Monday, November 1, 2021 2:39 AM Local Time
Ben Yu Wins Fourth Bracelet and $721,453 in Event #56: $10,000 6-Handed NLH Championship
On the third and final day of the 2021 World Series of Poker Event #56: $10,000 6-Handed NLH Championship, a champion was crowned as Ben Yu defeated Nikita Kuznetsov in heads-up play for $721,453.
The event attracted 329 entries to create a prize pool of $3,067,925, with the majority of that money awarded to the remaining players today. There were 50 players who cashed and 19 of them returned today looking for gold, but only Yu was able to bring the bracelet home.
Event 56: $10,000 6-Handed No-Limit Hold'em Championship Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|
| 1 | Ben Yu | United States | $721,453 |
| 2 | Nikita Kuznetsov | Russia | $445,892 |
| 3 | Ariel Mantel | Argentina | $293,578 |
| 4 | Mike Sowers | United States | $198,205 |
| 5 | Steve Yea | South Korea | $137,303 |
| 6 | Asi Moshe | Israel | $97,660 |
Winner's Reaction
After bracelet wins in 2015, 2017 and 2018, Yu finally got his hands on bracelet number four.
"Every time you win one of these it's pretty special," Yu said after his victory "This one, in particular, was a fairly tough event… and a fairly large field too. I don't think I'm able to process this yet."
Along with his four bracelets, Yu has finished on the podium in bracelet events on six occasions — including three runner-up spots.
"I do think we put too much emphasis on winning. The difference between second and first place is just one coin flip essentially. I think we overvalue winning as opposed to other good finishes like second or fifth. The tricky part is there's nothing better than when you win. There are no regrets and all the mistakes you made are washed away. You still made those mistakes and feel bad about them but it kind of doesn't matter, you got lucky and they just got erased. That's kind of how I feel about winning these things."
On his eventual heads-up opponent Kuznetsov, Yu had some words of praise: "He was really tough actually. I've played with people who play in these events a lot, but I don't think I've played with him before. We actually played yesterday on the bubble where he had the chip lead. We were just bantering back and forth actually… and we actually had a lot of fun bantering yesterday and today. He is very tough to play against for sure, he's very aggressive… very tough to guess what he's doing in some spots."
Heads Up
Action of the Day
With nineteen players returning for the final day, it took over an hour for the first elimination to occur as nobody wanted to be the first one gone and miss out on the pay jump. Eventually, Eli Ross hit the rail and the eliminations quickly followed. Pavel Plesuv, Sam Grafton, and JJ Liu were a few of the eliminations before two tables were set. When eight players remained, Matt Berkey and Boris Kolev both busted almost simultaneously and the remaining six players converged on one final table.
With the final table set, all six players had somewhat similar stacks and plenty of chips to play with. At this point, Yu was the shortest stack but still held nearly 50 big blinds. Asi Moshe was the first to go when getting his chips in with the best hand but had no chips left when his opponent rivered a flush.
Steve Yea was gone not too long after when his kings couldn't hold, with four players remaining at the dinner break. When play resumed it was Mike Sowers who hit the rail next after he got his short stack in against Yu, only to come out second best.
The three remaining players had fairly similar stacks and battled for over an hour while Yu started to become a clear frontrunner. Eventually, Ariel Mantel headed to the payout desk after he called off his stack with jacks against the king-seven of Yu, and a king came on the flop to the delight of both Yu and Kuznetsov.
Heads-Up Play
Heads-up play began with Yu having a large lead over Kuznetsov, and Kuznetsov quickly got his chips in against Yu when both players held pocket pairs. Yu's jacks were a clear favorite over Kuznetsov's deuces, and although the Russian and his rail tried to spark some magic for a possible comeback, the board ran out blanks. Yu fist-pumped several times and even jumped up and down a bit while celebrating and giggling at the same time, as he was officially the winner of the tournament, and the owner of his fourth WSOP bracelet.
As for what the future holds for Yu, "I've been feeling a little bit burned out by poker. I didn't really play much poker during the pandemic, I only played the online event that the World Series had, and I really enjoyed that break. I realized it's been like ten years and I had never taken a real break, maybe I'd take a month off."
"When you win obviously everything feels great and you're happy and everyone who has a piece and your friends are all really happy for you and it's really easy to celebrate. I'm going to finish the World Series and I'll still probably play a lot of the major events that are here but I definitely want to take a little step back and just do other life stuff. Not feel like I have to play events over going to see my friends or going to weddings and stuff like that."
"I realized that I love music more than anything. I've been going to dance class. I love going to music festivals. During covid, I learned to play electronic keyboard and I just want to do more of that and I'll probably play a little less poker after the World Series ends."
For now though, he'll still be showing up to the WSOP and be looking for maybe even yet another bracelet, saying "I am going to be playing every tournament pretty much for the rest of this series. I'm just going to keep playing, firing the rest of these four weeks. It definitely makes it feel like a breeze, like it just feels like I'm freerolling."
Ben Yu
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Monday, November 1, 2021 12:16 AM Local Time
Ben Yu Wins Fourth Bracelet and $721,453 in Event #56: $10,000 6-Handed No-Limit Hold'em Championship
Ben Yu has just defeated Nikita Kuznetsov heads-up for $721,453 and his fourth bracelet. His last bracelet win was back in 2018 when he took down one of the first Big Blind Ante events of the World Series of Poker: Event #77: $50,000 No-Limit Hold'em High Roller.
A recap is to follow.
Event 56: $10,000 6-Handed No-Limit Hold'em Championship Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|
| 1 | Ben Yu | United States | $721,453 |
| 2 | Nikita Kuznetsov | Russia | $445,892 |
| 3 | Ariel Mantel | Argentina | $293,578 |
| 4 | Mike Sowers | United States | $198,205 |
| 5 | Steve Yea | South Korea | $137,303 |
| 6 | Asi Moshe | Israel | $97,660 |
Monday, November 1, 2021 12:05 AM Local Time
Nikita Kuznetsov Eliminated in 2nd Place ($445,892)
Ben Yu raised to 275,000 from the button and Nikita Kuznetsov looked at his cards before announcing he was all-in for the 3,010,000 he had in front of him. Yu snap-called.
Nikita Kuznetsov:
Ben Yu:
Kuznetsov flew over to his rail when he saw the cards and they all shouted for a deuce.
The flop came to keep Yu ahead.
"Four" the Russian rail shouted and the turn was the for Kuznetsov to pick up the gutshot to a wheel.
However, the river completed the board with the for Yu to fist pump several times, even jump up and down a bit while celebrating and giggling at the same time.
Yu walked over to Kuznetsov and shook his hand as the latter grabbed his stuff and made his way to the payout desk to collect $445,892 for his runner-up finish.
| Ben Yu | 19,740,000 | 2,875,000  |
| Nikita Kuznetsov | 0 | -2,875,000  |
Sunday, October 31, 2021 11:50 PM Local Time
Ariel Mantel Eliminated in 3rd Place ($293,578)
Ariel Mantel opened to 250,000 on the button and Ben Yu jammed in the big blind. Mantel called for the rest of his chips.
Ariel Mantel:
Ben Yu:
Mantel was ahead but needed to hold. The flop put Yu ahead, and the turn and river sent Mantel to the rail in third.
Nikita Kuznetsov celebrated with his rail and seemed even more ecstatic than Yu.
"My friend!", said Kuznetsov while he shook Yu. "Russian people love you!"
| Ben Yu | 16,865,000 | 3,980,000 |
| Nikita Kuznetsov | 2,875,000 | -320,000 |
| Ariel Mantel | 0 | -3,660,000 |
Sunday, October 31, 2021 11:31 PM Local Time
Yu is an "Aggressive Machine"
Ariel Mantel raised to 250,000 from the button and Ben Yu three-bet to 750,000 from the big blind. Mantel took some time and then four-bet to 1,600,000. Yu contemplated for a while and then made the call.
They both checked through the flop to the on the turn. Yu checked and Mantel considered his options for a bit and then bet 1,300,000. Yu looked at his cards once more and then announced the all-in for Mantel to snap-fold.
"Aggressive Machine!" Nikita Kuznetsov exclaimed while Yu raked the pot in.
"I learned from you!" Yu said with a smile.
| Ben Yu | 12,885,000 | 3,585,000 |
| Ariel Mantel | 3,660,000 | -3,440,000 |
| Nikita Kuznetsov | 3,195,000 | -105,000 |
Sunday, October 31, 2021 11:19 PM Local Time
Kuznetsov Gets Shorter But Gets Some Back
Nikita Kuznetsov had lost multiple hands to get down to a shorter stack but got some back on this hand.
Ben Yu opened to 240,000 on the button and Kuznetsov defended the big blind.
Both players checked the flop.
The turn saw a lead of 185,000 from Kuznetsov and a call from Yu.
The river saw another bet of 375,000 from Kuznetsov and again a call from Yu.
Kuznetsov showed for the best hand and the chips.
| Ben Yu | 9,300,000 | 610,000 |
| Ariel Mantel | 7,100,000 | -550,000 |
| Nikita Kuznetsov | 3,300,000 | -100,000 |
Sunday, October 31, 2021 11:07 PM Local Time
Level 28 started
Level: 28
Blinds: 60,000/120,000
Ante: 120,000
Sunday, October 31, 2021 11:05 PM Local Time
Kuznetsov Gives Up on the River
Nikita Kuznetsov raised to 200,000 from the button and Ariel Mantel defended his big blind.
They both checked through the on the flop to the . Mantel bet 175,000 and Kuznetsov called.
The river completed the board with the and Mantel continued with a bet of 400,000. Kuznetsov gave up.
| Ben Yu | 8,690,000 | 330,000 |
| Ariel Mantel | 7,650,000 | 570,000 |
| Nikita Kuznetsov | 3,400,000 | -900,000 |
Sunday, October 31, 2021 11:01 PM Local Time
Kuznetsov Rivers a Wheel
Ben Yu raised to 200,000 from the button and Nikita Kuznetsov defended his big blind.
The flop came , Kuznetsov check-called the 150,000 continuation-bet of Yu.
The turn was the , Kuznetsov checked again. Yu barreled a bet of 500,000 over the line and Kuznetsov made the call again.
The river completed the board with the and they both checked. Kuznetsov tabled the for the wheel and the pot as Yu mucked.
| Ben Yu | 8,360,000 | -1,040,000 |
| Ariel Mantel | 7,080,000 | 640,000 |
| Nikita Kuznetsov | 4,300,000 | 400,000 |
Sunday, October 31, 2021 10:53 PM Local Time
Yu Rivers Broadway to Take From Kuznetsov
Nikita Kuznetsov called the small blind and called when Ben Yu raised to 375,000 from the big blind.
Kuznetsov check-called a 300,000 bet on the flop.
Both players checked the turn and Kuznetsov check-called for 1,000,000 on the river after some deliberation.
Yu showed for a hand that couldn't be beaten as Kuznetsov mucked.
| Ben Yu | 9,400,000 | 960,000 |
| Ariel Mantel | 6,440,000 | 580,000 |
| Nikita Kuznetsov | 3,900,000 | -1,540,000 |
Sunday, October 31, 2021 10:38 PM Local Time
Another One for Yu
Ben Yu raised to 200,000 from the button and Nikita Kuznetsov defended his big blind.
The flop came , Kuznetsov check-called the 125,000 continuation-bet of Yu.
The turn was the and Kuznetsov took over the initiative and led out with a bet of 225,000 which Yu called.
The river completed the board with the and they both checked. Kuznetsov tabled the for two pair but Yu held the for the higher flopped two pair.
| Ben Yu | 8,440,000 | 740,000 |
| Ariel Mantel | 5,860,000 | 30,000 |
| Nikita Kuznetsov | 5,440,000 | -810,000 |
Sunday, October 31, 2021 10:33 PM Local Time
Yu Flops the Flush
Ben Yu completed his small blind and Ariel Mantel opted to check.
The flop came , Yu bet 100,000 and Mantel raised it up to 325,000 for Yu to call.
The turn was the and Yu decided to check. Mantel barreled a bet of 650,000 over the line for Yu to call.
The completed the board and Yu quickly checked. Mantel dived into the tank but opted to check too in the end to then muck his hand as Yu tabled the for the flush.
| Ben Yu | 7,700,000 | 1,215,000 |
| Nikita Kuznetsov | 6,250,000 | 0 |
| Ariel Mantel | 5,830,000 | -370,000 |
Sunday, October 31, 2021 10:28 PM Local Time
Mike Sowers Eliminated in 4th Place ($198,205)
Ben Yu opened to 200,000 in the cutoff and Mike Sowers jammed in his remaining 530,000 stack. The blinds folded and Yu called to put Sowers at risk.
Mike Sowers:
Ben Yu:
Sowers was ahead but needed to hold to stay alive. The flop put him ahead and so did the turn. However, the spiked the river to give Yu a pair of kings and knock out Sowers in fourth.
| Ben Yu | 6,485,000 | 780,000 |
| Mike Sowers | 0 | -780,000 |
Sunday, October 31, 2021 10:18 PM Local Time
Yu Rivers a Straight
Ben Yu completed his small blind and Mike Sowers opted to check in the big blind.
The flop came , Yu bet 100,000 for Sowers to call.
The turn was the and Yu fired another bet over the line, this time one for 250,000 and Sowers called again.
The river completed the board with the and Yu took some time. He glanced over to Sowers' stack and then bet 500,000. Sowers contemplated his options and then called but mucked when Yu tabled the for the straight.
| Ben Yu | 6,305,000 | 1,300,000 |
| Mike Sowers | 780,000 | -1,725,000 |
Sunday, October 31, 2021 10:15 PM Local Time
Small Pot for Mantel
Ariel Mantel called in the small blind and Nikita Kuznetsov checked the big blind.
On the flop, Mantel check-called a bet of 200,000 from Kuznetsov.
Both players checked the turn and river.
Mantel showed which was good for the flush to take the pot.
| Nikita Kuznetsov | 6,250,000 | -300,000 |
| Ariel Mantel | 6,200,000 | 310,000 |
Sunday, October 31, 2021 10:01 PM Local Time
Level 27 started
Level: 27
Blinds: 50,000/100,000
Ante: 100,000
Sunday, October 31, 2021 9:03 PM Local Time
Dinner Break
The four remaining players have gone for an hour-long dinner break and will return at approximately 9:58 p.m.
Sunday, October 31, 2021 9:02 PM Local Time
Dinner Break Counts
| Nikita Kuznetsov | 6,550,000 | 950,000 |
| Ariel Mantel | 5,890,000 | -150,000 |
| Ben Yu | 5,005,000 | -95,000 |
| Mike Sowers | 2,505,000 | -2,095,000 |
Sunday, October 31, 2021 8:58 PM Local Time
More for Yu
Nikita Kuznetsov called in the small blind and Ben Yu raised to 300,000 in the big blind. Kuznetov called.
Both players checked the flop. The came on the turn and Kuznetsov check-folded to a 425,000 bet by Yu.
That, along with a couple of other hands that Yu won, has seen him climb the leaderboard.
| Nikita Kuznetsov | 5,600,000 | -175,000 |
| Ben Yu | 5,100,000 | 1,200,000 |
Sunday, October 31, 2021 8:43 PM Local Time
Mantel Takes Chip Lead
Ariel Mantel raised to 160,000 from under the gun and Nikita Kuznetsov three-bet to 440,000 from the button. The blinds folded and Mantel responded with a four-bet to 1,250,000 for Kuznetsov to fold.
A few hands later, Mantel completed his small blind and Kuznetsov raised to 280,000 from the big blind and Mantel called.
The flop came , Mantel check-called the 215,000 continuation-bet of Kuznetsov.
They both checked through the to the on the river. Mantel fired a bet of 450,000 over the line. Kuznetsov tanked for a while and then folded.
| Ariel Mantel | 6,040,000 | 380,000 |
| Nikita Kuznetsov | 5,775,000 | 55,000 |