Wednesday, June 28, 2023 6:00 PM Local Time
Pavel Plesuv Earns First Moldovan Bracelet after Taking Down Event #53: $1,500 Millionaire Maker
The 2023 World Series of Poker in its home at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas has crowned a new champion as Moldovan Pavel Plesuv has won his first bracelet. He was the last player standing in Event #53: $1,500 Millionaire Maker No-Limit Hold'em. Although this is his first bracelet, Plesuv has found high success in various WSOP events prior.
With his bracelet win, Plesuv has found his biggest live cash to date. With such prestige and notoriety, Plesuv has won the grand prize of $1,201,564 and his first WSOP bracelet. Plesuv stormed through the field of bracelet winners and notable names as he outmaneuvered the entrants over five days to claim the bulk of the $13,905,360.
It was with little adversity, since Plesuv came into the final day as the chip leader and continued to run hot until the end of the event. Plesuv was supported by a rail of friends and family as he seemed unstoppable marching his way to the bracelet.
Event #37: $1,500 Millionaire Maker Final Table Results
| Place | Winner | Country | Prize |
|---|
| 1 | Pavel Plesuv | Moldova | $1,201,564 |
| 2 | Florian Ribouchon | France | $1,003,554 |
| 3 | Paul Gunness | United States | $650,058 |
| 4 | Andreas Kniep | Germany | $501,182 |
| 5 | Anton Smirnov | Russia | $373,524 |
| 6 | Myles Mullaly | United States | $287,522 |
| 7 | Vitor De Souza Coutinho | Brazil | $222,749 |
| 8 | Andras Matrai | Hungary | $173,683 |
| 9 | Charles Benoit | Canada | $136,302 |
Many notables were in the field with David "OBD" Baker chasing his forth WSOP bracelet. However, Baker was eliminated near the beginning of Day 4 in 30th place. Another bracelet winner Blair Hinkle was also eliminated early in day 3 at 33rd Place.
Plesuv came into Day 5 as the chip leader and he managed to secure the win with little risk. He was never all in or at risk of elimination as he took the tournament down.
Winner's Reaction
PokerNews asked about his success in WSOP events, and how he felt after winning this tournament. Plesuv said:
"It feels amazing, as you said I had some deep runs in the world series but no bracelets. So, it's really nice to win my first bracelet in such a big field, and for such a big amount my best cash. It feels amazing"
When asked about plans and how he was gonna spend the money, Plesuv responded:
"We'll see. First of all, I will pay my taxes. Second, I will have some beer and party, and I will continue supporting Ukraine and people in need. Maybe I'll buy a house we will see"
When asked if he felt there was a tipping point or hand that was crucial to his win of the tournament, Plesuv said:
"Honestly, I don't have this feeling that I will definitely win. The stacks were pretty shallow and it is swingy. If I lose this vs hand I will not be chip leader. I'd say the turning point where I got the chip lead and far ahead of the others was at two tables on the second feature table. We got big stacks there close to each other, and I was getting good hands in good spots to accumulate some chips."
Finally, when asked if there was anything else he wanted to say to the readers, Plesuv said:
"Keep studying and keep believing in your dreams. Follow your passion and the results will come. Don't let results affect your life too much. You can extract a lot of good things, even when you have a losing streak.
Pavel Plesuv
Recap of the Day
The day started with Andreas Kniep putting the pressure on the rest of the table, and the first elimination could be credited to Kniep when Vitor De Souza Countinho lost a flip to him. This eliminated the Brazilian in 7th place for $222,749.
The next victim was Myles Mullaly who saw himself on the wrong end of a two outer hit. This tragically ended the American's run in 6th place for $287,522.
Anton Smirnov was knocked out next. He lost a flip to be eliminated in 5th place for $373,524. Following shortly after was Andreas Kniep who had his Aces beat to send him home in 4th place for $501,182.
Next up was Paul Gunness who was eliminated in 3rd place for $650,058. His Ace high hand was beaten in a flip against Plesuv.
The heads-up battle was a short affair and it was the Jacks of Florian Ribouchon that lost to Puslev in a flip. Florian took home $1,003,554 for his 2nd place finish.
Congratulations to Pavel for winning the 2023 WSOP Event #53: $1,500 Millionaire Maker!
Be sure to keep it with the PokerNews team for coverage of your favorite tournaments at the 2023 World Series of Poker.
Pavel Plesuv
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 4:49 PM Local Time
Florian Ribouchon Eliminated in 2nd Place ($1,003,554)
Pavel Plesuv raised 5,000,000 with and Florian Ribouchon three-bet 13,500,000 with . Plesuv made the call.
The flop came , pairing Plesuv's king to take the lead and Ribouchon check-called a bet of 9,000,000 from Plesuv.
The paired the board on the turn and Ribouchon checked once again. Plesuv bet it all and Ribouchon called off his 31,100,000.
Florian Ribouchon:
Pavel Plesuv:
Ribouchon couldn't find one of the last remaining jacks as the completed the board, sending him home in 2nd place and $1,003,554.
| Pavel Plesuv | 260,100,000 | 60,100,000  |
| Florian Ribouchon | 0 | -60,100,000  |
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 4:40 PM Local Time
Ribouchon Jams the River
Florian Ribouchon raised limped and Pavel Plesuv looked down at before raising to 6,500,000, which Ribouchon called.
When the flop hit the felt, Plesuv continued for 5,000,000 and Ribouchon called.
The hit the turn, improving Ribouchon to a straight and Plesuv fired 6,500,000. Ribouchon made the call.
When the completed the board, Plesuv slowed down with a check and Ribouchon jammed all-in for 21,600,000. Plesuv thought about it for about a minute and let it go.
| Pavel Plesuv | 200,000,000 | -14,200,000 |
| Florian Ribouchon | 60,100,000 | 14,200,000 |
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 4:33 PM Local Time
Ribouchon Flops Trips
Pavel Plesuv limped and Florian Ribouchon checked his option with .
The dealer fanned a flop of and Ribouchon check-called a bet of 2,500,000.
When the hit the turn, Ribouchon took the lead, betting 3,500,000. Plesuv called.
The completed the board and Ribouchon fired another bet of 9,000,000, which earned him the pot.
| Pavel Plesuv | 214,200,000 | -8,500,000 |
| Florian Ribouchon | 45,900,000 | 8,500,000 |
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 4:27 PM Local Time
Paul Gunness Eliminated in 3rd Place ($650,058)
Pavel Plesuv raised to 22,000,000 in the small blind and Paul Gunness called off his stack of 19,500,000 in the big blind.
Paul Gunness:
Pavel Plesuv:
The flop came for Gunness' ace high to still be good but the turn left him drawing to an ace on the river. The river was no help though as he was eliminated in 3rd place.
| Pavel Plesuv | 222,700,000 | 40,200,000 |
| Florian Ribouchon | 37,400,000 | -11,700,000 |
| Paul Gunness | 0 | -27,800,000 |
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 4:17 PM Local Time
Plesuv's Min-Raise on the River Gets Called
Florian Ribouchon limped the small blind with and Pavel Plesuv checked his option with .
The dealer spread a flop of and both players checked to the turn. Both players checked once again.
When the hit the river, Ribouchon bet 3,000,000. Plesuv put in a min-raise to 6,000,000 and Ribouchon called.
| Pavel Plesuv | 182,500,000 | 17,000,000 |
| Florian Ribouchon | 49,100,000 | -12,000,000 |
| Paul Gunness | 27,800,000 | -5,000,000 |
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 4:10 PM Local Time
Andreas Kniep Eliminated in 4th Place ($501,182)
Florian Ribouchon raised on the button to 4,000,000 and Andreas Kniep flatted the small blind before and Pavel Plesuv jammed all-in in the big blind.
Ribouchon quickly folded and Kniep called off his stick of 26,800,000.
Andreas Kniep:
Pavel Plesuv:
The flop came , giving Plesuv a straight draw. The hit the turn immediately, and Kniep couldn't find another spade to make a flush or a duece to chop as the rolled off on the river.
| Pavel Plesuv | 165,500,000 | 30,800,000 |
| Florian Ribouchon | 61,100,000 | -4,000,000 |
| Paul Gunness | 32,800,000 | -5,000,000 |
| Andreas Kniep | 0 | -26,800,000 |
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 4:03 PM Local Time
Kniep Finds a Double
Pavel Plesuv raised 4,000,000 and Andreas Kniep jammed for 11,900,000. Plesuv called and both hands were on their backs.
Andreas Kniep:
Pavel Plesuv:
Kniep had the lead and the flop left Plesuv drawing thin. The hit the turn, giving Plesuv a gutshot straight draw but the river was no help and Kniep doubled through him.
| Pavel Plesuv | 134,700,000 | -6,900,000 |
| Andreas Kniep | 26,800,000 | 11,900,000 |
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 3:57 PM Local Time
Ribouchon Takes it on the Flop
Florian Ribouchon raised 4,000,000 on the button with and Pavel Plesuv defended the big blind with .
The dealer spread a flop of and Plesuv check-folded to a continuation bet of 3,000,000 from Ribouchon.
| Pavel Plesuv | 141,600,000 | 9,000,000 |
| Florian Ribouchon | 65,100,000 | -5,000,000 |
| Paul Gunness | 37,800,000 | 0 |
| Andreas Kniep | 14,900,000 | -4,000,000 |
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 3:51 PM Local Time
Plesuv Finds a Straight With the Dominated Hand
Andreas Kniep called from the small blind with , and Pavel Plesuv raised to 7,000,000 from the big blind. Kniep made the call to the flop.
The flop came and both players quickly checked.
With the on the turn, Kniep again checked to Plesuv. He led out for 7,500,000, while Kniep made the call.
The river came the , and Kniep quickly checked. Plesuv fired for 18,000,000, and Kniep found a call. Plesuv showed him the bad news and added to his growing stack as chip leader.
| Pavel Plesuv | 132,600,000 | 32,500,000 |
| Florian Ribouchon | 70,100,000 | -2,000,000 |
| Paul Gunness | 37,800,000 | 0 |
| Andreas Kniep | 18,900,000 | -30,500,000 |
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 3:50 PM Local Time
The Chad & Jesse Poker Show Episode #8: Joey Ingram on the Future of Poker
On the latest episode of The Chad & Jesse Poker Show, Chad Holloway and Jesse Fullen come to you straight from the 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP).
They are joined by Joey Ingram, AKA Papi, a lover of four-card poker. A prolific poker podcaster, Ingram is known for his marathon emergency investigations into such controversial matters as the Mike Postle and Robbi Jade Lew cheating allegations. Ingram, who was in L.A. for the Hustler Casino Live $1,000,000 Cash Game, recently returned to Las Vegas and was at the 2023 WSOP for the first time when he sat down with the guys.
Hear what Ingram thinks the future holds for poker, which just might surprise you.
Chad and Jesse also break down all ten nominees for the Poker Hall of Fame Class of 2023. Only one will get in, and it'll undoubtedly be a close affair with so many deserving individuals.
Click here to watch the latest episode now!
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 3:46 PM Local Time
Anton Smirnov Eliminated in 5th Place ($373,524)
Anton Smirnov raised 8,000,000 on the button and Florian Ribouchon moved all-in from the big blind. Smirnov called off his remaining 18,600,000 and both hands were tabled.
Anton Smirnov:
Florian Ribouchon:
Smirnov was in the lead with his ace high but the flop paired Ribouchon's queen. Smirnof couldn't catch up as the board completed with the on the turn and on the river. Smirnof headed to the payout desk in 5th place.
| Pavel Plesuv | 100,100,000 | 5,000,000 |
| Florian Ribouchon | 72,100,000 | 19,600,000 |
| Andreas Kniep | 49,400,000 | 0 |
| Paul Gunness | 37,800,000 | 0 |
| Anton Smirnov | 0 | -23,600,000 |
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 3:37 PM Local Time
Plesuv Almost Eliminates Kniep
Andreas Kniep raised to 4,000,000 on the button with and Pavel Plesuv three-bet jammed for 47,400,000 with the same hand as he had .
The flop came . The hit the turn, giving Plesuv a flush draw but the river was brick as both players could sit back down in their seats.
| Pavel Plesuv | 95,100,000 | -2,000,000 |
| Andreas Kniep | 49,400,000 | 1,000,000 |
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 3:28 PM Local Time
Ribouchon Shoves it in to Take it Down
Florian Ribouchon looked down at from the small blind and called the big blind.
Andreas Kniep from the big blind bet 6,000,000, while Ribouchon jammed all in for 44,500,000.
Kniep made the fold, and Ribouchon's rail went wild as he scooped the pot.
| Pavel Plesuv | 97,100,000 | 5,000,000 |
| Florian Ribouchon | 52,500,000 | 4,000,000 |
| Andreas Kniep | 48,400,000 | -8,000,000 |
| Paul Gunness | 37,800,000 | -5,000,000 |
| Anton Smirnov | 23,600,000 | 4,000,000 |
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 3:23 PM Local Time
Myles Mullaly Eliminated in 6th Place ($287,522)
Florian Ribouchon raised to 4,000,000 and Myles Mullaly jammed for his remaining 8,900,000. The action quickly folded back to Ribouchon who made the call.
Myles Mullaly:
Florian Ribouchon:
Mullaly was looking to hit his overcard and the , gave him a pair and a flush draw. The hit the turn giving him two pair to take the lead but the dreaded landed on the river, sending Mullaly home in 6th place.
| Pavel Plesuv | 92,100,000 | -1,000,000 |
| Andreas Kniep | 56,400,000 | 0 |
| Florian Ribouchon | 48,500,000 | 13,900,000 |
| Paul Gunness | 42,800,000 | 0 |
| Anton Smirnov | 19,600,000 | -4,000,000 |
| Myles Mullaly | 0 | -8,900,000 |
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 3:17 PM Local Time
Plesuv Picking Up Steam
Paul Gunness raised his to 4,000,000 and Pavel Plesuv defended his big blind with .
When the flop hit the felt, both players checked to the turn.
Plesuv bet 3,500,000 and Gunness let it go.
| Pavel Plesuv | 93,100,000 | 5,000,000 |
| Andreas Kniep | 56,400,000 | -1,000,000 |
| Paul Gunness | 42,800,000 | -4,000,000 |
| Florian Ribouchon | 34,600,000 | 0 |
| Anton Smirnov | 23,600,000 | 0 |
| Myles Mullaly | 8,900,000 | 0 |
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 3:11 PM Local Time
Plesuv Keeps Firing
Pavel Plesuv opened to 5,000,000 with and Paul Gunness called on the button with .
The dealer fanned a flop of and Plesuv continued for 3,000,000. Gunness thought about it for a few seconds and made the call.
The fell on the turn and Plesuv pushed forward a bet of 8,000,000 which was enough to drag the pot.
| Pavel Plesuv | 88,100,000 | 16,200,000 |
| Andreas Kniep | 57,400,000 | -4,000,000 |
| Paul Gunness | 46,800,000 | -3,200,000 |
| Florian Ribouchon | 34,600,000 | -1,500,000 |
| Anton Smirnov | 23,600,000 | -4,000,000 |
| Myles Mullaly | 8,900,000 | -3,500,000 |
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 3:00 PM Local Time
Level 41 started
Level: 41
Blinds: 1,000,000/2,000,000
Ante: 2,000,000
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 2:56 PM Local Time
Smirnov Finds Aces to Double
Smirnov looked down at from early position and bet for 6,500,000. Myles Mullaly three bet to 20,000,000 with from the button. Smirnov called putting his tournament at risk, as both players flipped their hands.
Anton Smirnov:
Myles Mullaly:
The board ran out for Smirnov's Aces to hold. His rail erupted as Smirnov gained the clean double up.
| Pavel Plesuv | 71,900,000 | 800,000 |
| Andreas Kniep | 61,400,000 | -4,000,000 |
| Paul Gunness | 50,000,000 | 1,200,000 |
| Florian Ribouchon | 36,100,000 | 0 |
| Anton Smirnov | 27,600,000 | 15,800,000 |
| Myles Mullaly | 12,400,000 | -15,800,000 |
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 2:49 PM Local Time
Vitor De Souza Coutinho Eliminated in 7th Place ($222,749)
Myles Mullaly raised to 4,000,000 with and Andreas Kniep took about 30 seconds before three-betting to 10,200,000 with .
Vitor De Souza Coutinho four-bet all in for 17,400,000 with . Mullay mucked his hand and Kniep made the call.
Vitor De Souza Coutinho:
Andreas Kniep:
It was a classic coin-flip and the board ran out for Kniep's tens to hold as his rail exploded and De Souza Coutinho was eliminated in seventh place.
| Pavel Plesuv | 71,100,000 | -4,000,000 |
| Andreas Kniep | 65,400,000 | 25,400,000 |
| Paul Gunness | 48,800,000 | 4,700,000 |
| Florian Ribouchon | 36,100,000 | 0 |
| Myles Mullaly | 28,200,000 | 0 |
| Anton Smirnov | 11,800,000 | -4,000,000 |
| Vitor De Souza Coutinho | 0 | -12,200,000 |