Monday, January 4, 2021 7:35 AM Local Time
Damian Salas Wins 2020 WSOP Main Event Heads-Up Finale for $1 Million + Gold Bracelet
On Sunday night, the 2020 World Series of Poker (WSOP) officially came to an end when Argentina's Damian Salas, a practicing lawyer back home, defeated Joseph Hebert in a heads-up finale to win $1 million, a coveted gold bracelet, and the title of WSOP Main Event champion.
The epic back-and-forth heads-up match that lasted a staggering 173 hands was actually the culmination of two $10,000 Main Events. The first was the international leg held on GG Poker, which attracted 674 runners and saw Salas claim a $1,550,969 top prize. The other was the domestic version, which drew 705 players to WSOP.com and saw Hebert turn a $300 satellite seat into a $1,553,256 payday.
"Joseph was a very hard opponent, and he played really well. In a few instances, he was about to win, it was a real fight and he never slowed down," said the 45-year-old Salas, who finished seventh in the 2017 WSOP Main Event. "Going into the championship, I felt all the energy and support from my family and friends in Argentina tonight, and that helped me."
Originally scheduled to play out on Dec. 30th, the event was postponed to tonight as Salas' entry to the U.S. was delayed due to the COVID-19 restrictions.
Heads-Up Action
The match started out with Salas taking a slight lead, but before too long Hebert pulled out in front. On Hand #71, Hebert won a big pot with trip kings to pull out to a more than 3:1 chip lead. Hebert, who was playing in his mother's memory (be sure to check out the #ForLinda story for more on the emotional story) set about extending that lead and at one point was out in front by an 8:1 margin.
However, Salas won the first all-in confrontation on Hand #83, and over the course of the next two and a half hours battled back and forth with Hebert. Eventually, the structure, which featured 20-minute levels, forced the action; in fact, in the end, there were just 20 big blinds in play.
Even so, neither player wanted to give an inch. Whenever one would get short, they'd double back. At times it looked like Salas was going to pull away, then Hebert would dig his heels in, win some pots, and put himself in the driver's seat. It really was anyone's game.
On Hand #170, the players got it in with each holding an ace, but it was the kicker of Salas that would win him the pot and give him a near 4:1 lead. Hebert doubled back to nearly even, but two hands later on Hand #173 of the final table Hebert jammed with ace-queen and Salas called with king-jack. Hebert got it in good but Salas took the lead when a king spiked on the flop. The turn and river both paired the board to give the Argentinean a full house, and Hebert bowed out as the runner-up.
"Both these men are champions in their own right and were a pleasure to host for this unique match," said Ty Stewart, Executive Director of the World Series of Poker. "We thank everyone who participated in this chapter of WSOP history and can't wait to see you in Las Vegas later this year."
What's Next for the WSOP?
While the status of a live 2021 WSOP in Las Vegas remains in limbo due to the ongoing pandemic, WSOP poker action will continue in 2021 with a year-long WSOP Online Circuit Series that will culminate in a gold bracelet event for invited players.
The Online Circuit Series will offer a slate of WSOP.com online events each month. Each tournament will award circuit rings, and there will also be $500,000 in added prizes throughout the year, including monthly $25,000 freerolls for qualifying players.
For more information, visit WSOP.com.
Monday, January 4, 2021 7:20 AM Local Time
Joseph Hebert Eliminated in 2nd Place
Hand #172: Damian Salas moved all in and Joseph Hebert folded.
Hand #173: Hebert moved all in for 390,000 and Salas asked for a count before making the call.
Damian Salas:
Joseph Hebert:
Hebert got it in good but the flop paired Salas to give him the lead. The turn was no help Hebert and neither was the river, which improved Salas to a full house. With that, the Argentinean prevailed in the heads-up finale to become the 2020 WSOP Main Event champion for $1,000,000 and a gold bracelet.
| Damian Salas | 1,000,000 | 440,000  |
| Joseph Hebert | 0 | -440,000  |
Monday, January 4, 2021 7:16 AM Local Time
Hand #171: Hebert Doubles Back
Hand #171: Joseph Hebert moved all in for 220,000 and Damian Salas called.
Damian Salas:
Joseph Hebert:
The flop was no help to Hebert, but the turn was as it paired his four to give him the lead. The river was of no consequence and Hebert stayed alive.
| Damian Salas | 560,000 | -220,000 |
| Joseph Hebert | 440,000 | 220,000 |
Monday, January 4, 2021 7:13 AM Local Time
Hands #164-170: Kicker Makes the Difference
Hand #164: Damian Salas folded and Joseph Hebert received the walk.
Hand #165: Hebert folded and Salas received a walk.
Hand #166: Salas moved all in for 240,000 and Hebert folded.
Hand #167: Hebert folded and Salas received a walk.
Hand #168: Salas moved all in for 315,000 and Hebert folded.
Hand #169: Hebert folded and Salas received a walk.
Hand #170: Salas moved all in for 390,000 and Hebert called.
Joseph Hebert:
Damian Salas:
The runout meant the kicker played and Salas shipped the double.
| Damian Salas | 780,000 | 540,000 |
| Joseph Hebert | 220,000 | -540,000 |
Monday, January 4, 2021 7:06 AM Local Time
Hands #156-163: All In and a Call
Hand #156: Damian Salas moved all in for 420,000 and Joseph Hebert folded.
Hand #157: Hebert folded and Salas received a walk.
Hand #158: Salas folded and Hebert received the walk.
Hand #159: Hebert folded and Salas received a walk.
Hand #160: Salas moved all in and Hebert folded. With that, Salas moved into the lead with 545,000 to Hebert's 455,000.
Hand #161: Hebert folded and Salas received a walk.
Hand #162: Salas raised to 105,000 and Hebert folded.
Hand #163: Hebert moved all in for 380,000 and Salas removed his sunglasses, asked for an exact count, and called.
Joseph Hebert:
Damian Salas:
Hebert had the better king and got the double after the board ran out .
| Joseph Hebert | 760,000 | 180,000 |
| Damian Salas | 240,000 | -180,000 |
Monday, January 4, 2021 6:58 AM Local Time
Level 15 started
Level: 15
Blinds: 25,000/50,000
Ante: 0
Monday, January 4, 2021 6:57 AM Local Time
Hands #154-155: Last Hands of the Level
Hand #154: Damian Salas folded and Joseph Hebert received a walk.
Hand #155: Hebert limped, Salas checked, and the flop came down . Salas checked, Hebert bet 40,000, and Salas folded.
| Joseph Hebert | 580,000 | 60,000 |
| Damian Salas | 420,000 | -60,000 |
Monday, January 4, 2021 6:56 AM Local Time
Hands #151-153: Hebert Stays Alive
Hand #151: Joseph Hebert folded and Damian Salas received a walk.
Hand #152: Salas raised the button to 180,000 and Hebert folded.
Hand #153: Hebert moved all in for 260,000 and Salas thought a bit before making the call.
Damian Salas:
Joseph Hebert:
The runout gave Hebert the double, which gave him a slight 520K-to-480K chip lead.
| Joseph Hebert | 520,000 | 200,000 |
| Damian Salas | 480,000 | -200,000 |
Monday, January 4, 2021 6:52 AM Local Time
Hands #144-150: Collision Imminent?
Hand #144: Damian Salas limped and Joseph Hebert moved all in for 340,000. Salas folded.
Hand #145: Hebert folded and gave Salas a walk.
Hand #146: Salas moved all in and Hebert folded.
Hand #147: Hebert moved all in for 320,000 and Salas folded.
Hand #148: Salas moved all in and Hebert folded.
Hand #149: Hebert folded and Salas received a walk.
Hand #150: Salas folded and gave Hebert a walk.
| Damian Salas | 680,000 | 20,000 |
| Joseph Hebert | 320,000 | -20,000 |
Monday, January 4, 2021 6:46 AM Local Time
Hands #138-143: Things Are Shallow
Hand #138: Damian Salas moved all in and Joseph Hebert folded.
Hand #139: Hebert moved all in for 280,000 and Salas gave it some thought before folding.
Hand #140: Salas moved all in and Hebert folded.
Hand #141: Hebert folded and gave Salas a walk.
Hand #142: Salas limped, Hebert checked his option, and the flop came down . Both players checked and the appeared on the turn. Again it went check-check and the completed the board on the river. Two more checks saw Hebert table the for two pair and it was good as Salas mucked.
Hand #143: Hebert moved all in for 300,000 and Salas folded.
| Damian Salas | 660,000 | -20,000 |
| Joseph Hebert | 340,000 | 20,000 |
Monday, January 4, 2021 6:39 AM Local Time
Level 14 started
Level: 14
Blinds: 20,000/40,000
Ante: 0
Monday, January 4, 2021 6:39 AM Local Time
Hand #137: Last Hand of the Level
Hand #137: Joseph Hebert limped the button, Damian Salas checked his option, and the flop came down . Salas checked and called when Hebert bet 30,000. On the turn, both players checked and the dealer put out the on the river. Salas led out for 80,000 and Hebert snap-called only to muck when Salas turned over for a straight.
| Damian Salas | 680,000 | 140,000 |
| Joseph Hebert | 320,000 | -140,000 |
Monday, January 4, 2021 6:36 AM Local Time
Hands #136: Salas Back in the Lead
Hand #136: Damian Salas raised to 60,000 and Joseph Hebert called to see a flop. Two checks brought about the on the turn and again it went check-check. On the river, Hebert checked and Salas bet 85,000. Hebert folded and just like that Salas pulled out to a slight chip lead with 540,000 to Hebert's 460,000.
| Damian Salas | 540,000 | 60,000 |
| Joseph Hebert | 460,000 | -60,000 |
Monday, January 4, 2021 6:33 AM Local Time
Hands #131-135: Nearly Back to Event
Hand #131: Joseph Hebert gave Damian Salas a walk.
Hand #132: Salas raised to 65,000 and Hebert folded.
Hand #133: Hebert raised to 60,000 and Salas called to see a flop. Salas checked, Hebert bet 30,000, and Salas called to bring about the on the turn.
Salas checked, Hebert did the same, and the completed the board on the river. Again it went check-check and Salas showed the for a straight. Hebert mucked.
Hand #134: Salas gave Hebert a walk.
Hand #135: Hebert gave Salas a walk.
| Joseph Hebert | 520,000 | -135,000 |
| Damian Salas | 480,000 | 135,000 |
Monday, January 4, 2021 6:26 AM Local Time
Hands #124-130: Walking and Shoving
Hand #124: In the first hand back from the break, Damian Salas folded the button and gave Joseph Hebert a walk.
Hand #125: Hebert limped, Salas checked, and the flop came down . Both players checked and the peeled off on the turn. Action both players checked and the completed the board on the river. Salas opted to bet 45,000 and Hebert gave it up.
Hand #126: Salas moved all in for 315,000 and Hebert folded.
Hand #127: Hebert gave Salas a walk. With that, Salas is down less than 2:1 in chips.
Hand #128: Salas gave Hebert a walk in return.
Hand #129: Hebert raised to 60,000 and Salas folded.
Hand #130: Salas moved all in for 315,000 and Hebert folded.
| Joseph Hebert | 655,000 | -45,000 |
| Damian Salas | 345,000 | 45,000 |
Monday, January 4, 2021 6:17 AM Local Time
Level 13 started
Level: 13
Blinds: 15,000/30,000
Ante: 0
Monday, January 4, 2021 6:00 AM Local Time
Hands #119-123: Salas Shoving; Break Time
Hand #119: Joseph Hebert gave Damian Salas a walk.
Hand #120: Salas folded and gave Hebert a walk.
Hand #121: Hebert limped, Salas moved all in for 220,000, and Hebert folded.
Hand #122: Salas moved all in for 240,000 and Hebert folded.
Hand #123: Hebert raised to 40,000 and folded when Salas moved all in.
The final two players are now on a 10-minute break.
| Joseph Hebert | 700,000 | -80,000 |
| Damian Salas | 300,000 | 80,000 |
Monday, January 4, 2021 5:55 AM Local Time
Hands #111-118: Hebert Takes from Salas
Hand #111: Joseph Hebert gave Damian Salas a walk.
Hand #112: Salas limped, Hebert raised to 55,000, and Salas folded.
Hand #113: Hebert limped the button, Salas raised to 50,000, and Hebert called to see a flop. Salas bet 30,000 and Hebert folded.
Hand #114: Salas moved all in for 266,000 and Hebert folded.
Hand #115: Hebert folded and gave Salas a walk.
Hand #116: Salas raised to 40,000 and Hebert.
Hand #117: Hebert raised to 41,000, Salas called, and the flop fell . Salas checked, Hebert bet 20,000, and Salas called to see the turn. Salas checked, Hebert did the same, and the completed the board on the river.
Salas bet 55,000 and Hebert snap-called with the , which best the the Argentinean. With that, Hebert took a 4:1 chip lead.
Hand #118: Salas moved all in for 200,000 on the dot and Hebert folded.
| Joseph Hebert | 780,000 | 6,000 |
| Damian Salas | 220,000 | -6,000 |
Monday, January 4, 2021 5:43 AM Local Time
Level 12 started
Level: 12
Blinds: 10,000/20,000
Ante: 0
Monday, January 4, 2021 5:42 AM Local Time
Hands #108-110: Flush for Hebert
Hand #108: Damian Salas raised to 33,000 and Joseph Hebert folded.
Hand #109: Hebert folded and gave Salas a walk.
Hand #110: Salas raised it up to 33,000 and Hebert called to see a . Hebert checked, Salas bet 26,000, and Hebert called. On the turn, both players checked and the completed the board on the river. Hebert checked, Salas did the same, and the latter won with the flush.
| Joseph Hebert | 774,000 | 35,000 |
| Damian Salas | 226,000 | -35,000 |