Event #4: $1,500 Dealers Choice 6-Handed

Brad Ruben has won his fourth World Series of Poker (WSOP) gold bracelet and a $126,288 first-place prize in the 2022 WSOP Event #4: $1,500 Dealer's Choice after defeating the defending champion, Jaswinder Lally, in heads-up play.

But, it was neither the money nor the trophy on his mind when playing at the final table.

Ruben proudly wore the shirt of a charitable organization named Shields & Stripes, an organization aiming to help veterans. Even after defeating defending champion Lally to win his fourth WSOP bracelet — he became the third player through four events to capture their fourth bracelet alongside David Peters and Scott Seiver -- Ruben's focus was still on those the charity supports.

"This one is very, very special. I kind of feel like this one is a little bigger than me," Ruben said following his victory.

"I wore this shirt. It's a charity called Shields & Stripes. They help vets. They help first responders and police officers who have injuries that aren't really seen. I honestly feel like this is bigger than me. I'm representing them. I'm donating one percent of my winnings but also, I'm trying to get the word out about organizations like them and also maybe spread the word on maybe other poker players donating to charities."

Ruben was introduced to the organization by one of his coaches when he asked about charities to support with his poker winnings. Poker is a solitary game, played by one player against a host of opponents, and Ruben was trying to find a way to get beyond the selfish nature of the game.

"I feel like when I play for a cause, I'm more fulfilled. It's like a more wholesome way to play the game. The game can sometimes feel like it's a little bit selfish, so this makes me feel more fulfilled," he said.

2022 WSOP Event #4: $1,500 Dealer's Choice Final Table Results

Final Day Action

Ruben came into the final day as the chip leader and watched as players like Norman Chad (13th), Brian Rast (12th), and Marco Johnson (8th) came up short of the final table. He was third in chips at the start of the final table and eliminated Charles Bransford in sixth place with a straight in Stud 8.

He also knocked out another four-time bracelet winner, Ben Yu, by making two pair in another Stud Hi-Lo hand. It was yet another Stud hand that propelled Ruben on his way to victory. He showed down a full house against Naoya Kihara which catapulted him into a massive chip lead with three players remaining.

After Kihara's elimination, Ruben and Lally engaged in a friendly, cordial heads-up match that ended in a hand of Omaha 8 or Better. Lally raised all in with two queens and Ruben called with     . He paired his ace on the     flop and improved to a flush on the   turn. The river provided no help to Lally, who celebrated with Ruben with a toast after the match.

Lally's attempt to win the event for a second consecutive year came up just one spot short, but Ruben had nothing but praise for his opponent.

"It was great. He's very friendly. He's the defending champ and a very good player. So I'm blessed I was able to beat him. I got the cards in the end," he said.

Four Bracelets in Three Years

Ruben has WSOP cashes going back to 2013, but, not even two years ago, he had still yet to win a bracelet. He then won two events in the WSOP Online and after that he won the $1,500 Razz event at last year's series. His four bracelets in the last two years have come in three different formats, both live and online. It's the culmination of an effort he made years ago to adapt in order to survive in the game.

"I can kind of see how five, six, seven, eight years ago, hold'em, it was really tough to beat and players were getting better. So I really felt that I needed to get good at all the other games to kind of maintain my edge," he said.

And he's not done. Ruben plans to stick around for the entire series. The quest for bracelet No. 5 begins right away: "I'm going to play a lot. Hopefully, win my fifth. Gonna keep going and maybe even go for the Player of the Year."

He added: "Why not? I had a good start, so why not."

No-Limit Hold'em

Brad Ruben went all in from the button for about 14 big blinds effective. Jaswinder Lally took a deep breath, looked at the rail, and put all his chips in the middle. The crowd cheered for the action, then the hands were revealed.

Jaswinder Lally:   
Brad Ruben:   

"Black!" yelled Ruben and his rail. "Red!" shouted Lally and his.

The board had two clubs on it, but the turn was red and players chopped up the pot.

Play continues heads-up with both players trading chips, and shots of tequila with the crowd.

Brad Ruben	8,550,000	200,000
Jaswinder Lally	2,200,000	-200,000

No Limit 2-7 Single Draw

Jaswinder Lally raised to 300,000 from the button and Brad Ruben made the call.

Ruben drew one, Lally drew two.

"You're only drawing one?" said Lally. "I didn't see the last one. Man, never draw two in this game."

But, he did, and Ruben took his shot by betting 475,000 post-draw. Lally called quickly.

"You got it," said Ruben. "Fours," saying he paired on the draw.

Lally showed,       for a great two-card draw to the ninety-seven.

Brad Ruben	7,650,000	-300,000
Jaswinder Lally	3,100,000	300,000

Five-Card Draw

Naoya Kihara was down to 800,000 after losing that massive pot to Brad Ruben and shoved all in. Ruben snap-called and showed    while drawing three.

Kihara had    and needed to improve. He slowly turned over the    and was looking to pair up on his last card, but he flipped over the   and was eliminated in third place.

Brad Ruben	7,950,000	700,000
Naoya Kihara	0	-800,000

Five-Card Draw

Brad Ruben raised to 275,000 before the draw and Naoya Kihara called from the big blind.

Ruben took two, while Kihara drew three. Kihara checked over to Ruben, who continued with a bet of 625,000.

"Why so much? I was going to raise, but I guess I'll just call," Kihara said.

"Aces up," Ruben announced, but Kihara turned over     for trip tens to win the pot.

Brad Ruben	3,800,000	-1,300,000
Naoya Kihara	3,200,000	720,000

Pot-Limit Omaha

Naoya Kihara limped in on the button for 80,000, Brad Ruben did the same from the small blind, and Jaswinder Lally checked his option.

The three players saw the     flop. Ruben decided to lead from the small blind for 110,000. Only Kihara called on the button.

The turn brought the   and Ruben again led, this time for 290,000. Kihara thought for a couple of minutes before reaching for a stack of blue chips worth 100,000 each. He slid in the raise to the tune of 1,360,000.

After deliberating for about two minutes, Ruben folded his cards. "I folded a pretty big one there," said Ruben.

Kihara stacked his chips as these three battle to the finish.

Jaswinder Lally	4,650,000	1,060,000
Naoya Kihara	3,800,000	1,200,000
Brad Ruben	2,300,000	-1,400,000

Stud Hi-Lo Regular

Naoya Kihara:   /    / 
Ben Yu:   /    / 

Naoya Kihara completed and Ben Yu called. Kihara bet again on fourth street, with Yu putting in the chips to call.

Kihara checked on fifth and Yu took the opportunity to bet. Kihara called, then bet on both sixth and seventh. Yu called both bets.

Kihara showed     for trip sixes and Yu studied the board for a moment before tossing his cards back to the dealer.

Naoya Kihara	3,400,000	1,375,000
Ben Yu	1,200,000	-1,300,000