Wednesday, June 29, 2022 10:22 PM Local Time
Dan Cates Looks to Defend $50,000 Poker Players Championship Title with Chip Lead of Final 5
He was at or near the chip lead most of the day, but a wild final hand of the day solidified Dan Cates' spot in Friday's final five players of Event #56: $50,000 Poker Players Championship.
The poker icon and defending champion of this event scored a crazy double knockout of Koray Aldemir and Taylor Paur in Pot-Limit Omaha to end the day and finish with the chip lead of 9,075,000, just ahead of four-time WSOP bracelet winner Benny Glaser of Great Britain, and two-time bracelet winner Yuri Dzivielevski of Brazil.
Not far behind them at this illustrious international final table are bracelet winner and 2017 PPC runner-up Johannes Becker from Germany, and Naoya Kihara from Japan.
Event #56: $50,000 Poker Players Championship Seat Assignments Day 5
| Seat | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Bets |
|---|
| 1 | Naoya Kihara | Japan | 3,265,000 | 11 |
| 2 | Benny Glaser | United Kingdom | 8,260,000 | 28 |
| 3 | Johannes Becker | Germany | 5,470,000 | 18 |
| 4 | Yuri Dzivielevski | Brazil | 7,535,000 | 25 |
| 5 | Dan Cates | United States | 9,075,000 | 30 |
Recap of the Day
Matthew Gonzales
Day 4 began with 13 players, spread through three tables. The day's first elimination to set up the final two tables came early as Matthew Gonzales fell in 13th place to Kihara in a Pot-Limit Omaha hand where his top two pair couldn't hold against Kihara's litany of draws.
The next elimination wouldn't come until after the first break, when John Racener, who came into the day with just two big bets was eliminated in Omaha Hi-Lo by Dzivielevski to claim 12th place money.
Philip Sternheimer dropped just a couple of hands later in 11th place when his king-high flush was second-best to Cates' ace-high flush.
After that, another pair of quick eliminations sent the entertaining Lou Garza home in 10th place and WSOP Player of the Year contender Daniel Weinman out in ninth.
Pot Limit Omaha brought another elimination as Cates felted 2013 PPC champion Matthew Ashton in eighth place to bring the field to the unofficial final table.
The final seven would then play for nearly four hours without anyone else sent to the rail before Cates finished the day with his PLO one-two punch of Aldemir and Paur.
Results on Day 4 and Remaining Payouts
| Place | Winner | Country | Prize (in USD) |
|---|
| 1 | | | $1,449,103 |
| 2 | | | $895,614 |
| 3 | | | $639,257 |
| 4 | | | $464,420 |
| 5 | | | $343,531 |
| 6 | Koray Aldemir | Germany | $258,812 |
| 7 | Taylor Paur | United States | $198,661 |
| 8 | Matthew Ashton | United Kingdom | $155,421 |
| 9 | Daniel Weinman | United States | $155,421 |
| 10 | Lou Garza | United States | $123,974 |
| 11 | Philip Sternheimer | United Kingdom | $123,974 |
| 12 | John Racener | United States | $100,866 |
| 13 | Matthew Gonzales | United States | $100,866 |
A New Champion or a Successful Title Defense?
Dan Cates
Cates has played the entire tournament with his 2021 PPC bracelet by his side on each table he's played at, almost daring his opponents to come and take it, like a professional wrestler goading their challengers to take their championship belt.
The final stage of Cates' title defense begins at 4 p.m. local time in the Thunderdome inside the Bally's Event Center, with live streaming of the event beginning an hour later on PokerGO.
There are five hands remaining in Pot-Limit Omaha with 47:46 left in level 26 and the dead button will be on Dan Cates with Naoya Kihara in the single big blind.
PokerNews will provide coverage in sync with the streaming delay so as not to spoil any of the action.
Join us from the 53rd World Series of Poker's new home at Bally's and Paris Las Vegas for the thrilling conclusion of the most prestigious mixed game tournament in the world as the winner will be awarded the Chip Reese Memorial trophy and the $1,449,103 first prize.
Wednesday, June 29, 2022 9:50 PM Local Time
Jungleman's Confidence is Working
Wednesday, June 29, 2022 9:02 PM Local Time
End of Day 4 Chip Counts
| Dan Cates | 9,075,000 | 0  |
| Benny Glaser | 8,260,000 | 160,000  |
| Yuri Dzivielevski | 7,535,000 | 0 |
| Johannes Becker | 5,470,000 | 0 |
| Naoya Kihara | 3,265,000 | -85,000 |
Wednesday, June 29, 2022 8:55 PM Local Time
Taylor Paur Eliminated in 7th Place ($198,661); Koray Aldemir Eliminated in 6th Place ($258,812)
Pot-Limit Omaha
Johannes Becker opened the action with a raise to 200,000 in the hijack and he was called by Dan Cates on the button. Taylor Paur then pushed all-in for 400,000 in the small blind, sending Koray Aldemir in the big blind into a frenzy. He carefully checked his stack and opted to call with 500,000 behind.
Both Becker and Cates called and the four players headed to the flop. Aldemir checked to Becker, who bet 300,000. Cates then cut out a raise to 1,275,000 and Aldemir mulled it over for half a minute before sigh-calling all-in.
Becker quickly got out of the way and the two short stacks already turned over their cards.
Taylor Paur:
Koray Aldemir:
"I have a really good hand," Cates uttered without showing his cards just yet. He was reminded by Becker to turn them over and then flashed the very much to the disbelief of not only Becker.
The turn improved Cates to two pair and he held onto the lead on the river to eliminate Paur in 7th place and Aldemir in 6th place, ending Day Four.
All final chip counts and a recap of today's action are to follow.
Taylor Paur| Dan Cates | 9,075,000 | 2,035,000 |
| Yuri Dzivielevski | 7,535,000 | -265,000 |
| Johannes Becker | 5,470,000 | -230,000 |
| Taylor Paur | 0 | -1,300,000 |
| Koray Aldemir | 0 | -950,000 |
Wednesday, June 29, 2022 8:48 PM Local Time
Aldemir Doubles Through Glaser
Razz
Koray Aldemir: / /
Benny Glaser: / /
After Dan Cates brought in, Koray Aldemir completed, committing himself to the pot from his very short stack. Benny Glaser then made it two bets, Cates folded, and Aldemir put the rest of his chips in the middle.
By fifth street, Glaser had made a ten low, but Aldemir was drawing live to a seven-four, which he made on sixth street, while Glaser made a seven-five. Aldemir's hand held up through seventh street and he doubled up to just under a million chips.
| Benny Glaser | 8,100,000 | -200,000 |
| Dan Cates | 7,040,000 | -260,000 |
| Koray Aldemir | 950,000 | 505,000 |
Wednesday, June 29, 2022 8:42 PM Local Time
Glaser Takes Over the Lead
Omaha Hi-Lo
Naoya Kihara raised and Dan Cates defended the big blind to then invest half a bet on the flop. They checked the turn and Cates bet the river when a full house was on the board.
Kihara mulled it over for a while and called but mucked once Cates rolled over the .
Benny Glaser then raised in the last hand of the game variant and was called by Cates in the small blind. The flop brought and Cates checked, Glaser bet and Cates immediately gasped an audible no to trigger some laughter at the table before he called.
Cates check-called bets on the turn and river to get shown the for aces and jacks with a live four. Cates briefly exposed the for a live six and was scooped.
Glaser then won the first Razz pot without much resistance and also claimed the second pot when his open board of crushed the of Kihara.
| Benny Glaser | 8,300,000 | 2,140,000 |
| Yuri Dzivielevski | 7,800,000 | -30,000 |
| Dan Cates | 7,300,000 | -375,000 |
| Naoya Kihara | 3,350,000 | -1,350,000 |
Wednesday, June 29, 2022 8:35 PM Local Time
Dzivielevski Scoops Huge; Aldemir on Fumes
Limit Omaha Hi-Lo
A massive pot has just seen Yuri Dzivielevski rocket back near the chip lead, while Koray Aldemir is now on a very short stack.
Action started with Aldemir raising in the hijack, before he was three-bet on the button by Benny Glaser, then four-bet by Dzivielevski in the big blind.
Aldemir and Glaser called and the fuse was lit for fireworks.
The flop came , and Dzivielevski led right out with a bet. Both his opponents called, with Aldemir down to just over one big bet.
On the turn, the players all checked to see the fall on the river, ensuring that this huge pot would be scooped.
Dzivielevski again bet, eliciting a head shake and a quick fold from Aldemir. Glaser put in a hesitant call and saw the bad news.
Dzivielevski showed for a rivered Broadway straight to scoop the huge pot and cruise back near 8,000,000 chips.
| Yuri Dzivielevski | 7,830,000 | 1,780,000 |
| Benny Glaser | 6,160,000 | -1,090,000 |
| Koray Aldemir | 445,000 | -1,080,000 |
Wednesday, June 29, 2022 8:26 PM Local Time
Glaser Nearly Closes Gap to Cates
Omaha Hi-Lo
Johannes Becker raised from under the fun and Benny Glaser called out of the big blind. Both checked the flop and Glaser check-raised the turn for Becker to quickly fold.
Shortly after, Yuri Dzivielevski raised from under the gun and was called by Dan Cates from under the gun, Glaser in the small blind and Becker in the big blind. The flop was checked all the way and Glaser then bet the turn, picking up a call by Cates only.
Glaser also bet the on the river and Cates snap-called to get shown the for sixes full of fours and a low with the ace-try. Cates mucked and Glaser nearly closed the gap at the top of the leaderboard.
| Dan Cates | 7,675,000 | -795,000 |
| Benny Glaser | 7,250,000 | 1,755,000 |
| Yuri Dzivielevski | 6,050,000 | -290,000 |
| Johannes Becker | 5,700,000 | -695,000 |
Wednesday, June 29, 2022 8:19 PM Local Time
Cates Regains Chip Lead Via Dzivievelski
Seven Card Stud
Dan Cates: / /
Yuri Dzivielevski: / /
Naoya Kihara: / - folded bring-in
Yuri Dzivielevski completed Naoya Kihara's bring-in and was promptly raised by Dan Cates. Kihara folded and Dzivielevski called the second bet.
Dzivielevski then check-called bets on fourth and fifth streets, and action checked through on sixth street.
On seventh, Dzivielevski checked a final time, and faced one more bet from the reigning PPC champion.
Dzivielevski gave his decision a minute plus of thought then opted to fold, sending a large pot to Cates, who regains the chip lead.
| Dan Cates | 8,470,000 | 970,000 |
| Yuri Dzivielevski | 6,340,000 | -410,000 |
| Naoya Kihara | 4,700,000 | -295,000 |
Wednesday, June 29, 2022 8:10 PM Local Time
Small Pots After the Restart
No-Limit Hold'em
Koray Aldemir raised to 250,000 and won the blinds and antes without any resistance.
Yuri Dzivielevski then limped in from the small blind and folded when Dan Cates raised to 305,000.
Cates raised in the small blind for Taylor Paur to defend from the big blind. This led them to the flop on which Cates bet 80,000 and won the pot right there.
Paur had to forfeit his blinds and then won some chips back when he completed with an in the first hand of Seven Card Stud.
| Dan Cates | 7,500,000 | 585,000 |
| Yuri Dzivielevski | 6,750,000 | -225,000 |
| Taylor Paur | 1,300,000 | 90,000 |
Wednesday, June 29, 2022 8:01 PM Local Time
Level 22 started
Level: 22
Blinds: 40,000/80,000
Ante: 80,000
Wednesday, June 29, 2022 7:54 PM Local Time
Chip Counts at the Break
| Seat | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Bets |
|---|
| 1 | Taylor Paur | United States | 1,210,000 | 4 |
| 2 | Koray Aldemir | Germany | 1,525,000 | 5 |
| 3 | Naoya Kihara | Japan | 4,995,000 | 17 |
| 4 | Benny Glaser | United Kingdom | 5,495,000 | 18 |
| 5 | Johannes Becker | Germany | 6,395,000 | 21 |
| 6 | Yuri Dzivielevski | Brazil | 6,975,000 | 23 |
| 7 | Dan Cates | United States | 6,915,000 | 23 |
| Yuri Dzivielevski | 6,975,000 | 0 |
| Dan Cates | 6,915,000 | -510,000 |
| Johannes Becker | 6,395,000 | 0 |
| Benny Glaser | 5,495,000 | 345,000 |
| Naoya Kihara | 4,995,000 | -530,000 |
| Koray Aldemir | 1,525,000 | -595,000 |
| Taylor Paur | 1,210,000 | -240,000 |
Wednesday, June 29, 2022 7:47 PM Local Time
Break With Seven Remaining
The final seven players have been sent on another scheduled 15-minute break. Day four is set to conclude once the field has been whittled down to the last five contenders.
Wednesday, June 29, 2022 7:44 PM Local Time
Dzivielevski Gives Becker Something to Think About on Break
No-Limit Hold'em
Yuri Dzivielevski raised to 130,000 from under the gun and was called by Johannes Becker in the big blind.
On the flop, Becker check-called a bet of 100,000, then on the turn, he check-called another 350,000.
The river brought the , and after Becker checked again, Dzivielevski ramped up the pressure with a bet of 1,900,000.
Becker thought into the start of the break, but ultimately opted to fold, ceding a pot that passed his chip lead to his opponent.
| Yuri Dzivielevski | 6,975,000 | 375,000 |
| Johannes Becker | 6,395,000 | -705,000 |
Wednesday, June 29, 2022 7:41 PM Local Time
Becker Binks the Final Draw to Take From Dzivielevski
Limit 2-7 Triple Draw
In yet another three-bet pot, Johannes Becker came along when facing aggression by his table neighbour Yuri Dzivielevski and discarded two while Dzivielevski took one. Becker check-called a bet and both players then took one new card each for Becker to check-call another bet.
The final drawing round featured one new card for Becker and the pat of Dzivielevski. Once he had checked the cards, Becker bet and Dzivielevski needed around a minute before he made the call. With a smile on the face, Becker flipped over the and surpassed Dzivielevski on the leaderboard.
| Johannes Becker | 7,100,000 | 1,175,000 |
| Yuri Dzivielevski | 6,600,000 | -750,000 |
Wednesday, June 29, 2022 7:38 PM Local Time
Glaser Gets Becker to Fold
Limit 2-7 Triple Draw
Benny Glaser raised in the hijack and was then three-bet by Johannes Becker in the cutoff, which the Brit quickly called.
Glaser discarded two and Becker discarded one as Glaser then check-raised after the first drawing round to pick up a call by Becker.
On the second draw, Glaser patted and Becker took one for Glaser to bet and Becker to call.
The third and final draw repeated the same action with a pat by Glaser and one for Becker. Glaser bet and Becker let go.
| Johannes Becker | 5,925,000 | -2,115,000 |
| Benny Glaser | 5,150,000 | 1,060,000 |
Wednesday, June 29, 2022 7:32 PM Local Time
Pair of Monsters Create Huge Stud Hi-Lo Pot
Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo
Johannes Becker: /
Yuri Dzivielevski: /
Benny Glaser: / - folded fourth street
After Johannes Becker completed and Yuri Dzivielevski made it two bets to go, Benny Glaser defended his bring-in. Becker also called a a large pot was already brewing.
On fourth street, Glaser picked up a queen and checked. Becker then bet and Dzivielevski raised, forcing Glaser out of the pot.
Becker called to see fifth street, which gave him three to a low on board and he bet. Dzivielevski called, then called another bet on sixth.
Becker kept firing on seventh and after his Brazilian opponent called, the hands were revealed, with Becker holding an ace-high flush for high, but missing out on a low, while Dzivielevski showed an eight-perfect low to chop up a sizeable pot.
| Johannes Becker | 8,040,000 | 1,440,000 |
| Yuri Dzivielevski | 7,350,000 | -10,000 |
| Benny Glaser | 4,090,000 | -300,000 |
Wednesday, June 29, 2022 7:30 PM Local Time
2022 WSOP Featured Females: Meet Wendeen Eolis, 1st Woman to Ever Cash Main Event
Wendeen Eolis
In the mid 1980's, women were considered no factor in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, and other than the famous rounder and professional gambler Thomas "Amarillo Slim" Preston, poker players rarely made headlines in the mainstream press. That all changed when Wendeen Eolis became the first woman to cash at poker's "Big Dance."
In the 1986 WSOP Main Event, Eolis battled some of the best players in the world, including Amarillo Slim, in a field of 141 runners. She was on her way to a 25th-place finish for a $10,000, return on her buy-in, and permanent bragging rights as the first woman in history to cash in the WSOP Main Event.
Eolis attributes her 1986 WSOP performance to a year of poker tutoring from one of the best, a "relatively" conservative game plan, and cooperative cards. She told PokerNews, "Even today, women can win more by bluffing less than men."
Click here to read the full feature on PokerNews!
Wednesday, June 29, 2022 7:27 PM Local Time
Cates Gets Paur to Fold
Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo
Dan Cates: /
Taylor Paur: / folded on sixth
Dan Cates completed with a four and was called by Taylor Paur, who then called a bet by Cates on fourth street. Cates retained his lead on fifth and bet for Paur to then spike an ace on sixth and bet. Cates quickly raised and that sent Paur into a brief tank before he folded.
| Dan Cates | 7,425,000 | 45,000 |
| Taylor Paur | 1,450,000 | -850,000 |
Wednesday, June 29, 2022 7:20 PM Local Time
Dzivielevski vs Glaser Round Two
No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw
Benny Glaser opened to 160,000 from under the gun, and again, it was Yuri Dzivielevski giving him problems with a three-bet to 600,000.
Glaser gave it some thought, but opted to fold this time and minimize any further damage from an unfortunate round of No-Limit 2-7 that took a bit of a toll on his chip stack.
| Yuri Dzivielevski | 7,360,000 | 460,000 |
| Benny Glaser | 4,390,000 | -160,000 |