Event #28: $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em

A mere three days ago 2,500 people decided to test their skill and their luck against a massive field for a shot at a gold WSOP bracelet and $599,153 in first place prize money. Now after 2,499 eliminations, just one man stands. Andy Frankenberger was able to defeat Joshua Evans heads up and grab WSOP glory.

When play began three days ago, the Pavilion at Rio-All-Suites Hotel and Casino was jam packed with players looking to take their shot at a WSOP event. With $1,500 being one of the lowest buy-in tournaments, the field had a breadth of players ranging from amateurs to professionals. Day one saw many casualties of notable professionals including Freddy Deeb, Liv Boeree, Joe Sebok, Phil Laak, and PokerNews' own Rich Ryan. That being said, 349 players were able to overcome the large field and progress on to the second day of the event. Players such as Rick Romine and Roberto Wantanbe were able to turn their starting stacks of 4,500 chips into massive castles of chips that towered over the competition, totaling over 150,000 each.

When play began on day two, the casualties came fast and brutal. Players were constantly heard complaining of aces over kings and similar coolers. We even documented a preflop all in of red aces versus black aces versus kings. Several notable players including Matt Affleck, Vanessa Selbst, Sumanth Reddy, Michael Katz, and our day one chip leader Rick Romine were sent to the rail, victims of the vicious day two play. In the end, 28 players were able to survive ten more hectic levels of play and charge on through their quest to earn a gold bracelet.

Day three kicked off almost as fast as day two ended, with a flurry of eliminations within the first fifteen minutes of play. After two hours of play, we were down to our final nine contenders. Steven Merrifield led way with Andy Frankenberger and Joshua Evans rounding out the top three. Eliminations continued to come fast throughout the day as one by one, players were sent on the long walk away from the ESPN Main Stage and toward the rail.

Eventually Andy Frankenberger and Joshua Evans found each other heads up. Frankenberger began heads up play with a severe chip disadvantage but was able to catch a huge double up when his    beat Evans'   . From that point on Frankenberger continued to play small ball until he was able to get it all in with top two pair against Evan's top pair.

Frankenberger won the World Poker Tour Player of the Year title for 2010 and now has made 2011 a worthwhile year as well, adding a gold WSOP bracelet and $599,153 to his collection of tournament accolades. PokerNews extends congratulations to Frankenberger on his huge achievement!

Thanks for following our coverage of this event and stay tuned to PokerNews throughout the rest of the World Series of Poker for the most up to date coverage!

Joshua Evans limped on the button, Andy Frankenberger checked in the big blind, and the flop came down    . Frankenberger checked, Evans fired 65,000, Frankenberger check-raised to 150,000, and Evans called.

The turn was the  , and Frankenberger led for 225,000. Evans called.

Both players checked the   on the river, and Frankenberger opened up    for two pair. Evans showed    before mucking, and Frankenberger won the pot.

Andy Frankenberger	8,350,000	650,000
Joshua Evans	2,950,000	-650,000

Andy Frankenberger had the button and raised to 100,000. Joshua Evans called, and the flop came down    . Evans check-called 100,000 from Frankenberger, and the turn was the  .

Evans checked, Frankenberger tossed out 150,000, and Evans called.

Both players checked the   on the river, Evans opened up    for a pair of eights, and Frankenberger tabled    for a pair of nines. The nines were good, and Frankenberger shipped the pot.

Neither Joshua Evans nor Andy Frankenberger are strangers to success on the felt. Frankenberger enjoyed over $1.2 million in earnings during 2010, and won the World Poker Tour Player of the Year title.

Evans went on a tear during the 2011 World Series of Poker Circuit, cashing eight times, and making four final tables. One of those final tables was at the Nation Championship held at Caesars Palace this past may. Evans took third for $135,000 - his biggest score to date.

The first seven or eight hand Andy Frankenberger and Joshua Evans played heads up were decided preflop by either a fold or a raise from the player on the button.

After a bit of chip trading, Josh Evans made it 105,000 to go only to be three-bet to 300,000 by Frankenberger. The flop fell     and the action went check-check. Then turn brought   and it checked around once again. The   came on the river and Frankenberger bet 150,000 causing Evans to muck his cards and Frankenberger to scoop the pot.

Joshua Evans	6,500,000	-300,000
Andy Frankenberger	4,700,000	250,000

After a raise by Josh Evans from the button and a call by Robert Shortway from the big blind, the players saw a board of    . Shortway led out only to be raised by Evans. Shortway quickly announced that he was all in for a whopping 3,320,000 more. Shortway actually had a bit more than Evans, so this pot was for Evans' tournament life.

Evans announced a call but was behind the two pair of Shortway's   . Evan's tabled    and needed help.

The turn came   and proved no help to Evans. However, the river fell  , pairing the board and making Evan's jacks and fours the best hand. Evans doubled up to over 6,500,000 and Shortway has been crippled, sitting around 100,000.

From the button, Andy Frankenberger raised to 80,000. Rob Shortway three-bet the action from the small blind to 250,000. After some pondering, Frankenberger four-bet to 600,000. Shortway announced "All in" instantly and Frankenberger called him just as quick.

Frankenberger:   
Shortway:   

The board ran out       and Frankenberger was able to double up and become the new chip leader.

Andy Frankenberger	4,500,000	2,165,000
Robert Shortway	3,300,000	-2,200,000

Owen Crowe got his short stack in preflop with   , and was up against the    of Andy Frankenberger.

The board ran      , and Crowe was eliminated in 4th place.

This was Crowe's fourth WSOP final table in as many years, so don't be surprised if you see him at another one soon!

Robert Shortway opened to 75,000, and Steven Merrifield defended his big blind. The flop fell    , and Merrifield checked to Shortway who continued for 75,000. Merrifield check-raised to 200,000, and Shortway called.

The turn was the  , Merrifield led for 175,000, and Shortway raised to 675,000. Merrifield moved all in, and Shortway snapped it off.

Merrifield:   
Shortway:   

Merrifield could only chop with the jack, but the river was the  , eliminating him from the tournament.