Thursday, November 4, 2021 3:54 PM Local Time
Eric Zhang Wins 2021 WSOP Event #63: $500 Salute to Warriors ($102,465)
The 2021 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Event #63: $500 Salute to Warriors returned Thursday with nine players left to battle for a top prize of $102,465 and Eric Zhang came out victorious to win his first WSOP bracelet after just three levels of play. He outlasted a field of 1,738 players to follow in the footsteps of Susan Farber, winner of the very first edition of the tournament in 2019.
Zhang has been playing poker as a hobby for the last 10 years and came to Las Vegas on vacation to play his very first and only WSOP event
"It's a dream come true! I remember as a kid watching the World Series of Poker, and the victory of Chris Moneymaker on the Main Event" said Zhang right after his photoshoot.
"I always loved poker but I only started playing a couple years ago, mainly cash games, not really tournaments. But the WSOP is always a very special occasion and I took some time off work because I really wanted to come here. This is the very one event I planned of playing. It's an affordable event, plus a great cause, and I'm going on vacation to Morocco and Europe right after."
San Francisco's Zhang entered the final table second in chips and took down the coveted bracelet after only two hours of play.
"Every day waking up it felt like surreal. I would never have thought I would make it this far. I actually had a flight to leave Vegas this morning so I rebooked everything! I'm going to remember this forever and I'll definitely come back next year to play more events."
No doubt the vacations of the newly crowded WSOP champion will have an even sweeter flavor now. "I already had some good time and celebrations planned after this trip but it really up the notch more after this. A lot of friends have been supported me also back home. I'll have to wear my bracelet now when I'm playing home games with my friends!"
2021 WSOP Event #63 Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|
| 1 | Eric Zhang | United States | $102,465 |
| 2 | Guy Hadas | United States | $63,344 |
| 3 | Bradley Rogoff | United States | $47,125 |
| 4 | Chulhan Choi | South Korea | $35,406 |
| 5 | Mitch Garshofsky | United States | $26,866 |
| 6 | Marty Zabib | United States | $20,592 |
| 7 | Hlib Kovtunov | Ukraine | $15,943 |
| 8 | Christopher Corbo | United States | $12,471 |
| 9 | Anthony Mccurdy | United States | $9,857 |
Final Table Action
The final table started at noon local time following the presentation of the $64,827 check for the USO organization. Only 30 minutes in, Anthony Mccurdy became the first casualty of the day, his pocket eights running into Chulhan Choi's pocket kings.
That led to another two quick eliminations with Christopher Corbo (8th - $12,471), who lost his last three big blinds against Mitch Garshofsky, followed by Hlib Kovtunov (7th - $15,943), after moving all in with two pair on the flop only to see a set of deuces in Zhang's hand, who improved into quads on the river.
Guy Hadas was responsible of the next elimination, that of Marty Zabib. In a blind-versus-blind all-in preflop, Zabib was ahead with jack-seven versus ten-five off for Hadas, but the latter found a pair of tens to eliminate Zabib in sixth place for $20,592.
Garshofsky was left as the shortest stack after Hadas doubled through him, while the other four players passed chips around the table. Garshofsky shoved on the button with ten-nine offsuit but Bradley Rogoff woke up with pocket queens and even though the flop gave him a gutshot straight draw, Garshofsky didn't hit one of his outs on the rest of the board and was eliminated from the tournament for his 68th career WSOP Las Vegas cash.
Choi didn't take long to follow him at the payout desk, also eliminated by Rogoff, when he shoved in the small blind with queen-nine suited, only to see pocket tens in Rogoff's hand.
However, with just three players remaining and the blinds escalating quickly, Rogoff's good fortune didn't last long and picked the wrong time to shove his 14 big blinds with ace-seven suited against Hadas who called with ace-queen in the big blind. Rogoff hit a pair of sevens on the flop, but a queen showed up on the river, ending Rogoff's run in third place for $47,125.
The battle for the bracelet began with a slight advantage of chips for Zhang, but he quickly took the lead, forcing a fold from Hadas on the first two hands of the heads-up.
A few moments after, Hadas limp-called a raise from Zhang and the duo saw a flop of . Hadas called another bet from Zhang and shoved on the turn after Zhang fired a second barrel. Hadas revealed for a straight draw and a flush draw and was facing for Zhang, ahead with top pair and a straight draw. The river didn't change anything with the , sealing the end of the tournament.
Hadas had to settle for runner-up and a consolation prize of $63,344 while Zhang took the gold and his best live cash of $102,465.
Congratulations to Eric Zhang, winner of the 2021 WSOP Event #63: $500 Salute to Warriors!
Thursday, November 4, 2021 2:25 PM Local Time
Eric Zhang Wins Event #63: $500 Salute to Warriors
Eric Zhang has defeated Guy Hadas in a quick heads-up match to claim the WSOP bracelet and $102,465.
Zhang is primarily a low-stakes cash game player from California's bay area and was playing in his first-ever World Series of Poker event.
Not a bad way to start your WSOP career.
Stay tuned to PokerNews for a full recap including an interview with the champion.
Final Table Results and Payouts
| Place | Name | Country | Payout |
|---|
| 1 | Eric Zhang | United States | $102,465 |
| 2 | Guy Hadas | United States | $63,344 |
| 3 | Bradley Rogoff | United States | $47,125 |
| 4 | Chulhan Choi | South Korea | $35,406 |
| 5 | Mitch Garshofsky | United States | $26,866 |
| 6 | Marty Zabib | United States | $20,592 |
| 7 | Hlib Kovtunov | Ukraine | $15,943 |
| 8 | Christpher Corbo | United States | $12,471 |
| 9 | Anthony Mccurdy | United States | $9,857 |
Thursday, November 4, 2021 2:18 PM Local Time
Guy Hadas Eliminated in 2nd Place ($63,344)
Guy Hadas limped on the button and was raised to two million by Eric Zhang. Hadas made the call, and the duo saw a flop of .
Zhang continued for 1.4 million, and was called by Hadas.
The turn brought the , and again Zhang bet, this time for 2.6 million. Hadas moved all-in for his remaining 10.4 million.
Zhang took some time to think, then made the call.
Guy Hadas:
Eric Zhang:
Zhang was ahead with top pair and a straight draw, while Hadas also had a straight draw and a flush draw.
The river brought the , and Hadas briefly clapped and celebrated, thinking he had won, however, the dealer quickly alerted him and Zhang that Zhang had made a winning straight, eliminating Hadas in 2nd place.
| Eric Zhang | 43,450,000 | 18,250,000  |
| Guy Hadas | 0 | -15,600,000  |
Thursday, November 4, 2021 2:04 PM Local Time
First Pot for Zhang
The tournament's director brought the coveted gold bracelet to the table and the first hand of the head's up was dealt.
Guy Hadas completed his small blind and Eric Zhang raised it to 1,400,000. It was enough to make Hadas fold and Zhang took down the first pot of the head's up.
A few minutes later, Hadas raised to 1,300,000 and Zhang made the call to see a flop . Zhang check-called for 800,000 and a appeared on the turn. The same action happened, this time for 1,600,000.
The river was the and Zhang led out for 3,600,000. After some thinking, Hadas decided to fold.
| Eric Zhang | 25,200,000 | 1,700,000 |
| Guy Hadas | 15,600,000 | -1,700,000 |
Thursday, November 4, 2021 1:58 PM Local Time
Bradley Rogoff Eliminated in 3rd Place ($47,125)
Eric Zhang folded and Bradley Rogoff shoved in the small blind for a total stack worth 6,900,000. Guy Hadas asked for the count and didn't take long to announce the call.
Bradley Rogoff:
Guy Hadas:
Rogoff had the dominated hand, but the flop gave him two pair and hopes for the double up. The didn't change anything, but a showed up on the river, giving the winning hand to Hadas and eliminating Rogoff for $47,125.
| Eric Zhang | 23,500,000 | 5,000,000 |
| Guy Hadas | 17,300,000 | 5,500,000 |
| Bradley Rogoff | 0 | -7,200,000 |
Thursday, November 4, 2021 1:50 PM Local Time
Chulhan Choi Eliminated in 4th Place ($35,406)
Chulhan Choi moved all-in on the button for his last 1,950,000 and got called by Bradley Rogoff in the big blind.
Chulhan Choi:
Bradley Rogoff:
The board brought no help to Choi, whose day ends in fourth place.
| Bradley Rogoff | 7,200,000 | 2,600,000 |
| Chulhan Choi | 0 | -6,100,000 |
Thursday, November 4, 2021 1:46 PM Local Time
Mitch Garshofsky Eliminated in 5th Place ($26,866)
From his short stack of 350,000, Mitch Garshofsky moved all-in from the cutoff. Bradley Rogoff moved all-in over the top from the button for 3,450,000 and Guy Hadas folded his big blind.
Mitch Garshofsky:
Bradley Rogoff:
Garshofsky was well behind, and while the flop of did give him a gutshot straight draw, the and brought no help, eliminating him from the tournament with his 68th career WSOP Las Vegas cash.
| Bradley Rogoff | 4,600,000 | -1,000,000 |
| Mitch Garshofsky | 0 | -1,300,000 |
Thursday, November 4, 2021 1:38 PM Local Time
Level 35 started
Level: 35
Blinds: 250,000/500,000
Ante: 500,000
Thursday, November 4, 2021 1:37 PM Local Time
Marty Zabib Eliminated in 6th Place ($20,592)
In a blind versus blind situation, Guy Hadas raised and Marty Zabib immediately called all in for a small remaining stack around 900,000 to create the following showdown.
Marty Zabib:
Guy Hadas:
Zabib had the best starting hand but Hadas found a board , giving him a pair of tens to eliminate Zabib in 6th place for $20,592.
| Guy Hadas | 11,800,000 | 800,000 |
| Marty Zabib | 0 | -1,400,000 |
Thursday, November 4, 2021 1:32 PM Local Time
Hlib Kovtunov Eliminated in 7th Place ($15,943)
Hlib Kovtunov raised under the gun to 800,000 and only Eric Zhang made the call in the big blind.
A board was revealed and things heated quickly. Zhang quickly check-raised all in Kovtunov's continuation bet worth 1,000,000 and the latter called for a total stack of 5,900,000.
Hlib Kovtunov:
Eric Zhang:
Kovtunov had two pair but was facing a set of deuces for Zhang, who improved into quads after the turn and river, eliminating Kovtunov.
| Eric Zhang | 18,500,000 | 7,800,000 |
| Hlib Kovtunov | 0 | -5,600,000 |
Thursday, November 4, 2021 1:25 PM Local Time
Hadas Doubles Through Garshofsky
Guy Hadas raised to 900,000 in the hijack and Mitch Garshofsky moved all-in from the small blind.
Hadas called, putting his remaining 5.5 million chips at risk.
Guy Hadas:
Mitch Garshofsky:
The board ran out , securing a big double-up for Hadas, and putting Garshofsky on the short stack.
| Guy Hadas | 11,000,000 | 5,400,000 |
| Mitch Garshofsky | 1,300,000 | -3,550,000 |
Thursday, November 4, 2021 1:18 PM Local Time
Rogoff Doubles Through Hadas
Eric Zhang raised to 800,000 on the button, then Bradley Rogoff moved all-in on the button for 2,325,000.
Guy Hadas tanked for a bit in the big blind before moving all-in for 7,000,000.
With a pained expression, Zhang opted to fold.
Bradley Rogoff:
Guy Hadas:
The board came , spiking top pair on the turn for Rogoff and doubling him up to over five million.
| Eric Zhang | 10,700,000 | -800,000 |
| Bradley Rogoff | 5,600,000 | 2,600,000 |
| Guy Hadas | 5,600,000 | -900,000 |
Thursday, November 4, 2021 1:11 PM Local Time
Christopher Corbo Eliminated in 8th Place ($12,471)
Chulhan Choi opened on the button to 800,000 and Christopher Corbo shoved in the small blind for a remaining stack around 1,350,000. Mitch Garshofsky quickly reshoved for 3,450,000 and Choi let it go
Christopher Corbo:
Mitch Garshofsky:
Corbo had to hit on the board to stay alive but found no help throughout the ranout and was sent to the payout desk to collect his $12,471 prize.
| Chulhan Choi | 6,100,000 | -800,000 |
| Mitch Garshofsky | 4,850,000 | -750,000 |
| Christopher Corbo | 0 | -4,275,000 |
Thursday, November 4, 2021 1:05 PM Local Time
Small Double Up for Zabib
It folded to Marty Zabib in the small blind who shoved for a remaining stack just above one big blind left, and Chulhan Choi completed.
Zabib, with , was facing in Choi's hand and managed to find a board , giving him a pair of eights and the needed double up.
| Chulhan Choi | 6,900,000 | -500,000 |
| Marty Zabib | 1,400,000 | -1,300,000 |
Thursday, November 4, 2021 12:59 PM Local Time
Zhang Doubles Through Rogoff
Eric Zhang moved all-in from the hijack for 5,725,000 and was called by Bradley Rogoff in the cutoff. Marty Zabib, who had 400,000 of his remaining 800,000 in the big blind opted to fold.
Eric Zhang:
Bradley Rogoff:
The board ran out , bringing no help to Rogoff and securing a double up and the chip lead for Zhang.
| Eric Zhang | 11,500,000 | 4,325,000 |
| Bradley Rogoff | 3,000,000 | -6,400,000 |
Thursday, November 4, 2021 12:53 PM Local Time
Level 34 started
Level: 34
Blinds: 200,000/400,000
Ante: 40,000
Thursday, November 4, 2021 12:50 PM Local Time
Rogoff Grabs Some Chips Back from Choi
Bradley Rogoff opened to 650,000 in the hijack and after some consideration, Chulhan Choi opted to call to see a paired flop . Both players checked.
The turn brought the and Choi check-folded after a bet worth 500,000 from Rogoff.
| Bradley Rogoff | 9,400,000 | 2,800,000 |
| Chulhan Choi | 7,400,000 | -600,000 |
Thursday, November 4, 2021 12:44 PM Local Time
Choi Pressures Rogoff
Chulhan Choi has taken over the chip lead following a pot with day 2 chip leader Bradley Rogoff.
Choi raised to 600,000 from the hijack and Rogoff defended his big blind.
Rogoff then check-called a 400,000 chip bet from Choi on a flop.
Rogoff checked again on the turn, and Choi ramped up the pressure with a one million chip bet. Rogoff folded, sending a pot to Choi that brings him to eight million.
| Chulhan Choi | 8,000,000 | 1,800,000 |
| Bradley Rogoff | 6,600,000 | -1,000,000 |
Thursday, November 4, 2021 12:38 PM Local Time
Anthony Mccurdy Eliminated in 9th Place ($9,857)
Anthony Mccurdy open-shoved in early position for a stack around 2,800,000 and Chulhan Choi quickly reshoved behind with a slightly higher stack. The rest of the players folded to create the following showdown:
Anthony Mccurdy:
Chulhan Choi:
Mccurdy was in desperate shape for a double up, but found no miracle on a board to be eliminated in 9th place for $9,857.
| Chulhan Choi | 6,200,000 | 2,300,000 |
| Anthony Mccurdy | 0 | -3,350,000 |
Thursday, November 4, 2021 12:33 PM Local Time
Hadas Takes from Garshofsky
Mitch Garshofsky raised to 650,000 on the button and Guy Hadas took a minute and called in the big blind.
The flop gave and after some thinking, Hadas check-called Garshofsky's continuation for 600,000.
On the , both players checked and a showed up on the river. Hadas led out for 400,000 and it was enough to make Garshofsky fold his hand.
| Guy Hadas | 6,500,000 | 1,000,000 |
| Mitch Garshofsky | 5,600,000 | 1,725,000 |