Sunday, June 24, 2018 1:56 AM Local Time
Nicholas Seiken Breaks Through to Mixed Games, Wins $10k 2-7 Triple Draw Championship for $287,987
Nicholas Seiken used to play mostly no-limit hold'em tournaments, but he's never going to play the game again. Seiken found his place in the world of mixed games. Now he's ready to fully take on the subculture within poker and his breakthrough to the mixed scene couldn't have been more impressive.
Seiken is a newly crowned World Series of Poker Champion after taking down the star-studded $10k 2-7 Triple Draw Championship for $287,987. On his way to victory, Seiken had to prevail in a heads-up against an experienced mixed games player Randy Ohel who has a bracelet of his own from this discipline.
"This is my first stand-alone triple draw tournament," Seiken said. "I played the 8-Game four or five times but I haven't even played the $1,500 Triple Draw."
Seiken introduced himself in the 8-Game event, coming back for Day 3 with the chip lead only to bust in ninth place. While it was a bitter end to his tremendous run, the experience eventually led him to claim his first bracelet.
"I played the 2-7 Triple Draw in the 8-Game and I was like, 'I like triple draw, I want to play some triple draw.'" said Seiken.
Final table results:
Position | Player | Country | Prize |
1 | Nicholas Seiken | United States | $287,987 |
2 | Randy Ohel | United States | $177,992 |
3 | Kristijonas Andrulis | Lithuania | $125,190 |
4 | Farzad Bonyadi | United States | $89,078 |
5 | Matt Glantz | United States | $64,131 |
6 | Jason Gray | Australia | $46,722 |
So he arrived and defeated the incredibly tough competition. And Seiken did it in a way as if he was a seasoned veteran with tons of bracelet event final tables under his belt. He entered the finale with a big stack and never really found himself in trouble. But Seiken admitted that he was very well aware of the players around him.
"The only thing that gave me a shot was having so many chips because I was playing against such good players," Seiken said, revealing his gameplan for the final stage of the tournament. "I had a big stack and I wanted to sit on it for a while. I didn't want to take marginal spots. I folded hands that I should be playing because I didn't want to get out of line, getting in massive pots with guys like Randy."
The deep structure allowed anyone to pick their spots, but Seiken was the one who particularly excelled in it. Of course, he ran well and made some big hands at the right time. But he also made it to a three-handed play with absolute ease. There wasn't any point during the final table play when Seiken would be running out of gas.
Perhaps the only moment when it looked that Seiken might fall short of winning the gold was when he battled with Ohel and Kristijonas Andrulis. The deep structure allowed a long three-handed stretch, and while Seiken controlled half of the chips, Ohel managed to get to even and to overtake the lead for a short stint.
"It was pretty difficult. I got a little concerned when Randy evened it up." Seiken said.
Seiken, however, reclaimed his chips and dispatched Andrulis in third place to establish a 3-2 lead ahead of the heads-up match. The final duel seemed primed to go for much longer with 45 big bets on the table. Ohel had a lot of room to work his way up but, unfortunately for him, the heads-up was a one-sided affair. After 45 minutes, Seiken had Ohel on the ropes, holding almost a 10-1 lead. The final hand saw Seiken make the Number Four and Ohel couldn't compete. Just like that, Seiken conquered the world of 2-7 Triple Draw, taking home the Championship.
"I'm hooked now," Seiken said. He won't be seen at the no-limit hold'em tables anymore but one can bet that Seiken will be back for some mixed action.
"I really don't enjoy hold'em anymore. I didn't really like where no-limit was heading with the tanking," Seiken said. His main games now are PLO and PLO-8 but he surely won't miss a triple draw action either. On top of that, Seiken proved his skills in the stud area, having cashed the $10k Championship a few days ago.
He will be headed back home to Texas tomorrow, presenting the bracelet to his wife Katie with whom he has three kids; twin daughters and a three-and-a-half-month-old son. But Seiken will return for the final episode of 2018 World Series of Poker, coming back as a bracelet winner and will be keen to pursue some more success at the series.
"It won't be in the Main Event," he said. No-limit players can stay calm, but the mixed game world should get alerted: there's new rounder ready to take over.
Sunday, June 24, 2018 1:26 AM Local Time
Nicholas Seiken Wins! Randy Ohel Eliminated in 2nd Place ($177,992)
Nicholas Seiken raised and Randy Ohel made it three bets, Seiken called. Seiken took three and Ohel discarded two. Both players checked and then discarded two each. Ohel bet, Seiken raised and Ohel moved all in to pick up a snap-call. Both stood pat and Seiken announced a seven, Ohel immediately replied: "you win."
Seiken tabled his and Ohel showed his to bow out in 2nd place for $177,992. Seiken receives $287,987 for his efforts and will shortly post for the winner shots with his maiden gold bracelet.
A recap of today's action is to come.
Nicholas Seiken | 5,450,000 | 550,000 |
Randy Ohel | 0 | -505,000 |
Sunday, June 24, 2018 1:20 AM Local Time
Ohel Down to Three Bets
Nicholas Seiken called a raise from Randy Ohel and drew two. Ohel took three and raised Seiken's bet. Seiken called and changed two again while Ohel needed only one. Seiken check-called and peeled one. Ohel patted the last draw and the final round was checked.
Seiken turned up for the win, delivering another stab into Ohel's stack.
Nicholas Seiken | 4,900,000 | 500,000 |
Randy Ohel | 505,000 | -495,000 |
Sunday, June 24, 2018 1:10 AM Local Time
Seiken With 4-1 Lead
Nicholas Seiken raised and Randy Ohel called, Ohel discarded three and Seiken took two. Ohel checked and called a bet, then both took one. Ohel checked, Seiken bet and Ohel raised to get called. Ohel stood pat and Seiken took one. Ohel checked and Seiken quickly bet.
After some consideration, Ohel let go and dropped to just one million in chips.
Nicholas Seiken | 4,400,000 | 800,000 |
Randy Ohel | 1,000,000 | -800,000 |
Sunday, June 24, 2018 1:05 AM Local Time
Level 30 started
Level: 30
Blinds: 80000/160000
Ante: 0
Sunday, June 24, 2018 1:05 AM Local Time
Seiken Wins a Four-Bet Pot
Randy Ohel raised, Nicholas Seiken three-bet and Ohel pumped the price one more time. Seiken call and they went to the first draw with 480,000 in the middle.
Seiken took two and Ohel one. Ohel bet in position and his opponent called. Seiken patted and Ohel still wanted to change one. No bets were made and Ohel drew for free. Both checked the river and Seiken opened to scoop the pot.
Nicholas Seiken | 3,600,000 | 300,000 |
Randy Ohel | 1,800,000 | -300,000 |
Sunday, June 24, 2018 1:00 AM Local Time
Seiken Pulls Ahead Again
Randy Ohel raised and Nicholas Seiken called. Seiken discarded three and Ohel took one, Seiken checked and called a bet. Seiken then took two and Ohel stood pat. A check by Seiken was followed by a bet of Ohel and that ended the hand right there.
Ohel raised and Seiken made it three bets, Ohel called. Seiken took one, Ohel received two. Seiken bet, Ohel raised and Seiken called. Seiken discarded one and Ohel stood pat. Seiken check-called a bet and stood pat, while Ohel now discarded two. Two checks followed and Seiken tabled the as winning hand.
Nicholas Seiken | 3,300,000 | 300,000 |
Randy Ohel | 2,100,000 | -300,000 |
Sunday, June 24, 2018 12:54 AM Local Time
Ohel Rivers Eight-Perfect
Randy Ohel defended big blind against a raise and peeled three cards. Nicholas Seiken took two and fired. Ohel called, drew two and Seiken stood pat. Ohel check-called and drew one on the last draw. Seiken called Ohel's bet but Ohel took it down with .
Nicholas Seiken | 3,000,000 | -100,000 |
Randy Ohel | 2,400,000 | 100,000 |
Sunday, June 24, 2018 12:51 AM Local Time
One for Each at the Start of Heads Up
Randy Ohel raised and Nicholas Seiken called. Both discarded two and Seiken check-called a bet. Both then discarded one and Seiken check-called another bet. Both discarded one again, checked and Seiken announced a jack before rolling over the . Ohel mucked a queen.
Seiken raised and Ohel called. Ohel took two, Seiken discarded one. Ohel check-raised and Seiken called to see Ohel pat and Seiken take one. Ohel bet and was called before Seiken took one and called another bet. Ohel showed and won the pot.
Nicholas Seiken | 3,100,000 | -200,000 |
Randy Ohel | 2,300,000 | 200,000 |
Sunday, June 24, 2018 12:46 AM Local Time
Kristijonas Andrulis Eliminated in 3rd Place ($125,190)
Kristijonas Andrulis was down to his last 480,000 after losing a hand against Nicholas Seiken which saw Seiken raise in the small blind and Andrulis call. Seiken took two, Andrulis three and Andrulis called a bet. The second draw went two and one and Andrulis called another bet. Seiken drew one again and Andrulis patted and checked. Unfortunately for him, Seiken got there and his was good to scoop the pot.
The next hand started with Seiken raising on the button and four-betting over Andrulis' three-bet. Andrulis called and peeled two while Seiken changed one. Andrulis check-called and the same draw repeated. Andrulis check-called again and they took one apiece on the last draw. Andrulis moved all in for last 60,000 and Seiken called.
Andrulis had eight-seven but he was second as Seiken made eight-seven perfect.
Kristijonas Andrulis:
Nicholas Seiken:
Nicholas Seiken | 3,300,000 | 800,000 |
Randy Ohel | 2,100,000 | 0 |
Kristijonas Andrulis | 0 | -780,000 |
Sunday, June 24, 2018 12:40 AM Local Time
Two in a Row for Seiken
Randy Ohel raised from the small blind and Nicholas Seiken called in the big blind. Both discarded two and Ohel bet, Seiken raised, Ohel called. Seiken stood pat, Ohel took one and checked, Seiken bet and Ohel called. Seiken stood pat and Ohel discarded one, both then checked and Seiken announced a ten before tabling the winning .
Seiken raised from the button and Ohel came along from the big blind. Both discarded two and Ohel bet, Seiken made it two bets and Ohel three-bet to pick up a call. Ohel stood pat while Seiken took one and Ohel's bet was called. Seiken took one again and Ohel checked, Seiken bet and, once he was called, turned over the to claim the second pot in a row.
Nicholas Seiken | 2,500,000 | 900,000 |
Randy Ohel | 2,100,000 | -800,000 |
Kristijonas Andrulis | 780,000 | -90,000 |
Sunday, June 24, 2018 12:34 AM Local Time
Ohel Torturing the Table
Randy Ohel defended his big blind against Nicholas Seiken and they took two apiece. Ohel didn't hesitate and led out and Seiken stuck around. Ohel took one on the second draw and Seiken kept changing two. Ohel bet again and Seiken made it to the third draw, calling.
Ohel was pat and Seiken discarded one. Ohel fired another shell and Seiken released his hand in the blink of an eye. Ohel has been steamrolling the table since his bad start to the level when he raise-folded against Kristijonas Andrulis and dropped to the shortest stack. He's won over 2 million in chips thereafter and now holds more than half of the chips in play.
Randy Ohel | 2,900,000 | 300,000 |
Nicholas Seiken | 1,600,000 | -500,000 |
Kristijonas Andrulis | 870,000 | 60,000 |
Sunday, June 24, 2018 12:30 AM Local Time
Ohel Scoops Three-Way Pot to Take The Lead
Nicholas Seiken raised on the button and was called by Kristijonas Andrulis in the small blind and Randy Ohel in the big blind.
Ohel discarded two, Andrulis and Seiken two. Andrulis bet and both opponents called. Andrulis then stood pat, Seiken discarded one and Ohel took two. Andrulis and Seiken stood pat and Ohel took one. Andrulis bet and Ohel raised, which left Seiken with his head shaking. He eventually folded and Andrulis gave Ohel a stare down before eventually calling.
Ohel turned over the and jumped into the lead.
Randy Ohel | 2,600,000 | 900,000 |
Nicholas Seiken | 2,100,000 | -300,000 |
Kristijonas Andrulis | 810,000 | -290,000 |
Sunday, June 24, 2018 12:24 AM Local Time
Ohel Rivers a Seven
Randy Ohel defended big blind against Nicholas Seiken's button-raise. Both took two and Ohel took the lead but Seiken raised. Ohel called and drew one. Seiken remained pat but checked back the betting round.
Ohel still needed to change one and then fired a bet. Seiken snap-called but Ohel showed him .
Nicholas Seiken | 2,400,000 | -430,000 |
Randy Ohel | 1,700,000 | 100,000 |
Sunday, June 24, 2018 12:20 AM Local Time
Andrulis Gets Some Back With a Wheel
Nicholas Seiken raised on the button and Kristijonas Andrulis made it three bets from the small blind, Seiken called. Both discarded one and Andrulis bet, Seiken called. Andrulis discarded one, Seiken stood pat and both players checked. Both then stood pat and Andrulis bet.
Seiken gave it a lot of thought and eventually called to get shown the by Andrulis.
Nicholas Seiken | 2,830,000 | -370,000 |
Kristijonas Andrulis | 1,100,000 | 470,000 |
Sunday, June 24, 2018 12:17 AM Local Time
Ohel Building Back
Randy Ohel won a few posts in the recent span, successfully increasing his chip-stack. Most notably, he won a hand against Kristijonas Andrulis when he raised the button and Andrulis called in the big. Andrulis took three, two and one along the way while Ohel's path to the showdown led through discarding two, one and patting the last draw.
Ohel bet after the first and second draws, earning two calls. Then he checked back the river, showing and Andrulis mucked his hand in defeat.
Nicholas Seiken | 3,200,000 | -100,000 |
Randy Ohel | 1,600,000 | 400,000 |
Kristijonas Andrulis | 630,000 | -370,000 |
Sunday, June 24, 2018 12:11 AM Local Time
Ohel Gets There To Take From Seiken
Randy Ohel raised from the small blind and Nicholas Seiken made it three bets, Ohel called. Ohel discarded two, Seiken took one and Ohel check-called a bet by Seiken. Ohel discarded two again, Seiken took one and both checked. Both took one and Ohel bet.
Seiken didn't snap-call, but eventually did so. Ohel showed the and that won the pot.
Nicholas Seiken | 3,300,000 | -315,000 |
Randy Ohel | 1,200,000 | 385,000 |
Sunday, June 24, 2018 12:07 AM Local Time
Ohel's Raise Fails
Kristijonas Andrulis raised in the small blind and Randy Ohel called in the big. They took two and two and Andrulis fired, earning a call.
Both players drew one on the second draw and Andrulis continued betting. Ohel responded with a raise but Andrulis made it three bets and Ohel snap-folded his hand,
Ohel is now the shortest stack with 815,000.
Kristijonas Andrulis | 1,000,000 | 400,000 |
Randy Ohel | 815,000 | -420,000 |
Sunday, June 24, 2018 12:04 AM Local Time
Level 29 started
Level: 29
Blinds: 60000/120000
Ante: 0
Saturday, June 23, 2018 11:50 PM Local Time
Take 10
Players are on a 10-minute break.
Nicholas Seiken | 3,615,000 | 315,000 |
Randy Ohel | 1,235,000 | -165,000 |
Kristijonas Andrulis | 600,000 | -275,000 |