Tuesday, July 4, 2023 10:05 PM Local Time
Hassan Kamel Speeds to Victory in Event #75: $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship
Initially scheduled to determine a winner throughout four tournament days, Event #75: $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship has already crowned a winner at the 2023 World Series of Poker at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas.
Out of a field of 277 entries, Hassan Kamel triumphed in dominant fashion after going wire-to-wire in seven hours of play to claim the biggest share of the $2,576,100 prize pool. The jovial Aussie started the day third in chips but once he jumped into the lead, he never surrendered it anymore and consistently built a massive tower on which he throned above all other contenders.
Kamel earned his first WSOP gold bracelet and a top prize of $598,613 while eventual runner-up Ryan Hoenig had to settle for $369,972. Nine bracelet winners were among the contenders but they stood no chance against the steam-rolling performance of Kamel. Notables on the eight-handed final table included Omaha specialist Dylan Weisman and Dzmitry Urbanovich, the latter of which was once again denied a maiden victory after several deep runs during the ongoing 2023 WSOP in Sin City.
Final Table Result Event #75: $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship
| Place | Winner | Country | Prize (in USD) |
|---|
| 1 | Hassan Kamel | Australia | $598,613 |
| 2 | Ryan Hoenig | United States | $369,972 |
| 3 | John Holley | United States | $265,156 |
| 4 | Anton Smirnov | Russia | $192,562 |
| 5 | Dylan Weisman | United States | $141,727 |
| 6 | Stephen Deutsch | United States | $105,737 |
| 7 | Long Tran | United States | $79,979 |
| 8 | Dzmitry Urbanovich | Poland | $61,346 |
It was the second cash in a WSOP tournament for the Aussie who just arrived five days ago in Las Vegas while on a road trip throughout the United States. He found no fortune in the $1,500 edition of his favorite poker variant before striking gold in the $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship.
The first live poker results of the Melbournian date back all the way to 2009 and 2010 before he then finished in 40th place in Event $3,000 Pot Limit Omaha Hi/Lo in 2014 for a mere $6,107. His total live cashes heading into this tournament according to The Hendon Mob were fewer than four buy-ins for this price tag, yet he dominated the action throughout the entire day with his aggressive playing style and typical Aussie way of life.
Hassan Kamel and the Aussie rail
Railed by the Australian WSOP bracelet winners Robert Campbell and James Obst, he chatted up a storm en route to victory and admitted that he hasn't played much poker at all in the last few years. Competing in any further tournaments during the ongoing series are not planned either as he intends to "get the fuck outta here" and continue his road trip right away, with a massive six-figure payday and the WSOP gold bracelet in the bag.
"I don't really like playing tournaments. I found my favorite game, hang out, have been road tripping across America," Kamel admitted after he seemingly had a ton of fun during the winner photoshoot with the gold bracelet.
He has been "playing cash games back in the days but honestly don't play that much any more. I just happen to be here and sort of thought I come and check it out," Kamel grinned. He was always good for a joke at the own expense and very much enjoyed the rather relaxed atmosphere at the tables.
"I actually planned on coming second. I wasn't greedy and already said I was gonna bust the $1,500 three times and come second in the bracelet event ... but I only busted the $1,500 only twice and came first in the $10k."
No more tournaments are planned during this part of the road trip either, according to the latest WSOP gold bracelet winner.
"Just in town, get blind drunk tonight and back out the next day. I am still in the middle of my road trip and my car is in Minneapolis right now. I gonna fly back there and continue the trip."
Action of the Final Day
Only 19 hopefuls returned to their seats at 1 p.m. local time and the first casualty was a surprise, as Christopher Vitch had returned eighth in chips. However, several clashes first hurt his stack before he was then eliminated by Martin Zamani. The latter was near the top of the leaderboard but suffered the same fate and ran with kings into the aces of Anton Smirnov, bricking a low draw along the way.
Two minutes later, the final two tables were set with the elimination of Dylan Wilkerson and it then took more than an hour for the roller coaster ride of Joao Simao to end, reducing the field to the last 15 hopefuls. Within just 90 minutes from there on out, the all-in showdowns kept on coming and the eight-handed final table was barely set when the next two players were sent to the payout desk.
It was a period that can only be described as incredibly frantic with frequent changes in the middle of the pack. Maxx Coleman saw his hopes crushed after he lost most of the chips in a clash with Dylan Weisman and Ryan Rapaski bowed out half an hour later. Naoya Kihara kept his short stack afloat for an extended period and the same applied for Patrick Leonard as well as Ben Yu, but they all eventually ran out of chips in this order.
Canada's Calen McNeil was going for a second WSOP gold bracelet and doubled back into the middle of the pack only to lose most of his chips in a preflop contest with Smirnov. A flopped set spelled the end for the Canadian as the combo-draw of John Holley got there on the river with a straight and low. However, McNeil certainly had plenty of fun at the tables and confirmed that on social media as well.
Moments after the departure of McNeil, with which the unofficial final table was set, Paul Volpe headed to the payout desk and eight contenders combined to one table. They had barely assumed their new seat assignments when Urbanovich and Long Tran were knocked out and the second break of the day kicked off with half a dozen players still in the mix.
Kamel was the runaway chip leader and kept adding more chips to his growing tower with relentless aggression, while most of his short-stacked opponents waited for an opportunity to get their chips in. It all boiled down to another half hour of violent action in which a trio of players crashed out. Day 2 chip leader Stephen Deutsch was the first to go followed by Weisman and Smirnov as only three contenders entered the dinner break.
Any potential plans to bag up for the evening and determine a winner the following day were thrown out of the window due to the massive lead for Kamel, who could have sealed the victory within the first 10 minutes after the action resumed.
Eventually, it was John Holley who ran out of fortune and chips first before Hoenig put up a short-lived fight with a huge chip deficit. When it was all over, Hoenig shook hands and congratulated Kamel with the words "you played great, man".
That concludes the PokerNews coverage for this event but several other gold bracelet events are currently underway including the iconic WSOP $10,000 Main Event at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas.
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 9:49 PM Local Time
Ryan Hoenig Eliminated in 2nd Place ($369,972)
Hassan Kamel limped the button and Ryan Hoenig raised to 300,000 for the commanding chip leader to call.
The flop came and Hoenig bet the pot for 700,000 with 200,000 behind. Kamel mulled it over for half a minute and raised as Hoenig called all-in.
Ryan Hoenig:
Hassan Kamel:
"You are in good shape," Hoenig said when the cards were exposed. That shape improved a ton with the turn as Kamel hit a low and straight. Hoenig needed diamonds, nine or four to chop but bricked the river to bow out in second place for $369,972.
| Hassan Kamel | 16,620,000 | 1,520,000  |
| Ryan Hoenig | 0 | -1,560,000  |
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 9:44 PM Local Time
Hoenig Doubles
Ryan Hoenig raised to 300,000 and Kamel returned a maximum bet that put Hoenig all in for a total of 780,000. Hoenig called and the cards were turned up.
Ryan Hoenig:
Hassan Kamel:
The board ran out and Hoenig scooped the pot for a double with trip fives and an ace-deuce low.
| Hassan Kamel | 15,100,000 | -800,000 |
| Ryan Hoenig | 1,560,000 | 860,000 |
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 9:34 PM Local Time
Hoenig Sniffs Out a Bluff; Hits the Ropes After
Hassan Kamel limped in and Ryan Hoenig checked. On the flop, Hoenig check-called for 150,000 and the turn went check, check. Hoenig checked the river and folded when Kamel bet 600,000.
Hoenig then limped in and Kamel raised to 300,000 for his opponent to call. Kamel bet the flop for 225,000 to earn a call and potted the turn, Hoenig got it in and Kamel called.
Ryan Hoenig:
Hassan Kamel:
The river saved Hoenig with a chop.
Hoenig then called a river bet with 400,000 on the board with the words "you gotta be bluffing sometimes". Kamel was indeed with the as Hoenig won the pot with the .
Kamel limped in soon after and Hoenig raised to 300,000, Kamel limp-raised to 900,000 and Hoenig called. The flop brought a check from Hoenig and he checked to a bet worth 400,000.
| Hassan Kamel | 15,900,000 | 1,180,000 |
| Ryan Hoenig | 700,000 | -1,200,000 |
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 9:26 PM Local Time
Hoenig is Scrappy
Ryan Hoenig limped in and Hassan Kamel checked to see a flop of . Kamel check-called a bet of 125,000 on the flop and the turn was . Both players checked the turn to see on the river and Kamel fired 400,000. Hoenig called and Kamel showed to take the pot with sevens full of kings.
On the next hand, Kamel limped in and Hoenig bet the maximum for 300,000. Kamel called and the flop was . Hoenig flicked in 100,000 and Kamel called to see on the turn. The turn brought a 350,000 bet from Hoenig and that was enough to fold Kamel out of the hand.
| Hassan Kamel | 14,720,000 | 20,000 |
| Ryan Hoenig | 1,900,000 | 20,000 |
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 9:12 PM Local Time
Hoenig Doubles Thru Kamel
In the very first hand of heads-up, Hassan Kamel potted and Hoenig got the chips in for 890,000 to get called.
Ryan Hoenig:
Hassan Kamel:
The board came and Hoenig doubled with deuces full of queens, joking that he was "looking forward to a long heads-up".
| Hassan Kamel | 14,700,000 | -1,000,000 |
| Ryan Hoenig | 1,880,000 | 990,000 |
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 9:06 PM Local Time
John Holley Eliminated in 3rd Place ($265,156)
The lightning speed continues as the chips went into the middle twice in quick succession.
First, Hassan Kamel raised the button for the pot and Ryan Hoenig jammed for 890,000 in the small blind. John Holley tank-folded and Kamel called.
Ryan Hoenig:
Hassan Kamel:
The board ran out and they chopped it up.
Soon after, Hoenig limp-called a raise to 300,000 and got it in against Kamel on the flop.
John Holley:
Hassan Kamel:
Kamel was in fact rooting for a spade to keep the jovial Holley in the mix but the turn and river knocked out Holley in third place.
| Hassan Kamel | 15,700,000 | 1,400,000 |
| Ryan Hoenig | 890,000 | 0 |
| John Holley | 0 | -1,400,000 |
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 9:00 PM Local Time
Kamel on the Verge of Victory
John Holley limped in and then called a raise to 300,000 by Hassan Kamel as they headed to the flop. Holley checked and folded to a bet of 300,000, getting shown the .
Kamel limped the small blind next and Ryan Hoenig checked. They checked the flop and Kamel bet the turn for 100,000, then the river for 500,000. Hoenig called and Kamel won the pot with the for trip nines.
| Hassan Kamel | 14,300,000 | 1,500,000 |
| John Holley | 1,400,000 | -850,000 |
| Ryan Hoenig | 890,000 | -725,000 |
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 8:51 PM Local Time
Holley Doubles Through Hoenig
John Holley raised the pot on the button and Hassan Kamel called in the small blind. Ryan Hoenig then repotted from the big blind and Holley called all-in. Kamel went into the tank and even asked for silence from the rail to think about it, then folded.
John Holley:
Ryan Hoenig:
The board ran out and Kamel sighed. "That would have been the tournament, I had a four," he mentioned. Holley, in the meanwhile, doubled through Hoenig and surpassed his opponent.
| Hassan Kamel | 12,800,000 | -555,000 |
| John Holley | 2,250,000 | 1,100,000 |
| Ryan Hoenig | 1,615,000 | -550,000 |
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 8:45 PM Local Time
First Pot After Dinner to Kamel
Ryan Hoenig limped the button and Hassan Kamel checked out of the big blind.
On the flop, Kamel check-called for "the minimum" as declared by Hoenig, who then bet the turn for "more than the minimum". Kamel check-called for 225,000 and checked the river.
Hoenig bet 270,000 and folded when Kamel check-raised to 1,000,000.
| Hassan Kamel | 13,355,000 | 745,000 |
| Ryan Hoenig | 2,165,000 | -695,000 |
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 8:39 PM Local Time
Level 27 started
Level: 27
Blinds: 50,000/100,000
Ante: 100,000
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 7:43 PM Local Time
Dinner Break for the Final Three Players
In the last hand of the level, John Holley and Hassan Kamel went for the "maximum maximum" combo again to pile it in preflop.
John Holley:
Hassan Kamel:
The board ran out and they chopped it up, as Holley had a straight and Kamel the low.
The final three players were then sent on a scheduled 60-minute dinner break and will return at approximately 8.42p.m. local time.
| Hassan Kamel | 12,610,000 | 410,000 |
| Ryan Hoenig | 2,860,000 | -315,000 |
| John Holley | 1,150,000 | -230,000 |
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 7:40 PM Local Time
Anton Smirnov Eliminated in 4th Place ($192,562)
Hassan Kamel raised to 240,000 before Anton Smirnov slid a raise into the middle representing almost all of his remaining stack. The two players got the rest into the middle and the cards were turned up.
Anton Smirnov:
Hassan Kamel:
Smirnov was looking to crack Kamel's aces and took the lead with two pair on the flop. The turn was safe, but the river gave Kamel a flush to eliminate Smirnov in fourth place.
| Hassan Kamel | 12,200,000 | 0 |
| Anton Smirnov | 0 | 0 |
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 7:37 PM Local Time
Dylan Weisman Eliminated in 5th Place ($141,727)
Ryan Hoenig raised to 280,000 and called when Dylan Weisman moved all in to his left.
Dylan Weisman:
Ryan Hoenig:
The flop of gave Hoenig a set, with Weisman finding bricks on the turn and river to end his run in fifth place.
| Ryan Hoenig | 3,175,000 | 675,000 |
| Dylan Weisman | 0 | -675,000 |
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 7:36 PM Local Time
Holley Scores Another Double
When on the button, John Holley announced "maximum" and Hassan Kamel did so too, repotting from the small blind. Vladimir Smirnov glanced at four low cards and folded in the big blind while Holley called.
John Holley:
Hassan Kamel:
The board ran out and Holley rivered a flush to double for 590,000.
"He folded low cards? Wow," Holley joked and another player remarked that it was an ICM fold.
"What is ICM?" Holley grinned and Kamel shook his head.
Smirnov and Dylan Weisman had to fold due to ICM implications the next orbit before Holley chopped with Kamel in the same button versus small blind scenario.
| Hassan Kamel | 11,100,000 | 200,000 |
| Ryan Hoenig | 2,500,000 | 440,000 |
| John Holley | 1,380,000 | 740,000 |
| Anton Smirnov | 950,000 | -550,000 |
| Dylan Weisman | 675,000 | -485,000 |
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 7:30 PM Local Time
Holley Hits Against Hoenig
Ryan Hoenig raised to 280,000 and called when the rest of John Holley's short stack slid into the middle.
John Holley:
Ryan Hoenig:
Hoenig took the lead on the flop, but Holley found two pair on the turn.
The river left Holley ahead for the double up.
| Hassan Kamel | 10,900,000 | 200,000 |
| Ryan Hoenig | 2,060,000 | -340,000 |
| Anton Smirnov | 1,500,000 | 0 |
| Dylan Weisman | 1,160,000 | -40,000 |
| John Holley | 640,000 | 290,000 |
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 7:20 PM Local Time
Stephen Deutsch Eliminated in 6th Place ($105,737)
Hassan Kamel raised to 240,000 two hands in a row and Stephen Deutsch called the second time when he was in the big blind. On the flop, Deutsch checked and folded when Kamel bet the pot.
One hand later, Deutsch got it in against Ryan Hoenig and they chopped it up. Fellow short stack John Holley went through the blinds as both Deutsch and Holley had a very similar short stack between five and six blinds.
Deutsch then potted to 280,000 and Kamel called in the small blind. Kamel bet the pot on the flop and Deutsch called for the fumes he had behind.
Stephen Deutsch:
Hassan Kamel:
The turn and river were both high cards to entirely miss the low draw of Deutsch, who was ousted in sixth place for $105,737.
| Hassan Kamel | 10,700,000 | 600,000 |
| Ryan Hoenig | 2,400,000 | 100,000 |
| Anton Smirnov | 1,500,000 | 50,000 |
| Dylan Weisman | 1,200,000 | 0 |
| John Holley | 350,000 | -435,000 |
| Stephen Deutsch | 0 | -375,000 |
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 7:12 PM Local Time
Holley Doubles Through Deutsch
John Holley raised to 280,000 under the gun, leaving just 50,000 chips behind. The action folded to Stephen Deutsch in the big blind, who made the call.
The rest of Holley's chips were at risk after the flop.
John Holley:
Stephen Deutsch:
Holley was in great shape with a flush draw to go with a nut low draw, and the turn changed nothing. The river completed Holley's flush to earn the double up.
| Hassan Kamel | 10,100,000 | 300,000 |
| Ryan Hoenig | 2,300,000 | -200,000 |
| Anton Smirnov | 1,450,000 | -220,000 |
| Dylan Weisman | 1,200,000 | 0 |
| John Holley | 785,000 | 450,000 |
| Stephen Deutsch | 375,000 | -330,000 |
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 7:02 PM Local Time
Holley Down to Fumes After Doubling Smirnov
Stephen Deutsch raised to 130,000 and John Holley let it ride with a pot-sized three-bet from the big blind. Deutsch started casual table chat with the jovial Holley and opted to "live another day" with a fold. Holley exposed the which he declared as the key card, then stated he had .
One hand later, Holley limped in but instantly asked "how much can he make it", fully expecting a raise by Hassan Kamel.
"You know what it is," Kamel replied and potted to 240,000 for Holley to call. The flop was check-called by Holley when Kamel continued for 200,000. Both checked the turn and the river saw Holley check again. Kamel bet the full pot for 960,000 and forced a fold.
In the very next hand, Holley raised to 200,000 on the button and Anton Smirnov potted to 600,000 from the big blind. Without any hesitation, Holley called and they headed to the flop. Smirnov pushed forward 250,000 and left 25,000 behind, which Holley didn't see.
Holley instantly splashed in chips and exposed his cards, then turned them back over when it was pointed out. Hence, Holley only called and Smirnov checked the turn.
"Wait, let me check my cards," Holley stated and checked it back to the river.
Smirnov moved all-in and Holley called. "You win, but I can't fold the wrap," Holley said as he exposed his . Smirnov earned the full double with the to leave Holley on fumes.
| Hassan Kamel | 9,800,000 | 1,060,000 |
| Ryan Hoenig | 2,500,000 | -300,000 |
| Anton Smirnov | 1,670,000 | 810,000 |
| Dylan Weisman | 1,200,000 | -240,000 |
| Stephen Deutsch | 705,000 | -420,000 |
| John Holley | 335,000 | -1,095,000 |
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 6:53 PM Local Time
Holley Pots the River
Stephen Deutsch opened to 180,000 on the button and found a call from John Holley in the big blind.
Holley checked the flop and called when Deutsch continued for 100,000.
Both players checked the turn, with Holley leading out on the river for the full pot. Deutsch mucked his hand as Holley added a pile of chips to his stack.
| Hassan Kamel | 8,740,000 | 240,000 |
| Ryan Hoenig | 2,800,000 | -25,000 |
| Dylan Weisman | 1,440,000 | 40,000 |
| John Holley | 1,430,000 | 230,000 |
| Stephen Deutsch | 1,125,000 | -225,000 |
| Anton Smirnov | 860,000 | 10,000 |