Sunday, June 8, 2014 3:15 PM Local Time
Davidi Kitai Wins Event #15: $3,000 Six-Handed NLHE for Third Bracelet ($508,640)
It took four long days of play, but the 2014 World Series of Poker Event #15: $3,000 Six-Handed No-Limit Hold'em finally has a winner. Davidi Kitai, the first-ever braclet winner from Belgium, defeated Gordon Vayo in heads-up play today to capture his third gold bracelet and $508,640 in prize money.
The tournament originally began with 810 players, but today just Kitai and Vayo returned after their heads-up match was paused on Day 3. All told the two played 109 hands of heads-up poker, during which time the lead changed on more than one occasion. Last night Kitai began heads-up play with a 5.84 million to 1.45 million lead, but over the course of 40 hands Vayo pulled out in front.
When they return for Day 4, Vayo was slightly ahead with 3.75 million to Kitai's 3.545 million. Even so, the Belgian got to work early whittling down Vayo. Eventually Kitai reclaimed the lead he held when heads-up play began, but Vayo didn't go down without a fight.
First he doubled with pocket aces against Kitai's , despite the latter flopping a big sweat. Then Vayo got lucky to double with the against Kitai's in an all-in preflop situation. However, both of those doubles just delayed the inevitable as Vayo would only drop back down.
Eventually Vayo got it all in holding the and was dominated by the of Kitai. The board ran out clean, and Vayo had to settle for second place and a $314,535 consolation prize.
Meanwhile, Kitai joined the likes of Barry Greenstein, Michael Mizrachi, Antonio Esfandiari, and Chip Reese as three-time bracelet winners while also brining his lifetime WSOP earnings up over $1.5 million.
Congratulations to Davidi Kitai, winner of Event #15: $3,000 Six-Handed No-Limit Hold'em.
Sunday, June 8, 2014 3:06 PM Local Time
Gordon Vayo Eliminated in 2nd Place ($314,535)
Hand #226: Gordon Vayo gave Davidi Kitai a walk in the big blind.
Hand #227: Kitai folded his button and Vayo received a walk.
Hand #228: Vayo gifted Kitai a walk.
Hand #229: Kita moved all-in and Vayo folded.
Hand #230: Vayo folded on the button.
Hand #231: Kitai moved all in and Vayo called.
Kitai showed and Vayo the dominated . Kitai left the table and went to stand with his friends on the rail. Vayo remained at the table with his hands behind his head.
The flop kept Kitai's hand ahead and actually gave him extra outs to a straight. The on the run changed nothing and the on the river secured the win for Kitai who now has three World Series of Poker bracelets to his name and is the first non-American winner of a bracelet at the 2014 WSOP.
| Davidi Kitai | 7,290,000 | 950,000  |
| Gordon Vayo | 0 | -950,000  |
Sunday, June 8, 2014 2:57 PM Local Time
Hands #223-225: Big Pot Sent Over to Kitai
Hand #223: Davidi Kitai limped the button and then folded when Gordon Vayo raises to 370,000.
Hand #224: Gordon Vayo raised to 260,000 on the button and Davidi Kitai folded.
Hand #225: Davidi Kitai called on the button, Gordon Vayo checked his option, and the flop came down . Vayo checked, Kitai bet 140,000, and Vayo called to see the turn. Vayo checked, Kitai bet 280,000, and Vayo called. When the completed the board on the river, Vayo checked for a third time and Kitai bet a hefty 775,000. Vayo thought for a bit before calling, but mucked when Kitai tabled the for a straight to the six.
| Davidi Kitai | 6,340,000 | 1,050,000 |
| Gordon Vayo | 950,000 | -1,050,000 |
Sunday, June 8, 2014 2:53 PM Local Time
Hands #220-222: Vayo Scores a Much Needed Double
Hand #220: Gordon Vayo called on the button, David Kitai moved all-in and Vayo folded.
Hand #221: Vayo received a walk.
Hand #222: Vayo moved all-in and Kitai called to put Vayo at risk.
Kitai flipped over and was ahead of Vayo's , but only as long as the flop. The gave Vayo a flush draw to go with his pair of sixes and meant that Kitai could not hit the or otherwise Vayo would still win.
The river was the and Vayo doubled up.
| Davidi Kitai | 5,290,000 | -710,000 |
| Gordon Vayo | 2,000,000 | 800,000 |
Sunday, June 8, 2014 2:44 PM Local Time
Hands #215-219: Vayo Dropping Again
Hand #215: After Davidi Kitai limped, Gordon Vayo raised to 260,000 but folded when Kitai moved all in.
Hand #216: Gordon Vayo limped from the small blind and Davidi Kitai checked his option to see a flop. Kitai bet 140,000, Vayo called, and the appeared on the turn. Kitai bet 255,000, and Vayo responded with a call. When the completed the board on the river, Kitai thought for a bit before sliding out a bet of 575,000 and Vayo snap-folded.
Hand #217: Davidi Kitai moved all in and Gordon Vayo folded.
Hand #218: Gordon Vayo folded and Davidi Kitai received a walk.
Hand #219: Davidi Kitai moved all in and Gordon Vayo folded.
| Davidi Kitai | 6,000,000 | 470,000 |
| Gordon Vayo | 1,200,000 | -560,000 |
Sunday, June 8, 2014 2:36 PM Local Time
Hands #207-214: Vayo Wins a Big pot
Hand #207: Gordon Vayo, fresh from doubling up with pocket aces, called from the button, Davidi Kitai set him all in and Vayo folded.
Hand #208: Kitai gave Vayo a walk.
Hand #209: Vayo folded and Kitai received a walk and free chips.
Hand #210: Kitai called on the button and Vayo moved all-in. Kitai folded and its onto the next hand.
Hand #211: Vayo limped in from the button, Kitai checked and the dealer fanned out the flop. Both players checked, the dealer placed the onto the turn and Kitai led for 180,000 and Vayo called.
The completed the board, Kitai bet 450,000 and Vayo quickly called.
Vayo flipped over and Kitai said "seven" and mucked his hand.
Hand #212: Kitai called from the big blind / button and Vayo cheked. The flop came into view, Vayo checked, Kitai bet 130,000 and Vayo called. The was the turn card and both players checed.
A on the river was met with a check from Vayo, a 350,000 bet from Kitai and a fold from Vayo.
Hand #213: Vayo raised to 260,000 and it was enough to win the pot.
Hand #214: Kitai completed on the button, Vayo checked and the flop came , Vayo checked, Kitai bet and Vayo folded.
Sunday, June 8, 2014 2:27 PM Local Time
Hand #206: "I Swear to God I Only Looked at One"
Hand #206: Davidi Kitai moved all in from the button and Gordon Vayo looked at one card and called off for 880,000.
"I swear to god I only looked at one," Vayo said in shock when he turned over his mystery card to reveal pocket aces.
Vayo:
Kitai:
Vayo was in a dominating position, but his confidence disappeared when the flop delivered the ultimate sweat as Kitai picked up the nut flush draw. The crowd was on its feet and held their collective breath as the dealer burned and turned the .
Vayo successfully dodged a heart, but he had to do it one more time to stay alive. The river was red, but fortunately for Vayo it was the safe and he was awarded the double.
| Davidi Kitai | 5,530,000 | -910,000 |
| Gordon Vayo | 1,760,000 | 910,000 |
Sunday, June 8, 2014 2:22 PM Local Time
Hands #196-205: Kitai Crushes
Hand #196: Gordon Vayo folded the button and Davidi Kitai helped himself to some free chips.
Hand #197: Kitai moved all-in from the button and Vayo relinquished his hand.
Hand #198: Vayo raised all-in and Kitai folded.
Hand #199: Kitai raised all in and Vayo mucked his hand.
Hand #201: Vayo gave Kitai a walk.
Hand #202: Kitai gave Vayo a walk.
Hand #203: Vayo moved all in and Kitai let his hand go.
Hand #204: Kitai gave Vayo a walk.
Hand #205: Vayo called on the button, Kitai took a look at his hole cards and checked from the big blind. The flop was checked by Kitai, Vayo bet 130,000 and Kitai called. The turn was the and both players checked.
The completed the board, Kitai bet 120,000 on the river and Vayo raised to 335,000. Kitai moved all-in and Vayo went into the tank for more than three minutes before folding.
| Davidi Kitai | 6,440,000 | 640,000 |
| Gordon Vayo | 850,000 | -550,000 |
Sunday, June 8, 2014 2:09 PM Local Time
Level 32 started
Level: 32
Blinds: 60000/120000
Ante: 15000
Sunday, June 8, 2014 2:08 PM Local Time
Hands #190-195: Vayo Continues to Slide
Hand #190: Gordon Vayo opened for 225,000, Davidi Kitai called, and the flop came down . Kitai led out for 275,000 and Vayo folded.
Hand #191: Davidi Kitai limped the button, Gordon Vayo exercised his option in the big blind with a raise to 325,000 total, and Kitai folded.
Hand #192: Gordon Vayo raised to 225,000 on the button, Davidi Kitai called, and the flop fell . Kitai checked, Vayo bet 200,000, and Kitai made the call, which brought about the on the turn. Kitai checked for a second time, and Vayo bet 325,000. Kitai called that bet and then checked the river. Vayo did the same and then mucked when Kitai tabled the for a pair of eights.
Hand #193: Davidi Kitai moved all in from the button and Gordon Vayo folded.
Hand #194: Gordon Vayo folded his small blind and Davidi Kitai got a walk.
Hand #195: Davidi Kitai folded and Gordon Vayo received a walk.
Sunday, June 8, 2014 1:59 PM Local Time
Hands #180-189: Kitai Still In Front
Hand #180: Gordon Vayo completed on the button and Davidi Kitai checked. Both players checked the flop, leading the dealer to put the onto the turn, Kitai checked, Vayo bet and Kitai folded.
Hand #181: Kitai limped in from the button and Vayo checked. The flop came into view, Vayo checked, Kitai made it 135,000 to go and Vayo called. Vayo checked the arrival of the on the turn and Kitai took up the role of the aggressor and bet 250,000. This was too much for Vayo to call and he let his hand go.
Hand #182: Vayo was on the button, took a sip of his All American Dave protein shake, put his drink down, raised to 225,000 and Kitai folded.
Hand #183: Kitai raised to 200,000 and Vayo raised to 555,000 in total. Kitai sat noisily riffling chips, all the time staring at Vayo who remained in a stoic stance. After close to one minute of deliberating, Kitai folded and Vayo won the pot.
Hand #184: Vayo, fresh from his three-bet, raised from the button to 225,000. Kitai called. The flop was checked by Kitai, Vayo bet 225,000 and Kitai folded and was shown the for his troubles.
Hand #185: Kitai acted first by folding and giving Vayo a walk.
Hand #186: Vayo called from the big blind and Kitai checked. The flop came down and Kitai checked. Vayo made it 125,000 to play and Kitai called.
The came into play on the turn, Kitai led for 350,000 and it was enough to take down the pot.
Hand #187: Kitai raised to 225,000 and Vayo folded.
Hand #188: Vayo limped in and Kitai checked. A flop reading came into play, Kitai checked, Vayo bet 125,000 and Kitai tossed in the calling chips.
The dealer placed the , pairing the board. Kitai checked to Vayo and Vayo slid 225,000 into the middle. Kitai folded.
Hand #189: Kitai called on the button and Vayo checked from the big blind. Vayo then checked the , Kitai made it 125,000 to play and Vayo called. The turn card was the , Vayo checked and Kitai bet 275,000. Vayo had seen enough and he folded.
Sunday, June 8, 2014 1:41 PM Local Time
Hands #177-179: Kitai Opens Up a Lead
Hand #177: Davidi Kitai opened for 200,000 from the small blind and Gordon Vayo pushed back with a three-bet to 525,000. Kitai folded.
Hand #178: Gordon Vayo limped, Davidi Kitai checked, and the flop came down . Davidi checked and then folded to a bet of 125,000 from Vayo.
Hand #179: Davidi Kitai raised to 200,000, Gordon Vayo called, and the flop fell . Vayo had first action and bet 225,000, which inspired Kitai to call. When the appeared on the turn, Vayo checked and Kitai took the opportunity to bet 350,000. Vayo made the call and the completed the board on the river. Vayo checked for a second time and Kitai slid out a bet of 625,000. Vayo sat quietly for about a minute and then released his hand.
| Davidi Kitai | 4,990,000 | 1,445,000 |
| Gordon Vayo | 2,300,000 | -1,450,000 |
Sunday, June 8, 2014 1:32 PM Local Time
Hands #169-176: Kitai Edges it Slightly
Hand #169: Davidi Kitai raised to 200,000 and Gordon Vayo called. The flop came down and Vayo checked to Kitai, who in turn made a continuation bet of 175,000. Vayo took another look at his cards before sending them back to the dealer.
Hand #170: Vayo was on the button and limped on. Kitai checked and then checked to Vayo on the flop. Vayo bet 125,000 and Kitai mucked.
Hand #171: Kitai completed on the big blind, Vayo checked and the dealer put the flop onto the felt. Vayo took a 125,000 stab at the pot and Kitai stepped out of the way.
Hand #172: Vayo called from his seat on the button and Kitai took back his big blind and exchanged it for 250,000. Vayo called. A flop was bet to 175,000 by Kitai and it was enough to scoop the pot.
Hand #173: Kitai limped in and Vayo checked his option. The flop saw a check from Vayo, a bet of 125,000 bet from Kitai and a call from Vayo. The saw a check from Vayo, a bet of 350,000 from Kitai and a fold from Vayo.
Hand #174: Vayo raised to 225,000 and Kitai folded.
Hand #175: Kitai completed his small blind on the button and Vayo pumped it up to 300,000 and Kitai mucked.
Hand #176: Vayo was first to act and he raised to 225,000 and Kitai called. The heads-up duo watched on as the dealer spread the and Kitai checked over to Vayo and Vayo fired a 275,000 and Kitai called, creating an ever-growing pot.
The turn was the and again Kitai checked. Vayo checked behind. The landed on the river and both players checked.
Kitai opened the for a pair of sixes and Vayo mucked.
Sunday, June 8, 2014 1:18 PM Local Time
Hands #163-168: Slow Start to the Match
Hand #163: In the first hand of the day, Davidi Kitai opened for 200,000 and Gordon Vayo called to see a flop. Vayo checked, as did Kitai, and the appeared on the turn. It went check-check again, and the completed the board on the river. This time Vayo bet 325,000 and Kitai folded face up.
Hand #164: Gordon Vayo called from the small blind and Davidi Kitai exercised his option from the big with a raise to 275,000. Vayo folded.
Hand #165: Davidi Kitai raised to 200,000 and Gordon Vayo folded.
Hand #166: Gordon Vayo raised to 250,000 from the small blind and Davidi Kitai called, which brought about a flop of . Kitai checked, Vayo did too, and the dealer burned and turned the . Two more checks brought the on the river, and again it went check-check. Kitai tabled the for ace high, and it was good as Vayo sent his cards to the muck.
Hand #167: Davidi Kitai opened for 200,000, Vayo called, and the flop came down , which both players checked. The turn inspired Vayo to check and Kitai to bet 130,000. Vayo called and the completed the board on the river. Vayo checked, Kitai bet again, this time 225,000, and Vayo called. Kitai tabled the , while Vayo held the . Chop it up.
Hand #168: Gordon Vayo limped, Davidi Kitai checked, and the flop came down . Kitai checked, Vayo bet 125,000, and Kitai folded.
Sunday, June 8, 2014 1:03 PM Local Time
Level 31 started
Level: 31
Blinds: 50000/100000
Ante: 10000
Sunday, June 8, 2014 11:56 AM Local Time
Will Gordon Vayo or Davidi Kitai Be the Next WSOP Gold Bracelet Winner
Event #15: $3,000 Six-Handed No-Limit Hold'em of the 2014 World Series of Poker was supposed to be a three-day affair, but due to a prolonged heads-up match between Gordon Vayo and Davidi Kitai, an impromptu fourth day has been added to determine a winner.
Yesterday the final 15 players of an 810-player field returned for ten one-hour levels of play. During that time the field lost some big names including Phil Hellmuth and Tony Ruberto is eighth and third place respectively. That left Kitai and Vayo to battle it out for the $508,640 first-place prize with the former holding a significant chip lead over the latter. However, Vayo managed to win a race with pocket sixes against big slick and then slowly grinded his way into the chip lead over the course of 40 hands.
One man who wasn't surprised by Vayo's comeback was online poker's biggest tournament winner Chris Moorman, who was sweating his friend from afar. "Gordon is a great hu player and I could easily see him coming back to win this," Moorman tweeted. "Kitai is going to get himself in trouble by isolating such weak hands oop forcing himself to barrell off with poor equity."
Today Vayo will begin with a slight 3.75 million to 3.545 million chip lead over Kitai, who is seeking his third WSOP gold bracelet and second in two years. Action will pick up in Level 31 with the blinds at 50,000/100,000.
The PokerNews Live Reporting Team will be providing hand-for-hand coverage until a winner is determined. Cards will be in the air at 1 p.m. local time, which is just over an hour from now. Stay tuned!