Tuesday, December 15, 2020 12:38 PM Local Time
Hannes Speiser Eliminated in 8th Place ($109,982)
The action kicked off with a raise to 425,000 by Damian Salas in early position and Hannes Speiser opted to three-bet jam as one of the three table short stacks. Salas asked for a count and once it was deemed to be for 1,925,000, Salas made the call.
Hannes Speiser:
Damian Salas:
Speiser picked up a gutshot and counterfeit outs on the flop. The turn added more outs with the open-ended straight draw but the on the river ended his run in 8th place for $109,982.
Damian Salas | 9,900,000 | 2,100,000 |
Hannes Speiser | 0 | -2,175,000 |
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 12:35 PM Local Time
Mikolaitis Jams Up Stack
Manuel Ruivo min-raised to 400,000 only for table neighbor Dominykas Mikolaitis to jam and win the pot. Both stack sizes were nearly evened out after the hand was done and dusted.
One hand later, Brunno Botteon raised to 400,000 and claimed the blinds and big blind ante.
Brunno Botteon | 12,100,000 | 500,000 |
Dominykas Mikolaitis | 4,600,000 | 500,000 |
Manuel Ruivo | 4,400,000 | -400,000 |
Stoyan Obreshkov | 2,300,000 | -500,000 |
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 12:25 PM Local Time
Botteon Takes It on the Flop
In the entire first level there was no showdown to the river and that didn't change not in the final hand either.
Chip leader Brunno Botteon opened to 325,000 in the cutoff and he was called by Damian Salas out of the small blind. The flop brought and Salas check-folded to a bet of 275,000 by Botteon.
Salas currently sits in second place while Manuel Ruivo has dropped into the middle of the pack.
Brunno Botteon | 11,600,000 | 1,025,000 |
Damian Salas | 7,800,000 | -300,000 |
Manuel Ruivo | 4,800,000 | -475,000 |
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 12:19 PM Local Time
Salas Overbets the River
Damian Salas raised it up to 300,000 and was called by Dominykas Mikolaitis in the hijack. Once they checked the flop, Salas then bet the turn for 275,000. Mikolaitis made the call and they headed to the river.
Salas now cut out a bet of 1.35 million and Mikolaitis quickly sent his cards into the muck.
Damian Salas | 8,100,000 | 625,000 |
Dominykas Mikolaitis | 4,100,000 | -600,000 |
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 12:11 PM Local Time
More for Salas and Mikolaitis
Hannes Speiser raised to 350,000 and Damian Salas three-bet to 1.05 million on the button. Speiser gave it brief consideration and folded.
Dominykas Mikolaitis then limped the small blind and Marco Streda checked his option in the big blind. They checked the flop and Mikolaitis bet the turn for 150,000 to win the pot.
Last but not least, Ramon Miquel Munoz pushed from the small blind. It was the second open shove of the Spaniard so far and Speiser in the big blind asked for a count. The shove was for 2,275,000 and that proved to be too much for Speiser as he folded.
Damian Salas | 7,475,000 | 1,650,000 |
Dominykas Mikolaitis | 4,700,000 | 700,000 |
Marco Streda | 3,550,000 | -675,000 |
Ramon Miquel Munoz | 2,575,000 | -375,000 |
Hannes Speiser | 2,175,000 | -525,000 |
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 12:01 PM Local Time
Another Pot for Mikolaitis
The pace of play remains slow and yet another hand culminated right after the flop.
It was Dominykas Mikolaitis that min-raised from early position and he was called by Damian Salas in the big blind. The flop brought and Salas checked, Mikolaitis continued for 300,000 and that won the next pot for the Lithuanian.
Damian Salas | 5,825,000 | -475,000 |
Dominykas Mikolaitis | 4,000,000 | 675,000 |
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 11:54 AM Local Time
Two for Mikolaitis
Damian Salas raised to 350,000 and Dominykas Mikolaitis moved all in. Salas asked for a count on the shove, which happened to be for 2.5 million, however, no call followed.
One hand later, Mikolaitis raised to 300,000 in the cutoff and Hannes Speiser called in the big blind. The flop fell and Speiser opted to check-call a bet worth 275,000. On the turn, Speiser once again checked and Mikolaitis fired a second bet worth 575,000 to win the pot right there,
Damian Salas | 6,300,000 | -450,000 |
Dominykas Mikolaitis | 3,325,000 | 600,000 |
Hannes Speiser | 2,700,000 | -525,000 |
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 11:45 AM Local Time
Obreshkov Takes From Mikolaitis; Salas Three-Bets Again
Dominykas Mikolaitis opened to 300,000 from under the gun and was called by Stoyan Obreshkov on the button, who did so after plenty of consideration. Both blinds got out of the way and they headed to the flop.
Mikolaitis checked his option and Obreshkov bet 250,000 in order to win the pot.
Brunno Botteon then claimed the blinds and big blind ante with a raise to 325,000 but had to forfeit 325,000 the very next hand. Botteon's raise was met by a three-bet to 1.1 million by Damian Salas, who raked in the pot.
Brunno Botteon | 10,575,000 | 200,000 |
Damian Salas | 6,750,000 | 250,000 |
Stoyan Obreshkov | 2,800,000 | 675,000 |
Dominykas Mikolaitis | 2,725,000 | -450,000 |
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 11:36 AM Local Time
Botteon Wins Small Pot
Several hands without major action followed, they in fact didn't even reach a flop.
It was then Brunno Botteon that raised the button to 325,000 and Damian Salas defended the big blind. The flop fell and Salas opted to check, which prompted a bet worth 450,000 by Botteon. That was all it took to win the pot uncontested.
Brunno Botteon | 10,375,000 | 50,000 |
Damian Salas | 6,500,000 | -475,000 |
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 11:30 AM Local Time
First Pot to Salas
If anyone had expected a slow start to the final table they were surprised in the very first hand. Damian Salas made it 350,000 to go and Manuel Ruivo three-bet to 950,000 from one seat over in the hijack.
Salas pondered about his decision for a while and announced a reraise, making it 2 million to go eventually. Ruivo gave Salas a staredown for a few seconds and folded.
Brunno Botteon | 10,325,000 | 0 |
Damian Salas | 6,975,000 | 1,325,000 |
Manuel Ruivo | 5,275,000 | -950,000 |
Marco Streda | 4,225,000 | 0 |
Hannes Speiser | 3,225,000 | -300,000 |
Dominykas Mikolaitis | 3,175,000 | 0 |
Ramon Miquel Munoz | 2,950,000 | -75,000 |
Stoyan Obreshkov | 2,125,000 | 0 |
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 11:24 AM Local Time
Shuffle Up and Deal!
All players have received their drinks and the button has been drawn. Marco Streda will be the player on the button which means Ramon Miquel Munoz and Hannes Speiser are the two players in the blinds.
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 11:06 AM Local Time
Final Preparations Underway
The eight finalists are called onto the live stream one by one and a group picture will be taken before the action is then expected to kick off in a couple of minutes from now.
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 10:13 AM Local Time
The Seat Draw for the Final Table
The manual seat draw has been completed by the final eight players and here's how they will line up for the start of the final table.
Seat | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
1 | Marco Streda | Switzerland | 4,225,000 | 28 |
2 | Ramon Miquel Munoz | Spain | 3,025,000 | 20 |
3 | Hannes Speiser | Austria | 3,525,000 | 24 |
4 | Brunno Botteon | Brazil | 10,325,000 | 69 |
5 | Stoyan Obreshkov | Bulgaria | 2,125,000 | 14 |
6 | Damian Salas | Argentina | 5,650,000 | 38 |
7 | Manuel Ruivo | Portugal | 6,225,000 | 42 |
8 | Dominykas Mikolaitis | Lithuania | 3,175,000 | 21 |
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 9:46 AM Local Time
Welcome to the Final Table of the 2020 WSOP International Championship $10,000 Main Event
The time has come to play down to a winner in the international leg of the 2020 WSOP $10,000 Championship Main Event and eight of the nine players who qualified on GGPoker eight days ago have made the trip to the King's Resort in Rozvadov, Czech Republic. China's Peiyuan Sun has opted not to travel and thus becomes the 9th place finisher as per the rules set for the online and live poker hybrid, he earns $75,360.
All remaining eight have secured a payday of $109,982, however, each pay jump becomes significant and two millionaires will be crowned with $1,062,723 reserved for the runner-up whereas the winner takes home $1,550,969.
Brazil's Brunno Botteon made the trip to the King's Resort alongside GGPoker ambassador Felipe Ramos and leads the contenders with a stack of 10,325,000, which represents a significant lead over Portugal's Manuel Ruivo (6,225,000) and Damian Salas (5,656,000).
Switzerland's Marco Streda sits in the middle of the pack with 4,225,000 followed by Austria's Hannes Speiser (3,525,000), and the next two hopefuls are separated by just one big blind including Dominykas Mikolaitis (3,175,000) and Ramon Miquel Munoz (3,025,000). Last but not least, Stoyan Obreshkov (2,125,000) can follow in the footsteps of Stoyan Madanzhiev who won the WSOP Online $5,000 Main Event on GGPoker a few months ago.
The chip counts of all finalists have been rounded to the nearest live denomination in play and the action resumes with blinds of 75,000/150,000 and a big blind ante of 150,000. Unlike the online portion of the event, all levels last 60 minutes each until one of the finalists has accumulated all the chips.
One hour prior to the start at 11 a.m. local time, the eight finalists will draw for their seats and the action will then kick off at noon local time. The PokerNews team will be at the venue to provide all the key hands until a winner is crowned, all hands are also recorded for TV broadcast later on.
Brunno Botteon | 10,325,000 | 7,257 |
Manuel Ruivo | 6,225,000 | 11,241 |
Damian Salas | 5,650,000 | -3,528 |
Marco Streda | 4,225,000 | -7,560 |
Hannes Speiser | 3,525,000 | 9,256 |
Dominykas Mikolaitis | 3,175,000 | 9,560 |
Ramon Miquel Munoz | 3,025,000 | -10,940 |
Stoyan Obreshkov | 2,125,000 | 5,390 |
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 8:42 AM Local Time
Final Table Profile: Brunno Botteon
Brunno Botteon is no stranger to the WSOP on GGPoker, cashing 15 times during the WSOP Online between July and September. His best result came when he finished second to Fedor Holz in the $25,000 Heads Up for $622,300. Botteon also finished sixth in the $25,000 Poker Players Championship for a further $388,837.
Botteon told SuperPoker that making the final table of the World Series of Poker Main Event is the ultimate for any poker player.
"The final two tables were very tough," he said. "I was short when 11 players left with seven big blinds, but I managed to get back on top.
"Pure emotion...my year has been sensational, regardless of this result."
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 8:41 AM Local Time
Final Table Profile: Manuel Ruivo
Second in chips is Portugal's Manuel Ruivo who will be heading to King's Resort looking to secure the biggest WSOP cash of his career.
His best result so far is a sixth place finish in the 2018 Millionaire Maker for $230,120, meaning Ruivo would have to finish at least sixth.
A lover of the outdoors, including fishing, Ruivo says he is an avid watcher of movies. His favorite film? Fight Club.
And although he may have a fight on his hands with chip leader Botteon, Ruivo says that to win the Main Event would be an incredible achievement and "the pinnacle of [his] career."
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 8:40 AM Local Time
Final Table Profile: Damian Salas
Damian Salas will be a familiar face to WSOP fans after his seventh-place finish in the 2017 World Series of Poker Main Event
The father of three is a lawyer by profession, and enjoys soccer, table tennis and yoga as well as watching series such as Game of Thrones and The Queen's Gambit.
Salas says that winning the WSOP Main Event title wouldn't change much for his life, but recognises it as the highest goal a professional poker player can set for themselves.
"I have the great privilege of living how I want and sharing life with those I love. I would continue with the same life that I have, but with the joy of having fulfilled my greatest desire in my life."
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 8:39 AM Local Time
Final Table Profile: Marco Streda
Coming in at fourth place with 4,232,560 in chips is Swiss-born Marco "fullbabyfull" Streda. While there's no information on Streda to be found on The Hendon Mob, the Smart HUD on GGPoker reveals he's certainly no one-hit-wonder with $88,775 in lifetime winnings on the site.
Streda has a girlfriend, as well as a dog named "Spidy", and loves to go out with the two of them to explore the countryside. He's also a massive tennis enthusiast, a sport he's played for over 25 years. Admittedly, he's not as good as his countryman Roger Federer, but he finds himself in a unique position to become a world champion of his own in his favorite card game.
What happens if Streda ultimately is the one to win poker's most-coveted prize? "It would for sure be absolutely crazy, but life is going on. Maybe I would reduce my workload a little bit," he said, but quickly added that he likes his job.
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 8:38 AM Local Time
Final Table Profile: Hannes Speiser
Austria's Hannes "BlackFortuna" Speiser is one of the more notable players at the final table and sits in the middle of the pack with a little over 3.5m in chips to work with. Speiser has opted out of The Hendon Mob, but there's plenty of record of him crushing on GGPoker already as his lifetime winnings of $137.244 reveal. Recently, Speiser made a big online score but he'll eclipse that score by his performance in the Main Event.
While not on the grind, Speiser loves to spend time with his friends and family. He's a boxing aficionado and also loves to play football off the felt. Winning the big one would mean a lot for the young Austrian. "It's every poker player's dream to compete with the best players for the biggest price pools. The WSOP Main Event is probably one of the most prestigious events of the year," Speiser said.
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 8:36 AM Local Time
Final Table Profile: Dominykas Mikolaitis
In sixth place sits Dominykas "MickeyMouse" Mikolaitis with 3,165,440 in chips, who will be the final table representative for the strong poker country of Lithuania. To make it three for three, Mikolaitis is also not findable on The Hendon Mob but is boasting a very strong $219.851 in lifetime cashes under his Disney-alias on GGPoker.
Even before 'The Queen's Gambit' turned chess into a hype, the sporty Mikolaitis was already drawn to the noble game. He realizes there's life-altering money up top for whoever walks away the champ. "This type of winnings lock you for life. I guess, with right decisions, you don't need to think about living costs your whole life," he explained.
"So, I'm really excited for it!"