Friday, November 19, 2021 11:46 PM Local Time
Jason Wheeler Wins First WSOP Bracelet in Event #81: $800 No-Limit Hold'em Deepstack ($202,274)
Jason Wheeler was crowned the winner of Event #81: $800 No-Limit Hold'em Deepstack at the 2021 World Series of Poker (WSOP) to win his first bracelet
The American poker pro defeated a 1,921-player field and beat Columbian Julian Velasquez in heads-up play to win a $202,274 top prize.
Wheeler had over $4.1 million in live earnings coming into this event according to The Hendon Mob. That included a second-place finish in 2009 in a $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em event where he finished just short of the WSOP bracelet that has eluded him ever since.
"My first time I got heads-up for a bracelet was in 2009 and at the time I didn't truly appreciate what it was at the time because it was my first series you know," he said. "It was so long ago, it takes so long to be back heads up for a bracelet. I played almost every event that was on the series. I have been working hard and it feels good to be validated and play well"
2021 WSOP Event #81 Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize (USD) |
|---|
| 1 | Jason Wheeler | United States | $202,274 |
| 2 | Julian Velasquez | Columbia | $126,252 |
| 3 | Diogo Veiga | Portugal | $93,627 |
| 4 | Garry Gates | United States | $70,077 |
| 5 | Antoine Goutard | France | $52,943 |
| 6 | Shelok Wong | United States | $40,376 |
| 7 | Ralph Massey | United States | $31,087 |
| 8 | John O'Neal | United States | $24,165 |
| 9 | Robert Hill | United States | $18,968 |
A lot of familiar faces gave it a shot but most of them didn't make it. Five-time WSOP champion Shaun Deeb, Main Event champion Damian Salas, Women Hall of Famer Kathy Liebert, and WSOP bracelet winner Brett Apter all failed to make the money in this event. Plenty of others did make the money though as there were a total of 289 players that ended up winning a piece of the $1,352,384 prize pool.
Some of the fortunate players include Ralph Massey (7th - $30,087), Will Givens (39th - $4,605), Justin Lapka (47th - $3,920), Melanie Weisner (66th - $2,933), and David Moses (174th - $1,600).
Final Table Action
The final table was action-packed with large and loud rails from several players. The first final table casualty was Robert Hill, whose ace-jack was defeated by Velasquez's pocket kings.
Next to hit the rail was John O'Neal whose ace-king couldn't connect on the runout and was bested by Antoine Goutard's pocket jacks. Ralph Massey was then eliminated in seventh place despite flopping trip aces as Velasquez got his second KO of the final when his ace-queen turned a full house to send Massey to the rail.
Shelok Wong was next to go, his ace-seven was ahead on the flop but Velasquez, who was looking for his third elimination of the day, improved to a pair of kings on the turn and held on the river.
Goutard then moved all in with pocket tens after Diogo Veiga opened to 2.2 million. Veiga moved the call and had his opponent dominated with queens. After an ace-king-jack flop, Goutard needed to find one of the two remaining queens in the deck but the turn and river provided no help.
In Level 38, 2019 WSOP Main Event fourth-place finisher Garry Gates went all in for his remaining 11.9 million in chips and it folded to Velasquez who made the call to put Gates at risk for his tournament life. Gates had king-queen and Valasquez ace-eight. Gates never improved and was eliminated in fourth place.
Veiga then raised the button the 2.4 million and Jason Wheeler defended the big blind. The flop came king-jack-nine with two clubs and Wheeler check-raised all in after Veiga continued for 4.1 million. Veiga called off his stack of about 20 million and both hands were tabled. Viega had the ace-six of clubs and Wheeler had two pair with king-nine. The three of diamonds on the turn and the three of hearts on the river were no help for Viega though as he was eliminated in third place for $93,627.
Julian Velasquez
The hand that changed all the momentum came in Level 39 when all the chips got in the middle between Wheeler and Velasquez putting the former at risk. Wheeler had pocket sixes and Velasquez had ace-four suited. The celebration came a little early for Velasquez's rail when the flop gave him a wheel. However, a four on the river gave Wheeler new life with a bigger straight.
Then in the final hand of the night, Wheeler limped on the button and Velasquez shoved his stack of 13 million into the middle. Wheeler snap-called, slamming his pocket aces face up, which were dominating the ace-deuce of Velasquez. The board ran out clean and Velasquez had to settle for second place.
Congratulations to Jason Wheeler for winning Event #81: $800 No-Limit Hold'em Deepstack
Stay tuned to PokerNews for all the updates on all the tournaments in this last leg of the 52nd World Series of Poker at The Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino.
Friday, November 19, 2021 11:05 PM Local Time
Julian Velauez Eliminated in 2nd Place ($126,252)
Jason Wheeler limped on the button and Julian Velasquez shoved his stack of 13,000,000 into the middle and Wheeler snap-called, slamming his hand face up.
Julian Velasquez:
Jason Wheeler:
Velasquez ran into the best possible starting hand and the flop came . The hit the turn, giving Wheeler top set and Velasquez was no longer capable of winning as the completed the board.
| Jason Wheeler | 76,840,000 | 10,040,000  |
| Julian Velasquez | 0 | -24,000,000  |
Friday, November 19, 2021 10:54 PM Local Time
Wheeler Wins a Massive Pot to Double Up
All the chips got in the middle between Jason Wheeler and Julian Velasquez putting wheeler at risk.
Jason Wheeler:
Julian Velasquez:
The celebration come a little early for Velasquez's rail when the board was giving Velasquez a straight on the flop but the river came and Wheeler yelled in celebration as he hit the bigger straight to take down a massive pot and take the chip lead back.
| Jason Wheeler | 66,800,000 | 33,000,000 |
| Julian Velasquez | 24,000,000 | -19,000,000 |
Friday, November 19, 2021 10:48 PM Local Time
Velasquez Wins a Big Pot Early in Heads Up Battle
Jason Wheeler put all the chips in the middle all-in when Julia Velasquez made the call to put himself at risk.
Julian Velasquez:
Jason Wheeler:
The board would run out doubling up Velasquez early in heads up match.
| Julian Velasquez | 43,000,000 | 20,300,000 |
| Jason Wheeler | 33,800,000 | -20,340,000 |
Friday, November 19, 2021 10:42 PM Local Time
Diogo Veiga Eliminated in 3rd Place ($93,627)
Diogo Veiga raised the button the 2,400,000 and Jason Wheeler defended the big blind.
The flop came and Wheeler check-raised all-in after Veiga continued for 4,100,000. Veiga called off his stack of about 20,000,000 and both hands were tabled.
Diogo Viega:
Jason Wheeler:
Wheeler had flopped two pair while Viega had the nut flush draw. The on the turn and the on the river were no help for Viega though as he was eliminated in third place for $93,627.
| Jason Wheeler | 54,140,000 | 20,540,000 |
| Julian Velasquez | 22,700,000 | -10,300,000 |
| Diogo Veiga | 0 | -13,500,000 |
Friday, November 19, 2021 10:31 PM Local Time
Garry Gates Eliminated in 4th Place ($70,077)
Garry Gates went all-in for his remaining 11.9 million in chips and it folded to Julian Velasquez who made the call to put Gates at risk for his tournament life.
Garry Gates:
Julian Velasquez:
The board would run out which would be no help to Gates who would be eliminated in 4th place.
| Julian Velasquez | 33,000,000 | 19,500,000 |
| Garry Gates | 0 | -13,300,000 |
Friday, November 19, 2021 10:22 PM Local Time
Level 39 started
Level: 39
Blinds: 600,000/1,200,000
Ante: 1,200,000
Friday, November 19, 2021 10:06 PM Local Time
15-Minute Break
Players are now on a 15-minute break.
Friday, November 19, 2021 10:04 PM Local Time
Current Chip Counts
| Jason Wheeler | 33,600,000 | 13,200,000 |
| Julian Velasquez | 13,500,000 | -12,800,000 |
| Diogo Veiga | 13,500,000 | 1,300,000 |
| Garry Gates | 13,300,000 | -6,600,000 |
Friday, November 19, 2021 9:51 PM Local Time
Gates Flops a Straight to Double
Garry Gates shoved all-in from the small blind for 9,200,000 and Diego Veiga called in the big blind.
Garry Gates:
Diego Veiga:
Gates was slightly behind preflop but the flop had Veiga almost drawing dead as he flopped a straight. The board completed with the on the turn and the on the river, sealing Gates' double up.
| Garry Gates | 19,900,000 | 6,700,000 |
| Diogo Veiga | 12,200,000 | -10,000,000 |
Friday, November 19, 2021 9:48 PM Local Time
Antoine Goutard Eliminated in 5th Place ($52,943)
Diogo Veiga raised under the gun to 2,200,000 and Antoine Goutard shoved on the button for 3,600,000. The action folded back around to Veiga and he instantly called.
Antoine Goutard:
Diogo Veiga:
The flop came , now giving both players a gutshot straight draw with the opponent's card. The on the turn and the on the river changed nothing though, sending Goutard home in fifth place for $52,943.
| Diogo Veiga | 22,200,000 | 14,200,000 |
| Antoine Goutard | 0 | -9,200,000 |
Friday, November 19, 2021 9:43 PM Local Time
Shelok Wong Eliminated in 6th Place ($52,943)
Shelok Wong went all-in for his remaining stack of 2.5 million in chips and was called by Diogo Veiga. Julian Velasquez in the big blind also made the call.
The flop came and both players checked to the turn . Veiga checked and Velasquez bet 4 million but Veiga quickly folded. It went to a showdown for the rest of the board and Wong was still at risk.
Shelok Wong:
Julian Velasquez:
The river was which would be no help to Wong and he would be our 6th place finisher.
| Julian Velasquez | 26,300,000 | 11,100,000 |
| Diogo Veiga | 8,000,000 | -7,500,000 |
| SheLok Wong | 0 | -2,600,000 |
Friday, November 19, 2021 9:36 PM Local Time
Level 38 started
Level: 38
Blinds: 500,000/1,000,000
Ante: 100,000
Friday, November 19, 2021 9:30 PM Local Time
Wheeler Doubles Through Goutard
The action folded around to Antoine Goutard in the small blind and he jammed all-in. Jason Wheeler went into the tank for quite awhile before saying, "Can't play scared." And slammed his 9,200,000 into the center.
Jason Wheeler:
Antoine Goutard:
It was a battle of the king-highs and the board ran out for Wheeler's seven-kicker to play.
| Jason Wheeler | 20,400,000 | 10,400,000 |
| Diogo Veiga | 15,500,000 | 3,500,000 |
| Antoine Goutard | 9,200,000 | -8,800,000 |
| SheLok Wong | 2,600,000 | -6,600,000 |
Friday, November 19, 2021 9:27 PM Local Time
Queen on the River Saves Gates
Garry Gates shoved for 5,600,000 in the hijack and Julian Velasquez called on the button.
Garry Gates:
Julian Velasquez:
The dealer fanned a flop of , giving Velasquez a set and only a gutshot straight draw for the Gates. The on the turn was a brick but the on the river meant Gates could stay in his seat with a Broadway straight.
| Julian Velasquez | 15,200,000 | -5,800,000 |
| Garry Gates | 13,200,000 | 10,200,000 |
Friday, November 19, 2021 9:21 PM Local Time
Ralph Massey is Eliminated in 7th Place ($31,087)
Ralph Massey went all-in for his remaining stack of around 5 million in chips and was quickly called by Julian Velasquez from the big blind to put Massey at risk for his tournament life.
Ralph Massey:
Julian Velasquez:
The board would run out which would be no help to Massey and he would be eliminated in 8th place.
| Julian Velasquez | 21,000,000 | 6,100,000 |
| Ralph Massey | 0 | -6,500,000 |
Friday, November 19, 2021 9:12 PM Local Time
John O'Neal Eliminated in 8th Place ($24,165)
John O'Neal shoved his last 4,000,000 in the middle from under the gun and Antoine Goutard announced he was all-in from a couple of spots over. The rest of the table folded and both players showed their hands.
John O'Neal:
Antoine Goutard:
O'Neal had two overs to the pocket jacks but couldn't connect as the board ran out , eliminating O'Neal in eighth place for $24,165.
| Antoine Goutard | 18,000,000 | 3,500,000 |
| Julian Velasquez | 14,900,000 | -5,100,000 |
| Diogo Veiga | 12,000,000 | -2,200,000 |
| Jason Wheeler | 10,000,000 | 4,600,000 |
| SheLok Wong | 9,200,000 | -2,800,000 |
| Ralph Massey | 6,500,000 | -3,100,000 |
| Garry Gates | 3,000,000 | -200,000 |
| John O'Neal | 0 | -5,300,000 |
Friday, November 19, 2021 9:10 PM Local Time
Level 37 started
Level: 37
Blinds: 400,000/800,000
Ante: 800,000
Friday, November 19, 2021 9:03 PM Local Time
Robert Hill Eliminated in 9th Place ($18,968)
Robert Hill went all-in for his remaining stack of 3.7 million in chips and was called by Julian Velasquez to put Hill at risk for his tournament life.
Robert Hill:
Julian Velasquez:
The board would run out which would be no help to Hill and he would be eliminated in 9th place.
| Julian Velasquez | 170,000,000 | 156,000,000 |
| Robert Hill | 0 | -5,200,000 |
Friday, November 19, 2021 8:51 PM Local Time
Velasquez Keeps Firing
Julian Velasquez raised to 1,400,000 in middle position and SheLok Wong called next to act.
The dealer fanned a flop of and Velasquez continued for 1,400,000 and Wong snap-called.
The hit the turn and after a long pause Velasquez put in a bet of 2,900,000, which was enough to force Wong out of the hand.
| Diogo Veiga | 14,200,000 | -5,400,000 |
| Julian Velasquez | 14,000,000 | 4,200,000 |
| SheLok Wong | 12,000,000 | -4,000,000 |
| Ralph Massey | 9,600,000 | 4,000,000 |
| Jason Wheeler | 5,400,000 | -2,050,000 |
| John O'Neal | 5,300,000 | -1,450,000 |
| Robert Hill | 5,200,000 | -300,000 |
| Antoine Goutard | 4,700,000 | 2,675,000 |
| Garry Gates | 3,200,000 | -2,675,000 |