Wednesday, June 15, 2022 7:03 PM Local Time
Michael Simhai Hits the Mark for First Gold Bracelet in Event #27: Shootout NLH ($240,480)
At the end of three days of play, Michael Simhai was the last man standing in the 2022 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Event #27: Shootout No-Limit Hold'em. The event hit the 1,000-player cap and Simhai won his table three consecutive days to take home a $240,480 first-place prize.
Simhai, who lives in Beverly Hills, California, took home his maiden gold bracelet for his impressive performance. His previous best live cash was $99,271 according to The Hendon Mob.
Throughout the tournament, Simhai played fast, made quick decisions, and put his opponents in tough spots. Playing a shootout format, Simhai had to beat the nine opponents with whom he shared the table to survive and advance each day. His fast decision-making and aggressive betting kept his opponents on their toes.
Event #27: $1,500 Shoutout NLH Final Table Results
Place | Player | Country | Prize |
1 | Michael Simhai | United States | $240,480 |
2 | David Dowdy | United States | $148,618 |
3 | Anant Patel | United States | $111,226 |
4 | Ravi Raghavan | United States | $84,047 |
5 | Timothy McDermott | United States | $64,129 |
6 | Roongsak Griffith | United States | $49,414 |
7 | Austin Peck | United States | $38,455 |
8 | David Yonnotti | United States | $30,227 |
9 | Kevin Song | United States | $24,001 |
10 | Derek Sudell | United States | $19,253 |
Key Moments
On Day 2, Simhai found himself locked in a long heads-up battle with Ryan Ramsdell. The two players battled back and forth over small pots until a massive cooler would settle the match. Ramsdell had pocket kings against Simhai's ace-queen. All in preflop, Simhai found an ace on the river to propel him to the final table.
It was there during three-handed play that Simhai called a raise from Anant Patel. Patel flopped top pair on the jack-high board, but Simhai flopped two pair that held up for a massive pot.
David "The Assassin" Dowdy found himself heads up with Simhai at the end of the day. Dowdy started the final table hot, eliminating Derek Sudell when he ran ace-king into Dowdy's aces. Dowdy amassed a large stack early that carried him down to three-handed play neck-and-neck with Simhai. He stumbled when he doubled up Patel and went into heads-up play as a 4:1 underdog.
"He's the nicest guy, one of the nicest guys I've ever played against in a poker room," Simhai said about Dowdy. "I kind of feel bad."
Much like the gracious winner, the final table was full of goodwill among the players. Simhai would often show his hands and other players were returning the favor.
Wednesday, June 15, 2022 6:27 PM Local Time
David Dowdy Eliminated in 2nd Place ($148,618)
"Good luck," David Dowdy wished Michael Simhai as the pair began heads-up play.
"You too. I'm glad it's you and nobody else at this table" Simhai told him, "seriously."
Just a few hands later, Dowdy moved all in. Simhai knew he had a difficult decision to make. He initially had a big grin on his face, before letting out an exasperated "oh god." He leaned back in his seat, stretching his arms. He knocked over his drink on the table beside him, picked it up, and took a sip. "I gotta get rid of you but I don't want to double you up."
After a brief moment, Simhai made the call.
David Dowdy:
Michael Simhai:
Simhai was behind, but had an overcard. The flop came , providing no help to Simhai. The turn changed nothing as well. Then, the arrived on the river, pairing the board for a second time, counterfeiting Dowdy's pocket sevens. Simhai's ace kicker played, giving him the pot, and sending Dowdy to the rail in second place, where he'll take home a cash of $148,618.
The two shook hands and embraced following the conclusion of the tournament.
Michael Simhai | 25,000,000 | 23,005,000 |
David Dowdy | 0 | -5,050,000 |
Wednesday, June 15, 2022 6:20 PM Local Time
Anant Patel Eliminated in 3rd Place ($111,226)
Anant Patel raised to 500,000 from the button and only Michael Simhai called from the big blind.
The flop brought . Simhai checked and Patel continued for 300,000. Simhai immediately slid a stack of chip worth 2,000,000 into the pot.
Patel thought for about 30 seconds and moved all in for about 6,500,000 total. Simhai called quickly.
"You got me?" asked Patel, as he flipped over his hand.
"I got you right now," said Simhai, tabling his own.
Michael Simhai:
Anant Patel
The board ran out a clean turn and river to eliminated Patel and bring the match to heads-up play.
David Dowdy | 5,050,000 | -1,250,000 |
Michael Simhai | 1,995,000 | -8,780,000 |
Anant Patel | 0 | -6,800,000 |
Wednesday, June 15, 2022 6:14 PM Local Time
Patel and Simhai Trading Pots
After limping preflop, the flop was checked through before the turn. Michael Simhai fired for 650,000. Anant Patel made the call. After the river was checked as well, Simhai announced "Seven high," before Patel turned over , good for two pair with the paired board, and Patel scooped the pot.
A hand or two later, Patel opened to 500,000 from the button. Simhai made the call after David Dowdy got out of the way.
On the flop, Patel fired for another 450,000. Simhai made another call.
After checking through the turn, Patel sized up and fired one final barrel at the river. This time, Simhai made the laydown, giving the pot to Patel.
The very next saw Simhai lead out for 600,000, getting a call from Patel as Dowdy got out of the way. The flop was checked through before Patel fired for 500,000 on the turn. Simhai made the call.
The river was checked through, after which Simhai turned over , giving him top pair, and Patel tossed his hand into the muck.
Michael Simhai | 10,775,000 | -100,000 |
Anant Patel | 6,800,000 | -800,000 |
David Dowdy | 6,300,000 | 2,300,000 |
Wednesday, June 15, 2022 5:59 PM Local Time
Level 34 started
Level: 34
Blinds: 125,000/250,000
Ante: 250,000
Wednesday, June 15, 2022 5:54 PM Local Time
Patel Doubles Through Dowdy
Anant Patel moved all in from the button for 3,500,000. David Dowdy decided to make the call from the small blind. Patel at risk, cards were turned over.
Anant Patel:
David Dowdy:
Patel found a flop of dreams when the hit the board. The turn and river ended the hand and Patel locked up the full double.
Anant Patel | 7,600,000 | 4,200,000 |
David Dowdy | 4,000,000 | -6,200,000 |
Wednesday, June 15, 2022 5:46 PM Local Time
Simhai and Dowdy Continue to Banter
Michael Simhai led out for 800,000 from the button. Anant Patel got out of the way before David Dowdy put in the call.
The flop got checked through before Dowdy fired for 800,000 on the turn. Simhai made the call. The river was checked through. Simhai showed as Dowdy turned over , good for a pair and the pot.
"You are sick," Simhai kept repeating, as Dowdy bet the turn with eight high, looking for a fold, only to get there on the river.
"Didn't expect to see that, did you?" Dowdy replied, as he added to his chip stack, pulling nearly even with Simhai for the chip lead.
Michael Simhai | 10,875,000 | -125,000 |
David Dowdy | 10,200,000 | 3,150,000 |
Anant Patel | 3,400,000 | -3,300,000 |
Wednesday, June 15, 2022 5:28 PM Local Time
Ravi Raghavan Eliminated in 4th Place ($84,047)
Michael Simhai opened to 1,200,000 from the cutoff. Action folded to Ravi Raghavan who moved all in for about 2,100,000. Simhai made the call and cards were on their backs.
Ravi Raghavan:
Michael Simhai:
At risk, Raghavan saw the board run out , and he couldn't improve. Simhai added to his stack and Raghavan was eliminated.
Michael Simhai | 11,000,000 | 2,400,000 |
Ravi Raghavan | 0 | -3,900,000 |
Wednesday, June 15, 2022 5:23 PM Local Time
Level 33 started
Level: 33
Blinds: 100,000/200,000
Ante: 200,000
Wednesday, June 15, 2022 5:23 PM Local Time
Patel Rivers a Straight
Ravi Raghavan opened to 300 from the cutoff, getting a call from all three other players at the table.
The flop and turn were checked around, before David Dowdy fired for 475,000 on the river. Raghavan and Michael Simhai got out of the way before Anant Patel made the call, announcing "straight" as he did so. He turned over , good for the queen high straight. Dowdy mucked his hand as Patel scooped the pot to add to his growing chip stack.
David Dowdy | 7,050,000 | -1,150,000 |
Anant Patel | 6,700,000 | 2,700,000 |
Wednesday, June 15, 2022 5:09 PM Local Time
Patel Doubles Through Simhai
Ravi Raghavan opened to 300,000 from the button and Michael Simhai made the call in the small blind. Anant Patel moved all in from the big blind for 1,875,000. Raghavan folded, but after some thought, Simhai made the call.
Patel:
Simhai:
The board came to give Patel the best hand and secure him the full double.
Michael Simhai | 8,600,000 | -1,250,000 |
Anant Patel | 4,000,000 | 1,700,000 |
Wednesday, June 15, 2022 5:03 PM Local Time
Simhai and Dowdy Battling for Chip Lead
After limping preflop, Ravi Raghavan fired for 150,000 at the flop. David Dowdy raised to 350,000, and Raghavan called.
The turn was checked around before Dowdy fired for 250,000 at the river. Raghavan made the call, and Dowdy announced "Two pair," before turning over . Raghavan tossed his hand in the muck as Dowdy raked in the pot.
A couple hands later, Raghavan opened to 300,000, getting called by Michael Simhai and Anant Patel.
On the flop, an identical round of betting occurred, as Raghavan led for 300,000 and both opponents called.
The turn was checked before Patel fired for 650,000 on the river. Raghavan got out of the way before Simhai made the call. Simhai turned over , good for two pair, and the pot, adding to his narrow chip lead over Dowdy.
Michael Simhai | 9,850,000 | 1,025,000 |
David Dowdy | 8,200,000 | 1,050,000 |
Ravi Raghavan | 3,900,000 | -1,175,000 |
Anant Patel | 2,300,000 | -1,450,000 |
Wednesday, June 15, 2022 4:53 PM Local Time
Level 32 started
Level: 32
Blinds: 75,000/150,000
Ante: 150,000
Wednesday, June 15, 2022 4:51 PM Local Time
PokerNews Podcast: Hellmuth Positive for COVID; Winner Interviews w/ Seiver, Smith & More
In the latest edition of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway and Jesse Fullen come to you from the 2022 World Series of Poker (WSOP) and talk about the big stories from Bally's and Paris Las Vegas. That includes Phil Hellmuth and other pros testing positive for COVID, Cory Zeidman issuing a statement regarding the federal sports betting charges he's facing, and recapping bracelet winners such as Henry Acain, who won the massive Housewarming Event.
Guests on this episode include recent bracelet winners Scott Seiver, Dan Smith, Brad Ruben, and Amnon Filippi, as well as Matt Berkey, who opens up about his successful Only Friends show.
Click here to listen to the new PN Podcast!
Wednesday, June 15, 2022 4:29 PM Local Time
Full Chip Counts at Second Break
Michael Simhai | 8,825,000 | 3,425,000 |
David Dowdy | 7,150,000 | 0 |
Ravi Raghavan | 5,075,000 | 2,425,000 |
Anant Patel | 3,750,000 | -550,000 |
Wednesday, June 15, 2022 4:27 PM Local Time
Break Time
Players are on their second 15-minute break of the day.
Wednesday, June 15, 2022 4:26 PM Local Time
Timothy McDermott Eliminated in 5th Place ($64,129)
Anant Patel opened to 250,000 in middle position before Timothy McDermott moved all in for about 600,000 in position. Patel made the call and cards were tabled.
Anant Patel:
Timothy McDermott:
The flop was to leave McDermott drawing thin.
"Heart!" pleaded McDermott.
The turn was the , giving him a gutshot.
"Two!" McDermott asked for the backup plan.
The river was the and McDermott was eliminated.
Anant Patel | 4,300,000 | -700,000 |
Timothy McDermott | 0 | -1,200,000 |
Wednesday, June 15, 2022 4:22 PM Local Time
Raghavan Scoops Pot with Top Pair
Ravi Raghavan opened to 250,000 from the button, getting a call from Anant Patel in the big blind.
Raghavan continued for 275,000 on the flop, again earning a call from Patel.
On the turn, Raghavan sized up and fired his biggest barrel yet, for 425,000. Patel again found the call.
Both players checked on the river. Raghavan turned over , good for top pair. Patel tossed his hand in the muck while Raghavan scooped the pot.
Anant Patel | 5,000,000 | 1,400,000 |
Ravi Raghavan | 2,650,000 | -1,400,000 |
Wednesday, June 15, 2022 4:17 PM Local Time
Spirits High at Final Table
Despite the large stakes these players are battling for, the players are getting along well at the final table.
David Dowdy fired a bet from the button. Michael Samhai, the big blind, told the dealer "If you can promise me three fours on the flop, I'll call," as he showed his before folding.
"Aw you got one of my set, you dog," Dowdy told Samhai, as he showed .
"See, I knew what I needed. That's why I asked for fours not nines," Samhai quipped.
"I wouldn't even be able to river quads since you got one of my nines." Dowdy responded. The two players shared a laugh as they prepared for the next hand.
Wednesday, June 15, 2022 4:11 PM Local Time
Updated Chip Counts
David Dowdy | 7,150,000 | 1,150,000 |
Michael Simhai | 5,400,000 | -2,220,000 |
Ravi Raghavan | 4,050,000 | -350,000 |
Anant Patel | 3,600,000 | 200,000 |
Timothy McDermott | 1,200,000 | -2,150,000 |