Sunday, June 12, 2022 10:47 PM Local Time
Tong Li Wins $1,467,739 and First Bracelet in Event #19: $25,000 Pot-Limit Omaha High Roller
Tong Li defeated Fabian Brandes in heads-up play to win the 2022 World Series of Poker Event #19: $25,000 Pot-Limit Omaha High Roller for $1,467,739 and his first bracelet.
The four-card high roller event attracted 264 total entries to create a $6,237,000 prize pool, with the lion's share of it awarded today.
This was the first WSOP cash on Li's poker résumé and it turned out to be one to remember, as he not only earned himself his first cash, but also his first final table and first bracelet in the prestigious tournament.
"This is a dream. I can not be more excited… I never expected to be the champion," Li said after his victory.
The Shanghai resident earned a huge payday and secured his maiden bracelet while denying German high-stakes PLO cash player and Vienna-resident Brandes his first bracelet. Brandes entered the final day as the chip leader but wasn't able to go the distance, and will have to settle for the runner-up consolation prize of nearly a million dollars.
Four-time bracelet winner and reigning WSOP Player of the Year Josh Arieh came up short of another title as he finished in third, while Sam Stein and reigning WSOP No-Limits VELO Player of the Year Scott Ball also weren't able to add another piece of gold jewelry to their collection.
Event #19: $25,000 Pot-Limit Omaha High Roller Final Table Results
| Place | Winner | Country | Prize (in USD) |
| 1 | Tong Li | China | $1,467,739 |
| 2 | Fabian Brandes | Austria | $907,132 |
| 3 | Josh Arieh | United States | $644,365 |
| 4 | Sam Stein | United States | $465,717 |
| 5 | Scott Ball | United States | $342,590 |
| 6 | Jonathan Depa | United States | $256,582 |
| 7 | Emmanuel Sebag | United States | $195,713 |
| 8 | Gregory Shuda | United States | $152,091 |
Final Table Action
The prestigious event attracted many of the biggest and best in the game. Some notables who made it into the money but fell short of the official final table include David Williams (9th - $120,457), Chance Kornuth (13th - $80,105), Ben Lamb (15th - $67,313), Daniel Negreanu (16th - $57,738), Noah Schwartz (22nd - $50,575), Yuri Dzivielevski (24th - $50,575), and Stephen Chidwick (29th - $44,253).
The final table began near the end of the penultimate day and Gregory Shuda (8th - $152,091), Emmanuel Sebag (7th - $195,713), and Jonathan Depa (6th - $256,582) all bowed out before the fourth and final day of play.
Five players entered the finale and they all had a shot at the glory. Li came into the day third in chips but quickly lost some pots to become the short stack. He was the first player at risk of elimination but secured one of what would be several double-ups through Arieh. Ball became the first player to make his way to the payout desk in fifth place when his aces were beaten by Brandes on the river.
Arieh then doubled through Brandes and Li again doubled through Arieh before Stein was knocked out in fourth place. He had gotten his chips in on the flop against Arieh with nearly even odds to win the hand, but Arieh's two pair turned out to be the best, and Stein made his exit.
Josh Arieh
At that point, Arieh held nearly 60% of the chips in play, but his opponents weren't going to go down without a fight. Brandes claimed the chip lead soon enough with top set, and Li secured yet another double through Arieh to give the trio all fairly similar stacks.
The three players took a short break and when they returned, Li took the lead for the first time, partially propelled by a rivered nut flush. Brandes then doubled through Arieh, and soon after, Li made quads to extend his lead even further. Arieh was looking to make a comeback on a hand when he flopped a boat, but Li turned a superior boat, and the rest of Arieh's chips went in on the river to eliminate him in third place.
That set up a heads-up match between Li and Brandes, with the former holding over three times as many chips as the latter. They played a few small pots before most of Brandes' stack went in preflop, and the remainder went in postflop. Li had flopped trips and Brandes was hoping to complete his straight draw, but the board ran out blanks and Li had officially secured the title.
Fabian Brandes - Jeff Platt - Tong Li
| YEAR | PLAYER | COUNTRY | FIRST PRIZE | ENTRIES | PRIZE POOL |
|---|
| 2022 | Tong Li | China | $1,467,739 | 264 | $6,237,000 |
| 2021 | Shaun Deeb | United States | $1,251,860 | 212 | $5,008,500 |
| 2019 | Stephen Chidwick | United Kingdom | $1,618,417 | 278 | $6,602,500 |
| 2018 | Shaun Deeb | United States | $1,402,683 | 230 | $5,462,500 |
| 2017 | James Calderaro | United States | $1,289,074 | 204 | $4,868,750 |
| 2016 | Jens Kyllonen | Finland | $1,127,035 | 184 | $4,370,000 |
| 2015 | Anthony Zinno | United States | $1,122,196 | 175 | $4,156,250 |
This concludes the coverage for this event, but stay tuned as PokerNews continues to bring you WSOP updates throughout the summer at Bally's and Paris Las Vegas.
Sunday, June 12, 2022 9:06 PM Local Time
Fabian Brandes Eliminated in 2nd Place ($907,132)
Tong Li raised to 1,000,000, Fabian Brandes three-bet to 3,000,000, and Li called.
The dealer spread the flop, Brandes jammed for his remaining 4,030,000, and Li called.
Fabian Brandes:
Tong Li:
Li was in great shape with his flopped trips, while Brandes was hoping to complete his straight draw. The turn kept Li ahead, and the river confirmed the result, eliminating Brandes in second place for $907,132.
| Tong Li | 39,600,000 | 6,025,000  |
| Fabian Brandes | 0 | -6,025,000  |
Sunday, June 12, 2022 9:00 PM Local Time
Brandes Folds Flush Against Boat
Tong Li limped with and Fabian Brandes checked his option with .
The flop smashed Li's hand and both players checked to the turn. Brandes led for 800,000 and Li called.
The river improved Brandes to a flush and he led for 800,000 again. Li then potted, and Brandes sent his cards into the muck fairly quickly.
| Tong Li | 33,575,000 | 2,600,000 |
| Fabian Brandes | 6,025,000 | -2,600,000 |
Sunday, June 12, 2022 8:55 PM Local Time
Li Takes Some More
The two players have been playing small pots so far with relatively unchanged chip counts.
On one hand, Tong Li raised to 1,100,000 with and Fabian Brandes called with .
The flop was checked to the where Brandes bet 400,000 and Li called. Both players checked the river and Li took the pot.
| Tong Li | 30,975,000 | 800,000 |
| Fabian Brandes | 8,625,000 | -800,000 |
Sunday, June 12, 2022 8:37 PM Local Time
Short Break
The two remaining players took a short break before beginning heads-up play.
Sunday, June 12, 2022 8:32 PM Local Time
Josh Arieh Eliminated in 3rd Place ($644,365)
Josh Arieh raised to 800,000 on the button and Tong Li defended the big blind.
The dealer fanned the flop, Li checked, Arieh bet 600,000, and Li called.
The fell on the turn, Li checked, Arieh bet 2,000,000, and Li called.
The completed the board, Li checked again, and Arieh moved all-in for 5,550,000. Li snap-called.
Arieh revealed for a flopped boat, but Li tabled for a turned superior boat.
Arieh instantly got up and lamented to his rail, shook his opponents' hands, and gave them a "good game" as he made his exit in third place for $644,365.
| Tong Li | 30,175,000 | 8,050,000 |
| Fabian Brandes | 9,425,000 | 800,000 |
| Josh Arieh | 0 | -8,850,000 |
Sunday, June 12, 2022 8:24 PM Local Time
Li's Flush Takes From Arieh's Set
Josh Arieh raised to 800,000 on the button with and Tong Li defended the big blind with .
The flop came and Li check-called for 600,000.
The turn improve Li to a flush and Arieh to a set as both players checked to the river. Li checked, Arieh bet 1,800,000, and Li called.
Hands were tabled and Arieh saw the bad news as Li's flush was good for the pot.
| Tong Li | 22,125,000 | 3,400,000 |
| Josh Arieh | 8,850,000 | -3,200,000 |
| Fabian Brandes | 8,625,000 | -200,000 |
Sunday, June 12, 2022 8:15 PM Local Time
Updated Counts
In recent hands, Josh Arieh and Fabian Brandes have chipped up a bit to narrow the gap against Tong Li.
| Tong Li | 18,725,000 | -4,600,000 |
| Josh Arieh | 12,050,000 | 3,200,000 |
| Fabian Brandes | 8,825,000 | 1,400,000 |
Sunday, June 12, 2022 8:12 PM Local Time
Level 32 started
Level: 32
Blinds: 200,000/400,000
Ante: 400,000
Sunday, June 12, 2022 8:03 PM Local Time
Quads for Li
Josh Arieh raised to 700,000 on the button with and Tong Li defended the big blind with .
The flop came and Li check-called for 600,000.
On the turn, Li check-called for 1,700,000, and both players checked the river.
Li revealed his quads and extended his lead, while Arieh was grateful he didn't decide to fire another bet.
| Tong Li | 23,325,000 | 5,550,000 |
| Josh Arieh | 8,850,000 | -3,000,000 |
| Fabian Brandes | 7,425,000 | -2,550,000 |
Sunday, June 12, 2022 7:58 PM Local Time
Brandes Shoves on Arieh
Josh Arieh raised to 850,000 in the small blind with and Fabian Brandes defended the big blind with .
The dealer fanned the flop and Arieh led for 800,000. Brandes then raised to 2,100,000, and Arieh called.
The turn was checked to the river and Arieh checked. Brandes moved all in for 3,780,000, and Arieh folded the best hand to keep Brandes' tournament life alive.
| Tong Li | 17,775,000 | -600,000 |
| Josh Arieh | 11,850,000 | -2,350,000 |
| Fabian Brandes | 9,975,000 | 2,950,000 |
Sunday, June 12, 2022 7:47 PM Local Time
Mostly Small Pots
The trio of contenders have been playing small pots as of late on the stream and chips counts remain fairly unchanged.
| Tong Li | 18,375,000 | -400,000 |
| Josh Arieh | 14,200,000 | 1,475,000 |
| Fabian Brandes | 7,025,000 | -1,075,000 |
Sunday, June 12, 2022 7:33 PM Local Time
Brandes Doubles Through Arieh
Josh Arieh raised to 600,000 on the button and Fabian Brandes called in the small blind.
The dealer fanned the flop, Brandes potted to 1,800,000, Arieh raised, and Brandes called for his 1,350,000 remaining.
Fabian Brandes:
Josh Arieh:
Both players flopped two pair with Brandes ahead, and the and completed the board to secure Brandes' double.
| Tong Li | 18,775,000 | -600,000 |
| Josh Arieh | 12,725,000 | -3,150,000 |
| Fabian Brandes | 8,100,000 | 3,750,000 |
Sunday, June 12, 2022 7:27 PM Local Time
Li Takes Lead
Tong Li opened to 700,000 on the button with , Josh Arieh called in the small blind with , and Fabian Brandes defended with .
The dealer spread the flop and Arieh led for 1,300,000. Li called.
Both players checked the turn to the river and Arieh check-called for 1,600,000.
Li revealed his hand to take the lead with his nut flush, and he extended his lead after winning the next hand as well.
| Tong Li | 19,375,000 | 6,200,000 |
| Josh Arieh | 15,875,000 | -1,400,000 |
| Fabian Brandes | 4,350,000 | -4,800,000 |
Sunday, June 12, 2022 7:19 PM Local Time
Arieh and Li Add to Stack
Josh Arieh limped the small blind with and Fabian Brandes checked his option with .
The flop gave Arieh top set and he check-called for 600,000.
The turn improved Arieh to a boat and he check-called for 1,300,000.
The completed the board and Arieh checked again. Brandes bet 3,500,000, Ariah jammed, and Brandes quickly folded.
Tong Li also won a recent pot to move up in chips, while Brandes moved to the bottom of the leaderboard.
| Josh Arieh | 17,275,000 | 2,450,000 |
| Tong Li | 13,175,000 | 3,800,000 |
| Fabian Brandes | 9,150,000 | -6,250,000 |
Sunday, June 12, 2022 7:13 PM Local Time
Level 31 started
Level: 31
Blinds: 150,000/300,000
Ante: 300,000
Sunday, June 12, 2022 6:57 PM Local Time
Break Time
The three remaining players are now on a 15-minute break on the stream.
| Fabian Brandes | 15,400,000 | -450,000 |
| Josh Arieh | 14,825,000 | 2,900,000 |
| Tong Li | 9,375,000 | -2,450,000 |
Sunday, June 12, 2022 6:47 PM Local Time
Li Secures Another Double Through Arieh
With 3,175,000 in the pot on a board, Tong Li checked the big blind and Josh Arieh potted on the button. Li thought about it before moving in all of his chips, and Arieh called for 1,150,000 more.
Tong Li:
Josh Arieh:
Arieh was currently behind yet was a slight favorite with all of his outs, but the completed the board to keep Li ahead and secure his double.
| Fabian Brandes | 15,850,000 | -1,500,000 |
| Josh Arieh | 11,925,000 | -4,350,000 |
| Tong Li | 11,825,000 | 5,850,000 |
Sunday, June 12, 2022 6:32 PM Local Time
Brandes Gets Value From Arieh
Fabian Brandes limped in on the button with and Josh Arieh checked his option with .
The dealer fanned the flop and Arieh led for 500,000. Brandes called.
The fell on the turn, Arieh led for 1,200,000, and Brandes called.
The completed the board and Arieh led for 700,000. Brandes then raised to 5,000,000, and Arieh called. Brandes revealed his hand for top set and collected the pot to move back into the lead.
| Fabian Brandes | 17,350,000 | 7,325,000 |
| Josh Arieh | 16,275,000 | -7,200,000 |
| Tong Li | 5,975,000 | -125,000 |
Sunday, June 12, 2022 6:26 PM Local Time
Sam Stein Eliminated in 4th Place ($465,717)
Josh Arieh opened to 600,000 on the button, Sam Stein raised to 2,050,000 in the small blind, and Arieh called.
The dealer spread the flop and Stein announced "all in". Arieh snap-called to cover his opponent's 3,150,000, and Stein instantly turned over his hand and stood up.
Sam Stein:
Josh Arieh:
Arieh had bottom two pair, although it was basically a flip. The turn kept Arieh ahead as a slight favorite, and the river eliminated Stein in fourth place for $465,717.
| Josh Arieh | 23,475,000 | 8,200,000 |
| Fabian Brandes | 10,025,000 | -750,000 |
| Tong Li | 6,100,000 | -500,000 |
| Sam Stein | 0 | -6,950,000 |