Monday, June 17, 2019 5:45 PM Local Time
Congratulations to Adam Friedman, Winner of Back-to-Back $10,000 Dealer's Choice Championship ($312,417)!
Just 372 days ago, Adam Friedman won his second World Series of Poker gold bracelet in the 2018 WSOP Event #18: $10,000 Dealer's Choice, and now he joins the elusive club of back-to-back winners after he successfully defended his title to win the 2019 WSOP Event #35: $10,000 Dealer's Choice Championship for $312,417 and his third career WSOP bracelet.
"This year definitely means more (than last year). Being able to repeat in what I still believe is the most difficult of the $10k's to play," said Friedman after the win.
"The players who I love playing with in these tournaments are the no-limit big-bet players. Several players, they're phenomenal, but when you get them playing hands in Badeucey and Badacey, they don't know the basics. It's free chips in a lot of situations. Whereas no-limit, they'll have a tiny edge but I don't have to play a pot whatsoever unless I have it, but if you can't help yourself and you don't know what the starting hands are, I'm going to win so much more than you could ever win in a no-limit hand."
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|
| 1st | Adam Friedman | United States | $312,417 |
| 2nd | Shaun Deeb | United States | $193,090 |
| 3rd | Matt Glantz | United States | $139,126 |
| 4th | David Moskowitz | United States | $100,440 |
| 5th | Michael McKenna | United States | $72,653 |
| 6th | Nick Schulman | United States | $52,656 |
Four days ago a total of 122 players took a seat in the fifth installment of the Dealer's Choice Championship to create a prize pool of $1,146,800 that would pay the top 19 spots. Each player would be tested on their all-around skills over a variety of flop, draw, and stud games, and with 20 games to choose from, players needed to apply both their skills to actual gameplay along with game selection as they looked to gain edges over the competition.
With the money being reached during the middle stages on Day 2, WSOP bracelet winners Chris Klodnicki (16th), Max Pescatori (13th), Matthew Schreiber (12th) were all eliminated before play ended. When play resumed on Day 3, Jeff Lisandro (10th), Bryce Yockey (8th), and Phillip Hui (7th) all fell short of the final table.
With players down to the final six and play expected to end for the day, Nick Schulman asked to keep playing because he was short, and he was eliminated the very next hand to leave the final five to play out the level before break. When players returned, WSOP Tournament Supervisor Dennis Jones ruled that play would conclude and the final five would return on Monday to play down to a winner.
Final Day Action
Shaun Deeb led the final five players into the last day of play, and out of the gate, the action was a little spicy as Michael McKenna called clock on Deeb after thinking about a decision for 20 seconds. As Matt Glantz and David Moskowitz saw their chip stacks slowly dwindle, it would be McKenna becoming the first player eliminated. During a pot-limit 2-7 Triple Draw orbit, McKenna three-bet shoved all in after the first draw and ran into Deeb's . McKenna was drawing live with his , but after he bricked two draws, failing to find a five or a six, he was eliminated in fifth place.
Moskowitz would be eliminated in fourth place when during his game of choice - Pot-Limit Omaha - he committed what remained of his stack with double-suited tens but ran into Friedman's single-suited kings. Although Moskowitz flopped a straight draw, he was unable to improve and collected $100,440 for his efforts.
With just three players remaining and Glantz the severe short stack, it would be Friedman who began his ascent up the leaderboard in two big no-limit hold'em hands against Deeb. The first saw him bet big on the river to force Deeb to fold the second-nut straight, and the other saw him bet big on the river again and Deeb folded as Friedman climbed over the 4-million-chip mark. Just a few hands later, Glantz would be eliminated in third place during a 2-7 Triple Draw orbit when he was all in pre-draw and couldn't outdraw Deeb, who made a ten-eight on the second draw.
Heads-Up Play Begins
With Friedman holding a slight lead over Deeb, the first hand of heads-up play saw Friedman extend the gap and hold onto it for the majority of the next game selections. Deeb managed to claw back to take the chip lead on a few occasions, but Friedman continually kept snatching it back as he balanced aggression and patience throughout the heads-up match. As players were about to head to break, one final hand of no-limit hold'em was dealt and it would be the last of the tournament.
In a three-bet pot, Deeb continuation-bet an eight-seven-four rainbow flop, only to see Friedman raise. Deeb called, and then check-called a bet when a seven paired the turn. A jack hit the river and after a Deeb check, Friedman moved all in having the four-time WSOP bracelet winner covered. Deeb called off and tabled ace-jack offsuit for jacks-up. Friedman tabled his eight-seven offsuit for a full house, and Deeb was eliminated in second place.
Champion Adam Friedman with his parents Donna and Marc Friedman
Friedman has now accomplished one of the rarest feats not only at the WSOP but in all of poker history - going back-to-back to defend a title. Friedman topped the 111-player field in 2018, and now the 122-player field in 2019 to join a list that includes the likes of Johnny Moss, Doyle Brunson, Stu Ungar, Johnny Chan, James Moore, Thang Luu, and Phil Hellmuth that have successfully defended a WSOP bracelet.
"In terms of poker accomplishments, this is my second best poker accomplishment I've ever done. It will never touch my number one (never going broke) in terms of poker. Accomplishments are nice, but like I said last year at the end of the day it's just about being able to build a foundation, build enough stake, and being able to take care of myself and if I can keep investing my money along the way, which I do quite frequently, I'm pretty sure old Adam will be taken care of quite well."
At the final table, Friedman chose a wide variety of games in comparison to his opponents. Friedman was also very balanced in game selection in 2018 when he battled Alexey Makarov (3rd) and Stuart Rutter (2nd) before he collected the victory during the Stud Hi-Lo orbit.
"You've got to be able to play all 20 games, and the ones that you aren't experienced in you have to have basic common sense in. You've got to be prepared for anything."
Adam Friedman's Final Table Game Choices
| Pick: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|
| | Badeucey | 2-7 TD | Big O | Big O | 2-7 TD | Big O | 2-7 TD | 2-7 TD | 2-7 TD | NL 2-7 SD |
| Pick: | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
|---|
| | 2-7 TD | 2-7 TD | 2-7 TD | Badeucey | Big O | Stud | Stud | Badacey | Hold'em | Badacey |
| Pick: | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | | |
|---|
| | Stud Hi-Lo | Badeucey | Big O | Stud Hi-Lo | Badacey | Big O | Big O | Badacey | | |
Congratulations to Adam Friedman on winning his third WSOP bracelet and going back-to-back in the Dealer's Choice Championship.
Stay tuned right here to PokerNews.com as we continue to provide live coverage of all the events from the 2019 World Series of Poker.
Monday, June 17, 2019 5:41 PM Local Time
Final Table Game Choices
| | David Moskowitz | Nick Schulman | Shaun Deeb | Matt Glantz | Michael McKenna | Adam Friedman |
|---|
| Pick 1 | PLO | Omaha Hi-Lo | 5-Card Draw High | Razz | Stud Hi-Lo Regular | Badeucey |
| Pick 2 | PLO | -- | NLH | Hold'em | Stud Hi-Lo Regular | 2-7 TD |
| Pick 3 | PLO | -- | NLH | Omaha | Big O | Big O |
| Pick 4 | PLO | -- | NLH | PL 2-7 TD | -- | Big O |
| Pick 5 | -- | -- | NLH | NLH | -- | 2-7 TD |
| Pick 6 | -- | -- | NLH | NLH | -- | Big O |
| Pick 7 | -- | -- | NLH | NLH | -- | 2-7 TD |
| Pick 8 | -- | -- | NLH | NLH | -- | 2-7 TD |
| Pick 9 | -- | -- | NLH | NLH | -- | 2-7 TD |
| Pick 10 | -- | -- | NLH | NLH | -- | NL 2-7 SD |
| Pick 11 | -- | -- | NLH | NLH | -- | 2-7 TD |
| Pick 12 | -- | -- | NLH | NLH | -- | 2-7 TD |
| Pick 13 | -- | -- | NLH* | NLH | -- | 2-7 TD |
| Pick 14 | -- | -- | PL 2-7 TD | -- | -- | Badeucey |
| Pick 15 | -- | -- | PL 2-7 TD | -- | -- | Big O |
| Pick 16 | -- | -- | PL 2-7 TD | -- | -- | Stud |
| Pick 17 | -- | -- | PL 2-7 TD | -- | -- | Stud |
| Pick 18 | -- | -- | Badugi | -- | -- | Badacey |
| Pick 19 | -- | -- | Badugi | -- | -- | Hold'em |
| Pick 20 | -- | -- | NLH | -- | -- | Badacey |
| Pick 21 | -- | -- | 5-Card Draw High | -- | -- | Stud Hi-Lo |
| Pick 22 | -- | -- | 5-Card Draw High | -- | -- | Badeucey |
| Pick 23 | -- | -- | 5-Card Draw High | -- | -- | Big O |
| Pick 24 | -- | -- | NLH | -- | -- | Stud Hi-Lo |
| Pick 25 | -- | -- | NLH | -- | -- | Badacey |
| Pick 26 | -- | -- | NLH | -- | -- | Big O |
| Pick 27 | -- | -- | NLH | -- | -- | Big O |
| Pick 28 | -- | -- | NLH | -- | -- | Badacey |
Note: Matt Glantz picked the first game at the final table.
* First game chosen during heads-up play was No-Limit Hold'em by Shaun Deeb as his 13th pick.
Monday, June 17, 2019 5:07 PM Local Time
Adam Friedman Wins Event #35: $10,000 Dealer's Choice Championship ($312,417); Shaun Deeb Eliminated in 2nd Place ($193,090)
No-Limit Hold'em
On the last hand of the level, Adam Friedman raised to 60,000 from the button. Shaun Deeb three-bet to 250,000 from the big blind and Friedman called.
The flop was , Deeb continued for 175,000, Friedman raised to 530,000 and Deeb called.
The turn was the , Deeb checked, Friedman bet 670,000 and Deeb called after about 30 seconds.
The river was the , Deeb checked, Friedman shoved for effectively 1,725,000 and Deeb called all in after about 15 seconds with for jacks and sevens.
Friedman, though, turned up for sevens full of eights to win the Dealer's Choice Championship for the second straight year.
Champion Adam Friedman| Adam Friedman | 7,320,000 | 3,210,000  |
| Shaun Deeb | 0 | -3,210,000  |
Monday, June 17, 2019 5:02 PM Local Time
7 and a 6 for Friedman
Badacey
Shaun Deeb raised on the button and Adam Friedman called. Both players drew three and Friedman bet out.
Deeb called and stood pat after Friedman drew two. Friedman checked dark, and Deeb bet 120,000. Friedman check-raised to 240,000 and Deeb called.
Friedman drew one and Deeb stood pat. Friedman bet and Deeb called.
Friedman tabled his for a seven-low and a six-dugi, and Deeb mucked.
| Adam Friedman | 4,110,000 | 390,000 |
| Shaun Deeb | 3,210,000 | -390,000 |
Monday, June 17, 2019 4:59 PM Local Time
Friedman Back in a Slight Lead
No-Limit Hold'em
Shaun Deeb raised to 75,000 from the button and Adam Friedman called from the big blind.
The flop was , Friedman checked, Deeb bet 60,000, Friedman check-raised to 225,000 and Deeb folded.
| Adam Friedman | 3,720,000 | 300,000 |
| Shaun Deeb | 3,600,000 | -300,000 |
Monday, June 17, 2019 4:53 PM Local Time
Straight for Deeb
Big O
Adam Friedman raised to 60,000 on the button and Shaun Deeb defended the big blind.
The flop landed and Deeb led out for 50,000 and Friedman called.
Both players checked down the and and Deeb tabled his for the nut straight and Friedman folded.
| Shaun Deeb | 3,900,000 | 250,000 |
| Adam Friedman | 3,420,000 | -250,000 |
Monday, June 17, 2019 4:50 PM Local Time
Deeb Ties It Up
No-Limit Hold'em
Adam Friedman raised to 60,000 from the button, Shaun Deeb three-bet to 250,000 from the big blind and Friedman called.
The flop was , Deeb continued for 155,000 and Friedman called.
The turn was the , Deeb bet 375,000 and Friedman called.
The river was the and both checked.
Deeb showed for eights and threes, Friedman mucked and Deeb won the pot.
| Adam Friedman | 3,670,000 | -620,000 |
| Shaun Deeb | 3,650,000 | 620,000 |
Monday, June 17, 2019 4:39 PM Local Time
Top Pair for Friedman
No-Limit Hold'em
Adam Friedman raised to 60,000 on the button and Shaun Deeb called in the big blind.
The board checked down to the river where Friedman bet 105,000.
Deeb check-raised to 400,000, and Friedman thought for over a minute before calling.
Deeb tabled his for ace-high, and Friedman tabled his for top pair to collect the pot.
| Adam Friedman | 4,290,000 | 370,000 |
| Shaun Deeb | 3,030,000 | -370,000 |
Monday, June 17, 2019 4:35 PM Local Time
Aces Up for Friedman
5-Card Draw High
Adam Friedman raised to 75,000 from the button, Shaun Deeb three-bet to 255,000 and Friedman called.
Deeb drew one, Friedman drew three, Deeb bet 100,000 and Friedman called.
Deeb showed a pair of kings, but Friedman tabled for aces and eights to win the pot.
| Adam Friedman | 3,920,000 | 500,000 |
| Shaun Deeb | 3,400,000 | -500,000 |
Monday, June 17, 2019 4:29 PM Local Time
Final Table Game Choices
| | Adam Friedman | Shaun Deeb |
|---|
| Pick 1 | Badeucey | 5-Card Draw High |
| Pick 2 | 2-7 TD | NLH |
| Pick 3 | Big O | NLH |
| Pick 4 | Big O | NLH |
| Pick 5 | 2-7 TD | NLH |
| Pick 6 | Big O | NLH |
| Pick 7 | 2-7 TD | NLH |
| Pick 8 | 2-7 TD | NLH |
| Pick 9 | 2-7 TD | NLH |
| Pick 10 | NL 2-7 SD | NLH |
| Picks 11-13 | 2-7 TD | NLH |
| Pick 14 | Badeucey | PL 2-7 TD |
| Pick 15 | Big O | PL 2-7 TD |
| Picks 16-17 | Stud | PL 2-7 TD |
| Pick 18 | Badacey | Badugi |
| Pick 19 | Hold'em | Badugi |
| Pick 20 | Badacey | NLH |
| Pick 21 | Stud Hi-Lo | 5-Card Draw High |
| Pick 22 | Badeucey | 5-Card Draw High |
| Pick 23 | Big O | 5-Card Draw High |
* First game chosen during heads-up play was No-Limit Hold'em by Shaun Deeb as his 13th pick.
Monday, June 17, 2019 4:22 PM Local Time
Deeb into the Lead with Aces-Up
5-Card Draw High
Adam Friedman raised the button 75,000 and Shaun Deeb three-bet the big blind to 255,000.
Friedman called and both players drew one.
Deeb bet 325,000 and Friedman called. Deeb tabled his for aces-up, and Friedman showed and then mucked.
| Shaun Deeb | 3,900,000 | 500,000 |
| Adam Friedman | 3,420,000 | -500,000 |
Monday, June 17, 2019 4:20 PM Local Time
Seven-Seven for Deeb
Badacey
Shaun Deeb raised from the button and Adam Friedman called from the big blind.
Friedman drew three, Deeb drew two and Friedman check-raised Deeb's bet. Deeb called.
Both drew one and Friedman check-called a bet from Deeb.
Friedman drew one, Deeb stood pat and Friedman check-called a bet.
Deeb tabled for a seven-seven, Friedman mucked and Deeb won the pot.
| Adam Friedman | 3,920,000 | -140,000 |
| Shaun Deeb | 3,400,000 | 140,000 |
Monday, June 17, 2019 4:11 PM Local Time
Ten-Dugi for Friedman
Badugi
Adam Friedman raised to 120,000 from the button and Shaun Deeb called in the big blind as both players drew two.
Deeb led out for 60,000 and Friedman called. Both players drew one, and Deeb bet.
Friedman raised to 240,000 and Deeb called and drew one as Friedman stood pat.
Deeb checked, Friedman bet, and Deeb called. Friedman tabled his and Deeb mucked.
| Adam Friedman | 4,060,000 | 530,000 |
| Shaun Deeb | 3,260,000 | -530,000 |
Monday, June 17, 2019 4:09 PM Local Time
Two Pair for Deeb
Hold'em
Shaun Deeb raised to 120,000 and Adam Friedman called in the big blind.
The flop landed and Friedman check-called 60,000 from Deeb.
The turn fell the and Friedman checked again. Deeb bet 120,000, and Friedman called.
Both players checked the on the river, and Friedman tabled his . Deeb revealed his for two pair and won the pot.
| Shaun Deeb | 3,790,000 | 390,000 |
| Adam Friedman | 3,530,000 | -390,000 |
Monday, June 17, 2019 4:06 PM Local Time
Deeb Gets a River Fold
Hold'em
Adam Friedman raised from the button, Shaun Deeb three-bet from the big blind and Friedman called.
The flop was , Deeb continued for Friedman called.
The turn was the , Deeb bet and Friedman called.
The river was the , Deeb bet and Friedman folded.
| Adam Friedman | 3,920,000 | -445,000 |
| Shaun Deeb | 3,400,000 | 445,000 |
Monday, June 17, 2019 4:00 PM Local Time
Friedman Bets Out Deeb
Pot-Limit 2-7 Triple Draw
Shaun Deeb raised to 90,000 on the button and Adam Friedman called in the big blind and both players drew two.
Friedman bet out 125,000 and Deeb called. Both players drew one, and when Friedman bet 350,000, Deeb folded.
| Adam Friedman | 4,365,000 | 115,000 |
| Shaun Deeb | 2,955,000 | -115,000 |
Monday, June 17, 2019 3:58 PM Local Time
Friedman Wins After the Second Draw
Pot-Limit 2-7 Triple Draw
Adam Friedman raised to 75,000 on the button and Shaun Deeb called in the big blind and drew three to Friedman's two.
Deeb check-called 100,000 and drew two as Friedman drew one.
Deeb checked, Friedman bet 200,000, and Deeb folded.
| Adam Friedman | 4,250,000 | 285,000 |
| Shaun Deeb | 3,070,000 | -285,000 |
Monday, June 17, 2019 3:54 PM Local Time
Deeb Wins a Big One in Stud
Stud
Shaun Deeb: / /
Adam Friedman: / /
Shaun Deeb was the bring in, Adam Friedman completed and Deeb called.
Friedman check-called bets on fourth and fifth before both checked on sixth.
Friedman bet on seventh, Deeb raised and Friedman called.
Deeb tabled for a seven-high straight, Friedman mucked and Deeb won the pot.
| Adam Friedman | 3,965,000 | -880,000 |
| Shaun Deeb | 3,355,000 | 880,000 |
Monday, June 17, 2019 3:46 PM Local Time
Full House for Friedman
Stud
Shaun Deeb: / /
Adam Friedman: / /
Shawn Deeb was the bring in, Adam Friedman completed, Deeb raised and Friedman called.
Deeb made an open pair on fourth street and double bet. Friedman called.
Friedman took the on-board lead on fifth street with an open pair and checked. Deeb checked behind.
Friedman made an open two pair on sixth street and bet. Deeb called.
Friedman bet on seventh and Deeb called.
"I've got it," said Friedman, as he showed for sevens full of fours. Deeb mucked.
| Adam Friedman | 4,845,000 | 635,000 |
| Shaun Deeb | 2,475,000 | -635,000 |
Monday, June 17, 2019 3:40 PM Local Time
Flush for Deeb
Big O
Shaun Deeb raised to 90,000 from the button and Adam Friedman called in the big blind.
The flop landed and Friedman checked. Deeb bet 100,000 and Friedman called before the and checked through.
Friedman tabled his , but it would be Deeb's for a flush that would earn him the pot.
| Adam Friedman | 4,210,000 | -290,000 |
| Shaun Deeb | 3,110,000 | 290,000 |