Thursday, July 14, 2022 8:50 AM Local Time
Jorstad and Su Lead Ten Players into Unofficial Final Table of Main Event
The unofficial final table of the most famous poker tournament in the world is set as only ten players remain in Event #70: $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em Main Event World Championship at the 2022 World Series of Poker.
Norway's Espen Jorstad bagged the shared chip lead with United States' Matthew Su, as both players will return to the felt with 83,200,000 chips, good for 69 big blinds when action resumes.
There were 8,663 players who began the tournament, and after grinding it out for many hours over the past week, 35 players took their seats on Day 7 with aspirations of reaching the prestigious Main Event final table. The field was whittled down to 10 contenders, and only one of them will achieve poker immortality by winning $10,000,000 and the prestigious gold bracelet.
The original plan was to play down to nine players, but after a marathon day that lasted more than 16 hours, a decision was made to stop play and end the night, or rather, end the morning, as the sun was already shining brightly in Las Vegas when the announcement was made shortly after 6 a.m.
The remaining players rejoiced and bagged to return for Day 8, (which will commence after a day off) on Friday, July 15th at 2 p.m. local time. They will battle it out on a single table, slated to be streamed on PokerGO.
2022 Main Event Unofficial Final Table Seat Draw
| Seat | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|
| 1 | Philippe Souki | United Kingdom | 13,500,000 | 11 |
| 2 | Adrian Attenborough | Australia | 50,800,000 | 42 |
| 3 | Matija Dobric | Croatia | 68,650,000 | 57 |
| 4 | Michael Duek | United States | 49,775,000 | 41 |
| 5 | Matthew Su | United States | 83,200,000 | 69 |
| 6 | John Eames | United Kingdom | 54,950,000 | 46 |
| 7 | Jeffrey Farnes | United States | 35,350,000 | 29 |
| 8 | Aaron Duczak | Canada | 56,000,000 | 47 |
| 9 | Espen Jorstad | Norway | 83,200,000 | 69 |
| 10 | Asher Conniff | United States | 24,400,000 | 20 |
A huge turning point down the stretch occurred when the biggest pot of the tournament transpired with Jorstad on the right side of a massive cooler. He picked up aces against the ace-king of GGPoker qualifier Tom Kunze and held to claim the massive pot.
"Obviously it's the dream," Jorstad said as he bagged up for the night. "Getting it in as the biggest favorite that you can be in the biggest tournament and the biggest spot of your life, feels pretty good."
"It probably needs to sink in a bit. Right now I'm just omega-exhausted and I need to eat, drink, sleep. Tomorrow I'll be like 'oh, it's pretty awesome.'"
Jorstad recently won his first WSOP bracelet in Event #55: $1,000 Tag Team along with Patrick Leonard, who was on the rail to cheer on and support his bracelet buddy.
Su came into the day with a stack in the bottom half of the chip counts, but rivered two pair to survive early in the day, and steadily added to his stack to share the end-of-day chip lead with Jorstad.
Matthew Su
Matija Dobric bagged the third-biggest stack and has some experience with deep Main Event runs as he made it to Day 7 in last year's Main Event before he ultimately fell in 32nd place. The Croatian has already surpassed that result and will soon have a shot at a gold bracelet.
Canada's Aaron Duczak, United Kingdom's John Eames, and Australia's Adrian Attenborough are in the middle of the pack and will also have an opportunity to claim the title and eight-figure payout.
Michael Duek, Jeffrey Farnes, and Asher Conniff will be near the bottom of the leaderboard when play resumes, but they will each have at least 20 big blinds and room to play in the famously deep-structured tournament.
United Kingdom's Philippe Souki was on the ropes several times and down to three big blinds at one point, but was cheered on by his exuberant rail every time he won a pot, and he will be entering Day 8 with a short stack of 11 big blinds and a dream.
Unofficial Final Table
Final Table Payouts
All ten returning players have locked up at least $675,000, with $10,000,000 waiting up top for the winner.
| Place | Prize |
|---|
| 1st | $10,000,000 |
| 2nd | $6,000,000 |
| 3rd | $4,000,000 |
| 4th | $3,000,000 |
| 5th | $2,250,000 |
| 6th | $1,750,000 |
| 7th | $1,350,000 |
| 8th | $1,075,000 |
| 9th | $850,675 |
| 10th | $675,000 |
Day 7 runners that did not bag for another day include two-time bracelet winner Marco Johnson (35th - $262,300), 2020 WSOP Main Event champ Damian Salas (27th - $262,300), Aaron Mermelstein (20th - $323,100), last woman standing Efthymia Litsou (18th - $323,100), and Kenny Tran (17th - $410,000).
Day 8 will resume with 108 minutes remaining in Level 38 with blinds at 600,000/1,200,000 with a 1,200,000 big blind ante, and play is scheduled to continue until there are four players left. The tournament is slated to conclude with the final four players returning for Day 9 on Saturday, July 16, (time yet to be determined) and they will battle it out on the felt until a winner is declared.
Stay tuned as the PokerNews team continues to provide coverage of all the final table action of the 2022 WSOP Main Event from Bally's and Paris Las Vegas.
Thursday, July 14, 2022 6:50 AM Local Time
End-of-Day 7 Chip Counts
| Matthew Su | 83,200,000 | 0  |
| Espen Jorstad | 83,200,000 | 0 |
| Matija Dobric | 68,650,000 | -2,450,000 |
| Aaron Duczak | 56,000,000 | 3,700,000  |
| John Eames | 54,950,000 | 0 |
| Adrian Attenborough | 50,800,000 | 0 |
| Michael Duek | 49,775,000 | -200,000 |
| Jeffrey Farnes | 35,350,000 | 4,750,000 |
| Asher Conniff | 24,400,000 | 0 |
| Philippe Souki | 13,500,000 | 0 |
Thursday, July 14, 2022 6:49 AM Local Time
Play Has Ended With the Unofficial Final Table
After a near 17-hour day, tournament officials have made the decision to end play with ten players left at the unofficial final table.
They will return at 2 p.m. Friday to begin the final stretch of play from ten players down to four en route to crowning a new World Series of Poker Main Event champion.
Thursday, July 14, 2022 6:48 AM Local Time
Robert Welch Eliminated in 11th Place ($675,000)
Espen Jorstad raised to 2,400,000 in the cutoff and was met with an all-in three-bet from Robert Welch for 9,400,000.
Jorstad called to put Welch at risk.
Robert Welch:
Espen Jorstad:
Welch was dominated and in danger of sending players to the unofficial final table of ten.
The board ran out , bringing no help to Welch and sending him home with 11th place money.
| Espen Jorstad | 83,200,000 | 11,800,000 |
| John Eames | 54,950,000 | 3,000,000 |
| Adrian Attenborough | 50,800,000 | -2,500,000 |
| Michael Duek | 49,975,000 | -425,000 |
| Philippe Souki | 13,500,000 | -600,000 |
| Robert Welch | 0 | -11,800,000 |
Thursday, July 14, 2022 6:46 AM Local Time
Small Pot for Su
Asher Conniff limped in from the small blind and Matthew Su checked his option in the big blind. The flop came and Conniff led out with a bet of 1,200,000. Su called and the hit the turn.
Both players checked and the completed the board. Conniff checked again and Su checked it back, tabling for the best hand.
| Matthew Su | 83,200,000 | 0 |
| Asher Conniff | 24,400,000 | -6,100,000 |
Thursday, July 14, 2022 6:44 AM Local Time
Jorstad Takes From Duek
Espen Jorstad raised the small blind to 4,200,000 and Michael Duek defended the big blind.
Jorstad bet 3,400,000 on the flop and Duek called.
The landed on the turn, Jorstad bet 5,500,000, and Duek folded after exactly 100 seconds of deliberation.
| Espen Jorstad | 71,400,000 | 9,400,000 |
| Michael Duek | 50,400,000 | -8,775,000 |
Thursday, July 14, 2022 6:36 AM Local Time
Level 38 started
Level: 38
Blinds: 600,000/1,200,000
Ante: 1,200,000
Thursday, July 14, 2022 6:25 AM Local Time
Updated Counts on the Break
| Matthew Su | 83,200,000 | 500,000 |
| Matija Dobric | 71,100,000 | -2,500,000 |
| Espen Jorstad | 62,000,000 | 0 |
| Michael Duek | 59,175,000 | -25,000 |
| Adrian Attenborough | 53,300,000 | 2,100,000 |
| Aaron Duczak | 52,300,000 | 0 |
| John Eames | 51,950,000 | -550,000 |
| Jeffrey Farnes | 30,600,000 | 2,000,000 |
| Asher Conniff | 30,500,000 | 5,000,000 |
| Philippe Souki | 14,100,000 | -1,600,000 |
| Robert Welch | 11,800,000 | 0 |
Thursday, July 14, 2022 6:18 AM Local Time
Jorstad Dominates but Surrenders the Lead; The End is Near
With the sun already going up in Las Vegas, the 2022 WSOP Main Event is on the home stretch. Level 37 has been completed and several short stacks got their chips in with mixed results. There were indeed two seat open as just 11 contenders are still in the hunt for the $10 million top prize.
Espen Jorstad cemented his lead by knocking out fellow GGPoker qualifier Tom Kunze but suffered a setback just before the next 20-minute break, which you can find hyperlinked below.
Thursday, July 14, 2022 6:17 AM Local Time
Vadim Rozin Eliminated in 12th Place ($525,000)
After some previous all-ins without any call, Vadim Rozin pushed all-in for 11,800,000 in the cutoff and was called by Aaron Duczak in the big blind.
Vadim Rozin:
Aaron Duczak:
The flop gave Rozin a flush draw while the turn opened some split outs. However, the river was of no help for the GGPoker qualifier and Rozin had to settle for
| Aaron Duczak | 52,300,000 | 11,800,000 |
| Vadim Rozin | 0 | -14,800,000 |
Thursday, July 14, 2022 6:16 AM Local Time
WATCH: One of the Best Folds in WSOP Main Event History?
David Diaz
David Diaz appeared to be headed out the door with 14 players remaining on Day 7 of the 2022 World Series of Poker Main Event early Thursday morning. But he made a fold for the ages with a full house.
After the amazing fold, Diaz was left with 15 big blinds and ultimately wasn't able to spin it back up. He bowed out in 13th place for a payday of $525,000, but will forever be remembered for his incredible fold.
Read the story on PokerNews
Thursday, July 14, 2022 6:13 AM Local Time
Eames Doubles Through Jorstad
Espen Jorstad raised to 2,000,000 in the hijack and was called by John Eames in the big blind.
The flop came and both players checked.
On the turn, Eames checked and Jorstad bet 5,000,000. Eames then moved all in for 23,500,000.
Jorstad went into the tank for almost four minutes before making the call and seeing he'd need help.
John Eames:
Espen Jorstad:
Eames had turned two pair, while the ace on the turn gave Jostad top pair, top kicker.
The fell on the river, holding Eaves' two pair and giving him a massive double up just before break.
| Espen Jorstad | 62,000,000 | -25,500,000 |
| Michael Duek | 59,200,000 | 0 |
| John Eames | 52,500,000 | 26,000,000 |
| Adrian Attenborough | 51,200,000 | -500,000 |
| Philippe Souki | 15,700,000 | 0 |
| Robert Welch | 11,800,000 | 0 |
Thursday, July 14, 2022 6:06 AM Local Time
Jorstad Raises River
Espen Jorstad opened to 2,000,000 in the cutoff and Adrian Attenborough defended the big blind.
The flop came and Attenborough check-called for 1,500,000.
The duo checked the turn to the river, and Attenborough led for 5,600,000. Jorstad thought for just over a minute before raising to 19,600,000, and Attenborough laid down his hand.
| Espen Jorstad | 87,500,000 | 5,600,000 |
| Michael Duek | 59,200,000 | 13,000,000 |
| Adrian Attenborough | 51,700,000 | -11,700,000 |
| John Eames | 26,500,000 | -8,000,000 |
| Philippe Souki | 15,700,000 | 7,600,000 |
| Robert Welch | 11,800,000 | -6,500,000 |
Thursday, July 14, 2022 6:03 AM Local Time
Dobric Wins Two in a Row
The action commenced with an open raise to 2,000,000 by Matija Dobric in the cutoff with , which prompted a three-bet to 5,200,000 by Asher Conniff on the button with . Once it folded back to Dobric, he moved all-in and Conniff quickly folded.
One hand later, the Croatian opened to 2,000,000 with the and was called by Matthew Su in the big blind, who defended with the . This led to the flop on which Su checked and Dobric bet 1,600,000. Su was curios to stick around to the turn on which he checked first to act.
Dobric now fired a bet worth 6,600,000 and Su folded as the rail of the Crotian started chanting an "idemo".
| Matthew Su | 82,700,000 | -3,100,000 |
| Matija Dobric | 73,600,000 | 4,700,000 |
| Aaron Duczak | 40,500,000 | -3,000,000 |
| Jeffrey Farnes | 28,600,000 | -500,000 |
| Asher Conniff | 25,500,000 | -2,600,000 |
| Vadim Rozin | 14,800,000 | 4,500,000 |
Thursday, July 14, 2022 5:41 AM Local Time
Jorstad's River Bet Gets Raised
Espen Jorstad raised to 2,000,000 and was called by Adrian Attenborough on the button.
The players then checked to the river on the board, where Jorstad bet 2,500,000.
Attenborough then raised to 9,500,000. Jorstad opted to fold rather quickly to concede the pot to Attenborough.
| Espen Jorstad | 81,900,000 | 2,000,000 |
| Adrian Attenborough | 63,400,000 | 8,100,000 |
| Michael Duek | 46,200,000 | 0 |
| John Eames | 34,500,000 | 0 |
| Robert Welch | 18,300,000 | 0 |
| Philippe Souki | 8,100,000 | -10,100,000 |
Thursday, July 14, 2022 5:40 AM Local Time
Souki Goes Runner-Runner to Stay Alive
Adrian Attenborough opened to 2,000,000 in the cutoff, Philippe Souki jammed for 8,100,000 in the small blind, and Attenborough called.
Philippe Souki:
Adrian Attenborough:
The two were flipping, and the flop kept Attenborough ahead with his tens. The turn gave Souki a flush draw and more outs, and the spiked the river as Souki's somehow still extremely-energized rail exploded into a frenzy at the sight of the card which kept the British player's Main Event dream alive.
| Espen Jorstad | 79,900,000 | -6,000,000 |
| Adrian Attenborough | 55,300,000 | -5,600,000 |
| Michael Duek | 46,200,000 | 3,500,000 |
| John Eames | 34,500,000 | 3,000,000 |
| Robert Welch | 18,300,000 | -3,000,000 |
| Philippe Souki | 18,200,000 | 8,100,000 |
Thursday, July 14, 2022 5:40 AM Local Time
Su Gets Farnes to Fold a Straight
In a limped battle of the blinds, the flop showed and Matthew Su with the bet 1,000,000 for Jeffrey Farness to call with the for an open-ended straight draw. On the turn, Su increased his bet sizing to 1,500,000 and the call by Farness followed.
That led them to the river on which Su now opted to check. Farness bet 2,500,000 and Su then check-raised to 14,000,000. Farness spent more than two minutes into the tank and eventually surrendered.
| Matthew Su | 85,800,000 | 2,500,000 |
| Matija Dobric | 68,900,000 | 2,500,000 |
| Aaron Duczak | 43,500,000 | -2,000,000 |
| Jeffrey Farnes | 29,100,000 | -2,500,000 |
| Asher Conniff | 28,100,000 | 2,000,000 |
| Vadim Rozin | 10,300,000 | -2,500,000 |
Thursday, July 14, 2022 5:30 AM Local Time
Three Streets from Duczak
Aaron Duczak bumped it up to 2,100,000 on the button with the and Asher Conniff just called from the big blind with the . The flop came and Conniff checked to Duczak who continued for 1,300,000. Conniff called and the landed on the turn.
Conniff checked again and Duczak fired out another bet of 2,800,000. Conniff still called and the completed the board. Conniff checked for the third time and Duczak splashed in a bet of 5,000,000. Conniff thought for a brief moment but decided to lay his hand down.
| Aaron Duczak | 45,500,000 | 5,200,000 |
| Asher Conniff | 26,100,000 | -7,200,000 |
Thursday, July 14, 2022 5:22 AM Local Time
Welch Goes Runner-Runner to Survive
Adrian Attenborough opened to 2,000,000 under the gun, Robert Welch moved all in for 9,900,000 in the small blind, and Attenborough snapped it off.
Robert Welch:
Adrian Attenborough:
Welch ran into cowboys and found no ace on the flop, but did have some backdoor possibilities. The turn gave him a flush draw, and the spiked the river, much to the disappointment of the Aussie rail and most individuals in the room not named Robert Welch.
| Espen Jorstad | 85,900,000 | 0 |
| Adrian Attenborough | 60,900,000 | -9,900,000 |
| Michael Duek | 42,700,000 | -500,000 |
| John Eames | 31,500,000 | 0 |
| Robert Welch | 21,300,000 | 10,400,000 |
| Philippe Souki | 10,100,000 | 0 |
Thursday, July 14, 2022 5:20 AM Local Time
Jorstad Drops One to Duek
Espen Jorstad raised to 3,500,000 in the small blind and was called by Michael Duek in the big blind.
The players checked to the river of the board and Jorstad led out for 2,500,000.
Duek then raised to 7,500,000, prompting a quick fold from Jorstad whose stack fell back below 100 million.
| Espen Jorstad | 85,900,000 | -5,500,000 |
| Adrian Attenborough | 70,800,000 | 0 |
| Michael Duek | 43,200,000 | 9,500,000 |
| John Eames | 31,500,000 | -2,500,000 |
| Robert Welch | 10,900,000 | 0 |
| Philippe Souki | 10,100,000 | -2,500,000 |