wheel, eliminating Negreanu.
Another big name went in 11th. Mike Matusow moved all in on a flop with a flush draw and bottom pair and was called by the top two pairs of Andrew Kelsall. Matusow bricked the turn and the river and was eliminated.
Ten players went on dinner break and, upon their return, it took them just over a level to get down to an unofficial final table.
David "ODB" Baker fell in five-card draw, failing to outdraw the jacks of Wong when Baker held nines. Then, Ismael Bojang clashed with Jens Lakemeier and Kelsall in a three-way Big O pot which resulted in Lakemeier eliminating Bojang.
Finally, Marco Johnson, having worked his short stack masterfully since before the dinner break, was eliminated and the unofficial final table was set.
And there was still time for one more elimination. Ryan Hughes was eliminated in seventh place meaning that the following six players will return on Sunday at 2 p.m. to play it out for the $112,232 and a WSOP gold bracelet.
| Seat | Name | Country | Chip count |
|---|
| 1 | Jerry Wong | United States | 680,000 |
| 2 | Kenneth Fitzgerald | United States | 143,000 |
| 3 | Jens Lakemeier | Austria | 702,000 |
| 4 | Andrew Kelsall | United States | 185,500 |
| 5 | Ashton Griffin | United States | 232,500 |
| 6 | Jason Stockfish | United States | 514,000 |
Sunday, July 2, 2017 2:14 AM Local Time
Final Table Chip Counts
| Jens Lakemeier | 702,000 | -118,000  |
| Jerry Wong | 680,000 | 65,000  |
| Jason Stockfish | 514,000 | 31,000 |
| Ashton Griffin | 232,500 | 42,500 |
| Andrew Kelsall | 185,500 | 65,500 |
| Kenneth Fitzgerald | 143,000 | -12,000 |
Sunday, July 2, 2017 1:58 AM Local Time
Fitzgerald Gets One Through With a Flush
Pot-Limit 2-7 Lowball Triple Draw
From the button Jason Stockfish opened to 25,000. Kenneth Fitzgerald called from the big blind. Fitzgerald took one then Stockfish took two.
Immediately Fitzgerald announced pot and Stockfish looked at his cards for a bit, then folded.
Fitzgerald flashed his cards quickly, then they were mucked.
"What did you show?" Stockfish asked. "Was that an eight?"
"Yeah but it was all spades," Ashton Griffin said.
"Yeah, it was an eight," Fitzgerald confirmed. "All spades though, I was still drawing."
| Jason Stockfish | 483,000 | -12,000 |
| Kenneth Fitzgerald | 155,000 | 25,000 |
Sunday, July 2, 2017 1:53 AM Local Time
Ryan Hughes Eliminated in 7th Place ($12,390)
Pot-Limit Omaha
Ashton Griffin raised to 16,000. Kenneth Fitzgerald called from the button and Ryan Hughes called from the big blind.
On the flop of Hughes moved all in for 60,400. Griffin moved all in over the top and Fitzgerald folded.
Hughes:
Griffin:
Griffin held a flush draw, and the on the turn completed his flush. Hughes needed a king or a seven on the river, but it was the and he was eliminated in 7th place for $12,390.
| Ashton Griffin | 190,000 | 40,000 |
| Ryan Hughes | 0 | -130,000 |
Sunday, July 2, 2017 1:51 AM Local Time
Kenneth Fitzgerald Doubles Up
Pot-Limit Omaha
Kenneth Fitzgerald announced pot from the small blind for 24,000 and Jens Lakemeier called.
The flop came and Fitzgerald moved all in for 40,500. Lakemeier called and tried to muck when Fitzgerald showed which had Lakemeier's drawing almost dead.
The turn was the and the river the meaning Fitzgerald doubled up.
| Jens Lakemeier | 820,000 | -10,000 |
| Kenneth Fitzgerald | 130,000 | 19,000 |
Sunday, July 2, 2017 1:31 AM Local Time
Another Double For Stockfish
No-Limit 5 Card Draw
Kenneth Fitzgerald opened with a raise to 20,000. Action folded around to Jason Stockfish in the big blind who put in a raise to what looked like 55,000. With action back to Fitzgerald, he moved all in. Stockfish immediately called.
Fitzgerald, thinking it was already over turned up his cards, then quickly turned them back face down.
"Pat," Stockfish said having seen Fitzgerald's cards.
Fitzgerald then threw away two and revealed his for everyone to see. Stockfish had for a straight. Fitzgerald received a and an and that would seal the double up for Stockfish.
"I was card dead for two and a half hours," Stockfish said. "That's the worst I've ever been card dead."
| Jason Stockfish | 495,000 | 290,000 |
| Kenneth Fitzgerald | 111,000 | -229,000 |
Sunday, July 2, 2017 1:10 AM Local Time
Jason Stockfish Doubles Up
No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw
Jason Stockfish raised to 20,500 from the cutoff and Jerry Wong three-bet from the button. Stockfish moved all in for 101,500. Wong called.
Stockfish stood pat and Wong drew one.
Stockfish showed .
"I meant draw two," said Wong, showing . Wong drew a and Stockfish doubled up.
| Jerry Wong | 615,000 | -105,000 |
| Jason Stockfish | 205,000 | 110,000 |
Sunday, July 2, 2017 1:09 AM Local Time
Updated Chip Counts
| Jens Lakemeier | 830,000 | 0 |
| Jerry Wong | 720,000 | 15,000 |
| Kenneth Fitzgerald | 340,000 | -5,000 |
| Ashton Griffin | 150,000 | -20,000 |
| Ryan Hughes | 130,000 | -45,000 |
| Andrew Kelsall | 120,000 | 0 |
| Jason Stockfish | 95,000 | -115,000 |
Sunday, July 2, 2017 1:08 AM Local Time
Andrew Kelsall Doubles Up
No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw
Jens Lakemeier raised to 19,000 and Andrew Kelsall moved all in for 58,200. Lakemeier called. Both players drew one.
Lakemeier:
Kelsall:
"You show first," said Kelsall, "See if I have to sweat it."
Lakemeier turned over the completing his straight. For posterity's sake, Kelsall turned over an .
"You should have gone first!" said Lakemeier, laughing, "Then you would have been tilted!"
"I'm probably the only player to have won with a pair of eights all tournament!"
| Jens Lakemeier | 830,000 | -40,000 |
| Andrew Kelsall | 120,000 | 61,800 |
Sunday, July 2, 2017 1:05 AM Local Time
Small Pot for Chip Leader Jens Lakemeier
No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw
Jens Lakemeier raised to 19,000, and Ashton Griffin called in the big blind. Both players drew one. Griffin checked, and Lakemeier bet 34,000. Griffin called.
Lakemeier showed and took down the pot.
| Jens Lakemeier | 870,000 | 78,000 |
| Ashton Griffin | 170,000 | -70,000 |
Sunday, July 2, 2017 1:00 AM Local Time
Level 20 started
Level: 20
Blinds: 5000/10000
Ante: 2500
Sunday, July 2, 2017 12:56 AM Local Time
Wong Climbs
No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw
Jerry Wong raised to 22,000 from the hijack, and he was called by Kenneth Fitzgerald from the cutoff and Jens Lakemeier from the button.
Wong stood pat while Fitzgerald and Lakemeier both took one. Wong then bet 40,000, and Fitzgerald called quickly. Lakemeier threw his hand away.
"Ten-six," Wong said. He showed , and Fitzgerald turned up a ten-seven that was no good.
| Jerry Wong | 705,000 | 185,000 |
| Kenneth Fitzgerald | 345,000 | -85,000 |
Sunday, July 2, 2017 12:39 AM Local Time
House Over House in Big O for Kenneth Fitzgerald
Jens Lakemeier limped, as did Ryan Hughes, Andrew Kelsall, Jason Stockfish, and Jerry Wong before Kenneth Fitzgerald checked in the big blind.
The flop came . It checked to Hughes, who bet 19,000, and Fitzgerald was the only caller. The turn was the . Fitzgerald checked, and Hughes potted for 81,000. Fitzgerald called. Fitzgerald moved all in for his remaining 131,600 on the river, and Hughes, after some deliberation and muttering to himself, called.
Fitzgerald showed for a full house, sixes full of queens.
"Are you f***ing kidding me?" cried Hughes, "How does this f***ing s*** happen to me? Every f***ing time. God dammit!"
He showed for a flopped full house and counted out his opponent's double-up.
| Kenneth Fitzgerald | 430,000 | 210,000 |
| Ryan Hughes | 175,000 | -226,000 |
Sunday, July 2, 2017 12:30 AM Local Time
First Big Scoop of the Unofficial Final Table Goes to Lakemeier
Big O
Jens Lakemeier opened to 15,500 from the cutoff. Ryan Hughes called from the button, and the two went heads-up to the flop.
On the board, both players checked to see the on the turn. Lakemeier fired 32,000, and Hughes called. The river was the , and Lakemeier fired again, this time putting out a bet of 87,000. Hughes thought for a couple of minutes, then annoucned a call.
Lakemeier showed for a Broadway straight and seven-six for a low. That earned him both sides of the pot as Hughes mucked his hand, and Lakemeier solidified his position as the chip leader.
| Jens Lakemeier | 792,000 | 147,000 |
| Ryan Hughes | 401,000 | -104,000 |
Sunday, July 2, 2017 12:10 AM Local Time
Chip Counts from the Unofficial Final Table
| Jens Lakemeier | 645,000 | -5,000 |
| Jerry Wong | 520,000 | -41,000 |
| Ryan Hughes | 505,000 | 0 |
| Ashton Griffin | 240,000 | 50,000 |
| Kenneth Fitzgerald | 220,000 | -16,000 |
| Jason Stockfish | 210,000 | -1,500 |
| Andrew Kelsall | 130,000 | 5,000 |
Sunday, July 2, 2017 12:09 AM Local Time
Unofficial Final Table Redraw
| Seat | Name | Country | Chip Count |
|---|
| 1 | Jerry Wong | United States | 520,000 |
| 2 | Kenneth Fitzgerald | United States | 220,000 |
| 3 | Jens Lakemeier | Austria | 645,000 |
| 4 | Ryan Hughes | United States | 505,000 |
| 5 | Andrew Kelsall | United States | 130,000 |
| 6 | Ashton Griffin | United States | 240,000 |
| 7 | Jason Stockfish | United States | 210,000 |
Sunday, July 2, 2017 12:07 AM Local Time
Marco Johnson Eliminated in 8th Place ($12,390)
No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw
On the first hand back from break, Ryan Hughes opened with a raise to 17,000. Action folded to Maco Johnson, who moved all in with a shorter stack. Before the dealer could finish counting, Hughes called.
Johnson stood pat.
"I have a straight, Hughes said, then took one.
Johnson showed for a ten-eight smooth, while Hughes had . He needed a nine, three, or two to eliminate Johnson. His last card was a and that did it.
Johnson was eliminated in eighth place, collecting $12,390 for his efforts.
The final seven players are now redrawing for seats at the unofficial final table.
| Ryan Hughes | 505,000 | 65,000 |
| Marco Johnson | 0 | -64,500 |
Saturday, July 1, 2017 11:59 PM Local Time
Level 19 started
Level: 19
Blinds: 4000/8000
Ante: 2000
Saturday, July 1, 2017 11:51 PM Local Time
Chip Counts at the Break
Players are going on a 15-minute break, their last of the evening. Here are the counts.
| Jens Lakemeier | 650,000 | 80,000 |
| Jerry Wong | 561,000 | 311,000 |
| Ryan Hughes | 440,000 | 35,000 |
| Kenneth Fitzgerald | 236,000 | 91,000 |
| Jason Stockfish | 211,500 | -112,500 |
| Ashton Griffin | 190,000 | -145,000 |
| Andrew Kelsall | 125,000 | -215,000 |
| Marco Johnson | 64,500 | 4,500 |
Saturday, July 1, 2017 11:34 PM Local Time
Another Pot For Wong
Pot-Limit Omaha
First to act, Ashton Griffin raised to 14,000. He was called by Jerry Wong on the button and Jens Lakemeier in the big blind.
The flop came down , and Lakemeier checked to Griffin. Griffin bet 16,000, and Wong called. Lakemeier folded. On the turn, both players checked, then checked again on the river. Griffin showed , and Wong showed for a better straight to take the pot.
| Ashton Griffin | 335,000 | -40,000 |
| Jerry Wong | 250,000 | -30,000 |