Event #59: $3,000 Freezeout No-Limit Hold'em

A hard-fought final table which lasted almost seven hours was finally put to bed by Robert Schulz, when he defeated Julien Sitbon, to take down the $675,275 prize for first place in Event #59: $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em Freezeout.

In keeping with previous events at the 2023 World Series of Poker at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, the numbers exceeded the previous edition of the contest, attracting 1,598 runners and generating a prodigious prize pool of $4,266,660.

2Event #59: $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em Freezeout Final Table Results

Schulz is no stranger to big final tables, having previously amassed over a million dollars on his Hendon Mob profile, but this was his grandest win to date. The occasion did not hinder the unflappable German, who remained the personification of calmness throughout.

The final table was a veritable United Nations of poker, with no fewer than nine countries being represented. And there were boisterous rails supporting several of the participants, but nothing could distract Schulz from fulfilling his ultimate goal.

Final Table Action

First to bust from the unofficial final table of ten, was Shon Aroeti, when his ace-ten was outkicked by Schulz's ace-king — and that was before the board ran out with two more kings. He was swiftly followed to the payout desk by Jesse Lonis and Kunal Patni.

Nazar Buhaiov fell in seventh place, his nines out flopped by Schulz's ace-king. And Robert Burlacu went in sixth, another victim to the unstoppable German.

Dario Sammartino was next to go – Barak Wisbrod rivering an ace to end his WSOP dream, at least for the time being.

But it was Wisbrod who would succumb in fourth when he couldn't overcome Sitbon's pocket eights.

James Mendoza departed in third place, with what proved to be the defining moment in Shultz's tournament, giving him a commanding lead over Sitbon, who only lasted a few more hands.

Winner's Reaction

Asked if he was always so composed, Schulz replied, "I would say so. I think I'm on the calmer side. Usually, it takes pretty extreme things to put me out of balance." It is hard to imagine much that could be more extreme than a WSOP final table.

Summing up his emotions, he said he felt, "Exhausted, relieved, and yeah, proud as well. I think I played fine."

On the subject of what he will do next, Schulz commented, "I think I'm coming down with a cold; I've been sniffing and coughing, so I think I'm going to take it slow. Let's see how tomorrow is, and then maybe then I'll want to play again."

Finally, reflecting on how he managed to remain unfazed through the vociferous railing, Schulz simply said, "I don't speak French, so I've no clue what they said."

Schulz's impressive victory takes his lifetime earnings from live poker tournaments past the $1.76 million mark and bumps him up to 37th in Germany's all-time money list. Based on this performance alone, it is highly likely we shall see Schulz at another WSOP final table in the not-too-distant future.

Stay tuned to PokerNews throughout the 2023 WSOP to see if Schulz shakes off his cold and battles his way to glory once again.

Robert Schulz limped in from the button and Julien Sitbon in the big blind checked his option.

The hand checked through to the river as the full board read      . Sitbon now took the lead for 1,600,000.

Schulz spent some time in the tank before raising the bet to 4,800,000. Pained by his decision, Sitbon took some time before finally deciding to fold.

Robert Schulz	54,300,000	8,400,000
Julien Sitbon	9,600,000	-8,400,000

Robert Schulz raised from the button to 2,000,000 and Julien Sitbon defended in the big blind.

On a flop of    , Sitbon check-called a bet of 1,600,000 from Schulz.

The   turn checked through to the   on the river. Sitbon now led for 10,000,000, leaving himself just 800,000 chips behind.

Schulz mulled over the decision before finally deciding to fold.

Robert Schulz	45,900,000	-4,520,000
Julien Sitbon	18,000,000	4,500,000

Barak Wisbrod raised from the cutoff to 1,600,000 finding James Mendoza in the big blind, who defended.

Mendoza check-called a bet of 800,000 from Wisbrod on a board of    .

The   turn checked through to the   on the river. Mendoza now lead out for 2,700,000. Wisbrod declared all in putting Mendoza to the test for his last 12,400,000 and Mendoza snap-called.

James Mendoza:   
Barak Wisbrod:   

The river gave Wisbrod the nut flush while also giving Mendoza a full house. Wisbrod was left with 4,600,000 behind.

Two hands later, Julien Sitbon raised from the cutoff to 1,600,000 and Wisbrod moved all in for his last 2,100,000. Both Robert Schulz and Sitbon called.

On a flop of    , Schulz check-folded to a bet of 800,000 from Sitbon and the hand went to a showdown.

Barak Wisbrod:   
Julien Sitbon:   

The turn and river came the   and   respectively giving Sitbon a flush and eliminating Wisbrod.

James Mendoza	29,900,000	12,980,000
Julien Sitbon	12,500,000	1,900,000
Barak Wisbrod	0	-19,600,000

Players are on a 15-minute break.

On the latest The Chad & Jesse Poker Show[/I][/B] straight from the 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP), Chad Holloway and Jesse Fullen discuss Ali Imsirovic's video addressing the cheating allegations against him.

They are joined by renowned Japanese vlogger Masato Yokosawa, AKA "World Wide Yokosawa." While players in the United States might think folks like Brad Owen and Andrew Neeme has the biggest vlog followings in the world, that distinction actually belongs to Masato, who regularly clears 600K views on each of his vlogs!

The Japanese vlogging sensation opens up about his start in poker, what inspired him to start a vlog, and how he's managed to turn it into a smashing success with the help of a creative team. He also talks about his desire to win a WSOP gold bracelet, how Daniel Negreanu and Phil Hellmuth are perceived in his home country, and what the future looks like for poker in Japan.

Barak Wisbrod raised from the cutoff to 1,000,000, Robert Schulz on the button called and James Mendoza in the small blind three-bet jammed for 6,000,000. Wisbrod folded and Schulz called.

James Mendoza:   
Robert Schulz:   

The board ran out       doubling up Mendoza.

Only a few hands later, Robert Schulz opened from the cutoff for 1,000,000 and Dario Sammartino defended.

The board of     checked to the   on the turn. Sammartino took the lead for 1,300,000 and Schulz called.

The river fell the   and Sammartino bet again, this time for 1,500,000. Schulz called and mucked his cards at the sight of Sammartino's   .

James Mendoza	13,500,000	2,000,000
Dario Sammartino	12,800,000	5,400,000
Robert Schulz	12,200,000	-10,875,000

James Mendoza raised from the hijack to 1,000,000 to which Robert Schulz in the big blind defended.

On a flop of    , Schulz check-called a bet of 1,000,000 from Mendoza.

The   turn checked through to the   on the river. Schulz now check-raised a bet of 1,500,000 from Mendoza to 5,250,000. Mendoza called.

Schulz showed    for a flush to win this pot.

Robert Schulz	19,600,000	6,875,000
James Mendoza	11,500,000	-4,700,000

The remaining six players have been sent on a 60-minute dinner break. Play will recommence at approximately 7:40 pm.

Barak Wisbrod	16,500,000	-100,000
James Mendoza	16,200,000	-500,000
Robert Schulz	12,725,000	4,550,000
Dario Sammartino	7,400,000	200,000
Robert Burlacu	6,500,000	900,000
Julien Sitbon	3,775,000	-1,900,000