Sunday, October 20, 2019 10:16 PM Local Time
Siamak Tooran Wins Maiden Bracelet in Event #6: €25,500 Short Deck High Roller (€740,996)
Another champion has been crowned in Europe's biggest poker arena at the King's Casino in Rozvadov as the sixth event of the 2019 World Series of Poker Europe has concluded. Out of 111 entries in Event #6: €25,500 Short Deck High Roller No-Limit Hold'em, it was Germany's Siamak Tooran that took home the lion's share of the €2,636,250 prize pool.
Tooran defeated Thai Ha in heads-up as he claimed his first gold bracelet and a career-best score to become the second player in WSOP history to win a Short Deck tournament. The first edition had taken place earlier this year in Las Vegas and Ha will have bittersweet memories as he finished second to Alex Epstein back then as well.
Heading into the final day there were four big stacks including Tooran, while Ha was the second-shortest stack. The American and fellow countryman Jonathan Depa were considered the odds-on favorite due to their cash game experience in Short Deck while most of the other finalists were taking a shot at the new highly popular poker format for the first time.
The background story of Tooran sounds very familiar to the one of 2019 WSOP Main Event champion Hossein Ensan as he was born in Iran and moved to Germany when he was 11 years old. Ensan had arrived at King's Casino the previous day and was among the first to embrace Tooran after his victory. The now 43-year-old currently lives in Goettingen, Germany and is buying and selling gold. There is one more special item of that available now, but it will certainly find a dedicated spot back home with his family.
Ha, who lists "Usually finish 2nd." in his Twitter profile, had to settle for a consolation prize of €457,964. High Roller and Super High Roller regular Orpen Kisacikoglu finished third, and the final day also featured Netanel Amedi, Besim Hot, Dusk Till Dawn's Rob Yong and aforementioned Jonathan Depa.
Siamak Tooran Wins Event #6: €25,500 Short Deck High Roller
Event #6: €25,500 Short Deck High Roller No-Limit Hold'em Final Table Results
| Place | Winner | Country | Prize (in EUR) | Prize (in USD) |
|---|
| 1 | Siamak Tooran | Germany | €740,996 | $822,506 |
| 2 | Thai Ha | United States | €457,964 | $508,340 |
| 3 | Orpen Kisacikoglu | Turkey | €323,553 | $359,144 |
| 4 | Netanel Amedi | Israel | €230,807 | $256,196 |
| 5 | Besim Hot | Switzerland | €166,258 | $184,546 |
| 6 | Rob Yong | United Kingdom | €120,946 | $134,250 |
| 7 | Jonathan Depa | United States | €88,861 | $98,636 |
Tooran has been playing poker for 15 years and used to play a special pub game with four open and one hidden card, but it was the first time for him with the Short Deck, which didn't seem to be a problem at all. He admitted that he didn't take any special advice before the event started and the final table itself.
"I learn very quickly and play a lot of tournaments, so it was no problem at all. There was just one specific hand with Phil Ivey but apart from that all went smoothly."
It was also a rare opportunity for Tooran to showcase his talents on the feature table of the King's Casino, which he regularly visits for bigger festivals.
Thai Ha Eliminated in 2nd Place
"At the beginning, it is somewhat strange but you get used to it quickly. I just blended everything out and simply focused on my game only," he added when asked about the live stream experience. Especially in heads-up against Thai Ha, Tooran seemed very relaxed despite a 1-2 chip disadvantage and quickly turned things around in fewer than one hour.
He will now take a short break and celebrate with friends before returning to the poker action, and he also plans to take part in the upcoming €10,350 Main Event as well.
"I don't think it [the big score] will change much but I might buy a new car. I will probably also play a few bigger events with a buy-in between 2-5k and I will definitely also give the Main Event a shot. But for now, I will just drive back home to see my family. When I called them earlier, the kids were screaming in excitement and I can't wait to see them again."
Tooran began the final day as one of the big stacks and carefully picked spots to boost his stack. He was even bluffed off trips by Netanel Amedi, who showed a lot of creativity on the feature table. Rob Yong, who entered the final day as far shortest stack, managed to ladder up one spot as Jonathan Depa found no help with jack-ten suited against the kings of Amedi.
Once Yong was gone in 6th place, the chip lead several times and Besim Hot had to settle for 5th place, a bluff cost him most of the stack and he never recovered from that. The final four all held the lead at some point and Amedi would end up on the rail next when his jack-ten was no good against the queen-ten of eventual champion Tooran.
Orpen Kisacikoglu went from chip leader to third-place finisher and his final hand provided a cruel run out when his pocket kings faced the ace-king suited of Thai Ha. There was no threat on flop and turn, but the ace on the river sent Kisacikoglu into a world of pain.
Orpen Kisacikoglu Eliminated in 3rd Place
Ha held a 2-1 lead at the start of heads-up but Tooran was running hot and connected with most boards to quickly pull into a commanding lead. Ultimately, the fate of Ha was sealed when he shoved with ace-seven and Tooran held up with ace-king to crown a champion.
It was, however, not the only Short Deck tournament that gathered attention at the King's Casino today.
Leon Tsoukernik Defeats Phil Ivey in King's Short Deck 100K Super High Roller
While Event #6: €25,500 Short Deck High Roller played down to a champion, another epic Short Deck showdown took place right in front of the feature table as King's Resort owner Leon Tsoukernik battled with some of the biggest names of the international poker circuit in the King's Short Deck 100K Super High Roller.
There were a total of 29 entries to attract a prize pool of €2,755,000 and the top four spots were paid. Unfortunate bubble boy was Ben Lamb, Cary Katz and Paul Phua were eliminated by none other than Phil Ivey. Heads-up started with a big chip lead for Ivey, but three double-ups later Tsoukernik was in the driver's seat and closed out the victory.
The final hand saw a king-high flop with diamond flush draw and Tsoukernik held a 4-1 lead when the chips went in. Tsoukernik's top set had Ivey with king-jack for top pair crushed, the hopes of a runner-runner flush were no more when an off suit ace fell on the turn.
"Maybe I should only play Short Deck," Tsoukernik said with a big smile on the face. After all he had finished in the money in the €25,500 Short Deck High Roller in which he busted full house versus full house. His win against Ivey came with a payday of more than €1.1 million.
King's 100K Short Deck High Roller Final Table Results
| Place | Winner | Country | Prize (in EUR) | Prize (in USD) |
|---|
| 1 | Leon Tsoukernik | Czech Republic | €1,102,000 | $1,223,220 |
| 2 | Phil Ivey | United States | €826,500 | $917,415 |
| 3 | Paul Phua | Malaysia | €551,000 | $611,610 |
| 4 | Cary Katz | United States | €275,500 | $305,805 |
Leon Tsoukernik vs Phil Ivey
That wraps up the Short Deck live reporting by PokerNews at the 2019 WSOPE but more bracelet winners will be crowned in the days to come.
Sunday, October 20, 2019 9:26 PM Local Time
Thai Ha Eliminated in 2nd Place (€457,964)
Thai Ha open-shoved for 43,900,000 and Siamak Tooran called, immediately walked to his rail and called his one time.
Thai Ha:
Siamak Tooran:
The flop gave Ha a gutshot and the turn added the flush draw on top. Tooran jumped up in excitement and realized the spades a second later. It was all over after the river as Ha had to settle for another second-place finish.
Ha receives €457,964 for his efforts and Tooran claimed a maiden gold bracelet and a top prize of €740,996.
A recap of today's action and winner interview with Siamak Tooran are to follow.
Thai Ha Eliminated in 2nd Place| Siamak Tooran | 110,500,000 | 43,300,000  |
| Thai Ha | 0 | -43,300,000  |
Sunday, October 20, 2019 9:20 PM Local Time
Level 28 started
Level: 28
Blinds: 0/0
Ante: 1,000,000
Sunday, October 20, 2019 9:18 PM Local Time
Ha Gets Some Back
Thai Ha with the and Siamak Tooran with limped to the flop and Ha check-called a bet of 3,000,000, which Tooran called.
After the turn both checked and the fell on the river. Ha now bet 6,500,000 and Tooran called to get shown the bad news.
| Siamak Tooran | 67,200,000 | -11,900,000 |
| Thai Ha | 43,300,000 | 11,900,000 |
Sunday, October 20, 2019 9:14 PM Local Time
Another Decent Pot for Tooran
Thai Ha opened to 4,800,000 with the and Siamak Tooran called with the . On the flop, Ha bet 3,500,000 and Tooran called. After the turn, Ha checked and Tooran took off his glasses to eyeball the stack of his opponent.
Tooran bet 6,000,000 and Ha called to go to the river. Both checked and Tooran claimed another big pot to further extend his lead.
| Siamak Tooran | 79,100,000 | 16,700,000 |
| Thai Ha | 31,400,000 | -16,700,000 |
Sunday, October 20, 2019 9:05 PM Local Time
Tooran In the Lead
Siamak Tooran has jumped into the lead when making some great calls and seems very comfortable in heads-up as he picked up another pot to take the lead over Thai Ha.
In the first hand he held which was good on a board of when they invested 15,000,000 on the flop and 11,500,000 on the turn, the river was checked.
Ha then limped the and Tooran had the . Both checked the flop and Tooran check-called a bet of 5,000,000 on the turn, the river was checked.
| Siamak Tooran | 62,400,000 | 27,800,000 |
| Thai Ha | 48,100,000 | -27,800,000 |
Sunday, October 20, 2019 8:48 PM Local Time
The Heads-Up Commences
Siamak Tooran limped in with the and Thai Ha raised to 6.6 million with the , Tooran folded.
Tooran soon after chipped however to reduce the gap.
Sunday, October 20, 2019 8:37 PM Local Time
Orpen Kisacikoglu Eliminated in 3rd Place (€323,553)
Thai Ha raised to 5,400,000 and Siamak Tooran folded his . Orpen Kisacikoglu moved all in for 32,000,000 and Ha instantly called.
Orpen Kisacikoglu:
Thai Ha:
Tooran sighed to his rail when he saw the flop as Kisacikoglu remained in the lead. Ha asked for the jack of hearts but the turn came instead. Ha sat back down and Kisacikoglu needed to avoid one of the two remaining aces in the deck but the fell on the river.
"This fuckin game" was all Kisacikoglu could say before shaking hands with his opponents. He takes home €323,553 for his efforts and Ha will enter heads-up with a 2-1 lead. There will now be a short break before the duel for the coveted gold bracelet commences.
| Thai Ha | 75,900,000 | 33,400,000 |
| Siamak Tooran | 34,600,000 | -1,200,000 |
| Orpen Kisacikoglu | 0 | -32,800,000 |
Sunday, October 20, 2019 8:30 PM Local Time
Level 27 started
Level: 27
Blinds: 0/0
Ante: 800,000
Sunday, October 20, 2019 8:27 PM Local Time
Ha Takes Over the Lead
Thai Ha in the cutofff bet the flop for 3,000,000 with the and Siamak Tooran called with the to see the on the turn. Ha checked and Tooran now made it 5,000,000 to go.
Ha invested a time bank and moved all in, Tooran folded and that pot propelled Ha into the lead.
| Thai Ha | 42,500,000 | 12,200,000 |
| Siamak Tooran | 35,800,000 | -11,600,000 |
Sunday, October 20, 2019 8:23 PM Local Time
Kisacikoglu and Ha Neck on Neck
Thai Ha limped in with the and Siamak Tooran called checked with the . They checked down the flop and turn, Tooran bet the river for 1.2 million and Ha folded.
Orpen Kisacikoglu then raised to 4.6 million with the and Ha called with the . A flop of was checked and the turn paired the board. Again both players checked to see the on the river and no betting action followed, awarding the pot to Ha.
| Siamak Tooran | 47,400,000 | 0 |
| Orpen Kisacikoglu | 32,800,000 | -6,400,000 |
| Thai Ha | 30,300,000 | 4,000,000 |
Sunday, October 20, 2019 8:15 PM Local Time
Tooran Chips Up
Siamak Tooran raised to 6 million with and Orpen Kisacikoglu called with the .
The flop brought and Siamak bet 6,500,000 to force a fold.
"Ace king?" Kisacikoglu asked and Tooran replied "sometimes ... you have ace queen?".
| Siamak Tooran | 47,400,000 | 7,800,000 |
| Orpen Kisacikoglu | 39,200,000 | -6,600,000 |
| Thai Ha | 26,300,000 | 1,200,000 |
Sunday, October 20, 2019 8:13 PM Local Time
Level 26 started
Level: 26
Blinds: 0/0
Ante: 600,000
Sunday, October 20, 2019 8:07 PM Local Time
Miracle Double for Kisacikoglu
Orpen Kisacikoglu pushed for 22.6 million from the cutoff and Thai Ha called on the button after getting a count.
Orpen Kisacikoglu:
Thai Ha:
The flop gave ha two pair and Kisacikoglu was looking for a chop. But he picked up outs on the turn, and a miracle came on the river to let Kisacikoglu double.
Miracle Double for Orpen Kisacikoglu| Orpen Kisacikoglu | 45,800,000 | 23,800,000 |
| Siamak Tooran | 39,600,000 | -3,000,000 |
| Thai Ha | 25,100,000 | -21,400,000 |
Sunday, October 20, 2019 8:01 PM Local Time
Kisacikoglu Fires No Third Barrel
Orpen Kisacikoglu raised to 4 million with the and Thai Ha called with to see the flop. Kisacikoglu continued for 2.2 million and Ha called.
The appeared on the turn and Kisacikoglu announced a bet of 4.5 million as he picked up a gutshot, Ha called with his trip aces.
After the river, both players checked and Ha won the pot to take the lead.
| Thai Ha | 46,500,000 | 11,300,000 |
| Orpen Kisacikoglu | 22,000,000 | -10,700,000 |
Sunday, October 20, 2019 7:56 PM Local Time
Netanel Amedi Eliminated in 4th Place (€230,807)
Netanel Amedi jammed for 14.5 million from the button and was called by Siamak Tooran in the hijack.
Netanel Amedi:
Siamak Tooran:
The flop improved Amedi to top pair and the flush draw, but a miracle turn improved Tooran and he was begging for no spade to appear. Indeed it would be the blank on the river to send Amedi out in 4th place for €230,807.
Netanel Amedi Eliminated| Siamak Tooran | 42,600,000 | 15,100,000 |
| Thai Ha | 35,200,000 | -1,200,000 |
| Orpen Kisacikoglu | 32,700,000 | -1,800,000 |
| Netanel Amedi | 0 | -12,100,000 |
Sunday, October 20, 2019 7:34 PM Local Time
Break With Four Remaining
Siamak Tooran won some chips back by forcing out Netanel Amedi on the turn when he bet with for two pair, as Amedi let go of .
Shortly after, the players headed on another 15-minute break.
| Thai Ha | 36,400,000 | 5,750,000 |
| Orpen Kisacikoglu | 34,500,000 | 1,900,000 |
| Siamak Tooran | 27,500,000 | -250,000 |
| Netanel Amedi | 12,100,000 | -9,900,000 |
Sunday, October 20, 2019 7:18 PM Local Time
Ha and Tooran Chop
Thai Ha limped and called a raise to 4 million by Siamak Tooran with the as Tooran had the . They checked the flop and the turn ensured a split pot. Ha bet 5,500,000 and Tooran called.
After the river, Ha checked and called a bet of 5 million by Tooran to chop it up.
Ha had chipped up previously while Tooran is down in chips.
| Thai Ha | 30,650,000 | 9,250,000 |
| Siamak Tooran | 27,750,000 | -8,350,000 |
Sunday, October 20, 2019 7:08 PM Local Time
Ha Doubles Through Amedi
Thai Ha was all in for 10,200,000 with the and Netanel Amedi called with the .
The board came and Ha doubled.
| Netanel Amedi | 22,000,000 | -9,200,000 |
| Thai Ha | 21,400,000 | 10,700,000 |
Sunday, October 20, 2019 7:05 PM Local Time
Besim Hot Eliminated in 5th Place (€162,385)
Orpen Kisacikoglu limped in first to act and Besim Hot moved all in for 9,800,000, Kisacikoglu called after getting a count.
Besim Hot:
Orpen Kisacikoglu:
Hot was ahead to get right back into contention in a pot of 21.6 million, but Kisacikoglu flopped best on . A blank turn reduced the outs to four and Kisacikoglu made a full house on the river to send Hot to the rail in 5th place for €162,385 in his first-ever Short Deck tournament.
| Orpen Kisacikoglu | 32,600,000 | 10,600,000 |
| Thai Ha | 10,700,000 | -2,300,000 |
| Besim Hot | 0 | -9,800,000 |