Wednesday, June 20, 2012 7:32 PM Local Time
After three days of scintillating poker Event #34: $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Six-Handed has come to a conclusion. Our congratulations go to Naoya Kihara who defeated Chris De Maci, heads-up, to become our latest World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet holder and the first-ever from Japan.
419 players entered this competition creating a prizepool of $1,969,300 but from midway through Day 2 there was only ever one winner. Kihara took the chip lead after eliminating top quality opponents for fun. It was seriously one of the hottest streaks of poker we have witnessed, and he will surely never have another run like it.
The final day started with a field of eleven players and the chip leader was Naoya Kihara. But there was one person missing and it was one of our short-stacks. Where was Kevin MacPhee? A quick glance on twitter told us that MacPhee had ran into the back of another car in the Rio car park hence his delay. We were all glad to see that MacPhee was unhurt when he arrived but that wouldn't last long. Joseph Cheong deciding to inflict some pain of his own, eliminating MacPhee within minutes of his late arrival.
That was Cheong's second successive double up after crippling Daniel Hindin in the very first hand of the day. Two pair for Cheong and Hindon was down to just 86,000 chips. But Hindon is made of stern stuff and he fought back to earn himself 740,000 chips and the scalp of our 10th place finisher Dimitar Danchev after turning a set of nines.
The former November Niner, Joseph Cheong, was the next to leave the competition. He got it all in holding versus the of Davidi Kitai. Cheong flopped a set of aces but Kitai rivered a flush to send Cheong out in 9th place.
The preliminary final table of 7 players was set after the elimination of one of our World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet holders. Jason DeWitt losing an all in confrontation against last years runner-up Hans Winzeler.
The final 7 players moved to the Pavilion and the shortest stack belonged to Scott Bohlman. He did very well to double up twice, but that didn't stop him from becoming our 7th place finisher. Winzeler was once again the executioner and he moved right into contention for the title behind Naoya Kihara and our new chip leader Davidi Kitai.
Final Table Seat Draw
| Seat | Player | Chips |
|---|
| 1 | Davidi Kitai | 1,681,000 |
| 2 | Hans Winzeler | 1,042,000 |
| 3 | Daniel Hindin | 723,000 |
| 4 | Naoya Kihara | 1,577,000 |
| 5 | Chris De Maci | 612,000 |
| 6 | Tommy Le | 638,000 |
The six-handed final table slowed down dramatically when the size of the prize jumps started to become a realisation to the players. Then after a long period of subdued nothingness Daniel Hindin, who was down to 85,000 at the start of the day, doubled through Naoya Kihara and became our chip leader for the first time in the competition.
Then we lost Tommy Le, at the hands of Chris De Maci, and the bracelet race was blown wide open. All five players were within touching distance of each other and Davidi Kitai was the new chip leader.
Then the biggest shock of the final table - the elimination of Davidi Kitai. The Belgian was in cruise control until he got embroiled in a huge hand with, who else but, Naoya Kihara. All of the money went into the middle on a flop of with Kitai holding and Kihara held . The turn card was the and both players hit the same straight, but Kihara was free-rolling and needed a ten for a higher straight. Bang! straight on cue the and a shocked Kitai was out in 5th place.
Hans Winzeler finished runner-up in this exact event only last year, when he lost heads-up against the amazing Jason Mercier. Winzeler was hoping to go one step further this year but it wasn't to be. The japanese steam train running over Winzeler to eliminate him in 4th place.
So three people were playing for their first WSOP bracelet: Naoya Kihara, Chris De Maci and Daniel Hindin. The three-way action didn't last long before Kihara got his claws into Hindin. It was a three-bet pot and the money went into the middle on a flop of and Kihara had bagged a pair of aces holding whereas Hindin held . Hindin was out and we were heads-up for the most important piece of gold in poker.
The heads-up play lasted around 30-minutes and we suppose it was inevitable that Kihara would go on and win Japan's first ever bracelet. Kihara started great, De Maci pulled a few chips back but the man from Japan was always in control and the exit hand can be read below.
Congratulations to Naoya Kihara the first ever WSOP bracelet holder from Japan who earns himself $512,029 in the process. Also commiserations to our runner-up Chris De Maci who was an amazing talent throughout.
Final Table Payouts
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|
| 1 | Naoya Kihara | $512,029 |
| 2 | Chris De Maci | $316,308 |
| 3 | Daniel Hindin | $203,369 |
| 4 | Hans Winzeler | $134,857 |
| 5 | Davidi Kitai | $92,064 |
| 6 | Tommy Le | $64,671 |
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 7:24 PM Local Time
Was there really any doubt? It almost seemed that Naoya Kihara was destined to win this.
The final hand came when Kihara raised from the button and De Maci called from the big blind. The flop fell and De Maci check-raised Kihara's 160,000 c-bet up to 550,000. Kihara set De Maci in for his remaining 450,000. Call.
Kihara: for a pair of jacks.
De Maci: for a pair a straight wrap.
The board ran out to the the man from Japan two-pair and the title.
Congratulations to De Maci who put in a valiant effort these past three days. He played with a smile and was never afraid to put chips in the middle.
| Naoya Kihara | 6,285,000 | 1,788,500  |
| Chris De Maci | 0 | -132,000  |
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 7:05 PM Local Time
Chris De Maci has started to feel his way into this heads-up encounter after a bright start from Naoya Kihara. Here is a De Maci hand.
Kihara raised to 100,000 and De Maci made the call. The action checked down to the river on a board of , De Maci bet 145,000 and Kihara called. De Maci turned over for the flush and Kihara mucked his hand.
| Naoya Kihara | 4,496,500 | -788,500 |
| Chris De Maci | 1,320,000 | 320,000 |
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 6:55 PM Local Time
Current 2012 WSOP Player of the Year Standings
| Place | Player | Points |
|---|
| 1 | Phil Ivey | 539.70 |
| 2 | John Monnette | 524.25 |
| 3 | Andy Frankenberger | 384.66 |
| 4 | Phil Hellmuth | 368.70 |
| 5 | Max Steinberg | 309.44 |
| 6 | Brian Hastings | 303.00 |
| 7 | David "Bakes" Baker | 302.00 |
| 8 | Ashkan Razavi | 274.06 |
| 9 | Aubin Cazals | 263.00 |
| 10 | Michael Gathy | 250.00 |
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 6:54 PM Local Time
Naoya Kihara raised to 100,000 on the button, Chris De Maci three-bet to 250,000 and Kihara made the call. The flop was De Maci checked, Kihara bet 310,000 and it was enough to win another decent pot.
| Naoya Kihara | 5,285,000 | 130,000 |
| Chris De Maci | 1,000,000 | -155,000 |
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 6:48 PM Local Time
Chris De Maci made up the loose change from the small blind and Naoya Kihara checked. The flop was and De Maci called a 60,000 Kihara bet. The turn was the and Kihara picked up the pot with a 140,000 bet.
In the next hand Kihara raised to 100,000 on the button and De Maci called. The flop was a rather sumptuous looking . This is where it got interesting because De Maci check-raised to 360,000 after Kihara had bet 140,000. The ice cool lad from Tokyo made the call and we moved onto the turn. The dealer placed the onto the felt and both players checked through to the on the river. De Maci made the check and Kihara bet 630,000 and De Maci mucked his hand.
| Naoya Kihara | 5,155,000 | 580,000 |
| Chris De Maci | 1,155,000 | -560,000 |
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 6:38 PM Local Time
All of a sudden we're heads-up for the bracelet!
Daniel Hindin three-bet to 320,000 after Naoya Kihara raised to 100,000 on the button. Call.
The flop came down and Hindin immediately bet a pot-sized 640,000. He had 265,000 back and Kihara set him all-in. Call.
Hindin: for a pair of kings.
Kihara: for a pair of aces.
Hindin looked at what his opponent opened and said, "The s#it you turn up!"
The board ran out and that was no use for Hindin.
| Naoya Kihara | 4,575,000 | 175,000 |
| Chris De Maci | 1,715,000 | 105,000 |
| Daniel Hindin | 0 | -1,245,000 |
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 6:32 PM Local Time
Daniel Hindin raised to 80,000 from the button and Chris De Maci defended the big blind. The flop was and De Maci check-called a 150,000 Hindin c-bet. Moving onto the turn and this time De Maci surrendered his hand in the face of a 290,000 Hindin double barrel.
Naoya Kihara raised to 100,000 on the button and Hindin made the call from the big blind. The flop was and Kihara won the pot with a 150,000 c-bet.
Chris De Maci raised to 90,000 on the button and Kihara called in the big blind. The flop was and Kihara check-called a 140,000 De Maci bet. The was checked through on the turn and Kihara won the pot with a bet at the sight of the on the river.
Kihara made up the small change from the small blind and De Maci checked his option in the big. Kihara then proceeded to check-call three-streets of De Maci value on a board of . The bets were 45,000, 115,000 & 210,000 and De Maci turned over to scoop the pot.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 6:21 PM Local Time
Close but no cigar again in this tournament for Hans Winzeler.
He raised to 140,000 from the button and Naoya called from the big blind. The flop came and Winzeler's last 80,000 chips went in. Call.
Winzeler: .
Naoya: for trips.
The board ran out to confirm Winzeler's exit.
| Naoya Kihara | 4,400,000 | 1,210,000 |
| Hans Winzeler | 0 | -240,000 |
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 6:10 PM Local Time
Hans Winzeler has been hamstrung on the teeny stack since he lost his chips to Naoya Kihara. He has been was looking for an opportunity to shove but it just hasn't materialise. Eventually, he found himself in the big blind with just 110,000 in front of him and after Kiraha raised on the button he had to move all-in and did, Kiraha made the call.
Flop:
Winzeler flopped a straight and was a sure fine hit to double up.
Turn:
The turn card gave Kiraha some hope with a five or a king giving him a full-house.
River:
Winzeler doubled up and he received a cheer from his rail.
| Naoya Kihara | 3,190,000 | -110,000 |
| Hans Winzeler | 240,000 | -160,000 |
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 6:02 PM Local Time
Level: 26
Blinds: 20000/40000
Ante: 0
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 5:58 PM Local Time
Naoya Kihara is charging towards winning Japan's first bracelet, and now has more than half the chips in play.
Hans Winzeler opened from the button and Kihara peeled from the big blind to see an flop where both players checked.
There was no more checking from this point on as Kihara led for 105,000 and 290,000 on the turn and river.
Winzeler called both times and then mucked upon seeing his opponent's for the flopped wheel.
| Naoya Kihara | 3,300,000 | 585,000 |
| Hans Winzeler | 400,000 | -730,000 |
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 5:48 PM Local Time
Chris De Maci has just won our last three flops.
Daniel Hindin raised from the cutoff and De Maci made the call in the small blind. The action was checked through to the river on a board of and De Maci won the pot showing .
Then De Maci raised to 65,000 from the cutoff, Hans Winzeler called on the button as did Naoya Kiraha in the big blind. Once again the action checked through to the river, this time on a board of , and De Maci won his second pot showing .
Finally, De Maci raised to 65,000 on the button and Winzeler called in the big blind. The flop was and De Maci won the pot with a 55,000 bet.
| Chris De Maci | 1,610,000 | 250,000 |
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 5:37 PM Local Time
It took a monster pot and a man from Japan to oust one of the favorites for this title, Davidi Kitai.
Kitai opened to 60,000 from under the gun and Naoya Kihara three-bet to 210,000. Kitai wasn't to be removed and raised the pot. This took a few minutes and about ten people to figure out it was up to 660,000. Kihara surprised a lot of people by just calling.
The flop came down and Kihara shoved for 750,000. Kitai snap-called off his remaining 645,000.
Kihara: .
Kitai: .
The turn came giving both players the same straight. Kihara was free-rolling to a better straight though. He needed a ten and that's what he got as the river came to give him the winning straight. Kitai looked as if he'd just been stabbed in the heart.
| Naoya Kihara | 2,715,000 | 1,360,000 |
| Davidi Kitai | 0 | -1,210,000 |
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 5:25 PM Local Time
We are averaging five-minutes in between flops at the moment, and here are the last three.
Hans Winzeler raised on the button and Naoya Kihara called in the big blind. The flop was and both players checked. The turn was the and Winzeler took down the pot with a 75,000 bet.
Kihara limped into the pot from the small blind and Chris De Maci checked his option. The flop was and Kihara won the pot with a 40,000 bet.
Finally, De Maci bet 65,000 from the button and Davidi Kitai defended his big blind. The flop was and Kitai check called a 85,000 De Maci c-bet. Onto the turn and the same action ensued; this time for 180,000. The river card was the and both players checked. De Maci picked up the pot with two-pair holding and Kitai mucked his hand.
| Chris De Maci | 1,360,000 | 290,000 |
| Naoya Kihara | 1,355,000 | -20,000 |
| Davidi Kitai | 1,210,000 | -330,000 |
| Hans Winzeler | 1,130,000 | 70,000 |
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 5:01 PM Local Time
Level: 25
Blinds: 15000/30000
Ante: 0
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 4:55 PM Local Time
| Seat 1 | Davidi Kitai | 1,540,000 |
| Seat 2 | Hans Winzeler | 1,060,000 |
| Seat 3 | Daniel Hindin | 1,245,000 |
| Seat 4 | Naoya Kihara | 1,375,000 |
| Seat 5 | Chris De Maci | 1,070,000 |
| Seat 6 | Empty | |
| Davidi Kitai | 1,540,000 | -10,000 |
| Naoya Kihara | 1,375,000 | 175,000 |
| Daniel Hindin | 1,245,000 | -7,000 |
| Chris De Maci | 1,070,000 | 194,000 |
| Hans Winzeler | 1,060,000 | 10,000 |
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 4:44 PM Local Time
The players are on a twenty-minute break
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 4:43 PM Local Time
Tommy Le was eliminated on the last hand of the break in a battle of the blinds versus Chris De Maci.
The action folded around to De Maci in the small blind, and he limp-called Le's pot-sized raise from the big blind.
The flop fell and Le bet 144,000 when the action checked to him, and then called all in when Di Maci shoved.
De Maci: for top and bottom pair.
Le: for inside straight draw and flush draw.
The board ran out to fill De Maci up and he ran off to celebrate with his rail.
| Tommy Le | 0 | -566,000 |
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 4:42 PM Local Time
With Level 24 coming to a close we are still yet to lose a single player on the final table. In fact the action has been very limited. Here are a few hands.
Nayoa Kihara raised to 84,000 in the cutoff and Chris De Maci called on the button. The flop was and a 155,000 Kihara bet won the pot.
Daniel Hindin raised to 50,000 from under the gun, Chris De Maci called in the cutoff as did Hans Winzeler in the big blind. The flop was and a 155,000 Hindin c-bet won the pot.
Lastly, Hans Winzeler raised to 48,000 on the button and Nayoa Kihara called in the big blind. The action checked through to the turn on a board of where Kihara bet 90,000 and Winzeler called. The river was the and this time Kihara checked. Winzeler took his time, bet 160,000 and it was enough to win the pot.