Friday, May 31, 2019 3:40 PM Local Time
Nicholas Haynes Wins Event #1: $500 Casino Employees Event
Nicholas Haynes, a Michigan born, Florida raised dealer at Aria for the last 1½ years, navigated a field of 686 players to take down Event #1: $500 Casino Employees Event. Haynes took home $62,345 and his first WSOP gold bracelet after defeating WSOP Media Director Isaac Hanson in heads-up play.
"I'm thankful for my job and the players [at Aria]." Haynes said after his victory. "There's a lot of incredible players. I watch them and just pick up little bits here and there. Over time, you just become better, you sharpen your edges. I feel like they were very instrumental in my play today. That's why I'm thankful for my job and the players there."
Haynes, who was overcome with emotion after receiving his gold bracelet, described his poker playing experience humbly.
"Definitely recreational. I wouldn't ever call myself any kind of pro or anything like that. I play a lot in spurts. I traveled for a year and a half playing in major tournaments. I turned out ok, nothing great. I've had a couple of cashes throughout the years, but nothing monstrous like this. This is the biggest cash, for sure.
Hanson, who usually works on the other side of the felt with the WSOP, was still in good spirits after coming one spot shy of a bracelet of his own.
"It was crazy; I've seen it four or five hundred times now, but I didn't think I'd ever be there. It just never ran across my mind that this would even be a possibility, so it was pretty cool."
Hanson had one of the more raucous rails at the final table. "It was probably the best part of the whole experience, just seeing all the texts coming, and everyone coming here. It was just really cool to have everyone cheer me on."
Hanson isn't planning on quitting his day job any time soon, however: "I probably will work in a few hours. I'd rather just get back to it, I enjoy what I do. I don't want to go home and sit around and do nothing, because that's what I would end up doing."
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|
| 1 | Nicholas Haynes | Canada | $62,345 |
| 2 | Isaac Hanson | United States | $38,503 |
| 3 | Jorge Ruiz | United States | $26,681 |
| 4 | Jesse Kertland | United States | $18,785 |
| 5 | Adam Lamers | Canada | $13,441 |
| 6 | Jeffrey Fast | Canada | $9,776 |
| 7 | Christopher Bowen | United States | $7,229 |
| 8 | Joseph Appler | United States | $5,438 |
| 9 | Travis Williams | United States | $4,161 |
Final Table Action
The final six players returned to action Friday to battle out for the $62,345 top prize and the WSOP gold bracelet. The first hand of the final table provided the first elimination, as Fallsview Casino dealer Jeffrey Fast, who started the final table as the short stack, got his last chips in with king-five of hearts, and Isaac Hanson called with queen-nine of hearts. Hanson found a nine on the flop and Fast was first to fall.
PokerNews Live Reporter Adam Lamers was the next to fall, when he jammed with king-queen, and Jorge Ruiz woke up with ace-jack suited behind him and put him at risk. Lamers and his supportive rail called for a king to help pull him in front, but an eight-high board left Lamers out the door in fifth-place for $13,441.
Jesse Kertland, a Casino Carribean pit dealer, got his last nine big blinds in from the cutoff with king-five, but ran into a monster when Nicholas Haynes woke up behind him with pocket aces. Kertland paired his five on the flop, but improved no further, sending Kertland back home with $18,785 for his fourth-place finish.
Next to go was Montego Bay poker dealer Ruiz, who lost a big flip with king-queen of hearts to Haynes and his pocket tens to be left with just two big blinds. He got those last chips in the very next hand with eight-four of diamonds, and would fail to catch up to the ten-eight of Hanson. Ruiz, who was all smiles even after being eliminated, received $26,681 for third-place.
Hanson started heads-up play with Haynes holding a little over ten million of the 17,150,000 chips in play, but Haynes was able to turn the tide by taking down a healthy pot on Hand 4 of heads-up action with his jack-ten finding top pair on the flop and getting two streets of value from Hanson. On Hand 156 of the final table, Hanson called off his remaining 4,100,000 with ace-nine, and Haynes was live with his king-eight. Haynes found an eight on the flop, and while Hanson picked up a gutshot on the turn, he failed to improve, leaving the WSOP Media Director as our runner-up, taking home $38,503.
PokerNews coverage of the 2019 WSOP continues today with updates from Event #3: $500 Big 50, Event #4: $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better, and Event #5: 50th Annual High Roller - $50,000 No Limit Hold'em.
Friday, May 31, 2019 2:51 PM Local Time
Isaac Hanson Eliminated in 2nd Place ($38,503)
Hand 156: Nicholas Haynes jammed for 4,100,000 effective on the button, and Isaac Hanson called off in the big blind.
Isaac Hanson:
Nicholas Haynes:
Hanson's ace-high was in the lead, but the flop gave Haynes a pair and the lead. The turn gave Hanson a few more outs with a gutshot straight draw, but Haynes secured his first WSOP gold bracelet after the fell on the river.
A recap of the day's action will follow shortly.
| Nicholas Haynes | 17,150,000 | -650,000  |
| Isaac Hanson | 0 | 0 |
Friday, May 31, 2019 2:46 PM Local Time
Hands #153-155: Haynes Takes Control
Hand #153: Isaac Hanson raised to 650,000 on the button, and Nicholas Haynes called. On the flop, Haynes bet 750,000, and Hanson called. The fell on the turn, and Haynes checked. Hanson bet 2,300,000, and Haynes check-jammed. Hanson folded, leaving himself 3,700,000 behind.
Hand #154: Hanson got a walk in the big blind.
Hand #155: Hanson jammed for 3,850,000 on the button and Haynes folded.
Friday, May 31, 2019 2:40 PM Local Time
Hands #149-152: Haynes Takes the Chip Lead
Hand #149: Isaac Hanson opened for 650,000, and Nicholas Haynes folded.
Hand #150: Nicholas Haynes raised to 625,000, Isaac Hanson three-bet to 6.25 million, and Haynes folded.
Hand #151: Isaac Hanson raised to 650,000, and Nicholas Haynes called.
The flop came , and Haynes checked. Hanson fired for 750,000, Haynes went all-in for his last 4.73 million, and took down the pot as Hanson folded.
Hand #152: Nicholas Haynes raised to 625,000 and Isaac Hanson called.
The flop came , Hanson checked, Haynes bet 750,000 and Hanson called. The turn came the and Hanson checked again. Haynes fired for 1.33 million and Hanson called again.
The river came the , Hanson checked for a third time, and Haynes checked back. Haynes showed down the and took down the pot with his pair of jacks.
| Nicholas Haynes | 10,000,000 | 3,200,000  |
| Isaac Hanson | 7,400,000 | -3,300,000 |
Friday, May 31, 2019 2:29 PM Local Time
Jorge Ruiz Eliminated in 3rd Place ($26,681)
Hand #148: Isaac Hanson put Jorge Ruiz in for his last 300,000 from the small blind, and Ruiz called it off.
Jorge Ruiz:
Isaac Hanson:
"Now you can put diamonds out!" Ruiz said with a grin.
The flop gave both players a straight draw, but the turn meant Ruiz could only win with a four. He bricked the river, and he gave Hanson a hug before heading to the rail.
| Isaac Hanson | 10,700,000 | 0 |
| Nicholas Haynes | 6,800,000 | 600,000 |
| Jorge Ruiz | 0 | -550,000 |
Friday, May 31, 2019 2:26 PM Local Time
Hands #145-147: Haynes Doubles Through Ruiz
Hand #145: Nicholas Haynes open shoved for 3 million on the button, and both blinds folded.
Hand #146: Jorge Ruiz shoved for 3.18 million on the small blind and took down the pot when Nicholas Haynes folded on the big blind.
Hand #147: Jorge Ruiz open jammed for 3.68 million and Nicholas Haynes called for his last 3 million on the small blind. Isaac Hanson folded and we went to a heads-up showdown.
Jorge Ruiz:
Nicholas Haynes:
The board ran out , and Haynes doubled up, leaving Ruiz with just 550,000 chips.
| Nicholas Haynes | 6,200,000 | 3,200,000 |
| Jorge Ruiz | 550,000 | -3,150,000 |
Friday, May 31, 2019 2:20 PM Local Time
Hands #140-144: Lots of Shoves
Hand #140: Jorge Ruiz jammed for 2,750,000 in the small blind, and Nicholas Haynes folded his big blind.
Hand #141: Haynes jammed for 2,500,000 in the small blind, and Isaac Hanson folded his big blind.
Hand #142: Hanson jammed from the small blind to put Ruiz at risk for his last 3,400,000, and he folded in the big blind.
Hand #143: Ruiz limped in from the small blind, and Haynes checked his option in the big blind.
The flop was checked by both players, and the hit the turn. Ruiz bet 500,000 and Haynes folded.
Hand #144: Haynes jammed for 2,500,000 in the small blind, and Hanson folded the big blind.
| Isaac Hanson | 10,700,000 | -500,000 |
| Jorge Ruiz | 3,700,000 | 500,000 |
| Nicholas Haynes | 3,000,000 | 0 |
Friday, May 31, 2019 2:01 PM Local Time
Level 33 started
Level: 33
Blinds: 125000/250000
Ante: 250000
Friday, May 31, 2019 2:00 PM Local Time
Hands #138-139: Haynes Jams Twice; Break Time
Hand #138: Nicholas Haynes jammed for 2,050,000 in the small blind, and Isaac Hanson folded his big blind.
Hand #139: Haynes jammed for 2,450,000 on the button, and everyone folded.
The final three players are off on a fifteen-minute break.
| Isaac Hanson | 11,200,000 | 700,000 |
| Jorge Ruiz | 3,200,000 | 0 |
| Nicholas Haynes | 3,000,000 | 0 |
Friday, May 31, 2019 1:59 PM Local Time
Hands #133-137: Haynes Doubles Up Through Ruiz
Hand #133: Isaac Hanson raised to 600,000 on the small blind, and Jorge Ruiz called on the blig blind.
The flop came , Hanson checked and Ruiz fired for 900,000. Hanson re-raised to 5.05 million, and Ruiz folded.
Hand #134: Jorge Ruiz limped on the small blind and Nicholas Haynes jammed for 825,000. Ruiz folded and Haynes took it down.
Hand #135: Jorge Ruiz open shoved for 3.95 million on the button, and both blinds folded.
Hand #136: The action folded to Jorge Ruiz in the big blind, who took down an uncontested pot.
Hand #137: Jorge Ruiz opened for 925,000 on the small blind, and Nicholas Haynes called for his 725,000.
Jorge Ruiz:
Nicholas Haynes:
Haynes hit a set on the flop of , and the board ran out and , giving Haynes the double up through Ruiz.
| Jorge Ruiz | 3,200,000 | -2,600,000 |
| Nicholas Haynes | 3,000,000 | 2,000,000 |
Friday, May 31, 2019 1:49 PM Local Time
Hands #127-132: Haynes Getting Short
Hand #127: Jorge Ruiz got a walk in the big blind.
Hand #128: Isaac Hanson raised to 450,000 on the button, and everyone folded.
Hand #129: Hanson got a walk in the big blind.
Hand #130: Ruiz got a walk in the big blind.
Hand #131: Ruiz raised to 600,000 in the small blind, and Nicholas Haynes folded in the big blind.
Hand #132: Ruiz raised to 800,000 on the button, and Hanson three-bet shoved for 6,650,000 million effective in the big blind. Ruiz thought for a few moments, then folded to the delight of Hanson's rail.
| Isaac Hanson | 10,500,000 | 900,000 |
| Jorge Ruiz | 5,800,000 | -400,000 |
| Nicholas Haynes | 1,000,000 | -2,600,000 |
Friday, May 31, 2019 1:47 PM Local Time
Hands #122-126:
Hand #122: Jorge Ruiz raised to 600,000 from the small blind, and Isaac Haynes came along on the big blind.
The flop came , and Ruiz checked. Haynes fired a 600,000 bet, and Ruiz put in the check-raise to 2.83 million, his entire remaining stack, Haynes folded and Ruiz took down the pot.
Hand #123: Nicholas Haynes open shoved for 2.23 million from the small blind and took down the pot.
Hand #124: Isaac Hanson limped from the small blind and Jorge Ruiz checked back from the big blind. came on the flop and the action checked through. The came on the turn, Hanson bet 325,000 and Ruiz called.
The river came , Hanson checked, and Ruiz bet 700,000, prompting Hanson to fold.
Hand #125: Jorge Ruiz limped the small blind and Isaac Haynes checked back. The action checked through on the flop, and Ruiz took down the pot with a bet on the turn.
Hand #126: Nicholas Haynes limped on the small blind, and Isaac Hanson checked his big blind. came on the flop, Haynes checked, Hanson bet 410,000, and Haynes folded.
| Isaac Hanson | 9,600,000 | -400,000 |
| Jorge Ruiz | 6,200,000 | 2,400,000 |
Friday, May 31, 2019 1:37 PM Local Time
Hands #116-121: Ruiz Fighting Back
Hand #116: Isaac Hanson raised to 400,000 on the button, and Nicholas Haynes called in the big blind.
The flop was checked by Haynes, and Hanson checked back.
The fell on the turn, and Haynes checked again. Hanson bet 675,000 and Haynes called.
On the river, both players checked, and Hanson won with .
Hand #117: Jorge Ruiz raised to 475,000 on the button, and Hanson called in the big blind.
The flop was checked by Hanson, and Ruiz bet 700,000. Hanson folded.
Hand #118: Hanson raised to 600,000 from the small blind, and Ruiz folded his big blind.
Hand #119: Hanson raised to 450,000 from the button, and Jorge Ruiz three-bet shoved for 3,370,000 in the small blind. Hanson folded.
Hand #120: Haynes raised to 550,000 from the small blind, and Hanson folded his big blind.
Hand #121: Hanson raised to 600,000 from the small blind, and Ruiz folded his big blind.
| Isaac Hanson | 10,000,000 | 200,000 |
| Jorge Ruiz | 3,800,000 | 800,000 |
| Nicholas Haynes | 3,600,000 | 0 |
Friday, May 31, 2019 1:36 PM Local Time
Jesse Kertland Eliminated in 4th Place ($18,785)
Hand #115: Jesse Kertland open shoved for 1.7 million from the cutoff, and Nicholas Haynes re-raised for his 2.8 million stack from the button. Both blinds folded and the showdown ensued, with Kertland in bad shape against Haynes' pocket aces.
Jesse Kertland:
Nicholas Haynes:
The flop came , giving Kertland some hope as he picked up a pair. The turn and river ran out and , however, sending Kertland to the rail in fourth place.
| Nicholas Haynes | 3,600,000 | -100,000 |
| Jesse Kertland | 0 | -1,700,000 |
Friday, May 31, 2019 1:32 PM Local Time
Hand #114: Haynes' Raise Gets Through
Hand #114: Jorge Ruiz raised to 450,000 from the cutoff. Nicholas Haynes three-bet for his last 1.95 million from the small blind, and the action folded back to Ruiz. Ruiz folded, and Haynes scooped the pot.
| Nicholas Haynes | 3,700,000 | 1,700,000 |
| Jorge Ruiz | 3,000,000 | -900,000 |
Friday, May 31, 2019 1:26 PM Local Time
Hands #111-113: Hanson Gets Kings
Hand #111: Jorge Ruiz got a walk in the big blind.
Hand #112: Ruiz raised to 405,000 in the small blind, and Jesse Kertland folded in the big blind.
Hand #113: Isaac Hanson raised to 400,000 from under the gun, and Nicholas Haynes called in the big blind.
The flop was checked by both players, as was the turn. The river was quickly checked through, and Hanson won the pot with .
Friday, May 31, 2019 1:24 PM Local Time
Level 32 started
Level: 32
Blinds: 100000/200000
Ante: 200000
Friday, May 31, 2019 1:24 PM Local Time
Hands #109-110: Last Hands of the Level; Hanson Approaching Ten Million
Hand #109: Isaac Hanson raised to 350,000 from under the gun, and Jorge Ruiz three-bet shoved for 2,700,000 on the button. Hanson folded.
Hand #110: Nicholas Haynes limped in from the small blind, and Hanson raised to 460,000 in the big blind. Haynes folded.
| Isaac Hanson | 9,800,000 | 700,000 |
| Jorge Ruiz | 3,900,000 | 400,000 |
| Nicholas Haynes | 2,000,000 | -600,000 |
| Jesse Kertland | 1,700,000 | -500,000 |
Friday, May 31, 2019 1:17 PM Local Time
Hands #104-108
Hand #104: Nicholas Haynes raised to 350,000 on the cutoff, and Isaac Hanson three-bet all -in for his remaining 3.19 million from the button. Both blinds folded, and Haynes thought about it for a minute before folding.
Hand #105: Isaac Hanson raised to 350,000 from the cutoff, and all other players folded.
Hand #106: Jorge Ruiz open shoved for his stack of 2.3 million from the cutoff, and all other players folded.
Hand #107: All players folded to Jorge Ruiz in the big blind.
Hand #108: Nicholas Haynes raised to 350,000 from the cutoff, and Jesse Kertland called from the big blind.
The flop came , and Kertland checked. Haynes fired for 510,000, and Kertland folded.
| Nicholas Haynes | 3,000,000 | -200,000 |
| Jesse Kertland | 2,300,000 | -900,000 |
Friday, May 31, 2019 1:07 PM Local Time
Hands #99-103: Ruiz Jams
Hand #99: Jorge Ruiz got a walk in the big blind.
Hand #100: Isaac Hanson raised to 350,000 on the button, and everyone folded.
Hand #101: Ruiz jammed for 1,900,000 on the button, and everyone folded.
Hand #102: Nicholas Haynes raised to 350,000 from the small blind, and Hanson folded his big blind.
Hand #103: Ruiz got a walk in the big blind.
| Isaac Hanson | 8,600,000 | -400,000 |
| Jesse Kertland | 3,200,000 | -500,000 |
| Nicholas Haynes | 3,200,000 | 0 |
| Jorge Ruiz | 2,400,000 | 100,000 |