Wednesday, June 26, 2019 1:43 AM Local Time
Kevin Gerhart Dominates $1,500 Razz Final Table to Win First WSOP Bracelet and $119,054
Kevin Gerhart eliminated the last five players and six in total at the final table of Event #54: $1,500 Razz to win $119,054 in prize money and his first WSOP gold bracelet.
Gerhart topped a field of 363 players to take home the top prize, defeating Brazilian Sergio Braga heads-up after a rollercoaster final table.
After three final tables in as many nights, Braga's rail was the latest of many Brazilian final table rails at this year's WSOP. It's been a record-breaking summer for Brazilian poker that has seen them reach ten final tables - beating the record of eight set last year - and take home two bracelets. But the plaudits go to Gerhart, who managed to navigate a tough final table that included 2019 bracelet winners Robert Campbell and Scott Clements to take down the tournament.
Final Standings
| Place | Name | Country | Payout |
|---|
| 1 | Kevin Gerhart | United States | $119,054 |
| 2 | Sergio Braga | Brazil | $73,577 |
| 3 | Joseph Hoffman | United States | $49,762 |
| 4 | Andres Korn | Argentina | $34,352 |
| 5 | Jean Said | Senegal | $24,216 |
| 6 | Scott Clements | United States | $17,440 |
| 7 | Robert Campbell | Australia | $12,837 |
| 8 | Grzegorz Wyraz | Poland | $9,663 |
| 9 | Christopher Kusha | United States | $7,441 |
Final Table
A Day of Firsts
"First razz tournament, first bracelet," Gerhart told PokerNews shortly after securing victory. "I mean I've played a bunch of other tournaments with razz, but this is the first razz tournament [at the WSOP]."
"I felt great the entire time. There were three other tough players at the final table and they got knocked out early. I felt like it was my tournament to win or lose at that point."
So what's next for the WSOP's latest bracelet winner?
"I don't know what's next I'll have to look at the schedule. This is my eight cash of the summer and my third Day 3. So whatever's next is what I'm in," Gerhart paused. "The $10,000 Razz, maybe."
Kevin Gerhart
Final Day Recap
It didn't take long on the final day's play to get down to a final table. Gary Benson (15th - $3,919), Jennifer Tilly (12th - $5,866) and Mike Ross (11th - $5,866) all hit the rail as Brazilian Sergio Braga lead the final nine players.
The final table was a rollercoaster. Short stack Christopher Kusha was the first elimination, sent to the rail by Robert Campbell with Campbell, Scott Clements, Jean Said and Kevin Gerhart each trying to gain a decisive chip lead but nearly always tumbled back through the pack.
Gerhart looked the most likely, and after he eliminated Grzegorz Wyraz he moved to top spot in the chip counts.
Two players at the final table were looking for their second bracelet of the summer. Robert Campbell won the $1,500 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball for $144,027, while Scott Clements took down the $1,500 Dealers Choice event for $144,957.
Scott Clements
However, the pair were eliminated in seventh and sixth respectively either side of the dinner break, both by Gerhart who tightened his grip on the chip lead. Afterwards, Gerhart said that once Clements was eliminated, "Scott's aggressive nature definitely hindered the rest of the tournament and their ability to play, so when he got knocked out I felt like I was the best player left and I just needed to take this down."
Said was second in chips at the dinner break, but the tumultuous nature of Razz took its tole and he was also sent to the rail by Gerhart.
With half the chips in play, Gerhart was in control. He added the elimination of Andres Korn in fourth and looked like walking to the title. However, Braga doubled through him and Joseph Hoffman stuck around to keep things uncertain short-handed.
But when Hoffman was sent to the rail in third, Gerhart held a commanding chip lead against Braga. The Brazilian, buoyed by a raucous partisan rail doubled numerous times but remained short after all of them.
"To win a poker tournament you have to run hotter than the sun. I still can't believe it's over. I had [Braga] all in three times and he doubled up all three times. On the fourth one, he called it off incorrectly and that was it."
"I'm one of the elites now with a bracelet," said Gerhart. "My goal this summer was to make a final table. And then at my first final table, to win a bracelet...that's unreal."
Kevin Gerhart will have plenty more chances to win another WSOP bracelet this summer and become the only player to win a second bracelet at this 50th annual World Series of Poker as things stand. The PokerNews team will bring you updates from every bracelet event throughout the summer.
Kevin Gerhart and Sergio Braga
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 1:31 AM Local Time
Sergio Braga Eliminated in 2nd Place ($73,577)
Sergio Braga: / /
Kevin Gerhart: / /
Sergio Braga brought in and put 30,000 in front of him and Kevin Gerhart just called. They got each other's cards on fourth street and both players checked this time. Braga bet 200,000 on fifth and he was called by Gerhart.
Gerhart led out on sixth when he got the lead and he was called. Braga had less than a big bet behind.
Gerhart bet another time on seventh to put the Brazilian player all in. He tanked for a minute before calling and Gerhart showed for a sixty-five and he got up from his chair because he knew he won the bracelet when Braga showed .
Braga was eliminated in 2nd place for $73,577 and Gerhart takes home his first WSOP gold bracelet and $119,054.
| Kevin Gerhart | 4,300,000 | 650,000  |
| Sergio Braga | 0 | -650,000  |
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 1:12 AM Local Time
Level 30 started
Level: 30
Blinds: 100,000/200,000
Ante: 20,000
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 1:08 AM Local Time
Braga Doubles Again
Kevin Gerhart: / /
Sergio Braga: / /
It was all in on third street and by sixth street Kevin Gerhart had made a queen against the queen-jack of Braga.
Braga improved to a jack-six on the seventh street, and Gerhart could improve also. However, he paired his and Braga doubled his 310,000 stack.
| Kevin Gerhart | 3,650,000 | -150,000 |
| Sergio Braga | 650,000 | 150,000 |
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 1:02 AM Local Time
Braga Loses Some, Then Doubles
Sergio Braga lost a pot to Kevin Gerhart and was left with 1,5 big bets but he just managed to double up. Braga ended up with for a ten-six and Gerhart caught .
Braga is now at 500,000 which is roughly three big bets.
| Kevin Gerhart | 3,800,000 | 50,000 |
| Sergio Braga | 500,000 | -50,000 |
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 12:43 AM Local Time
Gerhart Takes From Braga
Kevin Gerhart: / /
Sergio Braga: / /
Kevin Gerhart has had the highest card most of the times and he had to bring in most of the times. This time he brought in with a jack and Sergio Braga completed with a seven.
Braga continued to bet every single street and Gerhart kept calling every single street. The only street that Braga checked on was seventh. Gerhart bet on seventh and he was called by the Brazilian.
Gerhart tabled for an eighty-six and his opponent mucked.
| Kevin Gerhart | 3,750,000 | 150,000 |
| Sergio Braga | 550,000 | -150,000 |
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 12:39 AM Local Time
Joseph Hoffman Eliminated in 3rd Place ($49,762)
Joseph Hoffman: / /
Kevin Gerhart: / /
Joseph Hoffman completed and Kevin Gerhart called. Gerhart bet on fourth street and got called. Gerhart bet on fifth street and Hoffman raised all in. Gerhart called.
Hoffman held an eight-six draw against the eight-seven draw of Gerhart. Both players made their draw on sixth street. Hoffman failed to improve on the seventh street and Gerhart would need to catch a five, six or ace to make a seven.
"We got it," he said aloud as he peeled the and sent Hoffman to the rail in third place.
Joseph Hoffman and Kevin Gerhart| Kevin Gerhart | 3,600,000 | 1,000,000 |
| Sergio Braga | 700,000 | -400,000 |
| Joseph Hoffman | 0 | -600,000 |
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 12:36 AM Local Time
Hoffman the Shortest Stack
Joseph Hoffman: / /
Kevin Gerhart: / /
Joseph Hoffman completed and called a raise from Kevin Gerhart. Gerhart bet on fourth street and Hoffman called. Hoffman check-called on fifth street and bet on sixth street.
Hoffman called and the pair checked seventh street. Gerhart showed [jhx8x2x] and won the pot.
| Kevin Gerhart | 2,600,000 | 600,000 |
| Sergio Braga | 1,100,000 | -100,000 |
| Joseph Hoffman | 600,000 | -500,000 |
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 12:31 AM Local Time
Updated Counts
The players are mostly passing around the chips and pots are kept small. Joseph Hoffman has been pulling the short straw so far. He lost a pot where Kevin Gerhart hit the perfect card on seventh street to beat Hoffman.
| Kevin Gerhart | 2,000,000 | 75,000 |
| Sergio Braga | 1,200,000 | 50,000 |
| Joseph Hoffman | 1,100,000 | -150,000 |
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 12:13 AM Local Time
Level 29 started
Level: 29
Blinds: 80,000/160,000
Ante: 20,000
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 12:00 AM Local Time
Chip Counts at the Break
Players are going on another 15-minute break.
| Kevin Gerhart | 1,925,000 | -475,000 |
| Joseph Hoffman | 1,250,000 | 550,000 |
| Sergio Braga | 1,150,000 | -50,000 |
Tuesday, June 25, 2019 11:52 PM Local Time
Hoffman Slipping
Joseph Hoffman: / /
Kevin Gerhart: / /
Kevin Gerhart bet on fourth street and Joseph Hoffman called. Hoffman bet on fifth street and Gerhart called. Hoffman check-called on sixth street and both players checked seventh street.
Gerhart showed for a nine-eight and won the pot.
| Kevin Gerhart | 2,400,000 | 425,000 |
| Sergio Braga | 1,200,000 | 200,000 |
| Joseph Hoffman | 700,000 | -150,000 |
Tuesday, June 25, 2019 11:48 PM Local Time
Braga Wins Against Gerhart
Kevin Gerhart: / /
Sergio Braga: / /
Kevin Gerhart and Sergio Braga both had two bets in the middle before fourth street was dealt. Both players checked on fourth and it was Braga who fired a bet on fifth. Gerhart called and both players checked on sixth again.
Gerhart called another 120,000 bet on seventh and Braga showed for a ninety-eight.
| Kevin Gerhart | 1,975,000 | -675,000 |
| Sergio Braga | 1,000,000 | 200,000 |
Tuesday, June 25, 2019 11:42 PM Local Time
Hoffman Gets Some Back
Joseph Hoffman: / /
Kevin Gerhart: / /
Joseph Hoffman completed and Kevin Gerhart called. Hoffman bet on fourth and fifth street with Gerhart calling both streets.
The pair checked sixth and seventh street. Hoffman showed for a nine-six low and won the pot.
| Kevin Gerhart | 2,650,000 | -150,000 |
| Joseph Hoffman | 850,000 | 350,000 |
| Sergio Braga | 800,000 | -200,000 |
Tuesday, June 25, 2019 11:33 PM Local Time
Gerhart Leaves Hoffman With a Few Big Bets
Kevin Gerhart: / /
Joseph Hoffman: / /
Sergio Braga: / (Folded on fifth street)
Sergio Braga opened the action when he brought in with an and Joseph Hoffman completed with a five showing. Kevin Gerhart called and so did Braga.
Hoffman led out with a bet on fourth and he was called by both players. Hoffman also fired a bet on fifth and Gerhart called. Braga got out of the way when he caught a queen.
Hoffman also fired on sixth street and Gerhart called again. Hoffman check-called on seventh and Gerhart showed for a seven-six-four and Hoffman showed for seven-six-five.
| Kevin Gerhart | 2,600,000 | 600,000 |
| Joseph Hoffman | 370,000 | -530,000 |
Tuesday, June 25, 2019 11:25 PM Local Time
Braga Doubles Through Gerhart
Kevin Gerhart: / /
Sergio Braga: / /
Kevin Gerhart completed and called a raise from Sergio Braga. Gerhart check-called on fourth, fifth and sixth street before check-raising Braga on seventh street.
Braga thought before calling. Gerhart announced eight-six with but Braga had him pipped with eight-five and
| Kevin Gerhart | 2,000,000 | -700,000 |
| Sergio Braga | 1,400,000 | 700,000 |
| Joseph Hoffman | 900,000 | 0 |
Tuesday, June 25, 2019 11:20 PM Local Time
Andres Korn Eliminated in 4th Place ($34,352)
Andres Korn and Kevin Gerhart got their money in on fifth street and Andres Korn was the player at risk of elimination. Both players had an already scary looking board.
Gerhart had / and Korn was playing / . Gerhart found the and and Korn needed to hit. He didn't on the and and he was eliminated from the tournament in fourth place.
Korn collected $34,352 for his fourth-place finish while Gerhart has a commanding chip lead with 3-handed play starting.
| Kevin Gerhart | 2,700,000 | 600,000 |
| Joseph Hoffman | 900,000 | -250,000 |
| Sergio Braga | 700,000 | -50,000 |
| Andres Korn | 0 | -550,000 |
Tuesday, June 25, 2019 11:12 PM Local Time
Korn Doubles Through Braga
Andres Korn: / /
Sergio Braga: (order unclear)
Andres Korn was all in from third street for around 300,000. Sergio Braga had made a ten-eight on seventh street with Korn drawing to a nine to stay alive.
He slammed the on the table to double up and stay alive four-handed.
| Sergio Braga | 750,000 | -300,000 |
| Andres Korn | 550,000 | 250,000 |
Tuesday, June 25, 2019 11:07 PM Local Time
Updated Chip Counts
| Kevin Gerhart | 2,100,000 | 300,000 |
| Joseph Hoffman | 1,150,000 | -50,000 |
| Sergio Braga | 1,050,000 | 180,000 |
| Andres Korn | 300,000 | -120,000 |
Tuesday, June 25, 2019 11:03 PM Local Time
Braga Takes From Korn
Sergio Braga: /
Andres Korn: /
Sergio Braga and Andres Korn both had three bets in the middle before the fourth card was dealt. Braga caught a small card while Korn had a picture card. Korn did call another bet form Braga but he folded on fifth when he caught another picture card.
| Sergio Braga | 870,000 | 170,000 |
| Andres Korn | 420,000 | -380,000 |