Monday, June 26, 2023 10:09 PM Local Time
Mike Gorodinsky Blazes Down the Home Stretch to Win $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship ($422,747)
He lost his start-of-day chip lead briefly, but after getting it back, there was no stopping Mike Gorodinsky, as he sprinted away from the field at the final table of World Series of Poker Event #54: $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship to earn his third WSOP bracelet along with the $422,747 first prize.
Gorodinsky defeated Alex Livingston in a very short heads-up match to cap his triumph over the field of 185 players that built a $1,720,500 prize pool.
$10,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|
| 1 | Mike Gorodinsky | United States | $422,747 |
| 2 | Alex Livingston | Canada | $261,278 |
| 3 | Brad Ruben | United States | $184,406 |
| 4 | Brian Yoon | United States | $136,649 |
| 5 | Scott Seiver | United States | $101,319 |
| 6 | Carol Fuchs | United States | $76,412 |
| 7 | Christopher Claassen | United States | $58,633 |
Mike Gorodinsky
Winner's Reaction
Gorodinsky's victory Monday came much more quickly than it could have, given the talent of his opponents, but aside from that early bump, everything went his way from then on.
"The cards made it kind of easy. I felt like I didn't really need to think about it much, to be honest. The cards just kind of fell in and then the stacks got to a point where I was able to maneuver kind of easily."
The win is especially satisfying for Gorodinsky, not just because it's his first major tournament victory since he won the Poker Players Championship in 2015, but because as he said himself, it's been a somewhat trying summer.
"I had kind of a rocky start to my summer, and my plan actually was if I didn't cash or go far in this tournament, I was going to fly home for a week and a half to recharge and spend some time with my wife. So, this run was kind of like an unexpected, really cool way to wrap up an otherwise long, tough month."
Part of that tough month was a situation at Bellagio where the contents of his private box were stolen. Gorodinsky provided an update on that situation.
"I'm still kind of waiting for quote-unquote 'official' word, but basically they ran a security process and according to them I'm the only person to access it, so compensation at this point is looking unlikely but I'm hoping to have further conversations with some execs at MGM."
Getting back to his accomplishment Monday, Gorodinsky said that while wins in $10,000 and above fields are always difficult due to the quality of opponents, especially in the late stages, he started feeling that the tournament might be his late on Day 3.
"Wrapping up last night I kind of felt like I was getting momentum. I felt pretty confident going into today, and obviously today was really fast and I felt pretty comfortable and confident the whole way."
Mike Gorodinsky Alex Livingston Brian Yoon Brad Ruben Final Table Feature Main R
Action of the Day
It took just two hands to thin the field to six as Christopher Claassen fell in a big three-way Stud Hi-Lo pot that also saw Ruben take the chip lead from Gorodinsky. Carol Fuchs would be eliminated shortly after in the same round of Stud Hi-Lo with Brian Yoon the beneficiary of Fuchs' final chips.
Gorodinsky said that while the hand with Ruben didn't get his day off to a great start, it didn't shake his confidence going forward.
"Yah, that hand was not ideal, but no, just because everything just kind of rolled in after that. There wasn't any kind of other setback, so it was pretty easy from that point on."
Gorodinsky's roll began with a big Limit Hold'em hand between himself and Scott Seiver, where both paired their aces, but Gorodinsky had Seiver outkicked. That renewed Gorodinsky's control of the chip lead, while Seiver was then on a short stack that he couldn't recover from, eventually falling in fifth place.
Gorodinsky then extended his lead with a big hand in Level 24 over Ruben and never looked back, leaving Ruben, Livingston, and Yoon to jockey for position in hopes of building enough of a stack to compete with Gorodinsky in a potential heads-up match.
Following a couple more hours without an elimination and Gorodinsky pulling further away, it was Yoon falling in fourth at the hands of the champion in a hand of Stud with two pair versus Gorodinsky's flush. Then not 20 minutes later, Ruben was taken out by Gorodinsky as well in Stud, setting up the short heads-up match versus Livingston, entering it with a nearly 10-1 chip lead.
Alex Livingston
The match lasted just a few hands, with Gorodinsky taking a quick Stud Hi-Lo hand to put himself on the brink of victory, and then finishing Livingston off just a couple of hands later to claim the title.
This wraps up Pokernews' coverage of the $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship. Stay with us though for continued coverage from the World Series of Poker here at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas.
Monday, June 26, 2023 9:07 PM Local Time
Alex Livingston Eliminated in 2nd Place ($261,278)
Stud Hi-Lo
Mike Gorodinsky completed with the , Alex Livingston raised showing the , Gorodinsky reraised, and Livingston got his last 405,000 in the middle.
Gorodinsky flipped over , while Livingston had for a pair of threes.
Gorodinsky improved to two pair on his board heading to seventh as Livingston had .
"I have a low draw. I can also hit aces up. This is a good sweat, actually," Livingston said as he received his last card.
Gorodinsky quickly revealed his while Livingston pushed back from the table and began rubbing his hands together before turning over the , sealing his elimination as the runner-up.
| Mike Gorodinsky | 11,100,000 | 405,000  |
| Alex Livingston | 0 | -405,000  |
Monday, June 26, 2023 9:02 PM Local Time
Gorodinsky on the Brink of Victory
Stud Hi-Lo
Mike Gorodinsky: / /
Alex Livingston: / /
After Mike Gorodinsky brought in and Alex Livingston completed, Gorodinsky just called with his split jacks.
On fourth street, Gorodinsky check-called another bet from Livingston, and with three hearts now on board, Livingston bet again following another Gorodinsky check.
Gorodinsky called, and on sixth street despite pairing his sevens, Livingston now slowed down as Gorodinsky showed three diamonds on board and bet.
Livingston thought for a bit then made the call, leaving himself just 405,000 chips.
Gorodinsky made two pair, queens and jacks on seventh, and after another check from Livingston, he bet it. The Canadian had no choice but to fold and preserve what was left of his stack.
| Mike Gorodinsky | 10,695,000 | 690,000 |
| Alex Livingston | 405,000 | -690,000 |
Monday, June 26, 2023 8:54 PM Local Time
Brad Ruben Eliminated in 3rd Place ($187,406)
Seven Card Stud
Brad Ruben: /
Mike Gorodinsky: /
Brad Ruben completed, Mike Gorodinsky raised with his split nines, and Ruben called.
Gorodinsky bet again on fourth and Ruben called before they got Ruben's last 70,000 in the middle on fifth.
Gorodinsky finished with for two pair, nines and fours. Ruben's board ran out and he failed to catch a pair as the four-time bracelet winner was sent to the rail in third place.
Gorodinsky and Alex Livingston are now taking a short break before the start of heads-up play.
| Mike Gorodinsky | 10,005,000 | 585,000 |
| Alex Livingston | 1,095,000 | -150,000 |
| Brad Ruben | 0 | -500,000 |
Monday, June 26, 2023 8:47 PM Local Time
Gorodinsky Continues to Dominate
Seven Card Stud
Mike Gorodinsky: / /
Brad Ruben: / /
Mike Gorodinsky bet on fourth street and Brad Ruben called.
Gorodinsky, now with a straight draw on fifth, bet again and Ruben called after pairing his king to make two pair.
Gorodinsky made his straight on sixth and bet out again as Ruben called to seventh, where he called another bet.
Gorodinsky showed him his straight and Ruben mucked as Gorodinsky increased his already sizeable chip lead.
| Mike Gorodinsky | 9,420,000 | 1,175,000 |
| Alex Livingston | 1,245,000 | 0 |
| Brad Ruben | 500,000 | -1,110,000 |
Monday, June 26, 2023 8:41 PM Local Time
Brian Yoon Eliminated in 4th Place ($136,649)
Seven Card Stud
Brian Yoon: / /
Mike Gorodinsky: / /
Mike Gorodinsky completed on third street before Brian Yoon, with split kings, raised.
Gorodinsky called, then called another bet on fourth. Gorodinsky made his flush on fifth and bet out as Yoon called.
Gorodinsky bet again on sixth and Yoon called, leaving himself just 70,000 behind.
Gorodinsky put Yoon all in on seventh after catching the and Yoon, who made two pair with the , called off before heading off to collect his fourth-place payout.
| Mike Gorodinsky | 8,245,000 | 1,010,000 |
| Brad Ruben | 1,610,000 | -60,000 |
| Alex Livingston | 1,245,000 | -30,000 |
| Brian Yoon | 0 | -920,000 |
Monday, June 26, 2023 8:32 PM Local Time
Level 26 started
Level: 26
Blinds: 120,000/240,000
Ante: 0
Monday, June 26, 2023 8:24 PM Local Time
Break Time
The remaining four players are now on a 10-minute break.
| Mike Gorodinsky | 7,235,000 | -220,000 |
| Brad Ruben | 1,670,000 | -50,000 |
| Alex Livingston | 1,275,000 | -20,000 |
| Brian Yoon | 920,000 | 290,000 |
Monday, June 26, 2023 8:22 PM Local Time
Yoon Gets Sticky and it Costs Him
Seven Card Stud
Brad Ruben: /
Brian Yoon: / - folded sixth street
Brian Yoon completed Mike Gorodinsky's bring-in and was met with a raise from Brad Ruben. Gorodinsky ceded his bring-in and Yoon called.
On fourth, Yoon check-called another bet from Ruben, and despite neither player still having a pair, but holding each other's cards, Ruben continued betting on fifth, while Yoon called again.
Ruben paired his ace on sixth and now had a real hand that he could bet. At this point Yoon finally folded his hand.
| Mike Gorodinsky | 7,455,000 | 190,000 |
| Brad Ruben | 1,720,000 | 590,000 |
| Alex Livingston | 1,295,000 | -330,000 |
| Brian Yoon | 630,000 | -450,000 |
Monday, June 26, 2023 8:12 PM Local Time
Ruben Shows Gorodinsky the Pair
Razz
Brad Ruben: /
Mike Gorodinsky: / - folded
Brad Ruben completed, Mike Gorodinsky raised, and Ruben reraised on third street.
Gorodinsky called, then called another bet on fourth. Ruben bet the rest of his chips on fifth.
Gorodinsky, with in the hole, tanked for several minutes before he folded as Ruben showed him a for a pair as he took the pot.
| Mike Gorodinsky | 7,265,000 | -490,000 |
| Alex Livingston | 1,625,000 | -220,000 |
| Brad Ruben | 1,130,000 | 660,000 |
| Brian Yoon | 1,080,000 | 50,000 |
Monday, June 26, 2023 8:04 PM Local Time
Gorodinsky Gets Max Value from Yoon
Razz
Mike Gorodinsky: / /
Brian Yoon: / /
Mike Gorodinsky completed and got three-bet by Brian Yoon. Gorodinsky called and they went to fourth street.
Gorodinsky caught another baby and bet, but Yoon stuck around to see fifth street.
Both players improved, which was bad news for Yoon as Gorodinsky had already made a sixty-five, while Yoon would be drawing to one if he continued.
Gorodinsky bet his hand and Yoon indeed made the call.
Yoon only improved to a nine on sixth while Gorodinsky picked up another good-looking card with a seven. Gorodinsky bet again, and Yoon called once more.
Yoon couldn't improve on seventh and faced another bet from Gorodinsky. Yoon took some time with his ninety-six then paid it off, sending more chips to the overwhelming chip leader.
| Mike Gorodinsky | 7,755,000 | 1,055,000 |
| Alex Livingston | 1,845,000 | 20,000 |
| Brian Yoon | 1,030,000 | -960,000 |
| Brad Ruben | 470,000 | -120,000 |
Monday, June 26, 2023 7:55 PM Local Time
Yoon Gets Value on the River
Omaha Hi-Lo
Mike Gorodinsky raised on the button with , then called when Brian Yoon, holding in the small blind, three-bet.
The flop came and Yoon led out with another bet. Gorodinsky called and both players checked the turn.
The river gave Yoon trip nines and he bet. Gorodinsky tanked for several moments before calling as Yoon took down the pot.
| Mike Gorodinsky | 6,700,000 | -595,000 |
| Brian Yoon | 1,990,000 | 700,000 |
| Alex Livingston | 1,825,000 | -100,000 |
| Brad Ruben | 590,000 | 0 |
Monday, June 26, 2023 7:54 PM Local Time
Yoon Versus Ruben in Short Stack Battle
Omaha Hi-Lo
Brad Ruben raised on the button with and got a call from Brian Yoon in the big blind with .
The flop came , and Yoon check-called a bet from Ruben to see the fall on the turn. The players both checked.
The came in on the river giving Yoon a flush. He bet it versus Ruben's backdoor two pair, and after a couple of minutes of thought, Ruben found the fold to leave himself with just under 600,000 chips.
| Mike Gorodinsky | 7,295,000 | -55,000 |
| Alex Livingston | 1,925,000 | -5,000 |
| Brian Yoon | 1,290,000 | 350,000 |
| Brad Ruben | 590,000 | -300,000 |
Monday, June 26, 2023 7:48 PM Local Time
Gorodinsky, Livingston Chop Up Ruben
Omaha Hi-Lo
Alex Livingston raised from the button holding before Brad Ruben three-bet in the small blind with . Mike Gorodinsky called with , as did Livingston to create another three-way pot.
The flop came and Ruben checked to Gorodinsky, who bet with two pair. Livingston called with his straight and flush draws, while Ruben also stuck around and called.
The turn came the and Gorodinsky bet again. Both opponents called to the river, where Gorodinsky put out another bet.
Livingston, now with a low, called and Ruben kissed his chips before putting them in the middle. Gorodinsky took the high and Livingston the other half, dropping Ruben back down to less than 1,000,000.
| Mike Gorodinsky | 7,350,000 | 405,000 |
| Alex Livingston | 1,930,000 | 405,000 |
| Brian Yoon | 940,000 | 0 |
| Brad Ruben | 890,000 | -800,000 |
Monday, June 26, 2023 7:44 PM Local Time
Yoon Doubles Through Gorodinsky
Omaha Hi-Lo
Mike Gorodinsky raised in the cutoff and got three-bet by a short-stacked Brian Yoon on the button. Gorodinsky four-bet and Yoon called off his last 95,000 to put himself at risk.
Brian Yoon:
Mike Gorodinsky:
The flop came , giving Yoon a solid lead in the hand. The on the turn gave Gorodinsky a flush draw, but the on the river locked up a scoop for Yoon to double through the chip leader.
| Mike Gorodinsky | 6,945,000 | -395,000 |
| Brad Ruben | 1,690,000 | -100,000 |
| Alex Livingston | 1,525,000 | -250,000 |
| Brian Yoon | 940,000 | 545,000 |
Monday, June 26, 2023 7:41 PM Local Time
Ruben Snaps Off Yoon
Omaha Hi-Lo
Brad Ruben limped in with before Brian Yoon raised from the small blind with . Alex Livingston, in the big blind, called with , as did Ruben as they went three-handed to the flop.
The flop came and Yoon led out with a bet. Livingston quickly folded, but Ruben called.
The turn gave Ruben a straight and both players checked to the river, where Yoon again led out.
Ruben snap called to take the pot and knock Yoon down to a severe short stack.
| Mike Gorodinsky | 7,340,000 | -250,000 |
| Brad Ruben | 1,790,000 | 600,000 |
| Alex Livingston | 1,775,000 | 0 |
| Brian Yoon | 395,000 | -150,000 |
Monday, June 26, 2023 7:31 PM Local Time
Ruben Takes the Safe Route Versus Gorodinsky
Limit Hold' em
Brad Ruben raised on the button with and was met with a three-bet by Mike Gorodinsky in the small blind with . Ruben peeled to see a flop.
It came and Gorodinky continued with a bet. Despite getting eight to one, Ruben elected to fold and preserve a chunk of his short stack.
| Mike Gorodinsky | 7,590,000 | 800,000 |
| Alex Livingston | 1,775,000 | -250,000 |
| Brad Ruben | 1,190,000 | -400,000 |
| Brian Yoon | 545,000 | -150,000 |
Monday, June 26, 2023 7:28 PM Local Time
Ruben Gets Two Folds
Limit Hold'em
Brian Yoon raised on the button with and Brad Ruben defended his big blind holding .
Ruben hit top pair on the flop and Yoon continued with a bet. Ruben now raised and Yoon quickly folded.
The next hand, action checked to Ruben in the small blind and he raised with . Mike Gorodinsky called with as the flop came .
Ruben bet and Gorodinsky called to the turn, where Ruben bet again. Gorodinsky, now with a pair of fours, called.
The river came the , giving Ruben a set, and he bet. Gorodinsky now let his hand go.
| Mike Gorodinsky | 6,790,000 | -635,000 |
| Alex Livingston | 2,025,000 | 165,000 |
| Brad Ruben | 1,590,000 | 960,000 |
| Brian Yoon | 695,000 | -495,000 |
Monday, June 26, 2023 7:17 PM Local Time
Ruben Doubles Through Yoon
Stud Hi-Lo
Brad Ruben: / /
Brian Yoon: / /
Brad Ruben completed Alex Livingston's bring-in and was met with a two-bet from Brian Yoon. Livingston folded and Ruben moved in the rest of his remaining 260,000 chips.
By seventh street, Ruben had improved to a pair of fours, but still trailed Yoon's pair of queens. Yoon exposed his final card first, which brought him no help, while Ruben made a second pair of sevens to stay alive and double up.
| Mike Gorodinsky | 7,425,000 | -495,000 |
| Alex Livingston | 1,860,000 | -140,000 |
| Brian Yoon | 1,190,000 | 255,000 |
| Brad Ruben | 630,000 | 310,000 |
Monday, June 26, 2023 7:07 PM Local Time
Gorodinsky's Split Aces Decimate Ruben
Stud Hi-Lo
Mike Gorodinsky: / /
Brad Ruben: / /
Brad Ruben completed before Mike Gorodinsky, showing the , raised.
Ruben called, then called more bets on fourth and fifth streets. Gorodinsky bet again on sixth and Ruben called.
Gorodinsky had in the hole by seventh for two pair and he bet again. Ruben, who started with as his down cards, didn't improve as he caught the and paid off Gorodinsky's bet.
| Mike Gorodinsky | 7,920,000 | 1,395,000 |
| Alex Livingston | 2,000,000 | -50,000 |
| Brian Yoon | 935,000 | -220,000 |
| Brad Ruben | 320,000 | -1,050,000 |